http://www.airtranmagazine.com/features/2012/08/the-list-aug-2012 (http://www.airtranmagazine.com/features/2012/08/the-list-aug-2012)
The Jaguars
Rabid sports fans are keeping their fingers crossed and their breath bated, hoping that with a new owner, head coach and roster full of fresh talent, 2012 will become the year of the Jaguar. Don't miss an epic showdown when the Jags host the New York Giants in a preseason matchup for the ages (Aug. 10).
www.jaguars.com
Dos Gatos
Sleek black couches, seductively low and flattering lighting and exposed brick details give Dos Gatos a speakeasy vibe that's second to none in Jax. Watching the bartenders expertly mix cocktails like the Orange JalapeñoMargarita and El Verano is almost as enjoyable as toasting with and sampling the final product.
www.dosgatosjax.com
The Florida Theatre
Claiming to be "Jacksonville's premier entertainment center since 1927," today its stage is used mostly for live touring acts. However, every summer the cultural landmark revives its original use as a movie theater by screening classic flicks in its vintage ambiance. This month's lineup includes Carousel (Aug.19) and Some Like It Hot (Aug.26).
www.floridatheatre.com
The Soul Food Bistro
A word of warning: a meal at the Soul Food Bistro is sure to break every diet's rules. However, the real travesty, would be to leave Jacksonville without sampling the golden fried chicken, cornbread, slow braised oxtails and sweet tea that have made this cafeteria-style restaurant a local legend.
www.thesoulfoodbistro.com.
Riverside Arts Market
Equal parts food bazaar, farmers market and arts fair, the Riverside Arts Market is held every Saturday under the Fuller Warren Bridgeâ€"a veritable explosion of colors and smells. Admission is free, but bring a few bucks for a handmade necklace or fresh kettle corn.
www.riversideartsmarket.com.
Butterfly Hollow
Lions, tigers and bears are tried and true; but in the summer heat, who wants to see sleeping giants? Butterfly Hollow, like a fairy tale come to life with meandering paths and tropical gardens, is an 8,500-square-foot exhibit that boasts hundreds of winged residents amidst fairy houses, garden art and babbling brooks.
www.jacksonvillezoo.org
Jax Brew Bus
With 10 craft breweries in Northeast Florida, hitting as many as possible can be a real mission impossible. Partake in an unforgettable pub crawl (minus the crawling) with the Jax Brew Bus, which takes you to visit a select handful of breweries like Intuition Ale Works and Engine 15, where you'll sample over 15 styles of beer.
www.jaxbrewbus.com
St. Johns Town Center
Fashionistas should leave their heels at home. This mammoth outdoor mall will have them running around for miles, ogling high-end names like Louis Vuitton as well as local favorites like Private Gallery. For a strengthening snack, Sweet! by Good Golly Miss Holly, one of two bakeries owned by two-time Cupcake Wars winner Hollis Wilder, will hit the (sweet) spot.
www.simon.com
E2ride Bike Tours
E2ride offers daily, guided bike tours ranging from five to 12 miles of the Riverside/Avondale, Olde Mandarin, Springfield and San Marco neighborhoods. Some tour-specific stops include the birthplace of Lynyrd Skynyrd, the site where the Civil War's first torpedo casualty took place, the house where Truman Capote spent his summers and one of the largest trees in Jax.
www.e2ride.com
Blue Bamboo
Chef Dennis Chan, author of Hip Asian Comfort Food, fuses Asian and Southern influences on his "hip Asian menu," with mouthwatering meals like Chile-mango salmon and soft shell crab and grits. Take his hipness home by attending one of Chan's monthly classes (Aug. 25) in his dining room.
www.bluebamboojacksonville..com
^ Not a bad list, really....minus the whole St. Johns Town Center recommendation (wtf)!!!
Never used E2ride or been to Blue Bamboo, so can't comment on those.
I would substitute SJTC with Chamblin's and be quite happy with the list.
All of those travel guides have to throw in a shopping recommendation it seems, I guess SJTC is the best we have. (I'm not sure, I don't buy...things.)
It's great to see Blue Bamboo, Dos Gatos, and the Riverside Arts Market on the list. I'm kind of surprised the beach wasn't on the list. Maybe they don't consider Jax Beach part of Jacksonville?
