Jacksonville Florida Trip

[stoofur]

I am off for a company training course next week in Jacksonville Florida. I have two days to myself and a hire car. Do you have any suggestions of where to go? I am planning to go to Kennedy Space Center on one of the days I think. I am not interested in Disney TBH.
It's my first time in the US too. What foods and things should I try?

Thanks for the advice.

[Buenchico]

Have you checked out the city's official website?
https://www.visitjacksonville.com/

and/or TripAdvisor?
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g60805-Activities-Jacksonville_Florida.html

Savannah is a 2-hour drive away and might be worth exploring:
https://www.visitsavannah.com/

[10ClarionSt]

Kennedy Space Center is not as near as you think. I would say it's at least 3 hours from Jacksonville, but if you can get there it's well worth the visit. Disney and others are a good 5 hours from Jacksonville. Florida is a big place! I think it's similar in size to the UK. As everyone knows, the USA is the main consumer of fast foods. We used to eat at Sizzlers, but they are dwindling due to the package holidays offered by Disney, and it was Orlando. There is also the Ponderosa diners. They are quite good. Some of these places allow to eat as much as you like for a set price. You will see lots of places that you already know, such as MacDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, BurgerKing etc. I was disappointed with Dunkin' Donuts. I thought it was really poor quality.

[retrocop]

//It's my first time in the US too. What foods and things should I try?//

Eat anything they have on offer. Just don't swallow it.! It's mostly junk
Ensure the waiters/attendants are proficient in the Heimlich Manouvre.The Americans don't know how to use knives and forks at the table

[LadyCG]

Everything in America is huge. The smallest piece of meat I could find on a menu in NYC was a 16oz fillet.

In Boston is was all about the seafood. It was superb but very expensive.

There are just no limits in America and you can get every cuisine known to man but if there's anything you simply must try, IMO, it's an Apple Martini.

In fact, have one for me... :-)

[10ClarionSt]

Also, remember when eating out, to leave a tip afterwards where you have had waiter service. 10% is what we used to leave.

[retrocop]

Have a nice day and enjoy. That's what they say when you are served with their steaks.

https://butterflylabs.com/steakhouse-syndrome/

[237SJ]

When I`m in the States I try to eat reasonably healthily which you can in some places such as NY (just spent 5 days there and ate very well) I like Panda Express because I know I can get some steamed rice and lots of veg there - it's cheap as well. Don't listen to people that tell you that you have to eat crap/lard in the US as they haven't taken the time out to search for something better.

[10ClarionSt]

No-one's mentioned "crap/lard", 237S.

[retrocop]

//Don't listen to people that tell you that you have to eat crap/lard in the US as they haven't taken the time out to search for something better.//

Last time I was in the US of A I asked in a diner( Las Vegas) if they had Brocolli. They thought it was a medical complaint. :-)

[237SJ]

I'm not surpised - it was Las Vegas :)

[237SJ]

*surprised*

[237SJ]

"Remember to leave a tip...10% is what we used to leave. You would be chased down the street if you left a 10% tip nowadays. I went out with a cousin in NY the other night and he never leaves anything less than 20%

[stoofur]

Thank you everyone for such good answers. I know that Kennedy is quite far. It is something I’ve always wanted to do but never thought I’d get the chance. So I have to do that.

[angie55]

According to google maps, Jacksonville to Kennedy Space Center is 147 miles, 2 hours 20 mins.

[zebo]

Savannah's lovely but it'squite a haul from Jacksonville, I think 2 hours is optimistic especially for someone not used to the US roads. It's very much a walking city, so it would not be a trip I would do in a day, similarly Kennedy Space Centre, it's a tiring day but check if there's a launch. If there is you need to be in there before 10am and pre-booking tickets doesn't guarantee entry. St Augustine is a very pretty town, not far and very walkable.

[zebo]

If you have two days free could you not stay over somewhere?

[jno]

make sure you get your Esta done! Take photos of the hire car before you take it, you don't want them claiming scratches are new after you've handed it back. Beware of dring on turnpikes, they're toll roads. There will be free alternatives. You can turn right through a red light in Florida unless it's specifically forbidden (and drivers behind you will expect you to).

Savannah, mentioned by Buenchico, is lovely.