Home to Disneyworld, Epcott Center and Universal Studios, Orlando pretty much has the market stitched up on entertainment parks. Jacksonville is a more solid sort of place that likes good music and good fun. Amusement parks in Jacksonville involve more good old skool fun like arcades, mini golf and go-karts, although there's a Jacksonville water park. Also , Jacksonville is home to a park where even truly young children can drive dune carts and get into the action.

Adventure Landing

There are two Adventure Landing locations in the Jacksonville area, one in the town and one on the beach. The Adevnture landing in the town is smaller and composed of small golf, Pirate's Quest Laser Tag, a colonnade and Adventure Speedway Go-Karts. The larger Adventure Island on the beach also can include Shipwreck Island, a Jacksonville water park.

Adventure Landing Jacksonville City

The small golf at Adventure Landing is composed of two 18-hole courses and lush landscaping makes the atmosphere fun as well as pleasurable. Area 51 Laser Tag games lasts about 15 minutes each. The Wacky Worm Rollercoaster travels at a modest speed, which makes it most appealing to kids 4-12. The batting cages at Adventure Landing offers softball and baseball at different speeds. This is a great spot for kids to check their skills against quicker pitching than they are used to. If they are not the extremely competitive type, then they can just hit some slower balls for thrills. Adventure Speedway Go-Karts run on a 1/4-mile long track at Adventure Speedway has straightaways as well as turns. Even better the outcome of the race are posted.

Adventure Landing Jacksonville Beach featuring Shipwreck Island Waterpark

Along with small golf, Pirate's Search Laser Tag, a colonnade and Journey Speedway Go-Karts, this Adventure Landing at the beach in Jacksonville also may include a water park. Visitors can explore Small St. John's Brook, Typhoon Lagoon, 4 water slides and water cannons round the park. Tiny St. John's River is a lazy river and Typhoon Lagoon is a huge wave pool. Rides include The Rage, The Hydro Half-Pipe, The Iris of the Tempest and Undercurrent. The water park itself is enough to keep the family occupied for the day, but just in case this Adventure Landing has all of the other land based attractions too. Also available are Cabana rentals, party packages, group packages, birthday party packages, break and meal options.

Dune Buggy Adventure Park

This is not just one of the most original theme parks in Jacksonville, but in all of Florida. Kids of every age group have an opportunity to ride a dune buggy on a track. There is not an age restriction, but there are height limitations. Drivers must be at least 4 feet tall and passengers must be at least 3 feet tall. Children drivers are required to drive with an adult and protective eye glasses and helmets are available. Once the kids are ready to drive, they will take their cart over little hills, around mild bends and potentially through the mud dependent on conditions. There aren't races at Dune Buggy Adventure Park, everybody just rides for fun. Park amenities include picnic tables and the park have grills upon request. The park is usually prepared for birthday parties, but a check on their web site.