Jacksonville is a coastal city in the northeastern portion of Florida. It has the distinction of being the most populous city in Florida and the largest city (square mile-wise) in the continental United States, and has a metropolitan population of over 1.25 million people.
The Jacksonville Landing, located downtown on the northbank of the St. Johns River, is Jacksonville's gathering place. This retail and entertainment center has as its attractions waterfront dining, nightclubs and unique shops all in an urban, maritime setting. Hemming Plaza is a block sized park in the center of Jacksonville's downtown. It is surrounded by Jacksonville's City Hall, the United States Courthouse, the Museum Of Contemporary Art, the new public Main Library for Jacksonville, the former Snyder Memorial Church and various restaurants.
Riverside, located about a mile southwest of downtown on the banks of the St. Johns River, and Avondale, located along the St. Johns River just southwest of and adjacent to Riverside, are historic neighborhoods with stately homes in a variety of architectural styles.