Visit Florida - Visit Florida 2025

For a detailed state map, see pages 20-21.

QUAINT TOWNS MEET NATURAL ESCAPES

Between the college towns of Tallahassee and Gainesville, you’ll experience soft rolling hills, oak hammocks adorned with Spanish moss, invitations to natural escapes, and quaint towns. Along the Gulf coast, succulent seafood tempts, while wide-open spaces, farm-to-table dining, and outdoor adventures characterize inland areas.

ATTRACTIONS

Future inventors and visitors of all ages will be inspired by the interactive exhibits at the Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention in Gainesville. Connect with nature, shop for products made from goat milk, meet the goats, and learn about sustainable agriculture at Serenity Acres Farm in Pinetta. Explore aisles lined with thousands of antique treasures and collectibles at the famous Antique City Mall in Micanopy. Tallahassee’s Tree-to-Tree Adventures connects zip line feats with aerial challenges in an expansive canopy, making it a good fit for adventure-seekers. For automobile aficionados, the Tallahassee Automobile Museum displays a vast collection of vintage cars and memorabilia, highlighting the evolution of automotive and engineering history.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Scan the QR code to discover places to stay in North Central Florida: VISITFLORIDA.com/places-to-stay

DINING

Start with Daft Cow Brewery in Alachua’s San Felasco Tech Center. The spot is known for its inventive brews and relaxed atmosphere. (Pro tip: The Sippin’ Seven Alachua County Ale Trail maps a tantalizing tour through additional local breweries.) The 4th Avenue Food Park in Gainesville rounds up mobile restaurants serving a variety of eats. Kathi’s Krab Shack in Steinhatchee tempts diners with fresh-off-the-boat seafood, riverside views, and a you-catch-it-we-cook-it option. In historic downtown Monticello, stop by The Social Monticello, acclaimed for Southern-meets-global flavors and libations, making it a favorite among locals and visitors. Old-school Olean’s Cafe in Tallahassee is celebrated for its cozy ambiance and Creole dishes that capture the essence of New Orleans.

OUTDOORS

The Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail features wheelchair-accessible paths and rest stops. With marsh, lake, and forest trails, hike, run, or fat-tire bike at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park in Micanopy (you might even spot Spanish horses or American bison on your adventure!). Enjoy Ginnie Springs Outdoors in High Springs, with its seven pristine springs, diving opportunities, and camping. In Live Oak, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park & Campground hosts traditional and contemporary music festivals and events along with outdoor activities such as bicycling, fishing, and swimming. From Monticello, paddle the Wacissa River, spring-fed and gem-colored. Around Lamont, merge with the Aucilla River, flowing through live oak canopies to the Gulf of Mexico.

EVENTS Enjoy a diverse visual and performing arts lineup at the annual Santa Fe Spring Arts Festival in Gainesville. Appreciate bluegrass culture through live music and workshops—with a side of food vendors and crafts—at Perry’s Florida State Bluegrass Festival.

Scan the QR code for a current list of some major events: VISITFLORIDA.com/things-to-do/events

CULTURE

The Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center in Gainesville preserves the legacy of African American culture and jazz history, showcasing exhibits celebrating its dynamic past. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park in Cross Creek provides tours of the acclaimed author’s homestead, giving visitors insights into her Pulitzer Prize-winning works. Gadsden Arts Center and Museum in Quincy explores regional art through exhibitions and educational programs. Get a glimpse of pre-Columbian history through interpretive trails and archaeological sites at Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park in Tallahassee. Honor heroes on The Civil Rights Heritage Walk in Tallahassee, which commemorates pivotal moments in the struggle for civil rights and shares the stories of activists who shaped Florida’s history.