Seriously? Brew bus?
Quote from: CG7 on August 02, 2012, 04:51:57 PM
I would substitute SJTC with Chamblin's and be quite happy with the list.
+1...albeit, again, never been to Blue Bamboo or used E2ride....
WTF is unique about SJTC? It's just another overcrowded parking nightmare mall. Absolutely Chamblins should be on the list
I like the list and for a broad American audience you probably have to have SJTC. For me I would put something about the riverwalk and the beach.
Agree on the error in including St Johns Town Center. SJTC could be anywhere USA; same shops and restaurants are in hundreds of other cities. Nothing local, no character, shouldn't be included.
I know this is not popular but SJTC has goods you can't get in local shops. I don't hate SJTC and since most of the local shops I frequented have now closed this is a choice for me. This list is mostly about local flavor but many people will want a large shopping area. Most of our local shopping areas like 5 Points, San Marco and Avondale do not offer shopping with broad appeal. They cater to specific tastes. Good or bad STJC is much broader. Nobody has a great kitchen shop anymore except Williams-Sonoma. In the Kitchen was great, but alas the owners moved away. Mimi stopped putting much effort in her kitchen shop in San Marco a long time ago. Although I spent a lot of money there. There was a cool little kitchen shop in Avondale where Pulp is opening, but it has been gone forever. Is there one I am unaware of?
The same is true for furniture unless you want the Ashley, Rooms to Go and Haverty's variety. The really cool 5 Points stores are gone. Besides Max & Co. I don't know of a single shop that has really cool furniture. Let me know if there is one. So for now I often buy nice well priced furniture from West Elm.
But I do agree, Chamblin's should be on the list though.
Let me add that Jacksonville is way behind the rest of Florida when it comes to big name stores. No great high end department store, even though Dillards at SJTC is not bad. I often leave town to buy certain items, (or order on the internet,) so having some of the stores at SJTC, in my opinion is good. I am surprised we have a Louis Vuitton. SJTC is the only location that could draw the amount of clientele they need to stay open.
Maybe I am missing something, but since Karl's closed Rosenblum's is the only high end local men's shop. And I'm talking about Suits, ties etc.
So if there is another local business let me know.
Since every big city has a good large shopping area, mall or lifestyle center or whatever, we should be happy we have one that attempts to be high end.
And as unpopular as this is, we need Neiman's, Nordstrom's and Sak's. We are the only city in Florida that doesn't have at least one of those and that's not something to be proud of.
avonjax,
AJ Reese Clothiers at the Landing
http://www.ajreese.com/
People love shopping. And most airplane mags point people in the direction of the local shopping district. That's usually the place where all the big name and high end retailers are. And in most cities the size of Jax, that would be downtown.
I think the reason it seems so odd is that it's a mall and it's kind of out of the way. But if it were right downtown and was a district instead of a mall, no one would bat an eyelid.
Quote from: Adam W on August 03, 2012, 08:45:50 AM
People love shopping. And most airplane mags point people in the direction of the local shopping district. That's usually the place where all the big name and high end retailers are.
This is certainly true, but it is a phenomenon I don't really understand. What is the purpose of traveling to another place to shop at all the same stores you can find in your own town?
Whenever we have friends in from out of town we take them to the Roosevelt Chamblins. Every time their jaws drop open, eyes bug out and they wander for hours in a daze of booklust. Even people from NYC say they have never seen a book store so large, complete and well organized.
Our friends from St. Petersburg always insist an a re-visit and leave with their arms full; and St. Pete has Haslam's!
The Cummer should also be on that list. There are art lovers from Europe who have come here specifically to see it.
Quote from: finehoe on August 03, 2012, 09:31:25 AM
Quote from: Adam W on August 03, 2012, 08:45:50 AM
People love shopping. And most airplane mags point people in the direction of the local shopping district. That's usually the place where all the big name and high end retailers are.
This is certainly true, but it is a phenomenon I don't really understand. What is the purpose of traveling to another place to shop at all the same stores you can find in your own town?
Yeah, I don't *quite* get it. I suppose that's just what some people do. I guess I get why people go shopping in NYC or whatever - especially years ago, in the days before the internet, when you basically had to go to one of a few cities to shop at certain stores.
