Orange Park is a northeast Florida town and a suburb of Jacksonville. It is in Clay County.
Orange Park in the late 1900s was known as Laurel Grove. It was established in 1877 by the Florida Winter Home and Improvement Company.
With parks, golf courses, different accommodation options, shopping, and wedding venues, it is not difficult to see the beauty and charm of this lovely town.
Planning a trip to Orange Park? Here are the best and fun things to do in Orange Park, FL.
Things to Do in Orange Park, FL
1. Take a dip at Doctors Lake
The heat can be insufferable in Orange Park, but thank goodness there are a few lakes where you can cool off.
One such instance is Doctor Lake, directly connected to the St. John Rivers. Dive into the fresh water and have an amazing time under the sun.
You can also partake in other fun watersport activities, such as waterskiing, boating, and fishing.
Around Doctor Lake, you will come across a piece of land. This land once belonged to Zephaniah Kingsley, where he began the Laurel Groove Plantations in the 19th century.
Address: Florida, United States
2. Go hiking on the Black Creek Trail
Orange Park has an abundance of natural wonders. Black Creek Trail is among the numerous sites you will discover while vacationing in this city.
Black Creek Trail, covering eight miles, is ideal for engaging in various physical fitness like inline skating, walking, and biking. Exploring the Trail is one of the fun things to do in Orange Park, FL.
Wonder at the mesmerizing views of scenic forests and wetlands while watching for wildflowers and birds perched on the branches.
During the hike, you will find Moccasin Slough Park, a wildlife preserve accommodating waterfowl species, bald eagles, alligators, and other wild animals.
You can also stop at Moccasin Slough Park for a short break between your hike, sitting by the picnic area or the pavilions.
Address: Florida, United States
3. Test your poker skills at Best Bet Orange Park
You don’t have to go to Las Vegas to test your poker skills. Best Bet, located in Orange Park, is just as good as any Vegas casino.
Attempt playing games like three-card poker, one card, pai gow, Texas hold ’em, and lots more. Then, choose from the 37 poker tables in the area. Best Bets also organizes weekly poker tournaments.
If you play your cards well, you might even return home with something besides a few good memories.
You can also drop by the restaurant and grab a sushi flame-grilled burger, among others.
Address: 455 Park Ave, Orange Park, FL 32073, United States
4. Have a delightful picnic with your loved ones at Clarke House Park
Although Orange Park is filled with gorgeous sites, the best ones are those where you can connect with nature and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
So, if you are searching for one of such places, you may want to visit Clarke House Park.
William Clarke constructed the house during the early 20th century. The original house now functions as a gathering place for the Orange Park Historical Society.
Encircling the Clarke Houses are stunning oak trees where you can take a siesta, read a book, or have a serene picnic while enjoying the natural wonders of Orange Park.
Clarke House Park also has pavilions and playgrounds for hosting large events such as birthday parties. Visiting this Park should be on your itinerary of what to do in Orange Park, FL.
Address: 1039 Kingsley Ave, Orange Park, FL 32073, United States
5. See a live performance at the Thrasher-Horne Center
One of the top things to do in Orange Park, FL, is to watch a musical performance at Thrasher-Horne Center.
Spend an incredible Orange Park night singing along and having a great time by seeing a live show at the Thrasher-Horne Center.
The Thrasher-Horne Center was opened to the public in the fall of 2004.
This top-tier entertainment center, with a seating capacity of 1,728, is the perfect venue to watch local and global artists play concerts.
From country to rock to pop acts to Broadway musicals, you can enjoy any musical event in this premier concert hall in Orange Park.
Other events hosted in Thrasher-Horne Center include variety shows, expos, comedies, and school time shows.
Address: 283 College Dr, Orange Park, FL 32065, United States
6. Hop around at Get Air Trampoline Park
Head to Get Air Trampoline Park to experience a new kind of fun. Get Air has many thrilling things you might want to see, from foam pits to wall-to-wall trampolines to ninja obstacles.
Enjoy a game of dodgeball with your pals at the central court, or spend some minutes bouncing away at the vertical trampolines.
However, if you want to do something more intense, you should head to the Ninja Course and hone your parkour skills.
Get Air Trampoline Park is also loaded with other fun activities, such as fidget ladder, slamball, slackline, etc.
Jumping in glee at Get Air Trampoline Park is among the fun things to do in Orange Park, FL.
Address:1564 Park Ave, Orange Park, FL 32073, United States
7. Cool down at Wadesboro Springs
Wadesboro Springs is among the top places in Orange Park where you can take a dip while admiring the stunning scenery.
This fourth-magnitude spring is adjacent to Doctor Lake and is located at the head of a wooded ravine.
