Off The Beaten Path: Unexpected Fun for the Whole Family

It’s no surprise that Jacksonville has a ton to offer, especially when it comes to families. But it can, at times, be tough to find a spot that truly allows everyone in the family to sit back and fully enjoy without wondering if the kids are being too rowdy, or if they’re bored while the adults are having fun. Ya know?

We sacrifice a lot for our kids. That’s just what we sign up for when we become parents, and it’s okay. But it doesn’t mean that our fun as couples or as friends has to end, too! When my husband and I first found out we were expecting eight years ago, we vowed that we’d always have fun together and as a family, and that we wouldn’t let becoming parents stop that for us. Our “fun” definitely shifted a little, but we were (and still are) able to do things we always enjoyed doing together out of the house, just as a family.

There’s not much worse than going out to eat and trying to enjoy a meal while worrying if your kids are terrorizing the restaurant or annoying the other guests, and trying to wrangle them to sit in their chair. They’re kids — they’re not meant to sit still long. Heck, it’s even hard for us as adults at times!

READ: Our Favorite Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Jacksonville

So, I’ve made it a mission to find some of the best places around town that offer fun for everyone in the family. It’s so nice to have options to turn to where kids can still be (mindfully) free, yet you can still carry a conversation with more than three words at a time.

Here are some of my favorites you might not think of (or even know about!) when looking for a little family-friendly fun outside the house.

ABBQ (Atlantic Beach)

Good BBQ, a chill atmosphere, and an open space for kids to play. The back lawn at ABBQ is full of yard games like cornhole and Connect Four and has a giant chalk wall for kids to draw all over. We like to sit at one of the picnic tables on the lawn to be close to the play area, but even if you sit inside, the garage-style doors open to make the entire restaurant open-air on nice days, so there’s truly not a bad seat in the house.

Grey Matter / Reve Brewing & Bones Pizza (Atlantic Beach)

There are a ton of great breweries around Jax that are welcoming to families, but if craft cocktails are more your thing, add Grey Matter Distillery to your list. It’s locally owned by a sweet family, and they really go above and beyond to make it an unforgettable experience. There are dozens of board games to play, ring toss, a few free arcade games (hello, Pac-Man), and plenty of space to sit and sip while the kids hang. They don’t serve food, but Bones Pizza just inside of Reve Brewing two doors down has excellent pizza, salads, and snacks, and will deliver it right over to the distillery with paper plates and all. I’d recommend visiting with kids earlier rather than later, as it does tend to get more crowded and adult-focused in the evening.

Ink Factory (Jax Beach)

Another favorite local brewery of ours, Ink Factory not only has delicious beer, it also has a permanent food truck (Hard Pressed — insanely delicious burgers), a full-service coffee bar, and a new game room with several arcade games, a claw machine and more. The extra $10 we spend on claw machine stuffies and race car games is worth it knowing the kids are having fun and my husband and I get to have a cold one and a conversation! It’s also nice to have a separate room from the main bar area to hang with the kids.

Keg & Coin (Five Points)

We stumbled upon Keg & Coin after a doctor’s visit one afternoon and have been telling people about it since that day. Another cool (and large) arcade full of nostalgia and a variety of games for all ages, plus a full-service bar and merch. They offer daily specials and events, and it’s truly a cool place to hang for a couple of hours. I’d suggest calling to confirm kid-appropriate times in advance, as they do turn into a 21+ bar later at night.

Midtown Table (St. Johns Town Center)

We love a restaurant with good food and one that is accepting of children. Midtown Table, located off of Gate Parkway near the St. Johns Town Center, offers a lawn off of their patio with a putting green, jumbo Connect Four, fire pit, Adirondack chairs, and ample space for kids to get their sillies out while waiting on their food to come. Plus, they have a delicious kids’ meal with large portions and tasty food and drinks for adults.

Moon River Pizza (Murray Hill)

Moon River is a great local pizza joint in Murray Hill, adorned with bright-colored walls and decor, and offers tons of pizza topping options (available by the slice or whole pie). But a little secret: You can ask your server for “play dough”  and they’ll bring some uncooked pizza dough to the table for the kids to play with, which my kids think is the coolest. Love a little something like this that sets places apart from the others and makes the kids feel special!

Show Pigeon at Hotel Palms (Atlantic Beach)

Calling all my fellow coffee drinkers! If you haven’t been to Show Pigeon at Hotel Palms, add it to your list ASAP! Not only can you find delicious and beautiful hand-crafted coffee drinks, this local motel is so cute and chill. It is the perfect spot for a morning mommy-and-me meetup before the park or a morning date with the kids in tow. My daughters love running around the lawn, petting all the dogs, collecting rocks, and snacking on their homemade coconut whipped cream and freeze-dried strawberries (gotta ask for that one, but they’ll always serve it with a smile for the kiddos). Tell them Daisy (that’s my daughter) sent ya!

Sweet Pete’s / Fizzies and Fare (Downtown)

We all know how awesome Sweet Pete’s is for their candy shop (if you’re new to Jax or haven’t been, it’s a must!), but I’m always surprised at how many people I talk to don’t know all the other great things about it. In addition to their delicious fresh-made sweets and endless candy options, they also have an ice cream parlor on the second floor, and offer candy-making classes and tours of the factory. Make it a full experience with brunch, lunch, or dinner at the first-floor restaurant, Fizzies and Fare, where the kids can certainly find something on the menu they like, and adults can indulge in one of their delicious candy cocktails or ice cream drinks. Fun, right?!

Throwback Jax (Beach Blvd.)

This is one of my favorite new(ish) finds in town! We saw Throwback Jax randomly while driving home one day (it’s two miles from our house — woohoo!), decided to check it out on a rainy afternoon, and have been loyal customers ever since. If you’re into retro arcade games, Ninja Turtle-style pizza, cold beer, and collectable toys, you’re going to love Throwback. The vibe is nostalgic and super fun, they have a variety of arcade games, and the best part (in my opinion) is unlimited play with a wristband ($10–$15/person).

Wicked Barley (Mandarin)

There’s a reason Wicked Barley is known as one of the best breweries in Jax! Great beer, delicious food, and a spacious back lawn with picnic table seating, lawn games, a sand area with seating, and space for the kids to run and play.

READ: Guide to Family-Friendly Breweries Around Jacksonville

There ya have it! Some of my unassuming favorite places to hit up when my husband or friends and I need some grownup time, but we don’t want to break the bank on a sitter. Did I leave anything out? Drop some of your favorite spots you think people should know about in the comments. I have more up my sleeve, so part two featuring activities and experiences is coming soon! Stay tuned (and stay sane). Cheers, mama!