Spending the Summer in the city, or getting stuck with a so-called “staycation” has no attraction for most people. I’m sure it’s true if you live among asphalt and concrete and skyscrapers in a metropolitan area. Luckily for us here in Jacksonville, Summer in the city is not bad at all. We have the beach, and we usually have consistent Florida sunshine to go with it.
Now that kids are out of school and we don’t have to worry about things like book report deadlines, homework not being done or lunch boxes needing to be packed. So let’s take a look at what to do in Jacksonville with your family this summer.
Art and Garden Exploration
Tuesdays are Cummer days, because on Tuesdays you get in for free from 4 to 9 p.m. It’s a great opportunity to explore the permanent collections or special exhibitions, and you can also take a stroll in the historic Cummer Gardens. Actually, you also get free general admission to the Museum on the first full weekend of every month if you are a Bank of America or Merrill Lynch card holder. That’s pretty cool. You can actually get a lot done during that Tuesday free time, so I think it’s an excellent suggestion.
You can find more information at www.cummer.org
On the Fifth Floor
You can find more art adventures at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). The museum is always free during the Art Walk, which happens the first Wednesday of every month. Admission to MOCA is also free for Sundays. Young Kids will enjoy the Art Explorum Loft on the fifth floor. It has six fun and interactive stations exploring art. So make sure to check that out during the free family sundays at MOCA are from noon to 4 pm.
You can find more information about MOCA at www.mocajacksonville.org
A Girl Named Sue
I’m sure you’ve heard about a girl named Sue. She’s a T. Rex, which is a ferocious dinosaur and right now the replica, Sue, who was made from a cast of an actual T. Rex is exhibited at MOSH. Sue is 42-feet long, 12-feet tall, and weighs in at 3,500 pounds. She is the largest, most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex ever discovered. The exhibit also includes a dig pit, video footage, and free-standing interactive exhibits. Kids can touch casts of Sue’s arm, rib, tail bone and teeth; and peek into the cretaceous world through the eyes of a T. rex. The best time to visit is Fridays because they have the special $5 dollar ticket. On Fridays Mosh is actually open until 8 pm.
The exhibit, A T. rex Named Sue, is now at MOSH until September 23rd.
Tonca Turns 46
On July 14 when there’s a big celebration at MOSH, no, I’m not taking about the French National Holiday – it’s Tonca’s big day. Daisy May, MOSH’s resident opossum, is throwing a birthday party for Tonca the alligator snapping turtle, because Tonca turns 46. She’s almost over the hill!
Party activities will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. and will include face painting, party games, animal encounters and cake, of course! The party will culminate with Tonca’s annual weigh-in in the newly renovated Hixon Native Plant Courtyard.
More information can be found at www.themosh.org
Beat the Heat at the Zoo
The Zoo has a special Summer promotion, which is great for those who want to see something specific at the zoo and not spend all day walking the zoo. If it’s predicted to be over 92 degrees, a special 50% coupon will be available at the zoo website. Now you can only go in after 4 pm and the zoo closes at 6 pm during the summer, which doesn’t give you a whole lot of time at the zoo, but hey, it’s affordable. Regular general admission for adults is $14.95 so half off is not too bad. Two hours and over 92 degrees. Can you handle the heat? Jacksonville Zoo Summer Hours: 9-5 weekdays, 9 am to 6 pm on weekends.
You can go to this page to find out more and get the special coupon when available.
Here is the video from the Summer in the City segment of I Know Jax episode 022.
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