Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens offers families a perfect blend of cultural enrichment and outdoor exploration in Jacksonville. Kids can participate in hands-on art activities through specially designed youth programs while parents enjoy world-class art collections, then everyone can wander through the stunning riverfront gardens featuring fountains, sculptures, and plenty of space for little ones to explore.

• ✓Interactive children's art stations with hands-on creative activities
• ✓Historic Italian and English gardens with fountains and riverside views
• ✓Special family-friendly gallery tours designed for young visitors
• ✓Outdoor sculpture garden perfect for active exploration
• ✓Regular youth art workshops and seasonal family programming

1. 1.Visit on Tuesday evenings when the museum stays open until 8:00 PM for a less crowded experience and cooler garden temperatures in summer
2. 2.Start your visit in the gardens first thing in the morning, especially in warmer months, then head inside to the air-conditioned galleries
3. 3.Check the museum's calendar ahead of time for special family days and drop-in art workshops that are often included with admission
4. 4.Pack a change of clothes if visiting the gardens in summer,kids love the fountain areas and may get wet
5. 5.Free parking is available in the museum lot, with the entrance located on Riverside Avenue

Saturday mornings at 10:00 AM opening offer the most spacious experience before afternoon crowds arrive. Winter and spring (November-April) provide the most comfortable weather for enjoying the outdoor gardens, which are a major highlight of the visit.

General admission typically includes access to all galleries and gardens, with special youth programs sometimes requiring advance registration. The museum features a café for snacks, stroller-friendly pathways throughout most areas, and family restrooms.

The gardens are most spectacular in spring (March-May) with blooming flowers. Summer visits can be hot, so plan for early morning garden time. The museum hosts special holiday programs and family events throughout the year,check their calendar for Art Connections family days.

Head to Metro Diner (about 2 miles away) for kid-friendly comfort food including pancakes and mac & cheese, or visit Hawkers Asian Street Food in nearby Five Points for a casual atmosphere with diverse menu options that appeal to adventurous young eaters.