Friendship Fountain — Attraction in Jacksonville

I recently visited Friendship Fountain in Jacksonville, Florida, and had the opportunity to experience this iconic attraction firsthand. Nestled along the beautiful riverbank near downtown Jacksonville, Friendship Fountain is one of the city’s most beloved landmarks. This spacious and tranquil area offers a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the urban environment, making it a wonderful spot for both locals and visitors.

The fountain itself is truly a sight to behold, especially at night when it lights up in a dazzling array of colors. The combination of the fountain’s impressive display and its location by the river creates a serene and picturesque setting. It’s an ideal place to take a peaceful stroll, enjoy a romantic evening, or simply sit and soak in the beauty of the surroundings.

What I appreciated most about Friendship Fountain is its proximity to downtown Jacksonville. It’s just a short walk from the city’s core, making it easy to include in any day of exploring the area. The cool river breeze and the sound of the water provide a refreshing atmosphere, which I found particularly enjoyable during my visit.

However, there are a few areas where the experience could be enhanced. One issue I encountered was with parking. The nearby parking spaces are primarily allocated to the adjacent museum, which meant I had to find street parking. This was somewhat inconvenient, especially during a busy time. Expanding the parking options specifically for fountain visitors would definitely improve the overall experience.

Another thing I noticed during my visit was the lack of shaded areas. On the sunny day I visited, the heat was quite intense, and I found myself wishing for some shaded spots where I could take a break and cool down. Adding some umbrellas or shaded seating areas would make Friendship Fountain more comfortable for visitors, especially during Jacksonville’s warmer months.

Despite these minor inconveniences, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Friendship Fountain. It’s a beautiful and relaxing spot, perfect for hanging out, walking along the riverbank, or simply taking in the stunning views. If you find yourself in the Jacksonville area, I highly recommend stopping by Friendship Fountain. With a few small improvements, this attraction could become an even more cherished destination for...

Locals tend to take Friendship Fountain for granted. I know because I am one! The incredible fountain was built in 1965 and was the largest and highest fountain in the WORLD at the time! They used 3 pumps to push 17,000 gallons of water per second with some streams reaching as high as a 10 story building (Wikipedia). In 2011 the city underwent a major $3.2 million renovation on the Fountain which was badly needed as it was periodically out-of-order throughout the 2000's. Since then, whether you are admiring it from across the river at the Landing or you are cooling off by standing directly in the mist of the Fountain (which is treated to swimming pool standards by the way) it is quite the majestic site to see. Maybe you will catch a bride or a prom couple having their photos taken? Bring back any memories for you? The Fountain is a Landmark in this town and everyone should make a point of going to see it around dusk so you get to see it in all of its forms. Plus you might catch a...

We saw this amazing little treasure in Jacksonville at the end of December 2024 on a pretty sunny day and also the next night so that we could see both day and night water shows. There is no charge for the shows. They are incredible and you actually feel cleansed inside from stress of daily life. It gave me a great feeling!

Friendship Fountain is located in St. Johns River Park (a/k/a Friendship Park), on the south bank of the river, just west of Main Street. The park provides a wonderful view of downtown Jacksonville and access to the Southbank Riverwalk that opened in 1985. In addition, the Jacksonville Maritime Museum is located on the Riverwalk, adjacent to the northeast corner of the park. There us a museum there as well as a little restaurant. Spend a couple of hours here, you won't regret it.

The fountain flows from 8:00 am to 10 pm daily. Showtimes are 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 pm nightly.

There is parking available at the park. We plan to go back again...