You know what I love? A city near the beach. You get the best of both worlds – the thrill of the city and the tranquillity of the sea.
Jacksonville, Florida is one of those cities. From the rich history and diverse cultural scene of Downtown Jacksonville to its DAZZLING, long stretches of white-sand beach and crystal blue waters. Just a mere 16 miles apart!
It’s one of the most modern cities in the US and has an intoxicating mix of great shops, a vibrant food scene, and adventure activities. You won’t be short of things to do in Jacksonville, that’s for sure.
Deciding where to stay in Jacksonville, Florida is an important task. The best place to stay in Jacksonville completely depends on you and what you want to get out of your trip. Do you want to stay in the thick of the action? Or, do you want to chill on the outskirts by the beach?
It’s a daunting decision if you’ve never been to the city before. But never fear! That’s where I come in, I have taken it upon myself to become your trusty Jacksonville guide.
I’ve compiled the best areas to stay in the city depending on your interest and budget. I’ve got you covered, friend.
So, without further ado. Let’s dive into the good stuff and find where in Jacksonville is best for you!
- Where to Stay in Jacksonville
- Jacksonville Neighborhood Guide – Places to Stay in Jacksonville
- Jacksonville’s 5 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in
- FAQ about Finding a Place to Stay in Jacksonville
- What To Pack For Jacksonville
- Don’t Forget Travel Insurance for Jacksonville
- Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Jacksonville
- Buy Us a Coffee!
If you’re looking for an awesome time during your USA backpacking trip, you should definitely stop over in Jacksonville.
Whether you’re road-tripping through the country or you’re simply just on a holiday, you’ll always need to find a place to stay overnight. We’re here to help! Looking for a specific place to stay? These are our highest recommendations for places to stay in Jacksonville.
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
The Gardener’s Cottage | Best Airbnb in Jacksonville
Close to the downtown area, this Florida Airbnb is in one of the best areas to stay in Jacksonville for convenient access to everything. It’s suitable for up to 2 guests and offers complete privacy as well as a professionally designed pool and garden that you can use throughout your stay. The interior spaces are clean and spacious with a pleasing modern design.
Hampton Inn Jacksonville – I-95 Central | Best Hotel in Jacksonville
This hotel in Jacksonville is a short walk from the Jacksonville Riverwalk. It has an outdoor pool, air-conditioned rooms, 24-hour business center and welcoming, helpful staff. The rooms are large and contain all the necessities you’ll need including a telephone. And best of all, the surrounding area is filled with bars and restaurants, so you’ll never get hungry or bored.
DoubleTree by Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront FL | Best Luxury Hotel in Jacksonville
When you’re trying to decide where to stay in Jacksonville for your first time, you want comfort and convenience. And that’s exactly what this hotel offers. It has free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, an outdoor pool, and offers breakfast every morning. The rooms are contemporary and contain all the extras and there are even conjoining rooms so you can keep an eye on the rest of the family.
Downtown
The Downtown area is the heart of the city. It’s one of the best places in Jacksonville to stay if you want to be close to everything and have easy access to public transport.
Southpoint
Southpoint is the best neighborhood in Jacksonville to stay in if you want to be away from the hustle and bustle of the center.
Neptune Beach
If you want to be close to the beach, then Neptune Beach is the best neighborhood to stay in Jacksonville. One of the biggest draws of this city is the beach proximity,
San Marco
If you don’t want to stay in the Downtown area, then try San Marco. It’s just a quick water taxi ride across the river and close to the Southbank area, where there’s a tree that’s older than the city itself!
Jacksonville’s neighborhoods are incredibly diverse. They range from historic to ultra-new and modern, to suit every travel taste and style. And everywhere you go, you’ll be treated to Jacksonville’s unique blend of charm and Southern hospitality. You’ll find everything from dining districts to funky shopping areas and sleepy surfer towns in Jacksonville. And the best areas to stay in Jacksonville are the ones that suit your personality and travel style.
The first area to consider when you’re trying to find the best area in Jacksonville to stay in is, of course, the Downtown. This is where you’ll find everything you would expect from a city center, from skyscrapers to shopping malls, and it’s well connected to everywhere via public transport.
