O'k, Penn Staters, when you come to Jacksonville (here's a few things I suggest)......

[Michael.Felli]

Spend some time at the intersection of Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach - the beaches town center. Here's a link: http://beachestowncenter.com/ Great atmosphere.

Then, there's the downtown (not really, downtown, but close enough) Town Center. It's more or less an open mall. Bring your walking shoes. And, men, hide your credit cards from your wife. You'll understand once you arrive. Here's a link: http://www.simon.com/mall/st-johns-town-center

There's The Landing downtown. Here's a link: http://www.jacksonvillelanding.com/

Jacksonville's best (ahem) adult entertainment is the Gold Club. Or, so I've been told. Anyway, here's a link: http://jacksonvillegoldclub.com/

In JAX Beach, it's more of a young persons scene. Don't be surprised, though, if you bump into Drunk_MackDaddy there, though. http://www.jacksonvillebeach.org/

Ponte Vedra has been dubbed, Boca Raton North. It's quiet there. More of a family community. Multi-million dollar homes on the Beach, etc.

Then, you have to visit St. Augustine. Great family time. A must do if you've never been. http://augustine.com/things-to-do/attractions

Last, but not least, try not to embarrass me while you're down here. I've got a reputation to uphold, you know.

 

[LionDeNittany]

Simon's Town Center isn't downtown it is considered Southside. And it is a outdoor mall with some good restaurants and bars.

Beaches Town Center, if that's what it is called now, is Atlantic Beach and it is a great area. Probably the top area in town for fans to visit, drink and eat. Parking is tough.

There is an actual downtown and Saturday night there are some good bars to visit there. Dos Gatos, Bay Street B&G, Underbelly (if they have a show), Burrito Gallery has a bar out back. These are the places to visit if you happen to be staying near the stadium.

I'd recommend avoiding the Landing at all cost. Total dump unless you plan to visit Mavericks.

Jax Beach is really the "bar scene" in town however. Between Brix and The Pier there are a ton of places to drink and be merry.

MackDaddy, as Jacksonville visitors chair I hope to see more recommendations from you along with a BWI McAndrew Board get together post game on Bay Street somewhere

LdN

 

[BigLou]

OP - I will be taking my son who is a PSU senior to the game. As of now I booked a Hampton Inn right off of I95 about 8 miles south of downtown for Friday nightbefore the game (hotels downtown all seemed to want a 2 night minimum). My question to you is if taxi/uber service readily available so that we can go out downtown the night before the game. I do not plan on renting a car since Saturday morning we will be picked up by my brother who, lucky for me, moved to St Augustine last month. Also, what area is the best bet for running into other PSU fans?

 

[Peetz Pool Boy]

Michael,

Where do you suggest I go to attend church services the day after the game (Sun. Jan 3rd)?

 

[bdgan]

Spend some time at the intersection of Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach - the beaches town center. Here's a link: http://beachestowncenter.com/ Great atmosphere.

Then, there's the downtown (not really, downtown, but close enough) Town Center. It's more or less an open mall. Bring your walking shoes. And, men, hide your credit cards from your wife. You'll understand once you arrive. Here's a link: http://www.simon.com/mall/st-johns-town-center

There's The Landing downtown. Here's a link: http://www.jacksonvillelanding.com/

Jacksonville's best (ahem) adult entertainment is the Gold Club. Or, so I've been told. Anyway, here's a link: http://jacksonvillegoldclub.com/

In JAX Beach, it's more of a young persons scene. Don't be surprised, though, if you bump into Drunk_MackDaddy there, though. http://www.jacksonvillebeach.org/

Ponte Vedra has been dubbed, Boca Raton North. It's quiet there. More of a family community. Multi-million dollar homes on the Beach, etc.

Then, you have to visit St. Augustine. Great family time. A must do if you've never been. http://augustine.com/things-to-do/attractions

Last, but not least, try not to embarrass me while you're down here. I've got a reputation to uphold, you know.

