Get Outside of Nocatee

At Home, or Away, Nocatee Makes it Easy to Enjoy the Florida (and Southeastern) Lifestyle

We write a lot about Nocatee on this blog. And for good reason.

It really is a great community, with neighborhoods that appeal to a variety of different lifestyles, at a wide range of price points. Plus, it’s centrally located between the beach, Jacksonville and St. Augustine. And, hey, we live here, so we’re a little biased.

That said, one of the best things about Nocatee is how quick & easy it is to get to destinations outside of Nocatee…in Florida, Georgia & beyond.

Nearby
There’s actually plenty for Nocatee residents to do right here in their own backyards. From Jacksonville and St. Augustine to the beaches, there’s always something to do here in northeast Florida.

Jacksonville
– See the Jaguars, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp or Icemen play a game 
– Take in a concert or cultural event at the Florida Theatre, Cummer Museum or the Times-Union Center
– Visit one of Jacksonville’s craft breweries or check out The Elbow entertainment district downtown
– Check out some of the restaurants and shopping in popular downtown neighborhoods like Riverside-Avondale, San Marco and Springfield

The Beaches
When people in Jacksonville refer to “the beaches”, they typically mean Ponte Vedra Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach. Each one has their own unique personality, with plenty to see and do (including, of course, visiting the beach itself).
– Get tickets for The PLAYERS Championship and enjoy one of Ponte Vedra Beach’s biggest annual events 
– Have a cocktail overlooking the ocean at The Penthouse Lounge in the Casa Marina Hotel in Jax Beach
– Visit the Beaches Town Center in Atlantic Beach
– Visit a couple of restaurants/bars featured on television’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: Metro Diner and Culhane’s
– Visit Neptune Beach’s famous Lemon Bar for a cocktail with an ocean view

Further Afield
Sometimes, it’s nice to get away for just a day or two, or a long weekend, and northeast Florida makes a great starting point.

– Drive north about an hour to Amelia Island and pamper yourself at the Amelia Island Plantation Resort or Ritz Carlton Amelia Island
– Head just a little bit further north (about 3 hours), and you’ll reach Savannah, GA, Tybee Island, GA and Hilton Head, SC
– Just south, of course, is Daytona Beach, where you can catch the Daytona 500, check out Bike Week or just spend a little time on the beach
– Go tubing at Ichetucknee Springs (just 2 hours away) or cool off in Salt Springs
– Orlando is only a 2 hour drive, where you’ll find Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and a host of other attractions
– Tampa is a 4-hour drive, where you can visit Ybor City, take in a Buccaneers, Rays or Lightning game, order some wine with a little age on it at Bern’s Steakhouse (my personal recommendation) or visit some Gulf-side beaches in Clearwater and St. Petersburg

– If you’re ready to head further south, you can reach Miami in approximately 6 hours by car, and Key West in approximately 8 hours…well worth the drive

Of course, there are plenty of other places to visit and explore, from Gainesville and the Panhandle, to Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale and the Everglades.

What are your favorite places to visit in Florida? Let us know in the comments.