The Arlington Area

Not just a great place to live, Arlington offers diverse attractions for out-of-town visitors.

Don't be fooled. At first glance, Arlington may seem like little more than typical suburbia. Yet Arlington is one of the first areas in the United States visited by Europeans. It was the site of the French Fort Caroline in 1564, nowadays the Fort Caroline National Memorial is there for visitors to enjoy.On the outskirts of Arlington, the 46,000-acre Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve continues to be heralded by as one of the most beautiful and magical natural settings. Make sure to stop at Tree Hill Nature Center or theJacksonville Arboretum and Gardens and bring your gear for the biking and hiking trails in the area.

Getting Here from Downtown: Take the Mathews Bridge east; it will become the Arlington Expressway. Then, exit north at University to enter Arlington. 

While you're here, don't miss these three Arlington attractions.

1. Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve

Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve offers 46,000 acres of history and adventure. You can boat, Jet Ski, swim, fish and hike in this unspoiled coastal wetland. See the beautiful salt marshes, coastal dunes and the hardwood hammocks that populate the Preserve and discover what Florida looked like 6,000 years ago! The Preserve is also home to the Fort Caroline National Memorial, a replica of the Fort built by French settlers more than 500 years ago, and also Kingsley Plantation, the last remaining Plantation house in the state of Florida. Both historic locations are open to the public, private tours are available with reservations. The Preserve and all of its attractions can be reached by boat or car.

2. Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens

Located in the heart of Arlington, Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens gives visitors a chance to explore Jacksonville’s native fauna and flora. This 120-acre urban woodland has close to 3 miles of hiking trails through a series of distinct ecological habitats. It is a great place for a morning workout routine. The Arboretum is open all week and it is free to all visitors. Parking, bathroom and camping facilities are available on site.

3. The Alhambra Theatre and Dining

This is the nation’s oldest continually operating professional dinner theater; it is also one of the few remaining ones. Enjoy Broadway-style live theater with a fine dining experience all in one place. Many of the Alhambra’s performers have worked on Broadway participating in national and international tours. The Alhambra is perfect for a date night.