Activities for Seniors in Jacksonville

The city of Jacksonville is the largest city by landmass in the Continental United States, and with nearly 850,000 residents, it’s also the most populated city in Florida.

While only 11% of that population are senior citizens, the city of Jacksonville knows that number will be rising and has a strong infrastructure in place to provides services such as counseling, support, education, assistance, and much more.

If you're interested in working with seniors and older adults in the Jacksonville area, consider becoming a Papa Pal companion caregiver. The role of a Papa Pal varies from day to day. Some Papa Pals lend a hand around the house and help with errands, housekeeping, pet care, and gardening. Others offer company on a walk around the neighborhood or provide transportation to help seniors and older adults enjoy everything their community has to offer. It’s a great part-time job for friendly people.

With 20 individual senior centers spread throughout the city, you will not have any problems finding activities to stay busy.

Fun, outdoor, senior-focused events and activities to enjoy in the Jacksonville area include:

An all-day competitive fishing event for seniors at Hanna Park, which can also be a great spot to enjoy a day at the beach, and check out the natural wildlife of Jacksonville on any day of the week

The Jacksonville Senior Games – an Olympic-style friendly and competitive set of events specifically for seniors to take part in. Events include basketball, swimming, golf, tennis, track and field, line dancing, power-lifting, cycling and a ton more

Jacksonville is home to over 20 miles of coasts lined with beautiful beaches that make for peaceful exploration or adventurous activities.

In addition, Jacksonville is home to the largest urban park system in the country offering a number of National Parks to visit and enjoy such as Tree Hill Nature Center, Little Talbot Island, and Huguenot Park.

Some other fantastic spots to visit in Jacksonville to enjoy the outdoors include the beautiful St. John’s River where you can see the alligators and manatees or take it another step further and go for a night fishing charter.

If you like to bike the Baldwin Trail, a converted railway, is now a 14.5-mile greenway offering a haven for hikers and bikers alike.

Beyond Jacksonville’s rich natural landscape and beauty, the city also offers some fun recreational activities that are well suited for seniors as well.

Bent Creek Golf Course is one of the local favorites that offer a fair price for a fun round of golf. You can even sign up for an afternoon round of foot-golf if you’re not a typical golfer but still want to enjoy the precision aspect of golf.

Don’t forget to spend at least a day over at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center where you can enjoy their top of the line indoor facility offering sporting events such as BMX, equestrian events, soccer, dog shows, and more.

Also on the 80-acre grounds are miles of hiking trails, an Olympic sized indoor swimming pool facility, RV camping hookups, and even its own public 18-hole golf course!

If you’re more into exotic animals, be sure to visit the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens where you and your family can spend a day hanging out with tigers, elephants, rhinoceros, and plenty more.

It is known as more than a zoo because it also has an expansive botanical garden with a wide array of foreign plants and flowers. They even offer guided tours, and best of all, a senior discount!

With so many choices in Jacksonville for food and drinks it’s hard to know where to start. If you’re looking for a fun day of shopping, dining, and all-around fun look no further than St. John’s Town Center.

This open-air mall features over 150 stores with a flurry of dining options to satisfy any craving.

If you’re looking for something a little more intimate, you should check out one of the many spots along St. John’s River offering a beautiful view for you to enjoy.

If local charm and a bit of nature is more your style, check out the historic Avondale neighborhood; With several restaurants to choose from, this is a great spot to spend a day walking around and enjoying the scenery with an ice cream cone in hand.

Jacksonville is a dynamic city with a rich history and a wide array of cultural celebrations. Here are some of the most fun and senior friendly places you must check out when you visit:

The San Marco Historic District offers a peaceful celebration of one of the city’s oldest communities. Developed in 1925, the San Marco district features the city’s oldest movie theatre dating back to 1938. Make sure to stick around for the sunset.

The Riverside Arts Market, or RAM, is in the historic district of Avondale. RAM is an open-aired marketplace featuring local artists, farmers, bakers, and crafters.

Enjoy live music every Saturday as over 4000 visitors make their way through the marketplace to enjoy the local scene with views of St John’s River.

This carnival, which takes place every year in August celebrates the culture of the islands with beautiful live music, costumes, and aromatic food festivals that will make you feel like you’re vacationing in the Caribbean.

In 1927 this local theater opened as the largest in Florida. Here you can enjoy movie classics, live theater, concerts, and more. With multiple shows every week, you’ll always have entertainment waiting for you here.

This theater and museum celebrate the path of and current artistic contributions from the African American community.

Plays, concerts, family shows, and community events all come together for a culturally phenomenal and historic venue.

The Timucuan Ecological & Historical Preserve is considered one of the best nature parks in Jacksonville. Expansive trails, a welcoming visitor’s center, and exhibits of both nature and history offer an exciting day for guests of any age.

This senior founded, senior run group brings together groups of seniors living in Jacksonville to organize “Mission Trips” dedicated to servicing non-profit organizations and other communities.

This beautiful group brings fulfillment, purpose, and passion into the lives of seniors by doing well and giving back to their communities at large.

If helping seniors and older adults to enjoy some of these fun places in Jacksonville sounds good to you, consider becoming a Papa Pal. You can choose to help others with transportation, so they can benefit from all the area has to offer.

When you work part-time as a Papa Pal, you can support your community in myriad ways and make a meaningful difference. Click here to learn more.