The Essential Spring Guide to Jacksonville, Florida (March–May)

The Essential Spring Guide to Jacksonville, Florida (March–May)

“Spring is when Jacksonville shows off.” With 22 miles of coastline and the largest urban park system in the country, the city flips from cozy winter to full-blown outdoor season; festivals, waterfront nights, and azaleas everywhere. If you’re hosting friends, planning a staycation, or plotting a long weekend, here’s the no-nonsense playbook to make spring in Jax excellent.

Spring at a Glance

  • Weather: Expect mild mornings and warm afternoons. Historical averages: March (high ~72°F), April (~78°F), May (~84°F). Afternoon sea breezes feel great; brief showers pop up. Water warms fast ~68–70°F in April, ~74–78°F in May. Pack a light layer for evenings. (Jax weather seasons)

  • Crowds: Heaviest around THE PLAYERS (March) and Memorial Day weekend (Jacksonville Jazz Festival). Book hotels and dinner reservations early.

  • Allergies: Tree pollen ramps up Feb–April. If you’re sensitive, plan outdoor time for late afternoon/evening, shower after beach/park time, and keep windows closed on high-pollen days.

Marquee Spring Events (Anchor Your Trip Around These)

THE PLAYERS Championship (TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach in March)

Golf’s unofficial “fifth major” is 20–30 minutes from the Beaches. The island-green 17th is chaos and glory in equal measure.
Plan it: Buy tickets early, use rideshare or official shuttles, follow the clear-bag policy, and wear real walking shoes; this is a stadium course. Aim for a half-day onsite plus dinner in nearby Beaches/PVB.

Gate River Run (Early March)

America’s classic 15K. Runners conquer the Hart Bridge, locals call it “The Green Monster”, with thousands of spectators lining the course downtown.
Plan it: If you’re running, book lodging downtown and pick up your bib the day before. If you’re spectating, bring a chair and post up near the river for finish-line vibes. 

Springing the Blues (Early April, Seawalk Pavilion – Jacksonville Beach)

Free, oceanfront blues festival. Sand, sea breeze, guitars.
Plan it: Bring a blanket or low chair, refillable water bottle, and sun protection. Park once and walk; Seawalk area fills fast.

Jacksonville Jazz Festival (Memorial Day Weekend, Downtown)

One of the nation’s largest free jazz festivals returns with a packed lineup, piano competition, and riverfront energy.
Plan it: Expect evening sets; build in lazy mornings and brunch. Park in a garage and walk between food vendors and the main stage. National Park Service

Beach Days, Upgraded

You’ve got options; Jacksonville Beach for energy, Neptune/Atlantic Beach for mellow, Huguenot & Little Talbot for wild coastal beauty.

Boneyard Beach (Big Talbot Island State Park)
A photographer’s dream: weather-blanched driftwood on a pristine shoreline. It’s a short trail to reach the beach; check tides and wear sturdy sandals. No swimming (currents + submerged wood).
Plan it: Go at low tide or early golden hour; bring water, bug spray, and your camera. Parking is limited.

Little Talbot Island State Park
Five miles of untouched beach, dunes, and trails. Great for shelling and quiet walks.
Plan it: Arrive early on weekends; the park closes at capacity. Combine with the nearby St. Johns River Ferry ride for a perfect coastal loop. 

Sea Turtle Etiquette (May–October)
Spring overlaps the start of nesting. On any beach: fill in holes, knock down sandcastles at day’s end, remove tents, and keep lights off after dusk. Touch nothing. It helps more than you think.

Hike, Paddle, Birdwatch: The Park Powerhouse

Jacksonville isn’t just beaches, it’s 80,000+ acres of parks: two national park sites, seven state parks, 400+ city parks. Translation: you can build any kind of day outside.

Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve
Mix history with wilderness: birding at Fort Caroline, ranger talks at Kingsley Plantation, and kayak routes through salt marsh.
 Plan it: Start at the Visitor Center, bring binoculars, and check tides if you’re paddling.

Hanna Park (Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park)
Surfable beach breaks, a freshwater lake with rentals, and 20+ miles of shaded mountain-bike trails.
Plan it: Pack a trail map (phone screenshot), plenty of water, and bug spray. If you’re MTB-curious, rent a hardtail and stick to beginner loops first.

Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
A quick, calm reset: 1–2 hours of lake loops, boardwalks, and spring blooms minutes from town.
Plan it: Small parking lot; arrive early on weekends. Suggested donation/entry fee supports the trails.

