Kingsley Plantation, part of a little known national park near Jacksonville, is a beautiful site that tells stories of slaves and slave holders that may surprise you.
Northeast Florida
Timucuan Preserve: The Florida national park you’ve never heard of
Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve is 46,000 acres of salt marshes, coastal dunes, and hardwood hammocks, but this national park also preserves fascinating Florida history.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm: Superb bird rookery at historic attraction
This original Florida roadside attraction still thrills, especially in the spring and early summer when its rookery fills with hundreds of nesting birds. The gators and crocs are well-presented with lots of information as well as entertainment.
Washington Oaks beach is lined with sculpted rocks
Florida has miles of beaches, but nothing like the beach at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. Here, wind and surf have turned coquina rock into sculpture.
Washington Oaks: Gardens plus unusual beach
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park near St. Augustine has two sides — historic gardens amid ancient live oak trees on one side and a beach with fantastically shaped coquina rocks on the other.
Suwannee River kayaking and canoeing: It’s a top Florida experience
If you think all there is to the Suwanee River is an old song with problematic lyrics, you’re missing out on one of Florida’s greatest kayaking, canoeing and camping rivers.
Ultimate Road Trip: Driving on Florida’s coastal beaches
Driving your car on the beaches is a Florida tradition going back to horse-and-buggy days. Today, only a few beaches still allow the practice. We show you where and how on the Atlantic Coast.
Gainesville-Hawthorne: One of state’s best bike trails
Load your bikes on your carrier and head north to Old Florida. Along this bike trail, you can stop and hike a bit and maybe even see gators, wild horses or even bison in Paynes Prairie. This pretty paved trail also lets you use your gears on a hill or two.
Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail: A shady rural ride with a Civil War site on the side
One of the best Florida bike trails – the Jacksonville-Baldwin Trail – is a well-shaded rural trail that makes a stop at a rare-for-Florida Civil War site.
10 things to do in St. Augustine for nature & history lovers
With charm, history and the beauty of nearby natural areas, this special destination offers visitors a long list of adventures. St. Augustine’s appeal starts with two key assets: The historic district with its shady brick lanes and well-preserved buildings and the natural beauty of a region with wide hard-packed beaches, extensive wildlife and lots of nearby parks.
