Explore art at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

- Carrie McLaren

By Julie Landry Laviolette

Families traveling with a child on the autism spectrum or with special needs can find plenty to see and do in Jacksonville, Fla.

These Jacksonville locations and attractions will help you make family travel memories, whether your child needs a sensory-friendly attraction, a quiet break or a patient, caring destination to explore.
 

Places to explore in and around Jacksonville

 

A little girl peers into an exhibit at the Museum of Science and History. The Museum, also known as MOSH, has a planetarium, interactive science exhibits and a naturalist’s center with animals native to Northeast Florida. There are science and live animal shows and an outdoor courtyard with a pond and native plants.

The Museum of Science and History, known as MOSH, has a planetarium, interactive science exhibits and a naturalist’s center with animals.

- The Museum of Science and History

 

 

Museum of Science & History

The Museum of Science & History (MOSH) brings to life the sciences and regional history. The museum offers accessibility options such as quiet spaces, wheelchair rental, accessible bathrooms and adaptive tools to make your visit easier. MOSH’s Sensory Nights, on the fourth Friday of each month, feature modifications to sound and lighting, and fewer guests.    

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

An art museum and serene historic garden, the Cummer Museum has an impressive collection of world-class art from 2100 B.C. to the 21st century. It’s nationally-recognized education program includes summer storytelling tours for kids, an art tour where kids can create their own digital artwork and special tours for kids ages five and younger. Special needs services are available to alter programs to fit an individual’s needs.

 

Experience a walking safari at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, which has more than 2,000 rare and exotic animals and more than 1,000 species of plants on 117 acres. The zoo features interactive and educational experiences, plus the award-winning exhibits Range of the Jaguar and Land of the Tiger. There are plenty of natural spaces to get away from crowds, plus a play park and splash ground.

We Rock the Spectrum

This kid’s gym offers a safe, nurturing and fun playspace for children of all abilities in an inclusive environment. There are open play gym times with an arts and crafts section, plus Mommy & Me creative dance and movement classes and special events. The gym promotes social interaction, communication and positive behavior modification.

Bravoz

A massive indoor trampoline park with a Ninja warrior course, mini-bowling, laser tag, climbing walls and an arcade, Bravoz holds sensory-friendly sessions the first Monday of every month. During the sessions, the music is turned off and distractions are dialed down to make the facility more sensory friendly.

Sensory Towne

This sensory-friendly gym offers open play times with swings, slides and games for children and their caregivers. There are also art classes, dance classes and kids’ yoga classes. Sensory Towne also offers special events including Glow in the Dark parties and book-based parties. The gym’s mission is to provide sensory resources for families of children of all abilities.

TNT Gymnastics and Fitness

An adaptive gymnastics open play time is held weekly to give kids who are on the autism spectrum or who have sensory needs a chance to explore the gym and participate in the sport of gymnastics. Kids can work on balance, flexibility, strength and motor skills while at play.

iFLY Jacksonville

iFLY Jacksonville lives by the motto, "Define Your Own Abilities," and refuses to believe the impossible isn’t possible. Their All Abilities Night, held the first Monday of every month from 5 to 8 p.m., offers the opportunity to indoor skydive for individuals with physical or cognitive challenges. Highly-trained instructors help with everything from donning a flight suit to soaring beyond expectations. While reservations are not required, they’re highly encouraged. To book a reservation, call 904-712-3388.

Where to stay

 Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, a Certified Autism Center with specially trained staff to work with families on the autism spectrum, is located in Ponte Vedra Beach, between Jacksonville and St. Augustine. The resort offers a private beach, several pools, a wave pool and six restaurants.

Other resources

Autismtravel.com is a free online resource that lists Certified Autism Centers and connects families to other resources and each other. Certified Autism Center requirements include staff training and an on-site audit by autism experts.

HEAL Foundation, short for Helping Enrich Autistic Lives Foundation, offers a directory of resources in Jacksonville.

Center for Autism & Related Disabilities – The University of Florida’s Jacksonville office offers support, assistance and resources.

Sportsability Alliance, formerly The Florida Disabled Outdoors Association, offers a searchable database by county of parks, pools, beaches, attractions and events for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities.

Visit Jacksonville is Florida's first destination management organization to earn the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation. This designation recognizes organizations that have undergone staff training to better understand and meet the needs of autistic visitors and their families. Learn more here and here.

PLACES TO REMEMBER

RELATED CONTENT

Places to Go

5 Fun Things to Do in Amelia Island

  • 3 minute read

By Kara Franker From its beautiful beaches to its historic brick streets, there is a wealth of things to do in Amelia Island. On a recent trip to the...