Arguably the city’s most aptly named neighborhood, Riverside runs along the St. Johns River just south of downtown. Dominated by apartments along the river, large turn-of-the-century homes, and brick streets, Riverside is one of Florida’s great historic neighborhoods.

Encompassing zip codes 32204, 32205, and 32210, Riverside is contained by I-10 on the north, St. Johns River on the south, Big Fishweir River on the west, and I-95 on the east. The Riverside area was once a group of plantations, but soon after the Civil War a couple of Boston businessmen realized its potential next to the St. Johns River and began selling off parcels for residential homes.

In Riverside, you see traditional homes, sidewalks on tree-lined streets and people walking their dogs. The residents are a diverse mix of white-collar professionals, artists, and cultural-minded families. Home designs in the area are diverse with styles like Colonial Revival, Georgian, Shingle Style, and Tudor. There are even several houses designed in the Prairie Style of architecture popularized by Frank Lloyd Wright. The Riverside-Avondale neighborhood is listed as a Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places.

One of the favorite pastimes in the neighborhood is shopping and dining at the historic areas like Five Points, a hip and happening area where you’ll find Fuel, the largest coffeehouse in the city, the 8th Day Tattoo Parlor, and everything in between. The Five Points District is a unique and colorful mix. A couple of popular restaurants in the area include Dona Maria, which has a large outdoor dining patio and bar, and Mossfire Grill, which has an open roof deck.

Newer and just as pedestrian-friendly is Riverside Square, which is anchored by a Publix grocery store and Starbucks Coffee. Another upscale shopping experience in the area is The Shoppes of Avondale, a strip of high-end specialty shops, boutiques, restaurants, and galleries on St. Johns Avenue.