Page 124 - Travel Guide to Florida 2020

NORTHEAST FLORIDA

Trolley or Ripley’s Red Train Tours to most of
the galleries. They run every 30 minutes on a
continuous loop.
If you want to take in a show, The Amp,
(formerly known as the St. Augustine
Amphitheatre) seats 4,100 and is considered
St. Johns County’s leading multi-purpose arts
facility. Recent performing acts have included
the Doobie Brothers, Bill Currington
Widespread Panic and ZZ Top. St. Augustine’s
Farmers Market and the Night Market are also
held on the grounds of the amphitheatre.
Another place to enjoy music and shows is
the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall in Ponte Vedra
Beach. It features performing artists from
around the globe as well as special events and
community gatherings. The concert hall also
has convention and meeting spaces.
FORT CLINCH, AMELIA ISLAND • AMELIA ISLAND CVB
Southwest of St. Augustine in Putnam
ARTS AND CULTURE County, Palatka features more than 30
INSIDER’S Northeast Florida has no shortage of arts and outdoor murals.
culture destinations. From a symphony
In February, head north on U.S. Route 17
TIPS orchestra to well-regarded museums, to Green Cove Springs for the annual
visitors can find something for everyone. Northeast Florida Scottish Highland Games
In St. Augustine, tours of places like Villa & Festival. For a year-round glimpse at the
Jacksonville is the largest city by landmass
Zorayda Museum give a glimpse into the region’s Scottish connection, just visit its
in the continental United States. If you past. The building was originally historical and military museums.
are visiting for a few days, consider constructed in 1883 as a winter residence and In downtown Jacksonville, the monthly
renting a car to experience all of its local, was made of poured concrete and crushed First Wednesday Art Walk covers 15-plus
coquina shell. Villa Zorayda is built to one- blocks of arts and culture. Check out more
historical neighborhoods, beaches and
tenth the scale of a section of the Alhambra than 40 art & cultural galleries, museums,
national parks.
Palace in Granada, Spain. Tours detail its live performance venues and restaurants.
Got a hankering for more than just
historic significance in St. Augustine’s The tour connects visitors to the dozens of
seafood? Then Clark’s Fish Camp in history and display many unique items— artists and street performers in Hemming
Jacksonville is the place to visit. Try there’s even the “Sacred Cat Rug” that is more Park.
specialty items like alligator poppers, than 2,400 years old. From September to May, the Jacksonville
Nearby, Flagler College was built by Symphony makes its home in the Robert E.
gator tail, fried turtle, llama, antelope
railroad magnate Henry M. Flagler in the late Jacoby Symphony Hall, praised for its great
and ostrich. Clark’s displays a large
1880s, originally as Hotel Ponce de León, one acoustics, at the Times–Union Center for the
collection of taxidermy around the of the most exclusive resorts of its day. Now Performing Arts, and also performs at other
restaurant and has a live exhibit—Lilly’s an historic landmark, the stunning architec- venues in Northeast Florida and around the
Pad—with turtles, fish and Lilly, a five- ture and sights at the college include a 68- state. The symphony is ranked among the
foot domed ceiling, a dining room with 79 country’s top regional orchestras.
foot North American alligator.
Tiffany stained glass windows, and original Featuring two stages of live music, local
One of the lesser-known but spectacu-
hotel furniture and art. food, drinks and shopping, the annual
lar attractions in St. Augustine is the tour For an in-depth look at St. Augustine’s Jacksonville Jazz Festival is promoted as one of
of Flagler College. Built by Henry M. visual arts, take part in the First Friday Art the largest jazz festivals in the U.S. The festival
Flagler in 1888, the college is a national Walk, which includes more than 20 art has been part of the area since 1981 and takes
galleries opening their doors for the evening. over 10 blocks of downtown.
historic landmark. Students lead tours
Enjoy refreshments, receptions and live music Amelia Island welcomes its annual
twice a day for just US$12 a person.
for free. There’s complimentary parking and a Chamber Music Festival in February, March
free shuttle at San Sebastian Winery on King and April, with concerts featuring world-
Street where you can board the Old Town renowned musicians.

122 2020 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA