Arlington Manor - Jacksonville, FL

One of the largest sections in the Jacksonville area, Arlington initially started out as a settlement along the other side of the St. Johns River, east of where downtown Jacksonville currently sits. Thought it is now considered to be one of the fastest-growing sections of Jacksonville, the area actually started out as a sparsely inhabited location following the destruction of the French Fort Caroline in 1565. It was only due to the introduction of plantations and sawmills to the area along the St. Johns River that the neighborhood started to see growth again. Following the American Civil War, the area of Arlington Manor saw growth as a residential neighborhood, eventually being absorbed into the greater Arlington community.

If you seek an educational experience in the neighborhood, visit the Alexander Brest Museum. Located on the campus of Jacksonville University, the Alexander Brest Museum features collections showcasing Pre-Columbian artifacts, Chinese porcelain and Tiffany glass, among other exhibits.

Fort Caroline Road to the north and Merrill Road to the south represent the best areas to find restaurants within the Arlington Manor neighborhood. With plenty of locations to choose from, you can find a wide selection of cuisine types, including American, Greek, Asian and other ethnic fare.

Blue Boy Sandwich Shop, Inc., which has operated in the Jacksonville area since 1973, offers a large assortment of sandwiches. Whether you get your sandwich hot or cold, you have many options to choose from when ordering, including the western veal sub made with two tender veal patties and topped with mushrooms, eggs, onion and cheese. You can also try the cheese omelet breakfast sandwich.

If you want to try some of the best Mediterranean cuisine, visit Tabouleh Mediterranean Cafe. Order one of its tasty appetizers, such as the spicy hummus blended with Shutta, a freshly ground red chili paste, served on pita bread. When it comes to the main meal, dive into one of the restaurant’s various kabobs, including lamb, chicken or beef.

You can also find nightly entertainment in the Arlington Manor neighborhood. Whether you seek drinks at a bar, or more substantial musical entertainment, the Arlington area has a selection of popular night spots for you to check out. If you need a nice relaxing bar to kick back and enjoy a few drinks, look no further than Scoreboard Sports Bar & Grill. Located within the heart of Arlington Manor, you can order a burger to enjoy with your drink as you get away from the city life in Jacksonville.

The Jazzland Cafe offers some of the best in musical entertainment, including tunes from a variety of local jazz artists. Join the patrons on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights for live jazz performances.

With walking and biking difficult in the Arlington Manor neighborhood, you have a few transportation options in addition to driving your own vehicle. The Jacksonville Transportation Authority, which has various bus routes around the Arlington area is a perfect option for those without a personal vehicle.

The taxi service Uber does not operate in the City of Jacksonville, and you can only hail a taxi in the busier areas, such as downtown or at the airport, but there are many taxi cab services you can call that will send a cab to your location.

You can find some parking in the Arlington Manor area, especially around the Jacksonville University campus, though a parking permit is required. Visitors to the area can request a free one-day visitor parking permit. You can also park on the street in most areas of Arlington Manor.

You can easily access the nearby Arlington expressway from the area. This leads across Mathews Bridge and into the downtown Jacksonville district. Another easily accessed local expressway includes Interstate 295, which runs north and south.

The Arlington Manor neighborhood boasts a number of parks that feature outdoor fun and exercise. One such area, Reddie Point Preserve, sits at the furthest point of the peninsula that juts into the St. Johns River and opposite of downtown Jacksonville. Park visitors are presented with great views of the city. Some of the activities available at the preserve include fishing along its large pier, hiking and biking trails, and picnic areas. Bring along your pets, but remember to keep them on a leash.

Featuring a playground for the kids and picnic benches for family gatherings, Gerrie’s Park occupies a little over 1 acre in north Arlington Manor. The park hosts a variety of local events, including weddings, parties and reunions.

Tree Hill Nature Center brings nature to area residents through hands-on programs at a low cost to the community. With over 50 acres of natural areas spread over three separate ecosystems, the park offers a place for gatherings at its Joseph A. Strasser Amphitheater. You can also enjoy the annual Butterfly Festival held each April at the on-site butterfly house.

The Arlington Manor neighborhood’s cost of living is higher than the rest of Jacksonville. Some examples of this include rent for a one-bedroom residence costing about $523, and a beer costs around $5 at one of the area bars. Traveling to downtown Jacksonville costs $1.50 on a JTA bus, and a gallon of gas to fuel your vehicle sits just above the national average.

While you have many shopping options in the Arlington Manor neighborhood, a few major shopping centers sit along University Boulevard, beginning near the junction with the Arlington Expressway and running along the Arlington Expressway and Merrill Road.

Stop by Ga La Car Boutique Salon for the total boutique experience, including hair care, makeup and clothing. Fashions include a wide selection of dresses, jewelry and other accessories to help you look your best. Elle’ Paush House of Style also specializes in fashion and hair care, ranging from extensions and weaves to custom-made fashions.

If you need to visit a high-end design shop, visit The Window Dressers. This establishment has the most current designs and can help you decorate your entire house or apartment. Have the shop custom design and fabricate draperies, shades and valances for your living space.

If you need groceries, the Arlington Manor neighborhood provides a few options for you to choose from. Visit the local Winn-Dixie for fresh meat and produce, as well as personal items. You can also find fresh produce by traveling across the river to downtown Jacksonville to the Jacksonville Farmers Market. Open 365 days a year, the market features ethnic foods in addition to unique and hard-to-find items.