Everyone in Jacksonville, FL loves a nice summer day. But sometimes, the heat is too intolerable to do anything outdoors: go to the park, do a little shopping at the St. John’s Town Center, attend an event downtown, etc. What many people don’t realize is the large amount of indoor activity options available here in our own backyard. The following is a guide of some of our favorite places to take our families when we can’t bear the heat anymore.
Museum of Science and History (MOSH)
Just as the name suggests, MOSH is the museum of science in history specializing in information specific to our region. Located in downtown, MOSH features seasonal exhibits including:
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Megalodon – The Largest Shark That Ever Lived
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Uncovering the Past – New Archaeological Discoveries of Northeast Florida
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The French in Florida Gallery
This museum holds special events like MOSH After Dark where guests can participate in wine tastings or conferences. On Fridays, MOSH has extended hours and lowers the price down to $5 for admission. Kids and adults alike will love learning about science and Jacksonville’s history.
The Cecil Aquatic Center
This facility houses two indoor pools – one olympic size pool and a small instructional pool. At any given time while visiting the Cecil Aquatic Center, a variety of activities will be taking place like fitness classes, swim lessons or swim meets. These pools are open year round and can be found on the Westside of town.
Rebounderz
This indoor trampoline arena is home to many other activities aside from a huge jumping space:
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Laser Tag
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Archery
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Bowling
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Arcade
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Fitness Classes
Rebounderz is great for any summer events whether it be for your child’s birthday party or a corporate outing. Winning the “Best of Jacksonville” award two years in a row, Rebounderz will be sure to work your family out and beat the heat.
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
MOCA is accredited for being one of the Southeast’s largest contemporary art institutions. Known for being the cultural resource for the University of North Florida, MOCA holds over 1,000 pieces of work from regional, national and international artists. A trip to MOCA is a great way to get involved in the up and coming Spark District.
Adventure Landing
If you are looking for an all day activity to entertain your family, Adventure Landing is a great choice. Open to the general public every day of the week, Adventure Landing is also a popular destination for field trips, parties and team building workshops. The following are all of the amenities available to visitors:
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Shipwreck Island Water Park
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Minigolf
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Go-Karts
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Arcade
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Laser Tag
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Batting Cages
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Candy Shop
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Teddy Bear Factory
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Mini Roller Coasters
Jacksonville Ice and Sportsplex
This sportscenter is completely indoors. The facility is built for a variety of sports – ice skating, ice hockey, volleyball, soccer and basketball. In addition to accommodating various sports, the Jacksonville Ice and Sportsplex also has meeting space. Sports lovers will appreciate being able to play their favorite sports in an air conditioned area.
The Cummer Museum of Arts and Gardens
Riverside is home to the historic riverfront gardens. This museum features over 6,000 European and American artistic paintings. Also well known for its’ collection of Meissen porcelain, the Cummer is listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places. The gardens may be difficult to wander through on a hot day, but the gallery is still well worth the trip.
The Sharks’ Games
The Sharks is Jacksonville’s arena football league. The team has become increasingly popular over the few years they have been around. In fact, the Sharks already have one AFL Championship win under their belts. Their season runs from March – June and the games are held at the Jacksonville Memorial Arena. Being in the south, football is very important. What better way to watch the game than in an indoor arena?
Autobahn Indoor Speedway
A new and exciting activity brought to the city, the Autobahn Indoor Speedway is a go-kart racing venue. The building holds two grand prix style tracks. Guests can race up to 10 others at a time reaching speeds of 50 MPH. The company opened a location in Jacksonville thanks to the community’s massive race enthusiasts. Like many of the other great indoor activities mentioned, the speedway also has capabilities to hosts birthday parties, corporate gatherings, fundraising events and race leagues.
Snyder Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electricknows the importance of staying safe in the Florida heat and sometimes that means avoiding the sun altogether. There’s plenty of entertaining things to do in Jacksonville when the weather is too insufferable to be outside. If you are looking for something to do on a hot summer day that’s fitting to all ages, check out one of these businesses.
