Anyone know Jacksonville area?

Hello, This is totally off subject but we are going on vacation there "Jacksonville" to go to the zoo. We were wondering how far is the zoo from the beach. And anyone know a clean inexpensive hotel near either? Thank You !!!!!

Julie, stop in at Dennys near the mall and pick up a discount travel guide. I can usually find a good deal there. as far as the beach and the zoo I have no clue.I hope the zoo there is better than the Sanford Zoo. I went to that one a few months back and was quiet bored.. I ahve been to the beach in Jax and did not like the sand. its strange how the sand changes from miami to jax. I am very particial to the daytona beach. Hope you have a great vacation and looking forward to seeing you at the meet and greet june 3rd. You and your daughter are still planning to attend correct? happy days, heather

Hello Heather, I agree with Sanford Zoo...my kids are so bored there. We bought years passes when we went to the melborne zoo (my favorite) But I hear jacks zoo is the best around. Thats what I usually do is get a bunch of those coupon books at the rest ares and Dennys. My husband is anal when it comes to hotels...he MUST have a scheduled trip w/ RSVP's...drives my crazy sometimes We usually ALWAYS go to Daytona..we just had it the last few years there..the hotels are just getting more erosion/nasty..whatever you call it..just gross. So were looking for somthing new this year. Yes my daughter Samantha & I will both be there June 3rd.. Cya then

I live here in Jacksonville, been here for 5 years now.. I will be going to the zoo for the first time in a couple weeks! So I have no clue what the zoo is like, but Ive heard good things about it! As for the beach- I cant help you much there either!! Sorry.. We always go down the St Augustine to the beach, there is more for us to do down there! Museums, tours, etc.. Its only a short drive so if you get bored while here make the trip down!! There are some decent hotels, bu****ch where you go!! Mixed in with some decent ones are some pretty crappy ones!! You are going to get what you pay for too! If you go for the cheapest room then you might end up in some crack shack.. There are hotel guides in the rest areas, you can get coupons for rooms in those guides... I suggest when you go to check into a hotel go look and check the room before you pay! That way you can walk out if the room isnt clean enough for you.. There are a couple other people on here that know the area better.. Hope they can give you more info. Sorry I couldnt help Amber M*

Julie Von, Hi, I don't know if you are headed here already but I can answer your zoo/beach question. The Zoo is on Zoo Parkway which turns into Hecksher Deive. If you turn out of the Zoo to the right and just keep driving, you will see Huguenot Memorial Park- it is a great beach - costs $.50 per person to get in for people 6 and up. At this park there is a "beach side" with actual waves and a "family side" that is more like a lake - sal****er but no crashing waves to know little ones down. You can drive on the beach so you don't have to drag anything from the car- just park and take out your towels or chairs and you are all set. If that makes you nervous- (if you are worried about little ones running in front of a car) then go about 15 more minutes down the road to Little Talbot Island. It is $3 or $4 a car with $1 for each person over 4 in the vehicle (4 people that is not age 4). You park in the lot then walk down a boardwalk and find a spot on the beach. Both lovely clean parks- Huguenot is about 25-30 minutes from the zoo and LTI is about 10-15 minutes past that. Here is the Jacksonville link- just hit parks and recreation. www.coj.net and the state parks site for LTI is http://www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/ I live 5 minutes from the zoo and have a membership- when will you be here? Maybe I can join you there? Terri Send me an email and I will send you my phone number. I will be out of town this weekend though.

That sounds great, Do you know of a nice hotel around the zoo or this beach area? Not sure when we will be going, next month...I guess it depends if I get approved soon, I will be picking the fastest date avaliable for WLS. I was hoping to do this zoo trip before, but we will see. We have the zoo pass also & it's soooooo not worth the $$$ at Sanford Zoo, so were trying to see as many as we can this year.

There is a Holiday Inn Express on Hecksher Drive - kinds of between the zoo and the beach - less than a year old and very clean- Don't know about the price. It is right behind the Wendy's - it may actually be on New Berlin Road- check the Holiday Inn website. I have not checked my email from home but I will try to remember later and sent you my phone number. Oh and the zoo has it's new play park open now. Terri

I'm here visiting this weekend from california (central) and I gotta tell you, I'm dying in the heat!!!! but today we went to amelia island and tonight went to st augustine for a horse carriage ride.... tomorrow we are hitting the zoo...i love zoo's... Ruth Ann Salinas, CA 265 highest 255 day of surgery 230 as of this past thrusday 130 my goal

Ruth Ann How much longer are you going to be here? Terri