The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens amusement park is in northern Jacksonville, Florida, approximately 10 minutes north of the downtown area. According to the Zoo's website, the wildlife exhibits at the Jacksonville Zoo include the Australian Adventure, which features lorikeet birds and kangaroos, and Great Apes, where gorillas, siamangs and the black-and-white lemurs roam. Tourists can find hotels within 10 minutes of the Zoo in northern Jacksonville.
This Holiday Inn Express is near northeastern Jacksonville's Blount Island area, less than 15 minutes from the city's zoological park. This hotel offers special packages for cruise travelers who are docking or embarking at the Carnival Cruise port, less than a mile from Holiday Inn Express. This package includes a two-night stay, four passes to the Jacksonville Zoo, complimentary shuttle transportation to the Jaxport cruise terminal and free parking in the hotel parking lot for six days. Other hotel features include an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, whirlpool tub and some of the guest rooms have sleeper sofas.
The hotel is within 10 minutes of Big Talbot Island State Park, a marshy recreation area that features chances for bird watching, picnicking and hiking. One popular feature is Boneyard Beach, a coastal area with the remains of live oak and cedar trees. This area is only accessible by nature trails. Guided kayaking tours are also available. Off-site restaurants on New Berlin Road and Heckscher Drive are within walking distance of the hotel.
The Best USA Inn is a budget-conscious, motel-style accommodation, and is the closest hotel to the Jacksonville Zoo at only a five-minute distance between the two locations. As of fall 2010, room rates at this hotel start at $39 per night. The hotel also offers weekly rates at $179 per week, and monthly rates at $549 per month. Each guest room has a sitting area, microwave and refrigerator. A laundromat and RV parking spaces are available for guests on an extended stay.
The hotel is within five minutes for restaurants on Main Street and Dunn Avenue, including Junior's, a local favorite that serves seafood and American-style cuisine for lunch and dinner. Best USA Inn is right off Interstate 95, which makes a trip to downtown Jacksonville only a 10-minute drive. The outdoor shops and restaurants at Jacksonville Landing are less than 2 miles from Interstate 95, and a 15-minute drive south of the hotel. This shopping center faces the St. Johns River, and features attractions such as the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts.
The Best Western Jacksonville Airport is approximately 10 minutes north of the Jacksonville Zoo, and less than five minutes from the Jacksonville International Airport. This hotel offers parking packages for passengers at the airport and Jaxport cruise terminal, which is less than 20 minutes from the hotel. Each package includes the room rate, complimentary shuttle transportation to the airport or cruiseport and free parking for up to 12 days for airport travelers, and five days for cruise travelers. The hotel also provides an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, picnicking area with barbecue grills and pets may stay for an extra fee.
Beach and surfing activities on Amelia Island are a 30-minute trip from the hotel. This island is also home to Amelia Island State Park at the southern end of the island, and Fort Clinch State Park at the northern tip. Both recreation areas offer picnicking areas with scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean, walking paths and fishing opportunities. Amelia Island features the mile-long George Crady Bridge fishing pier, while guided tours are available at the 19th century battlement at Fort Clinch State Park.
