On Monday I shared what we did during our weekend in Jacksonville, Florida and today I’ll share my packing list for the weekend away. As a refresher, this trip took place over a weekend in July (i.e. smack-dab in the middle of the hot, sticky, sweaty Florida summer) and included a trip to the zoo, a surfing lesson, a gym workout, and two dinners out.
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I left my Away suitcase at home this time around and instead threw everything into my Longchamp tote, which ended up being a good thing because the stairs at our Airbnb were narrow. You’ll notice that this list includes plenty of natural-fiber pieces to combat the heat, as well as a wool cardigan. Because the summers are so unbearably hot, most Florida homes and businesses blast the A/C all day, and going from one temperature extreme to the other isn’t easy. I always bring a jacket or sweater any time we go out during the summer to combat the sudden chill.
Looking for more packing list inspiration? Discover what's in my suitcase each season: Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter
So, what made it into my bag?
Here’s everything I packed for a summer weekend in Jacksonville:
PACKING LIST FOR JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
tops || Raw Silk Tee | Cross-back Tank* | Slipneck Tee* || dresses || Silk Tank Dress* | Silk Tee Dress* || bottoms || Denim Shorts* || shoes || Slides* | Strappy Sandals | Flip Flops | Sneakers* || accessories || Crossbody Bag* | Sunnies || pajamas || Sleep Tee* | Leggings || outerwear || Cardigan* || swim || One-Piece Swimsuit || workout || Athletic Tank* | Sports Bra | Leggings
JACKSONVILLE OUTFITS
Friday
Gym
We went straight from work to the gym in Jacksonville, so I wore these for the car ride too. I’m happy to say that my athletic clothes drawer is in a really good spot, and I don’t need to purchase anything for the time being. I always buy my leggings in black (it’s my least favorite part to dress, so black helps keep things slim), and these Girlfriend Collective items are made from recycled water bottles – how cool is that?
Dinner
This is a tried-and-true formula that takes up so little space in my bag but can feel at home in many environments. The Ancient Greek Sandals are one of my newest shoe purchases, and I like that I can dress them up or down.
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Saturday
Arts Market + Surfing
Saturday morning we visited the Riverside Arts Market on the way to the beach for our surfing lesson. Though the surfing school had a place available to change, it was way less hassle to just wear the swimsuit under my outfit. I thought I wore my most-sturdy swimsuit in the water, but it turns out it doesn’t quite offer enough support for the rough waves. Next time I would slip on a workout tee or purchase a rashguard!
Lunch
I brought a clean change of clothes to wear after surfing, and it felt so good to get out of my salty, sandy suit. I felt comfy and dry for our lunch out at a beachside taco place, and the ride back to Jacksonville.
dinner out
Surfing wore us out, and we earned ourselves a quick nap in the afternoon heat. Once it cooled down, I put on a more casual version of the night before’s outfit and we headed to a brewery and then on to dinner.
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Sunday
visit to the zoo
Our trip ended with a visit to the Jacksonville Zoo and a pint from a local brewery. The day was blisteringly-hot, and we couldn’t stand staying at the zoo for terribly long. The raw silk breathes pretty well, and the cut allows a breeze to flow through, but even so, there was just no stopping the sweat.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON PACKING FOR JACKSONVILLE
There was not much to it this time around – hot weather means no-fuss dressing and a few extra changes of clothes for when things get sweaty. But I think the biggest help for packing comes from having a great mix-and-match wardrobe of staples to begin with. It’s great to finally be at a place where my closet works for all seasons!
*this item is no longer available from the retailer and I've linked a similar product
Looking for more? You may enjoy these other Florida guides:
- St. Petersburg, Florida Day Trip
- How to Spend a Weekend in Destin, Florida
- 10 Things Everyone Should Know Before They Visit Florida for the First Time
- Traveling Light: Destin, Florida (30A) Packing List
- A Bit of France in Florida: Attending the Petanque Amelia Island Open
- Small-Town Florida: A Day Trip to Mount Dora
- Miami Beach Photo Diary
- Old Florida: Weeki Wachee
- Wild Florida: Tubing on a Natural Lazy River
- Ten Tips for a Successful Day Trip to the Kennedy Space Center
- A Tallahassee Day Trip
- 36 Hours in Jacksonville, Florida
- St. Augustine Day Trip
- A Different Side of Orlando
- A Day Trip to Cedar Key, Florida
- Two Nights in Miami
- Miami’s Wynwood District
- Bern’s Steak House – Tampa, FL
Do you have any other summer travel plans? What are your favorite ways to combat the heat?
When visiting a busy place like Jacksonville, Florida, traveling light is always the best option. With its bright beaches, fascinating cultural sites, and countless outdoor pursuits, a well-thought-out packing list is essential to making the most of every minute without feeling burdened. I’m eager to read your advice on how to provide light for this fascinating trip.