1. American Red Cross Volunteer Life Saving Corps
City: Jacksonville Beach, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (904) 249-9141
Address: 2 North Ocean Front
Description: Built in 1947, this is one of the oldest buildings in Jacksonville Beach. Better yet, the Volunteer Life Saving Corps, which started in 1912, is the oldest lifesaving corps in the United States. Over the years, lifeguards have rescued thousands of people from drowning. If the off-duty guards are not too busy dealing with beach emergencies, they’ll take you on a free tour of their building, which includes dorm rooms and a tower with a killer view up and down the coast. (See the Close-up in this section for more on the long tradition of the Volunteer Life Saving Corps.) Free.
2. Rita’S Italian Ice
City: Jacksonville Beach, FL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (904) 246-1762
Address: 393 North Third St.
Description: There’s nothing sweeter after a day in the hot sun at the beach than to head to Rita’s in Jacksonville Beach for an Italian ice. While this is a large national chain, its proximity to the beach makes it, if not Insider, at least situationally relevant. You can’t miss the place; it’s on the main drag near the Jacksonville Beach City Hall. Rita’s sells many flavors of Italian ice, including local favorites mango and passion fruit.