Penney Farms FloridaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Penney Farms, Florida.
1. Amazing Grace Family Farms
FAMILY-FRIENDLY AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE
Amazing Grace Family Farms offers visitors a charming agricultural experience in the heart of Penney Farms. Visitors can enjoy farm activities, interact with animals, and learn about rural life in a welcoming environment. The farm provides a perfect family-friendly destination that combines education with outdoor recreation.
2. Penney Farms Historic Museum
TOWN'S FASCINATING HISTORICAL LEGACY
The Penney Farms Historic Museum, located in the old Volunteer Fire Department building, showcases the town's rich history dating back to 1927 when J.C. Penney established the community. Visitors can explore exhibits detailing how families invested their time, labor, and money in this unique community inspired by the department store mogul. The museum offers a glimpse into the contrast between modest wood frame dwellings and stately Norman-styled buildings that characterized the early town.
3. J.C. Penney Memorial Scenic Highway
BEAUTIFUL TREE-LINED DRIVE
The J.C. Penney Memorial Scenic Highway (State Road 16) welcomes travelers with a magnificent canopy of large oak and magnolia trees lining the route. This picturesque drive through Penney Farms showcases the town's status as a National Tree City participant. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty that frames this historic community established by department store mogul J.C. Penney in 1927.
4. Magnolia Point Golf and Country Club
PREMIER GOLFING DESTINATION
Magnolia Point Golf and Country Club offers a premier golfing experience near Penney Farms in Green Cove Springs. The well-maintained course features beautiful landscaping, challenging holes, and scenic views throughout the play area. Visitors can enjoy not only golf but also the club's additional amenities in a picturesque Florida setting.
5. Clay County Fairgrounds
EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
The Clay County Fairgrounds serves as a major events and entertainment venue just a short drive from Penney Farms. The fairgrounds host the annual Clay County Agricultural Fair along with numerous other events, exhibitions, and gatherings throughout the year. Visitors can experience authentic local culture, agricultural traditions, and family entertainment at this popular community gathering space.
6. Camp Chowenwaw Park
HISTORIC WATERFRONT RECREATION
Camp Chowenwaw Park is a historic 150-acre waterfront park located near Penney Farms offering diverse recreational opportunities. Once a Girl Scout camp, the park now features hiking trails, a swimming pool, cabins, camping areas, and access to Black Creek. Visitors can explore the natural beauty while enjoying activities like kayaking, canoeing, and wildlife observation in this preserved natural setting.
7. Green Cove Springs
HISTORIC SPRING TOWN
Green Cove Springs, named for the natural spring that flows through the town, offers visitors a charming historic downtown area just minutes from Penney Farms. The spring produces approximately 3,000 gallons of water per minute at a constant temperature of 78 degrees, making the adjacent Spring Park a popular recreation spot. Visitors can enjoy the spring-fed swimming pool, riverfront views, and the town's historic architecture dating back to its heyday as a tourist destination in the late 19th century.
8. Bayard Conservation Area
PRISTINE NATURAL WILDERNESS
The Bayard Conservation Area encompasses over 10,000 acres of pristine wilderness featuring diverse ecosystems and wildlife habitats near Penney Farms. Visitors can explore miles of hiking and equestrian trails that wind through pine flatwoods, sandhills, and along the scenic St. Johns River. Nature enthusiasts can observe native wildlife including deer, turkey, and numerous bird species in this protected conservation area.
9. Golf Club At Fleming Island
SCENIC WATERFRONT GOLF COURSE
The Golf Club at Fleming Island offers an exceptional golfing experience on a scenic course surrounded by water and natural Florida landscapes. The 18-hole championship course features well-maintained fairways, strategic water hazards, and challenging greens that appeal to golfers of all skill levels. After a round, visitors can enjoy the clubhouse amenities while taking in beautiful views of the surrounding area.
10. Locked In Escape Room
THRILLING INTERACTIVE PUZZLES
Locked In Escape Room provides an exciting interactive entertainment experience where teams solve puzzles and riddles to escape themed rooms. Participants must use critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to complete their mission within a set time limit. The facility offers multiple themed rooms with varying difficulty levels, making it a perfect activity for families, friends, or corporate team building.
11. Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
ART AND BOTANICAL BEAUTY
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens houses an impressive collection of art spanning from 2100 BCE to the 21st century in a beautiful setting near the St. Johns River. The museum's highlight includes its historic gardens featuring reflecting pools, ornate fountains, and ancient oak trees across 2.5 acres of cultivated beauty. Visitors can enjoy both indoor galleries showcasing more than 5,000 works of art and the meticulously maintained outdoor gardens that represent different historical periods.
12. Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville
MODERN ARTISTIC EXPRESSION
The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville (MOCA) showcases cutting-edge works by regional, national, and international artists in a striking downtown building. The museum's permanent collection includes nearly 1,000 pieces spanning various media including painting, photography, sculpture, and digital art. MOCA regularly hosts rotating exhibitions, educational programs, and special events that celebrate contemporary artistic expression and cultural dialogue.
13. Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens
WILDLIFE AND BOTANICAL WONDERS
The Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens houses over 2,000 rare and exotic animals and 1,000 plant species across its 117-acre property. Visitors can explore themed exhibits including the African Plains, Australian Outback, and the popular Range of the Jaguar, which has won national awards for excellence. The zoo combines wildlife conservation with beautiful botanical gardens, creating an immersive experience that educates and entertains guests of all ages.
14. St. Augustine Alligator Farm & Zoological Park
HISTORIC REPTILE SHOWCASE
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm & Zoological Park, established in 1893, is one of Florida's oldest continuously running attractions featuring every living species of crocodilian. Visitors can walk across the thrilling Crocodile Crossing zipline course that soars above the reptile habitats or enjoy the rookery where hundreds of native birds nest annually. The park combines entertainment with conservation education through daily wildlife shows, interactive exhibits, and up-close encounters with exotic animals.
15. Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
HISTORIC DISCOVERY SITE
The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park marks the legendary 1513 landing site of Ponce de Leon and the original site of St. Augustine, founded in 1565. Visitors can drink from the famous spring, explore archaeological excavations of the first Spanish settlement, and witness living history demonstrations including cannon firings and blacksmithing. The 15-acre waterfront park combines historical education with beautiful grounds featuring peacocks, a Native American village reconstruction, and panoramic views of the Matanzas River.