But if you’re looking for a quieter area, then check out the hotels in budget-friendly. Southpoint. This is one of Jacksonville’s best neighborhoods for families as it has lots of attractions aimed at keeping the kids busy and happy.
For beach lovers, you can’t go past Neptune Beach. This is one of the quieter beaches, with a laidback feel, but it’s still close to more active beaches as well as to natural areas where you can explore.
Five Points is one of the best places to stay in Jacksonville for close proximity to the city center while still enjoying a more residential feel.
And the final area to consider is San Marco, where you’ll enjoy the upscale, trendy feel. If you love to eat, this is the area for you as it contains some of the best restaurants in the city. It’s also close enough to the Downtown area that you can easily head in there to explore.
Want to save money on accommodation?
We got you. For reals.
Jacksonville’s 5 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in
You’re most likely to end up in Jacksonville on a Florida road trip. When you’re preparing for your trip to this city, make sure you keep this handy Jacksonville neighborhood guide close by so you know exactly where to go.
#1 Downtown – Where to Stay in Jacksonville First Time
The Downtown area is the heart of the city. It’s one of the best places in Jacksonville to stay if you want to be close to everything and have easy access to public transport. Jacksonville’s Downtown is pleasingly unique. It’s filled with high rise buildings and shopping malls and yet is close to the city’s beaches as well, offering the best of both worlds.
Whether you’re trying to decide where to stay in Jacksonville for nightlife, for shopping, or for eating, this is the best area to choose. It has a fresh, modern atmosphere and lots of events and activities to keep every member of your travel group happy for days. And you’ll find a nice range of Jacksonville accommodation options in this part of the city as well.
Casa Grace | Best Airbnb in Downtown
Whether you’re trying to decide where to stay in Jacksonville with kids or with friends, this historic home has everything you’ll need. It’s newly renovated to exacting standards and offers luxurious, comfortable spaces. It’s close to all the best attractions in Downtown and offers 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths suitable for up to 6 guests.
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront | Best Hotel in Downtown
Whether you’re trying to decide where to stay in Jacksonville for one night or for longer, this is a good choice. It’s located right in the city center and offers a Jacuzzi, rooftop pool, sauna, and free shuttle services. The rooms are elegantly decorated and contain everything you’ll need during your visit.
Omni Jacksonville | Best Luxury Hotel in Downtown
This hotel in Jacksonville is close to the center of the city and surrounded by popular restaurants, shops, and public transport options. It has a rooftop terrace, a bar, and a gym that you can use during your stay as well as contemporary rooms with all the essentials.
Things to See and Do in Downtown
- Spend a day on the beach, relaxing and trying some watersports.
- If you’re in the city at the right time of year, make sure you see a Jacksonville Jaguars game.
- Head over to see a show at the Ritz Theater.
- Just wander the streets to appreciate the friendly vibe and find hidden local gems.
- Make sure you visit the city’s best restaurants for great eats.
- Head out after sunset to experience the city’s nightlife.
- Get a bit of education into your trip at the Jacksonville Contemporary Museum.
- Check out Sweet Pete’s, the local candy factory.
We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.
Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REI#2 Southpoint – Where to Stay in St. Jacksonville on a Budget
Southpoint is the best neighborhood in Jacksonville to stay in if you want to be away from the hustle and bustle of the center. It’s a residential area with a peaceful, local feel that’s still well connected to the Downtown area via buses and the metro. You will probably need to have a car if you’re staying in this part of the city, just to make it easier to get around.
Southpoint is also the best choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Jacksonville for families. In this area, you’ll find a lot of attractions aimed at children, particularly if you’re visiting in the summer. And there are also a range of hotels available to suit every budget point and travel taste.
Private Room in Townhouse | Best Airbnb in Southpoint
This townhouse is in one of the best places in Jacksonville to stay if you’re on a budget. It’s suitable for 2 guests and includes a private bedroom with extras like cable TV, Wi-Fi, and a PlayStation as well as a private bathroom. It’s in a very safe and welcoming area and close to local restaurants and shopping areas too.