On the other hand, when the dollar was weak and the pound was strong, I would go and shop at SJTC when I was in town and get everything for about half-price. Those days are long-gone :(
Quote from: Dog Walker on August 03, 2012, 10:03:12 AM
Whenever we have friends in from out of town we take them to the Roosevelt Chamblins. Every time their jaws drop open, eyes bug out and they wander for hours in a daze of booklust. Even people from NYC say they have never seen a book store so large, complete and well organized.
Our friends from St. Petersburg always insist an a re-visit and leave with their arms full; and St. Pete has Haslam's!
The Cummer should also be on that list. There are art lovers from Europe who have come here specifically to see it.
+1. Out of towners LOVE Chamblin's. Really one of the best bookstores in the whole country.
Recommend to your NYC friends: http://www.strandbooks.com
Quote from: Adam W on August 03, 2012, 10:22:11 AM
Quote from: finehoe on August 03, 2012, 09:31:25 AM
Quote from: Adam W on August 03, 2012, 08:45:50 AM
People love shopping. And most airplane mags point people in the direction of the local shopping district. That's usually the place where all the big name and high end retailers are.
This is certainly true, but it is a phenomenon I don't really understand. What is the purpose of traveling to another place to shop at all the same stores you can find in your own town?
Yeah, I don't *quite* get it. I suppose that's just what some people do. I guess I get why people go shopping in NYC or whatever - especially years ago, in the days before the internet, when you basically had to go to one of a few cities to shop at certain stores.
On the other hand, when the dollar was weak and the pound was strong, I would go and shop at SJTC when I was in town and get everything for about half-price. Those days are long-gone :(
I've always found people's fetish with shopping ridiculous in general, but even more so people's fetish with shopping for the same items in different locations.
I do find it hilarious that the Japanese upper class send their children off to go school shopping in Paris London Milan and NYC because it's so cheap!!
Quote from: Captain Zissou on August 02, 2012, 05:16:18 PM
Seriously? Brew bus?
What's wrong w/the brew bus? I've never been on it, but plan to. I think it's a great idea.
Quote from: avonjax on August 02, 2012, 09:15:22 PM
I know this is not popular but SJTC has goods you can't get in local shops.
I'm not the biggest fan in the world of the SJTC and only venture out that way rarely, but to put a positive spin on the place, I will say the Total Wine there has a pretty good selection of booze. And they're the only place locally I've found that carries aged Martinique rum, and you can't make an authentic Mai-Tai without the stuff.
So, my liver salutes you, Total Wine at the Town Center!
Just wish this place was closer to the core though, instead of at that godforsaken, traffic ridden, consumerist hellhole pile of festering--oops, sorry, couldn't help myself there.
I agree with Captain Zissou: "brew bus"? It was probably "brew bus" rather than use up the list of ten with the names of various ale houses. And with JeffreyS, I too am surprised the River Walk didn't make it. Perhaps they don't want to make people walk?
I 'sorta' get the whole 'anti-suburban' thing on MJ, but seriously, leaving SJTC off the list? Keep on acting like that mall isn't a major place to visit in Jacksonville. A view from a handful of hardcore urbanists (urging you not to go), versus everyone else in Jax(saying go there). As I hypothetical tourist, which opinion should I consider, hmmm....
Quote from: I-10east on August 05, 2012, 10:34:07 AM
I 'sorta' get the whole 'anti-suburban' thing on MJ, but seriously, leaving SJTC off the list? Keep on acting like that mall isn't a major place to visit in Jacksonville. A view from a handful of hardcore urbanists (urging you not to go), versus everyone else in Jax(saying go there). As I hypothetical tourist, which opinion should I consider, hmmm....
It's not so much that it's a destination that's frustrating, it's that the most interesting shopping experience Jacksonville has to offer is a run-of-the-mill suburban mall. There's literally nothing unique, or uniquely Jacksonville about it.
^^^Name the so called 'unique' malls in the US? You probably can list them on one hand, definitely the Mall of America up there in Minny, maybe that mall in Beverly Hills, I can even think of anymore. Just because a mall isn't unique, doesn't mean that can't be very popular, and a draw to the city. No one would be questioning a mall like the Mall of Millennia as a draw to Orlando, and it isn't totally 'unique' by your standards either.
