Fodor's Expert Review Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

The Wark Collection of early-18th-century Meissen porcelain is just one reason to visit this former St. Johns River estate, which includes 13 permanent galleries with more than 5,500 items spanning more than 4,000 years, as well as 3 acres of riverfront gardens that showcase northeast Florida's seasonal blooms and indigenous fauna. The Thomas H. Jacobsen Gallery of American Art focuses on works by artists such as Max Weber, N. C. Wyeth, and Paul Manship. Free brochures at the front desk help you navigate the galleries, as do podcasts. The on-site Cummer Cafe offers food and beverages to enjoy on the museum's patio and in its gardens.