News4JAX wanted to put AI to the test and asked ChatGPT to plan a holiday-themed day here in Northeast Florida for one day. (Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If you are planning a trip for Thanksgiving, using a vacation itinerary generated by artificial intelligence may be a good option for you. In fact, using AI to plan vacations is becoming more and more common.
News4JAX wanted to put AI to the test and asked ChatGPT to plan a holiday-themed day in Northeast Florida for one day.
Here’s the itinerary it gave us! Spoiler: It’s packed with fun activities!
Prompt: Plan me a one-day trip in Northeast Florida for November 25th that is budget-friendly and focuses on holiday fun. Include a mix of popular landmarks and hidden gems, suggest optimal times to visit attractions, and estimate travel times.
Itinerary
Morning
Depart Jacksonville → Big Talbot Island / Boneyard Beach
Travel time: ~30 minutes from downtown Jacksonville.
Why go: This is a lesser-known “hidden gem” — Big Talbot Island State Park offers the surreal Boneyard Beach, with bleached driftwood skeletons, dramatic bluffs, and an otherworldly shoreline. Florida State Parks+1Cost: ~$3 per vehicle for park entry (honor-system fee box) per visitor reports. Travel the Parks
Best time: Arrive around 8:00–9:00 AM when the park opens (state parks typically open by dawn, and the early light is great for photos). Low tide is ideal for seeing more driftwood — check tide chart ahead of time.
Nature walk & picnic
After exploring the beach (~45 min to 1 hour), you can walk parts of the Timucuan Trail (a paved multi-use path) for more views. Florida State Parks
Bring a simple breakfast or coffee from Jacksonville to enjoy at the picnic area. The park has picnic facilities.
Midday / Late Morning
Drive from Big Talbot Island → St. Augustine Historic Downtown
Travel time: Approximately 1 hour (depending on traffic) to St. Augustine’s historic district.
Self-Guided Historic Walking Tour
Key stops:
Castillo de San Marcos — if you’re willing to pay (~$15/adult) you can tour the fort; otherwise admire from outside. Self Guided Walk+1Cathedral Basilica, Flagler College courtyard — free to view the courtyard / rotunda. Visit St. Augustine+1Llambias House, Oldest House Museum — historic homes, part of a self-guided “Historic Houses” route. GPSmyCity+1Time needed: Plan for 2–3 hours walking through downtown to soak in the architecture, hidden corners, and historic sites. Visit St. Augustine’s free historic sites. Visit St. AugustinePro tip: Start at the Visitor Center (10 S Castillo Drive) for maps and guidance. Self Guided Walk
Early Afternoon
Lunch in Historic St. Augustine
Choose a café or local spot along St. George Street (pedestrian-only) — plenty of reasonably priced eats, plus shopping. Visit St. Augustine+1
Or pack a light picnic (if you prefer to save money) and sit in one of the small plazas or public parks.
Free / Low-Cost Historical Sites
These options allow for meaningful, budget-friendly history exploration.
Late Afternoon / Early Evening
Nights of Lights Walking (Holiday Highlight)
St. Augustine’s “Nights of Lights” runs nightly (mid-November through January). Visit St. Augustine
Walk the illuminated downtown streets, including lit trees, buildings, and historic landmarks. The lights create a magical, festive atmosphere.
Best viewing times: as dusk falls — around 5:30-6:30 p.m. is great for photography and ambiance.
Christmas Market at Colonial Quarter
There’s a daily holiday market at Colonial Quarter (33 St. George Street). According to local event listings: open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for shopping (free), and evening from 4 to 9 p.m. with entertainment, Santa, lights. Reddit
On Nov 25, you could catch the market in its evening mode, enjoy live music / festive vibes.
Use Free Shuttle / Parking Tip
To avoid downtown parking costs, you can park in one of several lots and use a free shuttle during Nights of Lights. Visit St. AugustineThe free shuttle operates during many Nights of Lights nights. Reddit
This saves money and the hassle of driving through crowded narrow historic streets.
Evening / Dinner
Dinner in St. Augustine
After you’ve enjoyed the lights and market, grab dinner in one of the cozy downtown spots. You don’t need a high-end restaurant — try a local diner, café, or modest bistro on St. George Street or nearby.
Optional: Stay or Return
You can choose to return to Jacksonville after dinner (1 hour drive), or spend the night in St. Augustine to soak in more lights and maybe catch a morning walk.
Additional Tips & Budget Considerations
Shoes & clothes: Wear comfortable walking shoes — a lot of this day is on foot. Bring a light jacket for the evening (it can cool off).
Food budget: Estimate ~$10–20 for lunch (depending on where you go) + dinner cost.
Gas cost: Factor in driving from JAX → Big Talbot → St. Augustine → back.
Timing: Starting early helps maximize daylight (for nature / historic walking) and allows you to enjoy the lights at dusk.
Photography: Bring your camera or phone — Boneyard Beach and the holiday lights in St. Augustine are very photogenic, especially around dusk.
Why this plan works for holiday fun + budget
You get natural beauty (Boneyard Beach) + historic charm (St. Augustine) + festive lights (Nights of Lights) — a well-rounded mix.
Many of the activities are free or very low-cost: park entry, walking tours, public plazas, and historic sites.
The holiday market adds seasonal spirit without being a major tourist trap.
Using the free shuttle saves on parking and adds convenience.
Make sure to always be careful when using AI chatbots and double-check everything — even AI is not perfect!
Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
About the AuthorsMarcela Camargo headshotMarcela Camargo
Marcela joined News4JAX in 2023. She grew up in Mexico and eventually moved to California to pursue her dream of becoming a journalist. Now, she is a proud San Diego State University alumna who has many years of experience in TV and digital journalism.
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