To encourage discovering Downtown as a destination that offers myriad opportunities for recreation, relaxation and entertainment, Downtown Vision Inc. has developed a collection of suggestions.
"Some people just weren't born with the explorer gene," said Katherine Hardwick, DVI marketing director.
"A lot of people who aren't familiar with Downtown don't have a grasp of all the things there are to do in the neighborhood, so we developed suggested itineraries that take 1-3 hours and are centered on specific interests," she said.
While many of the itineraries are designed for independent activity, several are guided tours, including the "Downtown Top to Bottom" walking tour that departs at 10 a.m. each Tuesday from the Landing.
The tour is a Jacksonville history lesson plus an opportunity to see Downtown places that might be a mystery to some, including the vintage bank vault and tunnel underneath Forsyth Street.
Guided tours also are offered at The Florida Theatre, the Jacksonville Historical Society and Sally Corp., Downtown's internationally known animatronics facility.
For the more adventurous, there's a kayak tour that takes paddlers from the Southbank to Exchange Island under the Mathews Bridge and back.
Downtown's newest weekly planned activity is "Picnic in the Plaza." Hardwick said everyone is invited to bring lunch to Hemming Plaza on Fridays. The event debuted Friday and will continue indefinitely, weather permitting.
Visit downtownjacksonville.org and click on the "Explore Downtown" tab to see the selection of suggested itineraries for locals and visitors of all ages.
@drmaxdowntown
356-2466