La Quinta Inn & Suites Jacksonville Butler Boulevard | Best Hotel in Southpoint
If you’re trying to decide where to stay in Jacksonville on a budget, then this is a good choice. It’s right in the center of Southpoint and close to shops and restaurants and offers free Wi-Fi, a laundry service, and fully equipped, comfortable rooms with all the essentials.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Jacksonville Butler Boulevard | Best Luxury Hotel in Southpoint
Located in the center of Southpoint, the best area in Jacksonville to stay in, this hotel is ideal for families, couples, or singles. It has free Wi-Fi, a spa and wellness center, an outdoor pool, and a beauty center. You can use the hotel’s gym while you’re there or hire a car at the rental desk or just relax in your spacious and fully equipped room.
Things to See and Do in Southpoint
- Take the metro or a taxi into the Downtown or other parts of the city to explore.
- Wander around your local area and eat, drink, and hang out with the locals.
- Take the kids to ride go-karts at the Kart Circuit.
- Head over to the water park at Adventure Landing.
- Check out what’s on at the Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events.
- Take the kids to the indoor play area at Flight Fit N Fun Jacksonville.
#3 Neptune Beach – Best Neighborhood in Jacksonville for Families
If you want to be close to the beach, then Neptune Beach is the best neighborhood to stay in Jacksonville. One of the biggest draws of this city is the beach proximity, and small built-up areas have sprung up around the most popular beaches. These residential villages offer accommodation, places to eat, cafes, and bars, so you don’t have to leave the beach region at all if you don’t want to!
Neptune beach is filled with funky cottages and trendy shops. There are building height restrictions in place, so your views of the beach from your hotel are unobstructed, and the whole area has a charming, relaxed vibe. Neptune beach is one of the quieter beaches in Jacksonville, which makes it a good choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Jacksonville with kids.
Courtyard by Marriott | Best Hotel in Neptune Beach
Located right on the beachfront, this is a great choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Jacksonville for families. It offers rooms of varying sizes as well as a fitness center, free Wi-Fi, and an outdoor pool. There are also lots of restaurants and shops nearby where you can grab snacks and souvenirs!
Private First Floor of Beach Townhouse | Best Airbnb in Neptune Beach
You’ll love this property if you love the beach. It’s only 500 meters from the sand is located on the first floor of a townhouse with a private entrance. The space includes a studio style room, full bathroom, desk, and efficiency kitchen and is perfect for a single person or a couple who wants to stay close enough to the beach to touch it!
Pelican Path Bed and Breakfast by the Sea | Best Luxury Hotel in Neptune Beach
Located in the best neighborhood to stay in Jacksonville for beach access, this B&B offers comfortable rooms with en suites. The rooms include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee facilities, and a fridge. And best of all you’ll enjoy easy access to the beach and to local restaurants when you stay in this B&B.
Things to See and Do in Neptune Beach
- Spend an afternoon exploring the hip shops in the Beaches Town Center.
- Go for a bike ride along the coast.
- Relax in the shade in local cafes and recover from a day spent in the sun with a meal and a great cup of coffee.
- Spend a day on the beach swimming and trying watersports.
- Have a meal where the locals eat and enjoy fresh, local fare.
- Head down to the Dutton Island Preserve and check out the wildlife.
- Spend a day in the Downtown area to explore the attractions of the city.
- Find a quiet spot nearby to go camping and enjoy the pristine natural landscape around the city.
A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!
Jetpac eSIMs work just like an app: you download it, pick your plan, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.
Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and ditch the plastic.
Grab an eSIM!#4 Five Points – Best Area to Stay in Jacksonville for Nightlife
Jacksonville is already one of the best places to live in Florida, but as a party animal, I’d say Five Points is my favourite area of Jacksonville to live or stay in. Five Points is officially part of the Riverside-Avondale Historic District and it’s one of the most vibrant urban cores in the city. This is surprising because this area began as a commercial district, but it’s now filled with hipsters and bohemians who have given it an irrepressible vibe. Expect to see tattoo parlors next to boutique stores in this area, and to be part of the city’s evolving heart.
Five Points is the best neighborhood in Jacksonville to stay in if you want to be close to the center of the city but in a more urban area. It’s well connected to other parts of the city via public transport and yet contains enough attractions to keep you entertained for days.
The Peacock Room | Best Airbnb in Five Points
When you’re trying to decide where to stay in Jacksonville on a budget, you can’t go miss out on a room in this historic home. The building was built in 1910 and has been updated to include all the modern conveniences while still retaining its historic charm. The Peacock Room is suitable for two guests and includes a shared bathroom.
