Jacksonville

"Jacksonville is a service stop for the Silver Star as it is at least refueled during the scheduled 20-minute station stop. Arriving just after 7 a.m. local time, it also represents the first opportunity since Cary, NC for passengers to get fresh air. The station in Jacksonville is a perfectly sufficient option although not necessarily as stunning as the former Jacksonville Union Terminal. It has a decent sized waiting room with plenty of seating, restrooms and a ticket/baggage counter. There doesn’t seem to be a food option aside from maybe vending machines and the location of the station doesn’t help with that matter. Situated about five miles northwest of downtown, the station is quite isolated with a very large intermodal yard on one side. The closest food option either a McDonalds or Taco Bell, which is about a 15 minute walk from the station. Bus service is provided from a stop near the station’s road entrance and takes about 45 minutes to an hour to get downtown during normal hours. Ride sharing is an option as well. After arriving downtown, there is really no shortage of things to do. In the immediate vicinity is the Riverfront Plaza on the north bank and the Southbank Riverwalk across the water. About a mile walk from the heart of downtown is the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars as well as the Veterans Memorial Arena. 121 Financial Ballpark is squeezed between the two prior and is home to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Miami Marlins AAA affiliate). "