JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – What does Jacksonville have in common with the United Kingdom and Poland? They're all ranked among Lonely Planet's Top 10 Best Value Destinations for 2018.
Lonely Planet, the world's largest travel guide book publisher, released those rankings on Tuesday. Jacksonville slots in at No. 9 and is notable for being the only American city to make the list.
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Among other things, the publisher cited the city's beaches, parks, food and craft beer scenes and affordable hotel prices as reasons for Jacksonville's selection:
"Jax, as locals call it, hasn’t drawn international praise like other destinations in Florida – despite 35km of beaches, surfing, art and live music. There are long stretches of the St Johns River, the Intracoastal Waterway and America’s largest urban park system to explore on foot, by bike or, best of all, on a guided kayak tour. Barbecue joints and beachside cafes offer good-value and family-friendly dining, while a pint of craft beer at one of eight local breweries can be priced as low as $3.50. Not only is Jacksonville affordable for sleeping (with the lowest hotel rates in the state), but you can feel as if you’re discovering somewhere new."
To read everything Lonely Planet had to say about Jacksonville, click here.