ATTRACTIONS NORTH CENTRAL 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. . FLORIDA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, GAINESVILLE University of Florida ST. MARKS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, ST. MARKS Kevin McGeever Scan the QR code to discover places to stay in North Central Florida: VISITFLORIDA.com/places-to-stay BLACK PRONG EQUESTRIAN VILLAGE & LODGING, BRONSON CycleHere Films ACCOMMODATIONS OFFICIAL FLORIDA VACATION GUIDE • 39
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