On the River: Ferries, Markets & Sunsets

St. Johns River Ferry (Mayport ↔ Ft. George Island)
A five-minute crossing that feels like a mini-cruise for cars, bikes, and pedestrians are welcome; runs every 30 minutes with posted fares/hours.
Plan it: Use the MyJTA app for discounted fares. Combine with Little Talbot or Kingsley Plantation for a low-stress adventure day.

Riverside Arts Market (RAM)
Every Saturday under the Fuller Warren Bridge: 100+ makers, farmers, and live music right on the river, 10am–3pm, rain or shine.
Plan it: It’s shaded (nice on warm days). Grab coffee, browse, and then stroll the Riverwalk. Parking at 715 Riverside Ave. Admission is free.

Gardens & Spring Blooms

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
Riverside Italian, English, and Olmsted gardens with spring azaleas and wisteria; plus a fantastic museum collection.
Plan it: Check hours before you go; the gardens close at dusk or museum close, whichever comes first.

Day Trip: Ravine Gardens State Park (Palatka – ~1 hr)
Azalea season peaks late winter into early spring, but early spring still delivers color and dramatic ravines.
Plan it: Drive the 1.8-mile loop or hike down into the ravines; bring a picnic. Bloom timing varies by weather, go sooner rather than later.

Spring Sports & Nightlife Lite

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (MiLB)
Baseball returns in April at VyStar Ballpark with cheap seats, fireworks nights, and downtown pre-game eats.
Plan it: Look for Thirsty Thursdays and theme nights; take the Skyway or walk from nearby garages.

Prefer low-key? Book a sunset table at Neptune or Atlantic Beach, or grab tacos and a golden-hour walk on the pier. (Piers and restaurants change hours seasonally; peek before you go.)

Three Plug-and-Play Spring Itineraries

A) First-Timer, Long Weekend (Fri–Sun)

  • Fri: Land, check in at Jacksonville Beach. Sunset walk + dinner nearby.

  • Sat: RAM → lunch in Riverside → Cummer Gardens → sunset on the Southbank Riverwalk.

  • Sun: Little Talbot beach morning → St. Johns River Ferry loop → seafood late lunch in Mayport.
     If your dates overlap: sub in Springing the Blues or Jazz Fest nights.

B) Outdoorsy Crew

  • Day 1: Hanna Park ride + beach; bonfire at a rental (check local rules).

  • Day 2: Timucuan Preserve paddling/hiking + Boneyard Beach golden hour.

  • Day 3: Brunch → Riverside Arts Market → brewery crawl.

C) Family-Friendly

  • Morning: Arboretum boardwalks (stroller-friendly in parts).

  • Afternoon: Jumbo Shrimp game (cheap seats, cotton candy diplomacy).

  • Next Day: Little Talbot shelling + ferry ride.

Month-by-Month Cheat Sheet

  • March: THE PLAYERS, Gate River Run, late-season azaleas. Mild temps; pack a light jacket.

  • April: Springing the Blues and prime beach days; water’s swimmable for most. Afternoon storms are brief.

  • May: Jacksonville Jazz Festival; sea turtle nesting begins; sunsets get dramatic. Book early for Memorial Day weekend.

What to Pack (and What to Skip)

  • Bring: Reef-safe sunscreen, bug spray, hat, reusable water bottle, compact beach shade, light rain shell, small first-aid kit, and sneakers you’re okay getting sandy.

  • Allergy kit: Daily antihistamine + saline spray if you’re sensitive; plan hikes for afternoons/evenings.

  • Skip: Heavy sweaters, rigid beach tents (high winds), and anything you wouldn’t leave unattended on the sand.

Pro Moves Locals Swear By

  • Time your tides for Boneyard and inlet hikes; low tide = more shoreline.

  • Park once at Seawalk or downtown festival zones and walk, circling burns time.

  • Saturday mornings are for RAM, then lunch on Park Street or King Street.

  • Ferry hack: MyJTA app discounts and a built-in breeze after a beach day.

Why This Guide Works

It blends fixed anchors (marquee events), evergreen nature days (parks, beaches), and under-the-radar detours (ferry rides, gardens) so you can plug any spring weekend into the plan and win. If you want, I can tailor this to your exact dates; swap in specific concerts, restaurant reservations, even a pollen-friendly hour-by-hour build.

Back to blog