John Aguilera
President, Jacksonville-based Active Escapes
What are three great off-site venues you would recommend for groups meeting in Northeast Florida?
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Ribault Club: Established on Fort George Island in 1928 as a playground for the affluent, the Ribault Club was the party place of the 1920s, and that’s a popular theme for our events. We hold a Roaring ’20s Speakeasy in the Clubhouse, complete with gangster and flapper dancer characters, a jazz band, casino gaming tables and antique cars out front. It’s a great venue with an incredible history and about 6,000 square feet of event space. Our clients love it.
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Jacksonville Princess II: This luxury yacht cruises the St. Johns River in the evenings when the downtown skyline is just spectacular with the bridges all lit up. People want to get out on the water, and Jacksonville is often referred to as the "river city," so especially for those folks staying downtown away from the beaches, it’s a great way to include the water in their experience. The yacht has a full kitchen and can seat up to 70 people in the main salon with 20 or 30 in the upper level.
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World Golf Hall of Fame: The World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine is a first-class museum, even if you’re not a golfer, with some really fantastic exhibits, including a replica of the bridge at St. Andrews. You can do a progressive party through the museum past all the exhibits, and they can accommodate large or small groups.