history
18 of the Best Adventures in Taylor County
Taylor County is in the Big Bend of Florida—where the state curves and wraps around the Gulf of Mexico. The county has picturesque fishing villages and towns, such as Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach. And for Heaven’s sake, call it STEEN-hatch-ee. If you say it like a German beer STEIN, you’ll be marked an outsider and …
Historic Jefferson County’s 25 Must-Do Ideas
There is one county in Florida that doesn’t have a single stoplight—Jefferson—my kind of place! By Florida standards, this historic county is quite old. When it was chartered in 1827, Florida was still a territory. The county was named for the country’s third president, Thomas Jefferson. The county seat, in honor of his Virginia home, …
The 25 Best Things to do in Levy County
Levy County, Florida, is a master at hidden jewels, like their springs. There are small towns in this county that people tend to speed through on the way somewhere else—missing out on some of the best things Florida has to offer. Slow down, stop a while, and ask a local where to go. But, please…ssshhhhh… …
The Best Things to Do in Union County Include a Lake
Natural North Florida’s Union County may be Florida’s smallest county, but it delivers big with a fantastic diversity of activities. It is a perfect day trip from Gainesville with a laid-back atmosphere, Rails-to-Trails walking trails, historic buildings, fishing, and a freshwater lake. But get there early—there’s a lot to do! Splish, Splash! Watery Fun on …
Visit A Few Of North Florida’s Preserved Historic Homes and Villages–
In spite of its international reputation for beaches, big cities and amusement parks, Florida is largely, and historically, a rural state. Soon after the Revolutionary War, settlers moved into Florida, seeking cheap land and opportunity. By the time of the Civil War, settlements had popped up all over the state. Many were based around farming …
Experience the Magic of Micanopy Minutes off I-75
By Nancy Moreland When you see the Micanopy exit off I-75 in North Central Florida, it’s tempting to drive on by. Especially if you think it’s just another nondescript stop or small Florida town along the highway. That would be a mistake. Take exit 374 (about 20 minutes south of Gainesville) and within minutes, …
Explore The Wonders of Florida at Gainesville’s Museum of Natural History
One of the highlights of a trip to Gainesville is always a visit to the Florida Museum of Natural History. The museum is located on the western edge of the University of Florida campus, in the same complex as the Harn Museum of Art and the Phillips Performing Arts Center. The museum is easy to …
Day Trip Idea: Florida’s Citrus History at Gainesville’s Matheson History Museum, Through 8/26/16
Although our Natural North Florida region is no longer an important player in Florida’s citrus industry, there’s still lots of history and images to remind us how valuable “liquid gold” was to the area in past decades. As “cooler” weather crept northward, freezes killed many commercial groves, and only a few remain, mostly near lakes …