Things to do in Northwest Florida, Gainesville, Lake City and getaways to outdoor recreation, hiking, biking, trails, canoeing, kayaking, trails, RV and tent camping, places to stay, places to eat, road trips and Funky Florida.
Northwest Florida
State and national park, forests, campground closures post-Michael
We are continuously updating our closure list for state parks, state forests, national forests and public campgrounds in Florida’s Panhandle in the wake of Hurricane Michael.
Still on! Cedar Key Seafood Festival, Oct. 20-21, 2018
Seafood festivals are common in Florida, but Cedar Key Seafood Festival is uncommonly appealing. Not only is Cedar Key historic and charming, it’s also clam capital of America.
Cool idea: Florida’s best river for tubing, Ichetucknee Springs
All those “lazy river” water attractions at hotels and parks? They’re just trying to recreate the exhilarating experience of tubing the clear, wild Ichetucknee River in north central Florida. Try the real thing. Summer tubing season starts the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.
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Camp, kayak and bike at one of America’s top beaches
Grayton Beach is consistently ranked among the Top 10 beaches in America, making it a prime candidate for your bucket list. It was on mine, and we camped there this fall.
Get away from everything at Three Rivers State Park
Three Rivers State Park ranks high on our list of Florida campgrounds. Perched on the shores of Lake Seminole at the Florida-Georgia line, there’s not a bad campsite in the park, and you are in the middle of nowhere. We loved it. So will you.
More than the Rainbow River; Dunnellon is a good base for exploring
Dunnellon is known for its spectacular Rainbow Springs and River, especially during tubing season. But there are more reasons to visit in cool weather, including another exquisite river– the Withlacoochee — several good restaurants, and trails for both hiking and biking.
Rainbow River: Pure spring water makes kayaking, tubing tops
Rainbow Springs and the Rainbow River are among Florida’s top tubing and kayaking spots. People love this waterway because of the pure, clear water and the spectacular natural setting. In winter, it’s a peaceful place to kayak and perhaps see otters and birds. In summer, it’s full of tubes doing a four-hour float through a cool paradise.
Roll out the oysters and crabs for Florida’s oldest seafood festival Nov. 2-3, 2018
Apalachicola celebrates its local seafood industry, and oysters take center stage (along with country music star Rodney Atkins)
Disappearing river and shady campground rise above the norm
O’Leno State Park is a Florida treasure with a scenic campground at the heart of two state parks that will take your breath away. It is here that the Santa Fe River vanishes, only to re-appear 3.5 miles later to meander many paddle-loving miles to its merger with the Suwannee River.
Pensacola kicks off 2018 seafood festival season Sept. 28-30
Pensacola is one of the premier fishing ports on the Gulf of Mexico, and they celebrate with the fresh, local catch each year at the end of September.