Enjoy the tranquil and peaceful environment. It is an excellent hangout spot during the hot summer days.
You will also see many scenic views of nature, so make sure you bring your camera on your trip.
Address: Florida, United States
8. Have a few drinks with your buddies at the Daq Shack
A fantastic way to end a hectic day with your pals is to hang out at a bar and chat the night away with a few drinks.
When planning a trip to Orange Park, you may want to check out The Daq Shack. This bar is among the best places to visit in Orange Park, FL, if you want to sip a few cocktails.
The Daq Shack is popularly known for providing patrons with an energetic feel, fantastic food, and unique mixtures that you won’t see anywhere else.
This sports bar opened its doors in 2016 to launch a New Orleans Daiquiri store vibe in the city.
Since then, The Daq Shack has quickly risen to become one of the leading bars in Orange City, serving various wines, beers, hookahs, specialty drinks, and more.
Address:1754 Wells Rd, Orange Park, FL 32073, United States
9. Find the perfect gift item at Anemoia & Co.
One of the best things to do in Orange Park, FL, is to shop for gifts at Anemoia & Co.
Make your visit to Orange Park memorable by shopping for amazing items at Anemoia & Co.
This aesthetic emporium is full of unique finds, home décor, trinkets, and accessories that will make you return for more.
This gift shop was established by Jess Love in 2021. It contains dozens of collections and gifts that are the perfect giveaway for any event.
Shop for candles, housewares, travel accessories, stationery items, apothecaries, and more.
You will also find a special section at Anemoia that offers pet products, items like bandanas, toys, pet tags, pajamas, and many more.
Address: 868 Blanding Blvd Suite 116, Orange Park, FL 32065, United States
10. Spend your weekend roller skating at Skate Station Funworks
Make your weekend more unforgettable and enjoyable by stopping by Skate Station Funworks.
Wear your skates and let them roll on the biggest wood floor rollers skating rinks in North Florida.
However, if you think the fun ends here, Skate Station Funworks is also home to an ideal arcade for you and your children.
Play a game of ice ball or air hockey and monumentalize the fun day by taking a few pictures at the photo booth.
For those looking for more intense action, take your weekend to the next level by partaking in rock climbing activities.
Address:230 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park, FL 32073, United States
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11. Unleash your worries at Just Smash It Rage Rooms
There are many new and unique experiences to attempt in Orange Park. One of the most uncommon ones could be smashing and breaking a couple of stuff inside a rage room.
Just Smash It offers axe throwing, breaking glassware, and paintings. Reserve a rage room and grab your bats as you swing at numerous coffee mugs, toys, plates, and larger items like printers, TVs, microwaves, and dishwashers.
If you feel like using your rage to fuel your creative side, you can reserve a paint room with non-toxic and stain-free paint that you can splash all over the room.
Also, you can partake in knife and ax throwing inside a glow-in-the-dark setting. If you want to get rid of stress in a unique way, ensure to include a visit to Just Smash It Rage Rooms in your itinerary of what to do in Orange Park, FL.
Address:1101 Blanding Blvd #101, Orange Park, FL 32065, United States
12. Practice or learn how to shoot at On Target Sports
Stop by On Target Sports and attempt shooting a gun in this advanced shooting range.
On Target Sport contains a 25-yard climate-controlled and 12-lane shooting range designed to provide you with the best shooting experience possible.
Suppose you have never attempted this activity before. In that case, you can take up some classes from qualified experts before defeating the shooting range on your own.
Trained sharpshooters teach rudimentary firearms training and high-level tactical techniques at On Target Sports.
Also, the range provides educational programs such as the children’s firearm safety programs.
Other classes include basic handguns, defense handguns, ladies-only handguns, and concealed weapon license classes.
Address:2000 Wells Pond Ct, Orange Park, FL 32073, United States
13. Shop at Bealls Outlet
Your trip to Orange Park would not be complete without dropping by Bealls Outlet to shop for some fantastic finds.
Give your casual wardrobe a makeover or find a spectacular home déco to revitalize your living or dining area.
At Bealls Shopping Outlet, you will discover a wide selection of bags, shoes, and clothing for nearly anyone, including your children.
Don’t miss out on the chance to buy designer items at discounted prices, and head to this shopping outlet before you leave Orange Park.
Address: 950 Blanding Blvd #16, Orange Park, FL 32065, United States
14. Fill your hungry tummy at Grumpy’s Restaurant
Cocoa! Whipped cream
Whether you want to get something for lunch or a late-night meal, Grumpy’s Restaurant is always ready to welcome you.
