The town of Orange Park is a suburb in Jacksonville, Florida.
This town in Clay County once went by the name Laurel Grove.
During the late 18th century, Sarah and William Pengree coined the name.
The town fell into disarray following the Civil War.
Fortunately, the Florida Winter Home and Improvement Company rebuilt the town in 1877.
Orange Park is near unincorporated communities like Fleming Island, Ridgewood, and Lakeside, among others.
Today, you’ll still see much of Orange Park’s natural sites in their pristine state, which makes it an excellent destination for nature lovers.
Other than that, Orange Park has also transitioned into a small yet bustling town in terms of entertainment centers and business districts that tourists will surely enjoy.
With the many things you can do in this town, it’ll be hard for you to squeeze everything into a few days.
So, check out the best things you can do in the beautiful town of Orange Park, FL.
Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Orange Park is filled with beautiful sites, but the best ones are those where you can stay close to nature and enjoy the calm atmosphere.
So if you’re looking for one of those places, you might want to check out Clarke House Park along Kingsley Ave.
Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
William Clarke built the house during the early 1900s.
The original house now serves as a meeting place for the Orange Park Historical Society.
Surrounding the Clarke House are beautiful oak trees where you can take a nap, read a book, or have a quiet picnic while enjoying Orange Park’s natural wonders.
Clarke House Park also has playgrounds and pavilions for hosting large gatherings like birthdays.
You don’t need to head to Vegas to try your luck at poker.
At Orange Park, you’ll find Best Bet, which is just as good as any Vegas casino.
Have a go at playing games like one card, three card poker, Texas hold ‘em, and pai gow, among others.
Then, take your pick from 37 poker tables in the area.
Enjoy the relaxed and laid-back atmosphere.
If you play your cards right, you might even go home with more than a few good memories.
Likewise, if you’re planning to stay for a few weeks, Best Bet hosts weekly poker tournaments.
You might also want to swing by the restaurants and grab a bite of flame-grilled burgers, sushi, and a whole lot more.
The heat can be unbearable in Orange Park, but it’s a good thing there are a couple of lakes where you can cool off.
One such example is Doctors Lake, which is directly linked to the St. Johns River.
Cannonball your way into the fresh waters and have a good time under the sun.
You can also enjoy other watersports activities, such as boating, fishing, and waterskiing.
Around Doctors Lake, you’ll find a piece of land.
Zephaniah Kingsley once owned this land, where he started the Laurel Grove Plantation in the 1800s.
Orange Park is filled with natural wonders.
Black Creek Trail is only one of the many sites you’ll find while hanging around town.
Spanning a total of eight miles, Black Creek Trail makes the perfect spot for engaging in physical fitness activities like biking, inline skating, and walking.
Marvel at the enchanting view of picturesque forests and wetlands while keeping an eye out for wildflowers and birds perched on the branches.
During the hike, you’ll come across Moccasin Slough Park, a wildlife preserve that houses alligators, waterfowl species, bald eagles, and other wild animals.
You can also hang out at Moccasin Slough Park to take a quick break between your hike, sitting by the gazebos or the picnic area.
Spend a fantastic Orange Park night singing along and having a good time by catching a live performance at the Thrasher-Horne Center along College Dr.
With a seating capacity of 1,728, this premier entertainment center is the perfect venue to watch local and international artists play concerts.
From rock and country to Broadway musicals and pop acts, you can enjoy any musical event in this top-tier concert hall in Orange Park.
Other events hosted in the center include comedies, expos, school time shows, and variety shows.
The Thrasher-Horne Center first opened its doors to the public in the fall of 2004.
It gets its name from John Thrasher and Jim Horne.
There’s no better way to end a stressful day than to hang out at a bar with your friends, chatting the night away with a round of drinks.
While visiting Orange Park, you might want to visit the Daq Shack.
This place is one of the best places in Orange Park to sip on a cocktail or two.
This sports bar is best known for providing customers with a vibrant feel along with great food and unique concoctions that you won’t find anywhere else.
The Daq Shack first opened its doors in 2016 to introduce a New Orleans Daiquiri store vibe in Orange Park.
Since then, the sports bar has quickly risen to become one of the top bars in town, serving a wide variety of beers, wines, specialty drinks, hookahs, and more.
Experience a new level of fun when you swing by the Get Air Trampoline Park.
Get Air has everything you might want to try in a trampoline park, from wall-to-wall trampolines and foam pits to ninja obstacles.
Spend a few minutes jumping away at the vertical trampolines, or enjoy a game of dodgeball with your friends at the central court.
