Jacksonville's "Top to Bottom" Walking Tour

Fountain at Jacksonville Landing

Sometimes when you are new to a city it just makes sense to pay someone else to show you around a bit. A guided tour allows you to experience part of a city from an enhanced historical perspective, may give you a glimpse of places not generally accessible to the public and offers a bit of group camaraderie.

A couple of months ago I came across Jacksonville's "Top to Bottom" Walking Tour while surfing the web and thought I would give it a try. It turned out to be a really good way to experience some of what Jacksonville has to offer in the downtown core.

The tour is operated by Ad Lib Tours (904) 827-1845 and leaves from the base of the escalators at Jacksonville Landing (2 W. Independent Dr., Jacksonville, FL. 32202) at 10:00am each TUESDAY and concludes at 11:45am. The cost is $20/person ($15/person in summer or w/coupon).

Distance:

• 1 to 1-1/2 miles (approximate)

Terrain:

• Flat city streets, some stairs within buildings.

Amenities:

• Scenic views of Jacksonville landmarks, easy access from major hotels, downtown public transit close by, restroom facilities.

Pets:

• Contact Ad Lib Tours (904) 827-1845.

Wheelchair Access:

• Contact Ad Lib Tours (904) 827-1845. My opinion is that most, if not all, of the tour could be enjoyed from the vantage point of a wheelchair, but it is best to check with the tour company before making that assumption. There are stairs in a couple of buildings that would be problematic.

The Walk

Meet at the base of the escalators inside The Landing. They are easy to find no matter whether you enter the building from the street side or the river side. The escalators allow access to the Food Court and other restaurants on the second level with an awesome view of the St. Johns River.

Arrive promptly by 10:00am, so the tour can start on time. Have your money ready unless payment has been made ahead of time. I am sure it would be appreciated if the guide does not have to make change. This gathering is very informal, and you will be given a quick overview of what to expect before heading out for the tour.

Dress comfortably for walking, but remember this is a business district. You might not want to dress like you are going for a day at the beach although I am not aware of any dress restrictions.  In the summer, you could benefit from a hat and sunscreen. It is advisable to carry an umbrella if there is any chance of rain. There can be quite a breeze blowing off the river, so carry a light jacket if you have a tendency to be cold-natured when the temperature drops below 80 degrees.

Expect to meet locals as well as people from out-of-town. In fact, this is a good outing for house guests who are visitng the area.

I am not outlining the walk with as much specific detail as my other walks as a courtesy to Ad Lib Tours. It is good for participants to be able to anticipate the tour with a sense of adventure and not take away from some of the unexpected things you will experience along the way.



Statue of Andrew Jackson

Jacksonville was named after Andrew Jackson. It should not be too much of a surprise to see this statue mounted in a traffic circle outside The Landing at the beginning of the tour.

Bank of America Tower

You will learn important details about some of the downtown buildings, old & new. There will be access to some "secret" areas underground with an unexpected history lesson about Jacksonville's past as a major financial center.

Underground bank vault

Another way to keep assets safe

Expect to pay a visit to the "new" library located across from Hemming Plaza at 303 N. Laura Street and be able to view the handmade tiles on the wall. Although the library is only a few years old it is architecturally more reminiscent of a previous era.

Tile wall at Jacksonville's Downtown Public Library

Other interesting information awaits as you view Hemming Plaza located in the heart of the city's government center across from the library. It was established as a public square in 1857 and was named in honor of Civil War veteran Charles C. Hemming who left an important historical legacy for Jacksonville.

Hemming Plaza

One of the high points of  the "Top to Bottom" Walking Tour includes a visit to the historic Florida Theatre where you get a bird's eye view of the downtown area. Elvis Presley's performance here early in his career created quite a stir in Jacksonville.

View from the top of the Florida Theatre

There is a chance to see eye-catching buildings anywhere along the way. The "retro" style of one of the vacant buildings that once housed the public library is quite unique.



Former Jacksonville Public Library



Impressive tile mural at former Jacksonville Public Library

It is only fitting for the tour to end back at The Landing along the banks of the beautiful St. John's River making Jacksonville aptly named "The River City".

Runners sculpture along the St. Johns River



Main Street Bridge
aka
John T. Alsop, Jr. Bridge

Contact Ad Lib Tours for additional information (904) 827-1845.
http://www.adlibtours.com/Tours.html


Happy Walking!