Jacksonville has plenty of shopping opportunities, including upscale The Avenues Mall, south of town at 10300 Southside Blvd., as well as a number of flea markets. At Beach Boulevard Flea and Farmers' Market, on Beach Boulevard/Florida 90 (tel. 904/645-5961), more than 600 vendors show up Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm to sell their wares in the partially covered facility. Some booths are open other days of the week as well.
San Marco Square, at San Marco and Atlantic boulevards, south of the river, is a quaint shopping district in the middle of a stunning residential area. Shops housed in meticulously refashioned Mediterranean Revival buildings sell antiques and home furnishings, in addition to clothing, books, and records.
Another worthwhile neighborhood to explore is the Avondale/Riverside historic district, southwest of downtown on St. Johns Avenue between Talbot Avenue and Boone Park, on the north bank of the river. More than 60 boutiques, antiques stores, art galleries, and cafes line the wide, tree-lined avenue.
Nearby, the younger set hangs out at Five Points, on Park Street at Avondale Avenue, where used-record stores, vintage clothiers, coffee shops, and funky galleries stay open late.
Like St. Augustine, Jacksonville is a mecca for chocoholics. If you've never tried chocolate-covered popcorn or pretzels, Peterbrooke Chocolatier Production Center, 1470 San Marco Blvd., on San Marco Square (tel. 904/398-2489; www.peterbrooke.com), is the place if you're up for the experience. It's open Monday through Friday from 10am to 5pm. Peterbrooke also has a retail shop on St. Johns Avenue in Avondale.
