Things to Do in Jacksonville in May

Glide across the Amelia River on a compact, agile CraigCat boat. Feel the spray as you skim past historic shrimp boats docked at Fernandina Beach. Watch for dolphins riding the bow wave. The captain navigates the tidal creeks. You see ospreys circling above the cordgrass. Weathered timbers of old docks slide by.

Paddle in silence down the tea-colored waters of Lofton Creek. The only sounds are the dip of your paddle and the rustle of palm fronds in the breeze. A dense canopy of old-growth cypress trees drapes overhead, hung with Spanish moss. You might hear the splash of a turtle sliding off a log. You might see the iridescent flash of a kingfisher.

Step into a meticulously crafted room. You hear the tick of a clock. Scattered clues glow under a desk lamp. Work with your team to solve puzzles and uncover a narrative before time runs out. The experience engages your sense of touch and logic. Feel the texture of a hidden compartment. Hear the click of a solved lock.

Coast easily on an electric bike through the streets of Riverside and San Marco. Feel the humid air move past. Stop to admire the intricate brickwork of a Prairie-style home. Or the sleek lines of the contemporary Museum of Science & History. You will see the dappled light through massive live oaks. You will hear the guide's stories about the architects who shaped these neighborhoods.

Children feel the gentle sway of a horse beneath them. They hear the crunch of sand under hoof. They walk along the firm, damp sand at the water's edge. Sanderlings dart in the surf. The air smells clean and salty. The guides ensure a calm pace. Kids hear the steady rhythm of the waves. They hear the call of gulls overhead.

Navigate the salt marshes and tidal estuaries. You smell the pungent, fertile scent of pluff mud. Tall spartina grass sways in unison with the wind. Your guide points out the subtle movements of a camouflaged ray in the shallows. You see the intricate patterns of a whelk egg case washed ashore.