For 24 years, Grumpy’s has been serving the people of Orange Park a superb selection of American favorites.
Indulge in a large serving of Grumpy’s countryside breakfast. Or request the early bird breakfast accompanied by a hot cup of coffee.
For lunch, try a bacon cheddar cheeseburger or a plate of a country-fried steak to assuage your cravings.
Also, you might want to try other specialties on the menu, like breakfast wraps, soups and salads, and weekly lunch specials.
Address: Grumpy’s Restaurant, 834 Kingsley Ave, Orange Park, FL 32073, United States
15. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is another excellent attraction near Orange Park, FL.
With its 122 acres, 2,000 animals, and 1,000 plant species, it’s easy to spend an entire day exploring these huge grounds.
The Jacksonville Zoo is extremely proud of its animal wellness team. It is also one of the few national zoos with such a team. So you can look forward to seeing animals that are well-groomed and taken care of.
There are ten animal exhibits to see here. Children can meet squirrel monkeys in the Play Park or play in the Splash Grounds. Likewise, they can go to the Australian Adventure to see lorikeets and emus.
The botanical gardens are quite distinctive in the sense that they are merged among the animal exhibits.
Aside from the beautiful flowers throughout the zoo, you will also find gorgeous sculptures and monuments made by local artists.
Address: 370 Zoo Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32218, United States
16. Buy fresh produce at Orange Park Farmer’s Market
For those visiting Orange Park between September and June, one place they should visit to buy fresh produce is the Farmer’s Market at Town Hall Park.
Find a wide variety of handmade and homegrown products from over 100 vendors within the region.
Orange Park Farmer’s Market has everything you could think of, from plants to local honey, cupcakes, and handcrafted jewelry.
You can even become a vendor if you are interested. All you need to do is fill out the application form at Town Hall, and you are ready to begin.
You will also enjoy a day full of live music, which will make your shopping experience one to cherish for a long time. Shopping at this Market should be on your checklist of top things to do in Orange Park, FL.
Address: 2042 Park Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073, United States
17. Cummer Museum of Arts & Gardens
Cummer Museum of Arts & Gardens
The Cummer Museum of Arts & Gardens is the biggest fine arts museum in Northeast Florida and one of the best places to visit if you are an art lover.
It was established in 1961 after the demise of socialist and civic leader Ninah Cummer, who handed over her gardens and personal art collection to the Museum.
The Museum sits on 2.5 acres of historic gardens that face the St. John River. Well-known landscape architects and horticulturists were in charge of designing these gardens.
The gardens are four, each with its own flora, themes, and unique accents, like sculptures and reflecting pools.
Inside the Museum, you will find over 5,000 works of art dating from 2100 BC till modern-day. You will be amazed by the Museum’s permanent displays and its rotating exhibits.
Guided tours, including Touch Tours, are perfect for those with sensory needs.
Allow your little ones to explore Art Connections, an interactive art education center. And for more comprehensive learning, you can enroll your young artist in an art class or summer camp. Classes are available for both kids and adults.
Address: 829 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32204, United States
18. Check out the Mandarin Museum & Historical Society
Mandarin Museum & Historical Society
The Mandarin Museum & Historical Society transports you back in time to teach you about the area’s origin.
One thing that makes this Museum interesting is that you will surely hear stories you have never heard before when you visit.
The Museum uncovers important information about the past of the locals, painting explicit pictures of the colorful characters in the historic Mandarin region.
Also, you will learn about the historic Maple Lead shipwreck, and on special days, you can meet the divers who embarked on an archaeological expedition to retrieve its lost artifacts.
Aside from the Museum, you can tour historic buildings, such as the St. Joseph’s Mission Schoolhouse for African-American Children, which was constructed to educate Black children in the aftermath of the Civil War.
Also on-site, you will discover the Historic Mandarins Store and Post Office, a one-time hub of village life.
Another fascinating part of the Mandarin Museum & Historical Society is the sculptures of frogs made by the “Mandarin Frog Man,” which can be found in the gift shop.
On the first Saturday of every month, you can book your spot to paint your frog at a painting party, an ideal activity for all ages.
Address:11964 Mandarin Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32223, United States
19. Florida Theater
The Florida Theater has been among the most visited places in Jacksonville for almost a century.
For 96 years, this historic movie theater has entertained locals and visitors for generations.
In 1992, this stunning Mediterranean Revival theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, it is one of the last surviving theaters of its kind in the state. But it has other uses besides being a movie theater.
While you can still watch classic movies on the large screens here, you can also catch live performances of all varieties.
Florida Theater is in Jacksonville, FL, 23 minutes from Orange Park, FL.
