ELITE COACH TOURS — SIGNATURE TOUR
Jacksonville,
Florida
Florida's First Coast — Three Days & Two Nights
DEPARTS
Knoxville, TN — Friday 6AM
RETURNS
Sunday 9PM (arrives ~3:30AM)
DURATION
3 Days / 2 Nights
HOTEL
Downtown Jacksonville / Southbank
MEALS
2 Breakfasts · 1 Lunch
GROUP SIZE
Limited Seats Available
YOUR JACKSONVILLE ADVENTURE
Florida's best kept secret is hiding in
plain sight on the First Coast.
Imagine arriving in Jacksonville on a Friday afternoon to find a city most visitors have never considered — a sweeping downtown riverfront on the St. Johns, one of the few rivers in North America that flows north, lined with acclaimed restaurants and stunning bridge views. Your expert tour director already knows the best spot for a riverfront lunch, which neighborhood captures the real soul of Jacksonville, and exactly when the afternoon light hits the Cummer Museum's formal gardens for the most magical effect.
Jacksonville is one of America's most underrated cities — and this tour proves it. The First Coast corridor stretches from historic Fort Caroline, site of the first sustained European settlement in continental America, to the charming Victorian seaport of Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, to the pristine Atlantic beaches of Neptune Beach and Jacksonville Beach. And 45 minutes south lies St. Augustine — the oldest continuously occupied city in the United States.
On this weekend tour, we handle every detail. Your hotel puts you in the heart of downtown Jacksonville. Your meals are arranged. Your guide knows the First Coast intimately — from the history of Fort Caroline to the cobblestone streets of St. Augustine. All you have to do is show up Friday morning and let Florida's First Coast surprise you.
St. Augustine — America's Oldest City
Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the US — cobblestone streets, Castillo de San Marcos, Flagler College, and St. George Street.
Amelia Island & Fernandina Beach
One of Florida's most charming historic barrier islands — a Victorian seaport town with 19th-century architecture, boutique shops, seafood, and a rich waterfront.
Fort Caroline & Timucuan Preserve
Site of the first sustained European settlement in continental US dating to 1564. Set within 46,000 acres of pristine salt marshes and barrier islands.
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
One of the Southeast's finest art museums, set in a magnificent riverfront garden on the St. Johns. Italian and English formal gardens restored to 1931 designs.
YOUR JOURNEY
Three Days on Florida's First Coast
Here's what awaits you — a Florida you probably didn't know existed.
6:00 AM — DEPARTURE
Depart Knoxville
Depart Knoxville at 6AM — approximately 6.5 hours through Georgia and into northeast Florida. Guests arrive early afternoon, ready for their first taste of the First Coast.
12:30 PM — ARRIVAL & LUNCH
Jacksonville Landing Area & Downtown Riverfront
Drop bags at the hotel and enjoy lunch along the St. Johns River — one of the few rivers in North America that flows north. The downtown riverfront offers casual waterfront dining with sweeping views of the city's bridges and skyline.
2:00 PM — HISTORY & CULTURE
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
One of the Southeast's finest art museums, set in a magnificent riverfront garden on the St. Johns. The collection spans 4,000 years of art history. The formal gardens — restored to their 1931 Italian and English designs — are a highlight in themselves.
4:30 PM — NEIGHBORHOOD STROLL
Riverside & Avondale Historic District
Jacksonville's most charming neighborhood, filled with 1920s bungalows, oak-lined streets, independent boutiques, and café culture. The Five Points district within Avondale is particularly lively.
6:30 PM — FREE TIME
Dinner on Your Own
Guests enjoy dinner at leisure in Riverside/Avondale or along the downtown riverfront. Jacksonville's food scene has grown considerably — seafood, Southern classics, and farm-to-table options abound.
★ Fort Caroline National Memorial is free admission as a National Park unit. St. Augustine's Castillo de San Marcos charges a per-person National Park fee. Itinerary is a rough guide subject to adjustment.
