National Travel & Tourism Week is a national initiative to celebrate the travel and tourism industry and recognize the economic impact it has on communities. From providing jobs to stimulating the economy and allowing travelers to enjoy time away from home.
This year, National Travel & Tourism Week takes place May 7-13, 2023 with industry leaders recognizing that in 2022, direct travel spending totaled $1.2 trillion, powering communities and livelihoods across the nation. In Clay County, tourism generates $23.5 million in state and local taxes. Tourism saves the 80,459 households in Clay County nearly $300 annually.
Closer to home, we’d like you to take part in supporting the travel industry by being a tourist in your own town.
Take a look at Clay County’s neighborhoods, so you can plan your own adventures right here at home!
Fleming Island Neighborhood ItineraryÂ
Awaken your passions in Fleming Island with plenty of activities for history lovers, foodies, shoppers and exploring the outdoors. Located on Highway 17 along the St. Johns River, Fleming Island is home to historic places, great eats and family values.
Green Cove Springs Neighborhood Itinerary
As the quaint, small town that serves as the county seat, Green Cove Springs has always been a gathering place. From the 1870s around the spring pool or today enjoying a festival in Spring Park, have fun exploring the sites in this friendly community.Â
Keystone Heights Neighborhood Itinerary
Treat yourself to getaway in a small town filled with hospitality, relaxation and a bit of adventure too. When you visit Keystone Heights, you’ll fall in love with the area’s waterways, military history and getting to know the local’s as you spend time in one of Clay County’s quaintest communities.
Middleburg Neighborhood ItineraryÂ
Middleburg is filled with outdoor adventures, friendly hospitality and great, local dining spots. For a laidback getaway, explore this community that is also home to one of the St. Johns Rivers’ major tributaries, Black Creek.
Oakleaf Neighborhood ItineraryÂ
On the western side of Clay County, explore Oakleaf – home to thriving neighborhoods, local dining spots and pristine golf courses. As home to Jennings State Forest, the Oakleaf area offers visitors plenty of places to explore including nature trails and camping opportunities.
Orange Park Neighborhood Itinerary
A distinctive tree city nestled between the banks of the St. Johns River and Doctors Lake in Northeast Florida, Orange Park offers big city access with a small-town feel.
Penney Farms Neighborhood Itinerary
Penney Farms, just west of Green Cove Springs, was founded when a visionary leader seized the opportunity to pioneer toward a brighter future. As Highway 16 makes its way through this community, it is more commonly known as the J.C. Penney Memorial Scenic Highway. Providing a canopy of lush shade trees coated in Spanish Moss, this stunning piece of highway is perfect for a walk, bike ride or leisurely drive.
Support Clay County’s Hospitality Industry
When visitors come to Clay County, they stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, shop in our retailers, and fill up their cars with gas. These visitors invest in our community by leaving their tax dollars from all their transactions in Clay County. They leave our area and don’t use the resources (roads, public safety, and other county services), but they helped us pay for all those services we enjoy.
Support the hospitality industry and take time to explore your own backyard. Be a tourist and enjoy getting to know the different areas around us.
How do you plan to spend your time as a tourist in Clay County?
