Do you feel like you just need to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life for a day or two? While Jacksonville, FL is a great city to call home, we all need to take a short break from our usual routine every once in a while. If you want to get away, but don't know where you want to escape to, read on to discover our favorite small towns within driving distance of Jax. 3 Charming Small Towns in Driving Distance of Jacksonville, FL 1. Neptune Beach Neptune Beach is one of the cutest towns near Jax, and there are several activities you can enjoy here. Our favorite thing to do in Neptune Beach is swing by Jax Surf & Paddle at 241 Atlantic Boulevard #102. You can rent hard and soft top surfboards for anywhere from an hour to seven days. You can also rent skimboards, bodyboards, and paddleboards for up to a week. Jax Surf & Paddle doesn't just rent everything you need to enjoy the local waterways. They can give you the skills you need to practice a new hobby safely. You can take private surfing lessons or public surfing classes. You can benefit from private surfing lessons regardless of your skill level, and every Saturday there are beginner and intermediate public classes. more 2. Fernandina Beach We also strongly recommend visiting Fernandina Beach. There are many activities you can enjoy in this town, too. Our favorite is visiting Fort Clinch State Park at 2601 Atlantic Ave. You can visit this state park from 8 a.m. to sunset daily, and the ranger station is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. What we love the most about this state park is the wide variety of activities you can enjoy here. Hiking is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the park. There is a challenging six-mile hiking trail that is also popular with mountain bikers. There are also other hiking trails in this state park. 3. Callahan Finally, we recommend visiting Callahan if you need a break from city life. Here, you can find the West Nassau Museum of History at 45383 Dixie Ave. This free museum is open from 9 to 12 on most Saturdays and features many historic maps, model railroad cars, and much more. There are many charming towns within driving distance of Jacksonville. However, if you need a quick break from city life, you need a reliable car. If you feel anxious driving because your car has broken down recently, it may be time to drive off in a 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata. To take one for a spin, visit us today at Mazda City of Orange Park.
