The Blog

Notes from the Westside.

Guides, itineraries, and local picks for Orange Park and Jacksonville — plus easy day trips to the beaches and St. Augustine when they're worth the drive.

Listicle

July 21, 20267 min read

10 Things to Do Near NAS Jacksonville

Zoo days, go-karts, big cats, a riverfront arts market, and a couple of easy day trips — ten things to do within an easy drive of Orange Park and Naval Air Station Jacksonville, whether you've got an afternoon or a whole weekend.

A platter of fried seafood on a waterfront table

Local Spotlight

July 17, 20267 min read

Whitey's Fish Camp: Old Florida on Doctors Lake

A fifteen-minute drive from Orange Park lands you at a 1963 fish camp on the water, where the catfish is all-you-can-eat and the tiki bar looks out over Doctors Lake. Here's why Whitey's is the meal we send guests to first.

A giraffe at a zoo with visitors watching

Itinerary

July 12, 20267 min read

A Perfect Weekend in Jacksonville, Based in Orange Park

Two days, one easy base off I-295. A time-blocked weekend that covers the Jacksonville Zoo, the riverfront, a great dinner, and a morning at the beach or in St. Augustine — without fighting the city's traffic.

The Jacksonville skyline along the St. Johns River at dusk

Destination Guide

July 8, 20267 min read

Visiting NAS Jacksonville: An Orange Park Guide for Base Families

Coming to town for a PCS move, a graduation, or a TDY rotation? Here's how Orange Park works as a base for visiting Naval Air Station Jacksonville — where things are, how far the gate really is, and what to do while you're here.