I, Jacqueline Simard, shamefully admit that I left my condo 45 minutes early on the first day of my internship at Visit Jacksonville, despite residing a mere 15 minutes away. I’ll be the first to admit, my directional compass has never been one of my stronger points, and despite living in Jacksonville for a little over three years, my knowledge of the downtown Jacksonville stretched only as far as The Jacksonville Landing, my yearly stomping grounds for the Florida/Georgia game.

Therefore, as some sort of Godsend, one of my first tasks as the communications intern was to join my advisor outside of The Landing to listen in on the Downtown Playground Committee Press Conference. Needless to say, post conference, I questioned what I was doing at night for the past legal year of my life!

Similar to many college seniors, my ears perked up when the press conference’s introduction included the city’s new plan to not only promote safety on its city streets, but also encourage a little debauchery.

Destination Downtown, a promotion featuring six bars and two hotels in downtown Jacksonville started last Friday, Jan. 9 and [luckily for me] will continue every Friday from here on out.

The special promotion will include Dive Bar, The Ivy, Marks, Mavericks, Northstar Substation, The Twisted Martini, Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront and the Omni Hotel.  Bars I have heard nothing but good things about from classmates and friends? Check. Hotels I wouldn’t mind staying at when my roommates have one of their late night parties? Check.

Alright, I am interested.

Patrons will be given a wrist band and passport upon their arrival to the first establishment. Those who visit each bar will be entered into a drawing for prizes, one of which includes a trip to Mexico.  Lord knows I would NOT mind "Spring Break: Mexico 2009."

Drink specials [insert ear perk here!], will include $5 Ketel One beverages and be featured at every participating bar. Cover is free of charge with wristband.

With hopes to encourage foot traffic between the venues, Monster Energy Drink will mark sidewalks between the participating venues. Police officers and Downtown Ambassadors, dressed in bright orange, will also assist in this effort.

The promotion will also allow participants to take advantage of the $79 "Take the Elevator Home" rates at the Omni and Hyatt, as well as free rides home provided by Designated Drivers, Inc., sponsored by Budweiser.  Parking will also be offered at Jacksonville Central Parking on Bay Street for $1.

GASP. Thoughts of dancing the night away in my brand-new "too cute for words" heels [thank you, St. John’s Town Center!] ran through my mind. Images of Ketel One vodka streaming into my cup like the St. John’s River popped into my head. And at the end of the night, there is a guaranteed safe ride home, free of charge? My parents couldn’t ask for anything better!

We just don’t have to tell them about the hotel deals.

After last Thursday’s gruesome day of interning [Hi, I got to hear about bars and free D.D.‘s during my internship, did you?], I didn’t drive straight home to the south side like I did the previous day. Instead, I took a drive around the city. I drove down roads I’ve never noticed, saw the bars I’ve only heard of but never seen and slowly got over my fear of one-way streets and unfamiliar roads.

I plan to attend tomorrow’s Destination Downtown festivities and hope to continue to enjoy exploring the sights, sounds and, fingers crossed, drink specials downtown Jacksonville has to offer.

—Jacqueline Simard