You will see the growth from its beginnings as an Indian community to the arrival of French settlers in 1562 to its present-day status as a dominant port city. Although Jacksonville has the only skyscrapers in northeast Florida, Mother Nature is not far away. A few miles east is Little Talbot Island State Park, a rare undeveloped barrier island with five miles of beaches. Just to the north, Big Talbot Island greets visitors with three miles of undeveloped beaches, dunes, salt marshes, and a driftwood forest. Getting to Jacksonville is quite easy.
All roads seem to lead to the city.
Other routes include U.S. 1, which runs the length of the east coast, and U.S. 17 from the west. Baggage claim is served solely by Gator City Taxi, although other transportation serves the airport. Jacksonville also has an Amtrak station and a Greyhound bus terminal. City buses operate throughout Jacksonville and the beaches. Water taxi service is available for points along St. Johns, the nation's longest north-flowing river.