Quote from: I-10east on August 05, 2012, 11:00:06 AM
^^^Name the so called 'unique' malls in the US? You probably can list them on one hand, definitely the Mall of America up there in Minny, maybe that mall in Beverly Hills, I can even think of anymore. Just because a mall isn't unique, doesn't mean that can't be very popular, and a draw to the city. No one would be questioning a mall like the Mall of Millennia as a draw to Orlando, and it's isn't totally 'unique' by your standards either.
That's exactly the point. Instead of Chicago's Michigan Avenue (which has a popular mall on it), or New Orleans' Magazine St or Georgetown in DC or Lincoln Road in Miami Beach or any other one-of-a-kind urban shopping district, Jacksonville's most interesting contribution is a mall. Pensacola's Cordova Mall is the 3rd most popular tourist destination in the Panhandle, but you don't see them bragging about that.
And as someone not originally from Florida, I had never heard of Mall of Millennia until you mentioned it.
Quote from: I-10east on August 05, 2012, 11:00:06 AM
^^^Name the so called 'unique' malls in the US? You probably can list them on one hand, definitely the Mall of America up there in Minny, maybe that mall in Beverly Hills, I can even think of anymore. Just because a mall isn't unique, doesn't mean that can't be very popular, and a draw to the city. No one would be questioning a mall like the Mall of Millennia as a draw to Orlando, and it isn't totally 'unique' by your standards either.
You've visited a city in your life right? Most big/medium cities have urban shopping districts that make the Town Center look backwoods and tacky. Heck plenty of small cities in the south like Sarasota, Palm Beach, Key West, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Savannah, Asheville, etc, etc have very cool true urban "Town Center" type retail districts. The point is that we shouldn't celebrate a horrifically designed, faux "town center", that is essentially some brick and mortar plopped in a sea of asphalt. You seriously need to get out of Jacksonville, if you think the Town Center is something to be celebrated.
As for the list...often times lists like this are influenced by marketing firms or someone trying to get their business some publicity. I know of one high profile "best of ranking" that was completely influenced by a marketing firm...in fact the marketing firm even pitched the "best of ranking" to the publication and paid for it.
Quote from: CityLife on August 05, 2012, 11:42:33 AM
Quote from: I-10east on August 05, 2012, 11:00:06 AM
^^^Name the so called 'unique' malls in the US? You probably can list them on one hand, definitely the Mall of America up there in Minny, maybe that mall in Beverly Hills, I can even think of anymore. Just because a mall isn't unique, doesn't mean that can't be very popular, and a draw to the city. No one would be questioning a mall like the Mall of Millennia as a draw to Orlando, and it isn't totally 'unique' by your standards either.
You've visited a city in your life right? Most big/medium cities have urban shopping districts that make the Town Center look backwoods and tacky. Heck plenty of small cities in the south like Sarasota, Palm Beach, Key West, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Savannah, Asheville, etc, etc have very cool true urban "Town Center" type retail districts. The point is that we shouldn't celebrate a horrifically designed, faux "town center", that is essentially some brick and mortar plopped in a sea of asphalt. You seriously need to get out of Jacksonville, if you think the Town Center is something to be celebrated.
As for the list...often times lists like this are influenced by marketing firms or someone trying to get their business some publicity. I know of one high profile "best of ranking" that was completely influenced by a marketing firm...in fact the marketing firm even pitched the "best of ranking" to the publication and paid for it.
+10000
Quote from: CityLife on August 05, 2012, 11:42:33 AM
You've visited a city in your life right? Most big/medium cities have urban shopping districts that make the Town Center look backwoods and tacky. Heck plenty of small cities in the south like Sarasota, Palm Beach, Key West, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Savannah, Asheville, etc, etc have very cool true urban "Town Center" type retail districts. The point is that we shouldn't celebrate a horrifically designed, faux "town center", that is essentially some brick and mortar plopped in a sea of asphalt. You seriously need to get out of Jacksonville, if you think the Town Center is something to be celebrated.