NO SURPRISES. NO HIDDEN COSTS.
Everything You Need,
Already Taken Care Of.
This is the part where most travel gets stressful. Not here. Here's exactly what's waiting for you.
✓ What's Included
- ✓ Round-trip motorcoach transportation from Knoxville
- ✓ 2 nights hotel — Downtown Jacksonville or Southbank
- ✓ 2 breakfasts (hotel)
- ✓ 1 group lunch
- ✓ Fort Caroline National Memorial guided tour
- ✓ Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
- ✓ Amelia Island & Fernandina Beach excursion
- ✓ Atlantic beach afternoon
- ✓ St. Augustine half-day excursion
- ✓ Expert tour director for full trip
- ✓ Luggage handling at hotel
✗ Not Included
- ✗ Personal shopping and souvenirs
- ✗ Friday and Saturday dinners (free choice)
- ✗ Castillo de San Marcos admission (modest National Park fee)
- ✗ Alcoholic beverages
- ✗ Gratuities for director and driver
- ✗ Travel insurance (available on request)
- ✗ Optional Ribault Club visit
ℹ️ Tour Disclosures
(1) Itinerary subject to change: All stops, schedules, and inclusions listed are planned itinerary details and are subject to change without notice due to weather, traffic, attraction availability, or other circumstances beyond our control. Elite Coach & Tours reserves the right to modify or substitute any portion of this itinerary to ensure guest safety and experience quality.
(2) Minimum travelers required: This tour requires a minimum number of enrolled travelers to operate. If minimum enrollment is not met, the departure may be cancelled or rescheduled. Guests will be notified as early as possible and offered a full refund or transfer to an alternative departure date.
(3) Pricing: All pricing is per person based on double occupancy unless otherwise stated. Single, triple, and quad occupancy rates are available — contact us for current pricing. A 3.15% card convenience processing fee applies to all card transactions.
(4) Travel protection: We strongly recommend all guests purchase travel protection insurance at the time of booking. Elite Coach & Tours is not responsible for costs incurred due to trip cancellation, interruption, medical emergencies, or lost or damaged luggage.
WHAT YOU'LL BRING HOME
Not just a trip.
A story you'll be telling for years.
Standing inside the oldest masonry fort in America as the sun sets over Matanzas Bay. Walking the cobblestone streets of a city that was already 55 years old when the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. Finding the perfect plate of shrimp on the St. Johns River waterfront and realizing Jacksonville was everything you didn't know you needed. Florida's First Coast has a way of getting under your skin.
JACKSONVILLE IN PICTURES
See What's Waiting For You
I'll be honest — Jacksonville wasn't on my list. But this tour completely changed my mind about Florida. The Cummer Museum gardens on the river, Amelia Island, and then St. Augustine on Sunday — I had no idea there was this much history and beauty on the Florida coast. Our guide made every stop come alive. I've already recommended this tour to our whole Sunday school class.
— NANCY & WILLIAM P., KNOXVILLE TN | Jacksonville Tour 2025
SECURE YOUR SPOT
Ready to Discover Florida's First Coast?
Seats on every departure are limited. Fill out the form below and our team will reach out within 24 hours to confirm your reservation and answer any questions.
Tour Pricing
All prices are per person based on double occupancy.
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Flexible If Plans Change
Life happens. Talk to our team about cancellation options and travel protection before you book.
Thousands of Happy Travelers
Our guests come back tour after tour — and they bring their friends. That's the only review that matters.
GOOD QUESTIONS
Things People Usually Ask Us
YOUR SEAT IS WAITING
Jacksonville Is Ready For You.
Are You Ready For Florida's First Coast?
Seats are limited on every departure and fill quickly. Reserve yours today — it takes less than two minutes.
Reserve My Seat Now →Elite Coach & Tours — Fully Escorted Motorcoach Tours Departing from Knoxville, Tennessee.View full travel info & disclosures, or contact us with questions