Jacksonville

The colossal city of Jacksonville sits at the confluence of St. John's River and the Atlantic Ocean. Its beaming skyline, dominated by a jumble of corporate buildings, banking headquarters and high-rises, is met by the Main Street Bridge, one of the many bridges that stretch along Jacksonville's seemingly boundless waterways. Underneath Jacksonville's tough veneer lies an upbeat personality upheld by its vibrant neighborhoods and historic districts, a hip nightlife, and an appreciation for the outdoors. Then there are the beaches - 22 miles (35.40 kilometers) of glittering Floridian coastline blessed along its urbane stretch. The trifecta of Jacksonville's beaches – the Jacksonville Beach, the Neptune Beach and the Atlantic Beach – transform the city from a business-like personality to a sun-dappled gem that knows how to have fun.