Dude, I just came back from LA, is that far enough for you? Are those places that you've listed 'unique'? No, so don't try to act like they are some damn can't miss world class destination like Times Square or something. The faux town center, or whether this other one has a particular store that the STJC don't have is semantics, the point is that they can be put in a category of an average upscale mall/town center with nothing truly 'unique' about it is all that I was saying. The Mall of America has a big time amusement park, Nickelodeon Universe (which I have been to BTW since I never 'go anywhere')right dab in the center of it with tons of anchor stores; What does Asheville's mall have to make it unique? Yeah, I thought so. I find it hard to believe that every else is wrong (the Nat'l media at that) except a few local SJTC haters.
Quote from: I-10east on August 05, 2012, 05:27:09 PM
Quote from: CityLife on August 05, 2012, 11:42:33 AM
You've visited a city in your life right? Most big/medium cities have urban shopping districts that make the Town Center look backwoods and tacky. Heck plenty of small cities in the south like Sarasota, Palm Beach, Key West, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Savannah, Asheville, etc, etc have very cool true urban "Town Center" type retail districts. The point is that we shouldn't celebrate a horrifically designed, faux "town center", that is essentially some brick and mortar plopped in a sea of asphalt. You seriously need to get out of Jacksonville, if you think the Town Center is something to be celebrated.
Dude, I just came back from LA, is that far enough for you? Are those places that you've listed 'unique'? No, so don't try to act like they are some damn can't miss world class destination like Times Square or something. The faux town center, or whether this other one has a particular store that the STJC don't have is semantics, the point is that they can put in a category of an average upscale mall/town center nothing 'unique' about it is all that I was saying.
Times Square is a world class destination? Hilarious...Its probably the single most despised spot in Manhattan by New Yorkers.
Every single place I listed is a unique and interesting place. In fact people travel from all over the region and country to go to those places, primarily for their character. Only people with Gumpian IQ's go to New York for Times Square.
^^^I have to agree with you about Times Square from a New Yorker POV, but it still is obviously a draw for tourists. You still haven't told me what is unique about those places, so much so, that it makes the SJTC look like a flea market, I'm still waiting....I'll tell you what, I'll spot you one, start with Sarasota. I'm quite sure that I'll be headed down there in no time after you describe it; I'll be in awe....
My family has strong roots in NYC and while Times Square may have historically meant a lot to New Yorkers and Americans...it is now despised by many as an example of the commercialization of Manhattan and the loss of the true New York. My grandfather was one of the pioneers of the hotel/restaurant management business in the 20th century and I'm pretty sure he's rolling in his grave at the thought of Applebee's, Hard Rock Cafe, Olive Garden, etc type restaurants in Times Square.
I-10, here are some photo essays of Sarasota from MJ, and I don't think they can do it any justice. There is a lot of public art, a downtown Whole Foods, shops, bars, vibrancy, and nice architecture. It's a very desirable place to live and visit, especially for wealthy transplants. Not as authentic Old Florida as places like Key West, St. Auggie, New Smyrna, and others, but still a very nice place.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-jun-discover-sarasota
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2006-jul-learning-from-sarasota
You're right despised miiight be a little strong, but there is a lot of resentment amongst native New Yorkers. My Dad's family is from New York and my wife's family is from Jersey/New York and I've heard a lot of negative talk from them. Especially when people are asking about what to see/do in the city. I've been there three times in 5 years and it gets worse every time. It is still something to see/do in the city, but it has dropped significantly down the list and will probably fall off it in 5 or 10 years if it keeps getting cheesier.
Sorry to take the thread off track...back to the topic at hand.
Speaking of Times Square, I read an article the other day about the new pedestrian space that's been created....apparently it is rather difficult to navigate for the visually impaired.
as for faux "urban" entertainment areas, I'm in Cincy right now....they have something called Newport on the Levee (across the river in KY)....there was a festival going on there today and the place was packed...and sadly, other than the baseball stadium area, downtown Cincy was empty.
Do locals in any city really hang out in the tourist traps?
I suppose if Times Square had something worthwhile (like a good museum), the maybe there would be a reason for the average New Yorker to visit once in awhile. As pretty much everything there is geared towards tourists, they have no real incentive.
But that doesn't mean it shouldn't make the list of places to visit in NYC if you're a tourist. It is world-famous, "despised" or not.
St. Armand's Circle!