Riverdale Inn | Best Hotel in Five Points
This inn is located in one of Jacksonville’s best neighborhoods and offers charming and unique lodgings for travelers to the city. It’s close to local Jacksonville attractions like the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens and Memorial Park and offers contemporary rooms with all the essentials.
The Inn at Oak Street | Best Luxury Hotel in Five Points
If you enjoy historic charm, then this inn is one of the coolest places to stay in Jacksonville. It’s close to local landmarks like Memorial Park and offers cozy, fully equipped rooms that will suit every traveler or travel group.
Things to See and Do in Five Points
- Check out what’s on at the Sun-Ray Cinema, Jacksonville’s first independent film house.
- Wander down the commercial strip and enjoy the unique architecture and colorful buildings.
- This area is a great choice when you’re trying to decide where to stay in Jacksonville for nightlife, so grab some friends and spend some time in the local bars.
- Spend some time at the Park Arcade Building for shopping and the city’s first indoor-outdoor mini-golf course.
- Get out of the city and spend some time in nature at Memorial Park.
- Check out one of the finest collections of art at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.
#5 San Marco – Coolest Place to Stay in Jacksonville
If you don’t want to stay in the Downtown area, then try San Marco. It’s just a quick water taxi ride across the river and close to the Southbank area, where there’s a tree that’s older than the city itself! San Marco is a very popular residential area and its trendy feel and close proximity to everything make it a great choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Jacksonville for your first time.
This isn’t the most budget-friendly part of the city to stay in. In fact, you’re likely to spend more money than you’d like because of the upscale restaurants and boutiques. But what’s really cool about this area is that, if you’re careful, there are plenty of cheap or free attractions you can enjoy. You just have to look for them.
Magnuson Hotel Jacksonville Downtown | Best Hotel in San Marco
Whether you’re trying to decide where to stay in Jacksonville for one night or for a longer visit, this is a great choice. It has an outdoor pool and is close to local attractions and offers modest but comfortable furnishings and facilities. The hotel was built in the 1960s but was recently refurbished to modern standards.
Homewood Suites by Hilton | Best Luxury Hotel in San Marco
This hotel in Jacksonville offers clean, comfortable accommodations close to everything. It’s close to the metro station and to local restaurants and each room has a fully equipped kitchenette that you can use during your stay. The hotel offers indoor and outdoor recreational activities as well such as billiards, scuba diving, and fishing tours.
San Marco Bungalow | Best Airbnb in San Marco
With 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and enough space for 5 guests, this bungalow makes for a comfortable base in Jacksonville. It’s within walking distance of the best restaurants, bars, clubs, and shops in the district. And it offers a fully equipped kitchen and large backyard that you can use in complete privacy.
Things to See and Do in San Marco
- Head over to see the 250-year-old Treaty Oak at Jesse Ball duPont Park.
- Make sure that you’re in Riverpoint Park at sunset, for the most amazing colored sky.
- Check out the Museum of Science and History.
- Check out what’s on at the San Marco Theater.
- Go upscale and enjoy the best restaurants in the city in this area.
- Spend a few hours in the local art galleries and check out the upcoming talent!
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!FAQ about Finding a Place to Stay in Jacksonville
Here’s what people usually ask us about the areas of Jacksonville and where to stay.
What To Pack For Jacksonville
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out my definitive Hotel Packing list for even more top packing tips!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance for Jacksonville
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Jacksonville
Great food, amazing shopping, beautiful outdoor areas, and lots of adventure activity options, Jacksonville has it all. Really, the only question you should be asking yourself is why more people don’t spend time in this exciting city. With this guide, you can fix that. It will help you find the coolest places to stay in Jacksonville and make your stay that much better.
- Check out our ultimate guide backpacking around USA.
- Figured out where you wanna stay? Now it’s time to pick the perfect hostel in USA.
- Or… maybe you want to check out some Airbnbs in Florida instead.
- Next up you’re gonna need to know all the best places to visit in USA to plan your trip.
- Save yourself hassle and money and get an international sim card for USA.
- Swing by our super epic backpacking packing list to prep for your trip.
Buy Us a Coffee!
A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
