Jacksonville has swiftly emerged as a tourism destination, attracting 8 million visitors (and $7.4 billion of their dollars) in 2024. More exciting, 80% surveyed said they plan to return. The “why” is all around you: River City is a waterside beauty. Ranking #23 in our Nature & Parks subcategory, Jacksonville’s greatest natural gifts are its waterways, including the St. Johns River, which cuts through the metro, and its coastal shores—providing 1,100 miles of navigable water and more shoreline than any other city in the nation. Swim, surf or paddle, you need not be bored during the hot Florida summers. The fun has a way of making it to feeds, with visitors taking to Instagram (#29), Google (#23) and Facebook (#25) to spread the word about the Jacksonville way—and surely its #28-ranked restaurants. Jacksonville’s economy is booming as well, thanks to diversification across healthcare, tech, finance, aerospace and logistics. The unemployment rate is below the national average (#27 in our rankings) and the city ranks #29 for Large Companies, with Amazon, Baptist Health, Boeing and other powerhouses working here. Multiple developments along the waterfront are ongoing, and the city will welcome a revitalized museum of science and history—the MOSH Genesis—in 2028.