Address: 128 E Forsyth St #300, Jacksonville, FL 32202, United States
20. Tour the Sweet Pete’s Candy
If you saw Will Wonka & the Chocolate Factory as a kid, you will be pleased to know that a similar place exists in Jacksonville.
Sweet Pete’s Candy resembles the famous chocolate factory, and touring the place seems like an excellent activity for sweet lovers.
Find gourmet treats produced by famous confectioner Peter Behringer inside a humongous 22,000-square-foot mansion in the center of Jacksonville. You will find anything you can think of here, from craft sodas to retro sweets you haven’t seen for a long time.
Also, you can make your visit more fun by signing up for candy-making classes. Learn to make taffy, lollipops, and even alcohol-filled truffles.
There are both classes for adults and children, so no matter what your age, you will have plenty of fun here.
It also hosts seasonal classes like making sugar skulls during the fall, so make sure you check the calendar to see what is available when you want to visit.
Also, you can join a tour of the facilities, such as the Chocoholic Tour, where you can sample the chocolates and go home with your customized candy bar.
Address: 400 N Hogan St, Jacksonville, FL 32202, United States
21. Admire the flowers at the Jackson Arboretum & Botanical Garden
For a reason, Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is seen as the “hidden gem ” of Northeast Florida.
Although the flora here is well maintained, the arboretum and botanical gardens provide this feeling of wildness due to their natural beauty.
When you come here, you will discover over 120 acres with seven trails that run through 13 different ecosystems. Walk around the lake and find hidden pools. There is plenty to explore and see here.
The Arboretum also offers many outstanding events throughout the year. Bring your kids for a children’s theater show, attend a more adult-themed Shakespeare performance, or sign up for a yoga class.
For more enjoyable activities, partake in a nature walk led by a master naturalist every fourth Saturday of the month.
Address: 1445 Millcoe Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32225, United States
22. Tree Hill Nature Center
The Tree Hill Nature Center is a wilderness preserve that serves as an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. This preserve is dedicated to the conservation and education of the natural world.
You will find various wildlife here, from snakes to goats and turtles. You will also find the flora of the Arlington Community Garden, which is as gorgeous as it is important to the area.
Enter inside the natural history museum for first-hand lessons about the natural world; see unique animals, learn about the local critters, and more.
Tree Hill Nature Center also offers many programs to get up close with the animals.
Sign up your kids for a Conservation Camp, go on a Guided Trail Tour, and have a closer look at the animals with an Animal Encounter.
Address: 7152 Lone Star Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32211, United States
23. Spend the entire day having fun at Adventure Landing
There are many things to do at Adventure Landing. This family-friendly entertainment complex should be added to your itinerary, especially if you are visiting with kids of all ages.
There’s so much to do here that you possibly won’t be able to do it all in a few hours or one day.
Relax in the Little St. Johns River, go over to Shipwreck Island Waterpark to splash around in a half-million wave pool, cool off in a cabana, race down four huge water slides, or play in the central attraction, the Shipwreck Island Pirate Play Slide Complex, loaded with waterfalls and cannons.
At Gator Alley, you will have a closer look and even feed one of the most popular creatures in Florida.
Then, go to Laser Tag, an indoor battle arena where you and your family can engage in an intense but friendly contest.
You can try your hands at the Battling Cages or play a few rounds of uniquely-themed 18-hole miniature golf courses for additional fun.
You can go up the Wacky Worm Roller Coaste or the Frog Hopper drop ride, all perfect for little children.
Race around the Adventure Speedway Go-Karts, play games at the arcade or make a new friend at the Teddy Bear Factory. At Adventure Landing, the possibilities for a day of fun are limitless.
Adventure Landing is in Jacksonville Beach, FL, 31 minutes from Orange Park, FL.
Address: 1944 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250, United States
24. Walk around the Museum of Science & History
Museum of Science & History
The Museum of Science & History, also called MOSH, has many exciting and educative activities. Whether a history lover or a science enthusiast, there is something for everybody.
The Museum of Science & History features numerous permanent and temporary exhibits. It is open from Thursday to Monday.
Although you can always look forward to something new when you visit, you can get up close with Northeast Floridian creatures, help reveal the energy sources of the future, learn about your body, etc.
Programming is where the Museum of Science & History shines: Each day comes with a list of different programs for you and your loved ones to participate in.
Address: 1025 Museum Cir, Jacksonville, FL 32207, United States
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Plan Your Trip to Orange Park
Orange Park’s vibrant community, rich history, and gorgeous parks offer an enjoyable blend of cultural attractions and natural beauty.
Orange Park has something for you whether you want to immerse yourself in outdoor activities or indoor exploration.
So, what are you waiting for?