Visit Florida - Visit Florida 2026
NORTH CENTRAL
2025-12-07 07:38:41
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.
For a detailed state map, see pages 20-21.
ATTRACTIONS
Get up close with the sea’s smaller creatures, like seahorses and emerald-eyed spiny box fish, at Gulf Specimen Marine Lab & Aquarium in Panacea. Have your camera ready at Wakulla Springs State Park in Wakulla Springs, where you can seasonally spot manatees, gators, deer, and wild turkeys. (Your best bet to spot manatees is October through January.) For something different, race on over to Gainesville Raceway for thrilling drag racing events. While in Gainesville, catch the grand reopening in late 2026 of the Florida Museum of Natural History, welcoming new exhibitions and learning spaces. Take a drive down Lighthouse Road to get acquainted with manatees, river otters, bald eagles, white-tailed deer, sea turtles, and falcons at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in St. Marks.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Scan the QR code to discover places to stay in North Central Florida: VISITFLORIDA.com/places-to-stay
DINING
Head to Blue Highway Pizzeria in Micanopy, where Neapolitanstyle pizzas, calzones, and housemade cannoli are made with farm-fresh ingredients and local love. The Swamp Restaurant is the place to be in Gainesville on a University of Florida game day—the energy rivals the stadium’s, and the wings come extra hot. In High Springs, Great Outdoors Restaurant, located in a restored 1895 opera house, pairs an American menu of perfectly grilled steaks and burgers with live local music. Kick back with dock-to-dish bites and killer sunset views from the pier at Steamers Clam Bar & Grill, Cedar Key’s go-to for laid-back, nautical vibes. At Black Radish in Tallahassee, dishes celebrate the beauty of vegetables—seasonal shareable plates, handmade pastas, and thoughtful wines turn a meal into a creative journey.
OUTDOORS
In lovely Live Oak, beat the heat on the scenic, spring-fed Suwannee River— perfect for peaceful paddles in a canoe, kayaking with the kids, or whipping it on a wakeboard. Follow the boardwalk trail at Falling Waters State Park in Chipley to a 73-foot waterfall—the largest in Florida—cascading into a deep sinkhole. Tubing is a sublime way to spend a day at Ichetucknee Springs State Park in Fort White, so lean back and enjoy the ride along the luminescent Ichetucknee River. In Sanderson, bond with nature at Osceola National Forest, where birdwatching, camping, and mountain biking are just some of the top activities. In White Springs, embark on a short hike in Big Shoals State Park through limestone bluff forests that lead to Florida’s only Class III whitewater rapids.
EVENTS
Every February, the Fiddler Crab Festival brings fresh seafood, local art, live music, and a spirited fishing tournament to the coastal community of Steinhatchee. In April, kick back to the twang of banjos and fiddles at the Florida State Bluegrass Festival in Perry, where top-notch pickin’ meets a fiery chili cook-off.
ARTS & CULTURE
Take in artist-led exhibits year-round at Cedar Key Arts Center, nestled in the charming island town of Cedar Key. How about dinner and a show? At the Monticello Opera House in Monticello, feast while solving a “whodunit” at one of its interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Theater nights. In Tallahassee, wander through 190 years of Florida history at Goodwood Museum & Gardens, where opulent antebellum architecture and lush gardens provide a window into plantation life and the legacy of enslaved peoples. On the last Friday of the month, get an in-depth look at Gainesville’s artistic side during the self-guided ArtWalk Gainesville to see local galleries, artist studios, and cultural events. Nestled within Florida’s oldest inland town, Micanopy Historic District is steeped in quintessential Old Florida charm; antiques shops, artisan galleries, and stately homes offer a step back in time.
Scan the QR code for a list of upcoming events: VISITFLORIDA.com/things-to-do/events
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