Ride a camel at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and discover how much water your body contains at the Museum of Science & History. Cool off at Adventure Landing's Shipwreck Island Waterpark and catch some rays on the area's sandy beaches.

On land or in water, it's a cinch to find activities that fascinate the whole family in Jacksonville. Here, you'll find big-city attractions and beautiful beaches just miles apart.

My five-year-old niece, Faith, and I recently explored this northeast Florida city. Our first day was one for swimsuits.

The miles of laidback beach, lined with small but picturesque sand dunes, are perfect for swimming, relaxing or wildlife watching (porpoise can be sighted year 'round and northern right whales can sometimes be seen off the coast in winter).


Beachside Fun

On family-friendly Jacksonville Beach, Faith and I skipped to the shoreline and dipped our toes in the cool water. We drew pictures in the soft sand and collected dozens of seashells. Surfers caught waves in the distance as Faith sang about rainbows.

The miles of laidback beach, lined with small but picturesque sand dunes, are perfect for swimming, relaxing or wildlife watching (porpoise can be sighted year 'round and northern right whales can sometimes be seen off the coast in winter). You can stroll the boardwalk, go boating or catch a concert at the Sea Walk Pavilion.

Feeling energized, Faith and I kicked it up a notch at Adventure Landing, located right in Jacksonville Beach. The park has all the trappings of a kid's fantasy world – you can play a round of miniature golf, race go-karts, take a swing in the batting cages or play video games galore (and more). We explored Shipwreck Island Waterpark, Adventure Landing's separate seasonal park, where we zipped down waterslides and bobbed in the wave pool.

Nature-lovers should also check out Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve, where you can kayak through tranquil salt marsh and look for egrets, dolphin and manatees.

Famished, Faith and I stopped by Joe's Crab Shack, which offers tasty seafood along with a spectacular view of the ocean. Another local favorite is Sticky Fingers, voted the city's best barbeque several years in a row. Feast on a rack of hickory-smoked ribs or a pulled-pork sandwich. For dessert, order a tongue-tingling creation from Rita's Italian Ice. The cold treats, made fresh daily, come in more than 30 flavors and are the perfect summertime refreshment.


Downtown Diversions

The next day, we made the short trip into downtown Jacksonville to visit the Museum of Science & History. When I first mentioned the word museum, my niece groaned. "Borrr-ing," she proclaimed.

And then we stepped inside.

For hours, the hands-on exhibits captivated us. In the kid-centered JEA Science Theater & Aqua Expo, we stepped on a scale that told us how much water was in our bodies (16 gallons between the two of us!). In the new Dinosaurs & Ice Age Mammals exhibit, a pack of animatronic dinosaurs came to life before our eyes.

Faith fell in love with the Apatosaurus because it seemed to have a smile on its face and, as she put it, was probably the "friendliest dinosaur ever." She wanted to take it home.

Other educational hotspots include the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, which features interactive learning stations for children in its ArtExplorium Loft. At The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, kids can experiment with art processes in "Art in the Afternoon" classes.

After admiring Friendship Park Fountain, one of the world's highest spraying fountains, we hit Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, which has more than 1,400 animals and 1,000 species of plants. There were zebras and jaguars, warthogs and rhinos. My niece fed sweet gum leaves to a giraffe with a two-foot-long tongue.

The zoo also has a new 2.5-acre Play Park, where kids can cool off in the 4,000-square-foot Splash Ground and ride the Wildlife Carousel.

For dinner, we headed to The Jacksonville Landing, a focal point of downtown on the St. Johns River that is teeming with restaurants. No matter what you're craving, you can find it here – along with excellent views of the city. Try gourmet pizza at The American Café or pan-seared red snapper at Benny's Steak & Seafood.

And because everyone loves a sweet ending, Faith and I visited a heavenly-smelling shop, Peterbrooke Chocolatier Production Center, not far from The Landing. On a tour, we pressed our faces to a glass window to watch men and women in white jackets chocolate-coat everything from pretzels to popcorn.

"They're making me hungry," Faith said. "I want some!"

Her wish was soon granted, as the tour guide passed out samples. We left Jacksonville with smiles – and a little bit of chocolate – on our faces.