Ponte Vedra is a really nice looking community.

Spend a night at the Marriott Sawgrass. Hotel is magnificent, you get Beach Club privileges, and they cart you over to TPC Sawgrass where a story teller will give you a private tour.

Take the haunted pub crawl in St. Augustine. After the 4th bar you're pretty much guaranteed to see a ghost. Maybe even Flagler.

Skip the Fountain of Youth. It doesn't work.

 

[Michael.Felli]

Michael,

Where do you suggest I go to attend church services the day after the game (Sun. Jan 3rd)?

You could come over to my house and watch Giada cook. More inspirational than anything you'd find in a (ahem) house of god.

Man. If I could just put my hands on her...

 

[Michael.Felli]

OP - I will be taking my son who is a PSU senior to the game. As of now I booked a Hampton Inn right off of I95 about 8 miles south of downtown for Friday nightbefore the game (hotels downtown all seemed to want a 2 night minimum). My question to you is if taxi/uber service readily available so that we can go out downtown the night before the game. I do not plan on renting a car since Saturday morning we will be picked up by my brother who, lucky for me, moved to St Augustine last month. Also, what area is the best bet for running into other PSU fans?

Honestly, off the top of my head, I don't know the answer to your questions.

There are buses and the such that transport fans to and from the stadium for Jaguars games. I never used them but I know they exist. My guess, they will be in use for the Bowl game, too.

Is there a shuttle service available on game day?
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) offers its convenient Stadium Shuttle Service for a fee with complimentary parking on game day. The buses run to and from the stadium from several downtown and suburban locations. Shuttle service begins two hours prior to kick-off and ends one hour after the game. For more information, call JTA at (904) 630-3100 or visit their web site at www.jtafla.com.

As for your second question, I'm certain that will be answered here shortly. This game will probably be the first time that I, too, hook up with many Penn Staters here in the area. I usually watch games in the comfort of my home. After living in Tallahassee for an extended time, I loathe answering questions to bar patrons just being nosey and disruptive. It detracts from the enjoyment of the game.

 

[BigLou]

Honestly, off the top of my head, I don't know the answer to your questions.

There are buses and the such that transport fans to and from the stadium for Jaguars games. I never used them but I know they exist. My guess, they will be in use for the Bowl game, too.

Is there a shuttle service available on game day?
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) offers its convenient Stadium Shuttle Service for a fee with complimentary parking on game day. The buses run to and from the stadium from several downtown and suburban locations. Shuttle service begins two hours prior to kick-off and ends one hour after the game. For more information, call JTA at (904) 630-3100 or visit their web site at www.jtafla.com.

As for your second question, I'm certain that will be answered here shortly. This game will probably be the first time that I, too, hook up with many Penn Staters here in the area. I usually watch games in the comfort of my home. After living in Tallahassee for an extended time, I loathe answering questions to bar patrons just being nosey and disruptive. It detracts from the enjoyment of the game.

My question was not about game day - I will be getting a ride from my brother who now lives in the area. I was wondering in general is there reliable taxi service I can use to go out the night before the game, or does Uber operate in Jacksonville, which evidently it does.

 

[LionDeNittany]

My question was not about game day - I will be getting a ride from my brother who now lives in the area. I was wondering in general is there reliable taxi service I can use to go out the night before the game, or does Uber operate in Jacksonville, which evidently it does.

Uber is available and there is Gator Taxi.
There are also several private shuttles like Beach Bus.

I believe the Hampton in you're talking about is at i95 and 202 (Butler Blvd).

Butler is the main thoroughfare from the east to the west on the Southside of town.
Good location. You are close to Town Center (the mall) and about 15 minutes from the beach.
Downtown is only about 8 minutes.

 

[Black Elmo 2]

OP wrote..." And men, hide your credit cards from your wife."

Are they still living in the 1950's in Jacksonville?

 

[JoeLion]

I am surprised none of the locals suggested Taco Lou.