Weekends
Things to do downtown
Living downtown means the things to do are the ones you repeat on an ordinary evening, not just on a big night out. Most of these are within half a mile of the front gate.
Culture, a few blocks away
The Florida Theatre, a restored 1927 venue on Forsyth Street, hosts concerts, films and shows about a third of a mile south. The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, a cultural institute of the University of North Florida, and the Main Library sit together on North Laura Street about a third of a mile away, facing James Weldon Johnson Park.
The river and the park
James Weldon Johnson Park is the central downtown square, about a third of a mile. The Northbank Riverwalk along the St. Johns River is about half a mile south, open daily, with the skyline across the water. Both are run by the City of Jacksonville.
Games and shows
The sports and entertainment venues are about a mile east: concerts and hockey at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, baseball at VyStar Ballpark, and the Jaguars' EverBank Stadium with Daily's Place beside it. More on the page about living near the stadium. Homes at Ashley Lofts are studio lofts of about 320 square feet, built inside a single steel shipping container, each with a full-size washer and dryer, granite counters and a tiled walk-in shower. The availability page lists the current rent for every open home.
Questions people ask
What is there to do near Ashley Lofts?
The Florida Theatre, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Main Library are within about a third of a mile, James Weldon Johnson Park and the Riverwalk within about half a mile, and the sports venues about a mile east.
How far is the Florida Theatre from Ashley Lofts?
About a third of a mile, a few blocks south on Forsyth Street. It is a restored 1927 theatre that hosts concerts, films and shows.
Is there a museum near Ashley Lofts?
The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, a cultural institute of the University of North Florida, is about a third of a mile away on North Laura Street, next to the Main Library.
Can you walk to a game from Ashley Lofts?
The sports venues are about a mile east: EverBank Stadium, VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena and VyStar Ballpark. See the page on living near the stadium for the detail.
Distances are approximate road distances from 412 East Ashley Street. Downtown blocks are short, so most of these are a walk. Venue facts from the Florida Theatre, MOCA Jacksonville and Visit Jacksonville, October 2026.
More about living here
- Living in the Cathedral District, Downtown Jacksonville
- The shipping-container lofts at Ashley Lofts
- The studio loft floor plan, explained
- Studios with a washer and dryer in the home
- Parks and the riverfront near Ashley Lofts
- Groceries and everyday errands downtown
- Eating and drinking downtown
- Commuting from Ashley Lofts
- Living near the stadium and the arena
- Pet friendly studios downtown
- How to apply at Ashley Lofts
- Working from home at Ashley Lofts
- What residents say about Ashley Lofts
- The neighborhood guide
- All questions