But if you’re looking to do something a bit more extreme, you might want to head over to the Ninja Course and practice your parkour skills.
Get Air is also filled with other fun activities, such as slamball, slackline, fidget ladder, and more.
There are a lot of new experiences to try in Orange Park.
Perhaps one of the most unusual ones is breaking and smashing a bunch of stuff inside a rage room.
Just Smash It along Blanding Blvd. is an all-in-one place for ax throwing, painting, and breaking glassware.
Book a rage room and grab your bats as you swing at several coffee mugs, plates, toys, and bigger items like TVs, dishwashers, printers, and microwaves.
If you’re looking to use your rage to get your creative side going, you can book a paint room that comes with stain-free and non-toxic paint you can splatter all over the room.
You can also engage in ax and knife throwing inside a glow-in-the-dark setting.
Wadesboro Spring is one of the many places in Orange Park where you can cool off while admiring the beautiful scenery.
This fourth-magnitude spring sits near Doctors Lake and is at the head of a wooded ravine.
Enjoy the calm and serene atmosphere as you wade in the spring, which is a perfect hangout spot during hot summer days.
You’ll also see several picturesque views of nature, so don’t forget to bring your camera on your trip.
Make your trip to Orange Park something worth remembering by shopping for great finds at Anemoia & Co. along Blanding Blvd.
This aesthetic emporium is filled with unique finds and trinkets, home decor, accessories, and more that will surely leave you coming back for more.
Jess Love founded the gift shop in 2021.
Anemoia & Co. features dozens of collections and gifts that make the perfect giveaway for any occasion.
Shop for housewares, candles, fragrances, travel accessories, apothecary, and stationery items, among others.
Anemoia & Co. also has a special section for your furry friends, featuring products like pet tags, pajamas, bandanas, toys, and a whole lot more.
Whether you’re looking to grab a bit for lunch or a late-night meal, you can never go wrong with Grumpy’s Restaurant along Kingsley Ave.
Since 1999, Grumpy’s has served the people of Orange Park a great selection of American favorites.
Indulge in a hearty serving of Grumpy’s country breakfast.
Otherwise, get the early bird breakfast that goes with a steaming cup of coffee.
For lunch, try a plate of a country-fried steak or a bacon cheddar cheeseburger to satisfy your cravings.
There are also other things on the menu you might want to check out, like soups and salads, breakfast wraps, and weekly lunch specials.
Make your weekend more fun and memorable by swinging by Skate Station Funworks along Blanding Blvd.
Put your skates on and let them roll on the largest wood floor roller skating rink in North Florida.
But if you think the fun stops there, Skate Station Funworks also has an arcade that’s perfect for you and your kids.
Play a game of air hockey or ice ball, and commemorate the fun day by snapping a few pics at the photo booth.
For those looking to do something more extreme, take your weekend to the next level by engaging in rock climbing activities.
Swing by On Target Sports on Wells Pond Ct and try your hand at shooting a gun in this state-of-the-art shooting range.
On Target Sports features a 25-yard, climate-controlled, and 12-lane shooting range designed to give you the best shooting experience possible.
But if you haven’t tried this activity before, you can take up a few classes from trained experts before conquering the shooting range on your own.
Experienced marksmen teach basic firearms training and advanced tactical techniques in the facility.
Likewise, the range offers educational programs like the children’s firearm safety program.
Other classes include concealed weapons license, basic handgun, ladies-only handgun, and defensive handgun classes.
If you’re planning to visit Orange Park sometime between September and June, you might want to check out the farmer’s market at Town Hall Park.
Find a great variety of homegrown and handmade products from over 100 vendors within the area.
From local honey and cupcakes to plants and handcrafted jewelry, the farmer’s market has everything you could think of.
You can even become a vendor yourself.
Al you have to do is fill out the application form at Town Hall, and you’re all set.
You’ll also enjoy a day filled with live music, making your shopping experience one you’ll never forget.
You can’t possibly leave Orange Park without stopping by Bealls Outlet along Blanding Blvd and copping some of the best finds you’ll see.
Spruce up your casual wardrobe or find neat home decor to liven up your living or dining area.
You’ll also find a wide selection of shoes, bags, and clothing for almost anyone, including your kids.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get your hands on designer items at discounted prices, and head over to Bealls Shopping Outlet before you leave Orange Park.
Orange Park is arguably one of the best towns you should visit in Florida.
The lively atmosphere and bustling districts are enough to keep you there for a long time.
Every corner you turn to will give you something worth remembering.
Don’t miss out on the adventure, and book a trip to Orange Park today!
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