Try Girl Guide

I moved to Jacksonville about two and a half years ago, and honestly… I had no idea what to expect.

Coming here bright-eyed, I quickly realized I was hearing a lot of the same things from different people: There’s nothing to do in Jacksonville. There isn’t much here. You won’t find much worth exploring.

And for a while, I believed it.

I was mainly here for school, and in the back of my mind, I figured once I finished, I’d probably move on to a city that felt like it had “more” to offer me. So I didn’t put much effort into really getting to know Jacksonville. I took what people said at face value.

But one day, I had to ask myself… What if they were wrong?

What if I stopped listening to everyone else and explored this city for myself?

Even though it felt a little discouraging hearing locals say there wasn’t much to do, something in me kept wondering if Jacksonville had more beneath the surface.

And I’m so glad I listened to that feeling.

One thing about me? I love history.

Driving through downtown Jacksonville and the surrounding neighborhoods, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there were stories hidden all around me. Old buildings, quiet streets, places people pass every day without a second thought… I kept wondering:

What happened here?
What stories do these places hold?
What are people not talking about?

So I started digging.

I found myself spending time at the library, researching online, and looking deeper into Jacksonville’s past. That’s when I came across the Black Heritage Tour from Visit Jacksonville — a self-guided experience highlighting important stops throughout the city tied to Jacksonville’s deeply rooted Black history.

And let me tell you… this was exactly what I had been looking for.

On a bright, sunny day, I made my way to Freedom Park on Fort Caroline Road — the first stop on my journey.

At first glance, it’s a small park tucked away in a spot many people might drive right past without thinking twice. But once I got there, I realized it held so much more than meets the eye.

The park was peaceful, beautifully landscaped, and full of stories waiting to be read.

As I walked the trail, I found myself learning more about the Gullah Geechee people — their language, culture, and lasting impact. And honestly? I was blown away.

To discover something so rich, so deeply rooted, and so important right here in Jacksonville completely changed how I viewed this city.

This first stop alone made me want to complete the entire tour.

It reminded me that sometimes history isn’t loud. Sometimes it’s tucked into places we pass every day without realizing the significance.

So check out my short video below of my experience at Freedom Park!

And if you’ve ever wondered whether Jacksonville has more to offer than people give it credit for… come explore with me.

Click down below to start the tour with me!

LINK FOR BLACK HERITAGE TOUR GUIDE

Because I’m learning that this city holds more history, culture, and hidden stories than I ever imagined — and I have a feeling we’ve only scratched the surface!

-ALEXIS from TryGirlGuide