9 Best Museums in Jacksonville

Visit the Cummer Museum to see works of art from antiquity to the present day. Situated on the banks of the St. Johns River, the museum houses more than 5,000 works of art and is especially strong in European and American paintings. The collection includes pieces from ancient Greece to Florida’s early Black cinema and a significant collection of Meissen porcelain.

After your visit, get lost in the spectacular riverside gardens. Wander in the lavish Italian Garden or picnic under the winding branches of a giant oak tree. Check out the museum’s excellent programming, where you can catch live music in the galleries or take workshops on subjects like drawing and embroidery.

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) displays contemporary art in rotating exhibitions, making each visit a unique experience. Highlighting regional, national, and international artists, the exhibitions vary in theme, medium, and artistic approach, but always offer art that is fresh and innovative.

The museum strives to engage and challenge visitors and often uses its exhibitions to address current social, cultural, and political issues. Stop by on weekly Museum Nights for extended evening hours and a drink from the bar while you view the exhibitions.

The Ritz Theatre & Museum is a cultural landmark in the historic LaVilla neighborhood of Jacksonville committed to preserving and showcasing African American cultural legacy. LaVilla was once known as the Harlem of the South due to its vibrant African American community and thriving arts scene, and the Ritz has long been its centerpiece.

The museum displays photos and artifacts that provide insight into the history and contributions of African Americans in the region. The Ritz Theatre, active since 1929, has hosted the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles. It continues to offer a wide range of theatrical productions, comedy shows, and music and dance performances.

Jacksonville’s Museum of Science & History (MOSH) has diverse exhibits for visitors of all ages. Learn about the history of space exploration and discover the ancient creatures that once roamed Northeast Florida. Families will love the dinosaur exhibit, which features life-size animatronic dinosaurs.

The museum emphasizes hands-on learning and gives visitors the opportunity to experiment with energy and electricity or build their own virtual ecosystems. Head to the museum’s planetarium for an immersive experience learning about the universe or catch one of the popular laser light shows.

The Museum of Southern History is a cultural institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history and heritage of the American South. The museum focuses on various aspects of Southern history and the lives of Southern citizens during the Antebellum and Civil War periods.

The museum’s collection includes military uniforms, household items, photographs, and a diorama of the Battle of Sharpsburg. The library and research facility house an extensive collection of books and periodicals, including materials used in genealogical research.

Step back in time at the Beaches Museum, established to document and celebrate the unique history of Jacksonville’s historic beach communities. In 2 galleries, 1 permanent and 1 for rotating exhibitions, visitors learn about early settlements, beach culture, tourism, local industries, and the natural environment of the area.

The museum manages and preserves a number of historical buildings that visitors can tour with a guide or on their own. Step inside an old railway depot, a 19th-century chapel, and a classic steam train locomotive.

The Jacksonville Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and sharing the city’s history. Operating out of a historic church in downtown Jacksonville, the organization collects artifacts, documents, and photographs related to the city’s history and protects historic buildings in the city.

Experience Jacksonville at the turn of the century with a tour of the Merrill House Museum, a historic home saved from demolition. A beautiful example of Queen Anne style architecture, the home is fully furnished in the way of middle-class families of the time.

A must-see for motorsport enthusiasts, the Brumos Collection houses rare and historically significant cars in a state-of-the-art showroom. Get up close to a remarkable collection of classic Porsche and vintage race cars so meticulously maintained they look like they could drive right out of the showroom.

The collection represents significant moments in motorsport history and captures the spirit and excitement of the sport. Learn about each car and its historical context by chatting with the knowledgeable staff or searching the wealth of information in the kiosks around the showroom.

Learn about the lives and careers of 2 remarkable humanitarians at the Eartha M. M. White Museum. Run by the Clara White Mission, a nonprofit serving the needs of the less fortunate in the Jacksonville community for over 100 years, the museum is a tribute to its founder Clara White and her daughter Eartha.

Walk through the home filled with period furniture, historic documents, and photos of Jacksonville’s past as you learn about these women and their lifelong commitment to do good. Ascend the stairs where thousands of meals were carried from the small kitchen, then tour the parlor where the White’s hosted guests like Booker T. Washington and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt.