Confederate Point - Jacksonville, FL

A part of the Westside section of Jacksonville, Confederate Point was built on lowlands on the shores of the Cedar River, known by the locals as Cedar Creek, Butcher Pen Creek and Fishing Creek. Initially, the area was only accessible by a solitary road along Butcher Pen Creek, though later development to the south provided roadways into the area from that direction.

The closest museum to the Confederate Point area lies to the north. The Museum of Southern History seeks to preserve the history, ideas and chivalry of the South. The museum includes exhibits on the Florida area and its place in history, especially as it pertains to the American Civil War.

Visit the Riverside Arts Market, which features premiere area artists, food and music under the Fuller Warren Bridge every Saturday. Located north of Confederate Point, close to downtown Jacksonville, the Market’s artwork includes pottery, painting and jewelry.

To find area eateries, you must travel outside the Confederate Point area. One central location for restaurants in the Confederate Point neighborhood lies at the junction of Blanding Boulevard and 103rd Street/Timuquana Road. Some of the different cuisines here include Cuban, seafood, and American soul food.

At Simply Sara’s near the St. John's river, the restaurant's motto is "If you buy it here, we make it here," and they mean it. Not only that, but if you eat anything that contains tomatoes in it, you get Sara's own in-house oven roasted fresh tomatoes. Cooking from scratch — just like Grandma's — makes you want to come here every day. Enjoy freshly-baked cookies, cakes and pies as well as fresh dressings, sauces, and jams. El Mofongo serves a wide selection of Cuban fare. Some of the menu items include slow-roasted pork, empanadas, Mangu fried eggs, and Chicken Mofonogo.

For area nightlife, you need to travel outside the confines of the neighborhood. Various lounges and bars dot the outer areas just across the Cedar River or along 103rd Street/Timuquana Road to the south. Take a trip to The Steel Pony, a local biker bar found on 103rd Street. In addition to the selection of ice cold beer, you can usually find special events going on throughout the week, including pool tournaments, poker runs and viewing the latest sporting events on the big-screen TV.

Eclipse nightclub offers music and good times. Some of the events put on by this establishment include music shows featuring industrial, dance and karaoke. The 1904 Music Hall, a music venue in downtown Jacksonville, puts on a variety of music acts such as rockabilly, hip hop, and dance music. The Music Hall also has an ever-increasing list of wines and beer for patrons to enjoy.

Confederate Point neighborhood residents require a vehicle to complete most errands, as walking and cycling do not provide an adequate means of transportation. You can also catch a Jacksonville Transportation Authority bus, which runs a route through the middle of the neighborhood. To get a taxi in the neighborhood, you need to call a cab company and have them send one to your location. Uber does not operate in the Jacksonville area, though you still have a wide variety of taxi services you can call.

If you need public parking in the area, you can park your vehicle on the street for free. While driving, you can easily access highways and expressways in the region via Blanding Boulevard or 103rd Street/Timuquana Road.

The City of Jacksonville contains a wide selection of parks. The closest park to Confederate Point, Wesconnett Park, offers 2 acres of basketball courts and a multiuse field. You can also bring along your pets, but you must keep them on a leash.

If you have children, you can take them to the Sweetwater Playground. This park includes a variety of amenities, including a playground area, picnic tables and shelter. You can also use the lighted basketball court. Pets are welcome, though with a required leash.

Spanning over 575 acres, Ringhaver Park has a wide selection of amenities. Whether you use the 826-foot boardwalk to launch your kayak or the large playground to play with your kids, you can easily find an activity to suit you.

The cost of living in the Confederate Point neighborhood rests slightly higher than the rest of Jacksonville. Housing costs approximately $590 per month for a one-bedroom residence, and public transportation to downtown Jacksonville on a JTA bus costs $1.50. When buying a beer at a local bar, expect to spend about $5. The price of a gallon of gas in the Confederate Point area averages about two percent less than the national average.

Most of the area's retailers lie along Blanding Avenue and 103rd Street/Timuquana Road. You can also travel northeast to the Avondale area to find more boutiques, including Avondale Gift Boutique, which sells a wide assortment of personal gifts and items, including glassware, candles and figurines for the home.

If you seek clothing, check out Ellie Bing. This boutique carries a large range of clothing items, jewelry and home decor. Ellie Bing even supports local artisans by selling its handcrafted items within the store.

You can find groceries at one of the area supermarkets, including the Blanding Food Mart, Save-A-Lot or Bill's Food Store, right across Butcher Pen Creek. If you want fresh produce, check out the Jacksonville Farmers Market at the Riverside Arts Market, which opens every Saturday under the Fuller Warren Bridge.