Believe it or not, Florida is home to one of the most cost-friendly vacation destinations in the world. Jacksonville, or the "River City by the Sea," is an affordable, yet luxurious paradise with more than 20 miles of wide and uncrowded beaches, the largest urban park system in the country, and endless (and affordable) fun. So, step out of your Jacksonville hotel to soak up some sun, sand and surf in one of the best budget-friendly places around.

Surf’s up (or not) on 22-miles of pristine beaches

Catch the sunrise (and maybe a fish or two) from Jacksonville Beach’s iconic fishing pier.

Jax’s sugary-white stretches of pristine sandy beaches welcome visitors from around the world to hang loose and hang ten on some of the gnarliest waves this side of Florida. Even if you’re not stoked to hit the swells, and would prefer the usual beach-time activities, Jacksonville has you more than covered.

Start in Atlantic Beach, where slightly gentler waves offer perfect conditions for beginner surfers. This family-friendly stretch of sand has plenty of activities ranging from beachcombing and shelling, to cycling, boogie-boarding and more within close proximity to world-class golfing, parks and the vibrant energy of downtown.

On Jacksonville Beach, you’ll find tons of facilities, activities galore, and a popular fishing pier—as well as some of the best surfing conditions in the country. Watch (or join) experienced surfers at “The Poles,” or enjoy a day filled with beach volleyball, dolphin-spotting, sandcastle building, taking swings at the newly redesigned golf course just off the sand, and so much more. This beach also occasionally plays host to a Moonlight Movie series in the summer.

No trip to Jacksonville would be complete without a visit to Neptune Beach. More laid back and a little quieter than most, this gorgeous spot nestled between Atlantic and Jacksonville beaches is famous for its sunrise views, boutique shops and tasty eats within a stone’s throw of the surf. And speaking of tasty eats—if you have the time, head over to Mayport Beach. Home of several casino boats, this more adult-friendly spot is also legendary for its shrimp and offers some of the best places to eat in Jacksonville.

Get in touch with your wild side

Have a “purr-fectly” good time when you visit the beautiful big cats of Jacksonville’s Catty Shack Ranch.

The waves aren’t the only thing that’s wild in Jacksonville. At Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, nonprofit organization specializing in rescuing big cats, the whole family can experience majestic furry felines (from a safe distance, of course). Catty Shack is a lifetime home for the animals that live there, as well as a rescue and rehabilitation facility with a fantastic team of caretakers. It’s a big hit with locals and out-of-towners alike, and provides guided tours day and night, with a price that’s perfect even for budget vacationers. Daytime tours are offered 1-4 p.m. for only $10/adult and $5/child. Nighttime feeding tours are from 6-8:30 p.m. and more than worth it at just $15/adult and $10/child.

And if big cats aren’t enough to satiate your wild side, visit the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens. Great for kids and open every day (except Christmas Day), it’s the only walking safari in northeast Florida. Take the Zoo Train around the park and explore over 115 acres of exhibits housing over 2,000 animals and 1,000 plants. Feed the stingrays at Stingray Bay, take the kids to the Play Park and Splash Ground, grab a bite at two restaurants on-site, and more. While General Admission is just $16/adult, $11/child (kids 2-and-under get in free), the Value Ticket gets you more bang for your buck and covers the cost of Stingray Bay, unlimited train rides, movies at the 4-D theater and more for just $24/adult and $17/child.

Expand your mind (and have fun doing it) at Jax’s popular museums

An exciting, family-friendly learning experience awaits at MOSH. Photo Credit: The Museum of Science & History

A great place to start is at The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, located in the historic Brooklyn neighborhood just southwest of downtown. Established in 1958, this museum houses more than 5,000 works of art from various artists and offers kid-friendly programs by Duval County Schools. It’s immensely popular for its gorgeous gardens, spectacular views over the St. Johns River to downtown, and towering old oaks on the grounds. Admission is just $10/adult, $6/child, seniors, military and students. Visit on Tuesdays between 4 p.m. and closing for free admission! Students also get in free every Tuesday-Friday, while kids 5 and under get in free every day.

Next, head over to the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, located in historic downtown. There are over 1,000 individual works of art in vast galleries to explore, as well as many popular events like summer movie classics, youth activities, guest lectures, holiday parties, and an Art Walk every first Wednesday of the month from 5-9 p.m. Admission is only $8/adult, $5/child, seniors, military & students. Kids 2 and under get in free every day, while students can get in free Tuesday-Friday from 1:30-5 p.m. The best part? There’s free admission for all during the Art Walk!

Finally, plan a short day exploring Jax’s Museum of Science & History. While it’s a little smaller than other area museums, it’s still fantastic for families with plenty of interactive displays, award-winning exhibits and traveling collections to inspire the imagination of the young and young at heart. It’s also home to one of the largest single-lens planetariums in the country, as well as KidSpace—a fun and interactive playground exhibit for kids 5 and under. The museum is open every day and admission is just $15/adult and $12/child, seniors, military, students and teachers. Kids 2 and under get in free!

Take a walk for some retail-therapy

Walk down to the Fuller Warren Bridge—rather, under it—for some a taste of the local flair at Riverside Arts Market.

Celebrate local artists and artisans at the weekly Riverside Arts Market, hosted on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., rain or shine. Located under the Fuller Warren Bridge near downtown, you can stroll through hundreds of stands featuring local art, farm-fresh produce, craft brews, family-friendly entertainment and more. Searching for some unique finds? Discover some of the best antiquing outside South Florida’s antique hub of Dania Beach in the 40,000 square-foot showroom of Avonlea Antique Mall. Located just 15 minutes from downtown, you’ll find over 200 dealers in one fantastic location. And no day of retail-therapy is complete without a visit to Beaches Town Center. Close to Neptune Beach and extremely kid, pet, pedestrian and bike-friendly, you’ll experience plenty of local character, boutique shops, tasty eats and more at one of the most popular shopping centers in Jacksonville.

Find weird and wonderful points of interest off the beaten path

Stand in wonder under the mighty arms of the old Treaty Oak in Jacksonville’s Jessie Ball DuPont Park.

With so many things to do here, sometimes the more unique attractions or experiences might not make it into your Jacksonville travel plans. Skip the popular tourist destinations and discover something truly special, starting with a visit to the Treaty Oak. Located in the Jessie Ball DuPont Park, this massive, 250-year-old (or more) live oak is quite possibly the oldest living thing in Jacksonville. It was saved from destruction by urban sprawl thanks to some scheming and clever reporting by a local journalist. And now, it offers a beautiful photo-op within a fantastic green space in downtown.

Looking for something spooky to fill your evenings? Hunt for ghosts on nearby Amelia Island! Tour the streets of historic Fernandina with Amelia Island Ghost Tours and learn about the area’s rich history of piracy and plunder. The half-mile, family-friendly tour is available every night of the week. Tickets are $20/adult, $10/child—or, $15/adult & $10/child for the shorter tour.

While fun doesn’t always come free, the whole family can enjoy a wild water show at the Friendship Fountain for the cost of a short walk through St. Johns River Park (AKA Friendship Park). First opened in 1965 (with renovation completed in 2011), it was, at the time, the world’s tallest fountain. Enjoy incomparable views of downtown Jacksonville—especially at night, with the fountain’s accompanying light show.

If you’re looking for the perfect Florida vacation that fits almost any budget, look no further than Jax. With plenty of hotel deals, budget-friendly things to do and places to see—you’ll find it’s easy to have the time of your life (without breaking the bank) when you visit sunny Jacksonville.