Fingertips exhausted from nonstop clacking on keyboards for eight months in crowded classes. Voices raspy from giving relationship advice and begging teachers to push that 89 to a 90. When eyes begin to grow bags, it’s time for students to unwind, recharge, and create lasting memories.
With the fourth nine weeks now in full swing, excitement about summer break is building like a tsunami. Ride the wave as an escape from the pounds of homework to experience bright neon-light-filled arcades, the smell of buttery popcorn in movie theaters, sandy, shelly beaches and unfortunate motion sickness from prolonged road trips.
Coastal Tides wanted to map out ideas for the perfect summer break, so this time of rest and relaxation is not squandered. Instead of doom-scrolling while complaining you’re too tired, bored, and stressed out about the future to get out of bed, consider making memories with friends, taking advantage of cheap or free events around Jacksonville, or getting out of town for a trip to a theme park or shopping spree.
Make Memories with Friends
There’s no better antidote to burnout and stress than planning adventures with friends. Get started early by inviting your bestie over for breakfast. While still half asleep, scramble up some eggs, flip some bacon and brown a couple hashbrowns, and don’t forget the coffee with vanilla creamer, a splash of toasted marshmallow coffee syrup mixed in until it’s light brown and delicious.
Then GET OUT OF THE HOUSE.
Go to Memorial Park and spin each other in knots on the swing set. Bicker over GPS instructions like a married couple and then somehow make it alive to the Cummer Museum (students only pay $15). Open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday through Sunday, the wide array of beautiful historical pieces isn’t something to miss. On Saturdays you can enjoy a five-minute stroll around the corner to the Riverside Arts Market. It’s an amazing variety of artisans, farmers, and food trucks.
Next stop: stroll across the Main Street Bridge and take pictures of the Friendship Fountain (it’s even cooler when it’s lit up at night). Downtown Jacksonville is also home to the Museum of Science and History, known for the projections of starry skies in the planetarium (students pay $22).
Once you’ve burned off some energy, refuel at a cheap place nearby like Wendy’s or grab a Slushie and snacks from the Gate gas station before going back home together to binge Gossip Girl or Breaking Bad.
Beach Day
Though it’s cliché in these parts, the feeling of smelling salty and being just a little sunburnt after a beach day is second to none. Put a towel down on the sand and soak in that much deserved sunlight, maybe even go in the water and play mermaids or toss a volleyball. Venture into the perilous water but make sure to be careful of the shifting tides (red flags indicate people should stick to the sand, while yellow flags mean only swim near a lifeguard).
Start the day off by packing a cooler with icy soda to chill your sizzling skin. Get back into the car and crank the air conditioning, (the only way to survive Florida heat), and sip your drink as you drive leisurely toward the beach. Scout the shores for sharks’ teeth or potential baes (the bronzed lifeguards are particularly popular during this time of year). Act like you’re drowning in the ocean for the delightful experience of being carried back to shore by a hunky teen. Head to Rita’s after for a snow cone or gelato to sate the aching in your belly. Spend an outrageous amount of money on a “Jax Beach” t-shirt or a new pair of shades. Roll down the windows and blast that summer playlist and return home with the perfect combination of exhaustion and bliss that only a beach day can provide.
Theme Parks
People spend untold thousands of dollars flying from all seven continents (yes, even Antarcticians crave the mouse) to enjoy the dozens of theme parks that are only a couple hours’ drive from Jacksonville.
Busch Gardens is an obvious choice. Ride Montu a million times and feed a giraffe or hear the hyenas cackle. Get hyped for carnival games like dart throwing and ring tosses, even win an overstuffed rhino plushie. And of course, get a buttery pretzel!
There’s always Disney and Universal in Orlando— a summer break riding the Veloci-Coaster can’t be beat. For $144 to $199, see all the Mickey Mouse shaped paraphernalia of your dreams at Magic Kingdom. At Universal Studios, experience what we all dreamed as children: the wizarding world of Harry Potter (don’t forget the Butter Beer). Along with the numerous thrill rides, $119 offers access to the vacation of a lifetime. Walk along the water to the Simpsons area, complete with fun and food themed for the show. If you’re interested in seeing what life is like under the sea, visit Sea World for a more budget-friendly option ($65). Watch an orca show and see the fluffy baby penguins shuffle around.
St. Augustine and Shopping Sprees
An ideal summer break pastime for some could be a shopping day. Go to the Avenues mall, St. Johns Town Center, of course Target, and maybe even hit a thrift shop or two. It’s the time of year to refresh the summer wardrobe after dropping a fortune on winter jackets – January cold had our wallets in shambles. Goodwill won’t break the bank for a few tank tops.
If you’re looking for something a little farther away from home, take a drive to the oldest city in the United States. St. George Street in St. Augustine is known for its tiny shops lining the cobblestone street, filled with trinkets and hand-made clothing. Visit the Lightner Museum and see the antiques, mostly American Gilded Age pieces, housed within the historic Hotel Alcazar building downtown. The Spanish Renaissance-style building consists of a red tile and terra cotta exterior with stunning towers.
Take a tour of the city on a trolley or guide yourself by walking or using the St. Augustine Rider. This free bus service is often overlooked, but you don’t have to pay $60 to enjoy the historically rich area. End the day with a trip to the Black Parrot Candy shop or get some ice cream from Kilwins.
Wrap Up
Dry, crisp nights shorten, the sun shines a bit brighter, and the smell of SPF-50 fills the air.
When we have these periods of time with so much free-thinking space, we tend to overfill it and feed into anxiety and stress. Don’t do that. Fight it. Make memories for yourself and make the most of summer’s school-free days.
Uplifted spirits and cheekbones, smiles from kids of all ages. Each activity, event, sunrise and sunset, makes the appreciation of being a young, dumb, broke teen even sweeter.
The Three Musketeers, a trio of junior writers — Kate Higginbotham, Abigail Lorja and Fortunato Gjondrekaj — worked with Ava Smith, Melissa Chesney, Vanna Mocas, and Mya Ellis for this report.