Florence to Jacksonville train

Florence is a hidden gem in the northeast of South Carolina. Though best known for its history as a significant railway hub, Florence is a modern city with activities and sights to fill a weekend getaway or a longer vacation.

Every November, Florence goes nuts during the SC Pecan Music and Food Festival, an event hosted downtown to celebrate the beloved pecan. If you're in town during the festival, check out the car show, live music, half marathon, and other associated events to get to know Florence locals and culture.

Florence is a year-round destination for outdoor recreation. Golf is a favorite among Florence residents, so upgrade from mini-golf and try the real thing. Traces Golf Club welcomes golfers of all skill levels, don't worry. Don't leave Florence without spending a day at Lynches River County Park, the starting point of the 66-mile South Carolina Revolutionary Rivers Trail. You can kayak or canoe throughout the county, following the swampy path that allowed American patriots to evade British troops in the American Revolution.

Florence Regional Airport operates limited flights to connect to Charlotte, but most paths to Florence involve some kind of ground travel. Amtrak's Palmetto and Silver Service trains stop in Florence, with connections to New York and Washington to the north and Orlando and Miami to the south. Greyhound and Southeastern Stages offer intercity bus service to Florence that connects the city to other destinations throughout the South.

Jacksonville, or simply "Jax," is the largest city by area in the continental United States. Located in the northeastern corner of Florida, this sunny city along the St Johns River also boasts 22 miles of beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, coastal cuisine, and many historic neighborhoods to explore.

Natural beauty is king in Jacksonville, and where better to soak in some of the Sunshine State's outdoor wonders than the beach? Try Little Talbot Island for beachcombing or fishing, Big Talbot Island for exploring wetlands and marshes, and Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park for surfing. If you don't have the patience for birdwatching in the wild, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will let you get up-close and personal with over 2,400 animals.

To take a break from the sun's rays, head indoors to one of Jacksonville's many eclectic museums. The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens combines European-inspired gardens with an impressive collection of fine art, while the Museum of Science and History is worth a stop for its planetarium alone. On Saturdays, you wouldn’t want to miss the Riverside Arts Market where artisans and farmers set up stalls along the river, and you can catch live music, food trucks and even free yoga.

Jacksonville is easily accessed by air, train, or bus, and connects Florida to locations throughout the South. Amtrak's Jacksonville train station is located in the northern outskirts of the city, and most bus service in and out of Jacksonville conveniently departs from the JTA Intercity Bus Terminal in the heart of downtown.