Sponsored by Visit Florida
Leave behind the well-known Florida locations and head to a quieter, extra rural expertise in Natural North Florida.
One the place your bliss is kayaking down meandering rivers, cooling off in refreshing luminous-blue pure springs, and catching your personal scallops off the Gulf shoreline.
In the period of concern for well being and security in quieter areas, these are the locations in Florida your loved ones can really feel protected and comfy touring by means of!
When you go to North Florida, you’ll escape the standard Florida crowds and welcome in house and serenity.
During our one week highway journey by means of the Natural North Florida area we explored the areas of Suwanee Wilderness Trail, Cedar Keys, Steinhatchee River, Wakulla Springs, and Monticello.
We skilled a few of our favourite Florida adventures and household moments to this point on our better US highway journey and have been shocked we had not heard of this space earlier than.
Despite touring the globe for 22 years, I nonetheless handle to search out locations that amaze me and hold me tapped into the magic of newness, awe, and surprise.
Our Natural North Florida highway journey podcast
We share our highlights and tales from our Natural North Florida highway journey in our podcast.
Where is Natural North Florida?
Natural North Florida is an space that encompasses unbelievable pure variety between Gainesville to the east, Sopchoppy to the west, Cedar Key to the South, and the Florida-Georgia state line.
It’s an space that sits between the capital, Tallahassee, and Jacksonville on the Atlantic Coast.
Part of the enjoyment of our journey running a blog life-style, is we might be launched to areas now we have by no means heard of earlier than, and so we are able to share their less-charted hidden secrets and techniques with you.
Thanks to our paid partnership with Visit Florida and Visit Natural North Florida we have been capable of go to and fall in love with the surprise of this space.
It was a type of household roads journeys that gave us recollections we’ll discuss collectively endlessly.
Here are our ideas for the very best issues to do in North Florida.
Explore the Suwanee Wilderness River Trail
The Suwanee River begins within the Okeefenokee Swamp in southeastern Georgia and travels 246 miles to the Gulf of Mexico.
The Timucuan Indians felt the river was sacred to the Sun God who introduced coloration to the flowers of the earth. Its river provides nature lovers the grandeur of unspoiled previous Florida and the great thing about out of doors journey.
The Suwannee River Wilderness Trail begins in White Springs, Florida’s first vacationer city and is an space that gives exploration of small cities, state parks and pure springs.
The river continues for 170 miles by means of towering pines, stately cypress lining the riverbanks, excessive limestone outcroppings, salt marshes and gently slowing banks because it widens on its method to the Gulf of Mexico.
For these looking for a singular journey you may take pleasure in a multi-day journey canoeing the river stopping on the river camps spaced a days’ journey aside.
We’re saving that journey for one more day, on this quick journey we visited a couple of of the star sights within the Suwanee River Wilderness Trail.
Suwannee River State Park
The Suwannee River State Park is situated close to the city of Live Oak and provides a few of the greatest backcountry canoeing alternatives within the state.
This Florida State Park provides stunning climbing trails by means of the woods alongside the river and encompasses historic ghost cities, and Civil War battlements, and remnants of a 19th Century steamboat.
Take the straightforward Suwanee River Trail which runs for slightly below a mile alongside the riverbank and provides stunning views of its quickly working waters and the gorgeous dwell oaks with Spanish moss dripping over the banks.
You can then proceed alongside the Balanced Rock, which toppled into the water years in the past, and is now solely seen when the water is low.
As it was excessive, we turned again by way of the Lime Sink Run path which is slightly below a mile and takes you previous a singular Florida freshwater spring and weaves out and in of a hardwood forest lush with quite a lot of crops and wildlife.
Take your mosquito repellant!
Swim at Madison Blue Springs
About a 20-minute drive from Suwannee River State Park, is what has been dubbed by USA Today, “the best swimming hole in the US” and one of many high north Florida sights!
We didn’t expertise the total glory of Madison Blue Springs State Park and its typical luminous blue coloration as a result of rising river ranges and darker coloration water, however that didn’t cease us from loving this refreshing approach to cool off from a scorching Florida day.
Give your lymphatic system time to regulate to the 68-degree year-round temperature. After the preliminary shock it’s divine.
There is a robust present that can push you out to the sting of the Withlacoochee River and you may stroll again across the perimeter of the spring and benefit from the views.
Take your float and simply relax. There are picnic tables within the space in case you wished to make an entire day of it. This was one in all our favourite issues to do in North Florida.
Other North Florida’s Natural Springs:
Unfortunately, there had been a little bit of flooding simply earlier than we arrived, which meant lots of the springs have been closed due to what’s known as a brown out.
As you may think about the rising river ranges took away the glory coloration of the pristine springs.
And due to COVID a few of the boardwalks have been closed.
Based upon our analysis, these are the Natural North Florida springs now we have listed for a return to this space:
Stay: Music Festival Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and Campground
The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and Campground is 800 acres of outside tenting enjoyable located alongside the banks of the Suwannee River.
Not solely does it supply primitive and powered tenting, it has miles of climbing and horseback using trails, disc golf course, and canoeing and kayaking on the river.
You may keep in cabins right here like we did in our 2-bedroom cottage.
Suwannee is not only a spot to pitch your tent, it’s rated as one of many US’s high out of doors music venues. It hosts a number of out of doors music festivals annually, plus common live shows, and campfire pickin’ session.
You know we love our dwell music right here and so have pegged this as a spot to return to as soon as the dwell occasions begin once more.
We beloved our little self-driving tour of the huge property and discovering issues like out of doors amphitheater and levels, stunning fishing lakes, hidden campgrounds, the river, and this gigantic troll.
Is this not the best art work you’ve ever seen?
Friends let’s meet up right here one 12 months for tenting and dwell music and troll hunts!
If you’re in search of a spot to eat, whereas primarily based close to or at Live Oak, the next two locations are beneficial.
Big Wood BBQ & Grill
We have been impressed by the dimensions and high quality of the meals right here. We all selected one thing completely different: blackened shrimp, child again ribs, and rib eye steak, and sliders – all have been implausible.
I used to be impressed by the standard of the grilled greens and baked potato – the seasoning on it was excellent.
Dixie Grill
If you like pleasant Southern appeal, you’ll love eating at Dixie Grill.
The proprietor Charles walked round to greet every individual with a fist pump, a coupon chat catch-up, or a dialog to find extra about you (in case you’re clearly not from spherical right here).
You’ll discover good home-cooked southern meals and beneficiant parts to get you thru the day.
Steinhatchee River
“Slow. Manatees around here.”
The signal on the dock exterior my lodge room immediately advised me I used to be in a cool place.
I hustled everybody out of the room to wander the fantastically manicured lawns of the Fiddler’s Resort on the banks of the Steinhatchee River.
We quickly discovered that swimming alongside the manatees are alligators and bull sharks and we’d not be becoming a member of them!
But we definitely wished to hitch the Key West boats cruising up and down the Steinhatchee River with music blaring and laughter ringing out.
This place will get me.
If you’re in search of locations to go to in north Florida with the proper mix between journey and leisure in a shocking pure setting, you get that in Steinhatchee.
Scalloping within the Gulf of Mexico
In Steinhatchee, we had what the women dubbed, “essentially the most enjoyable ever!’ We went scalloping out within the Gulf of Mexico with Captain Mike, a personal constitution captain.
This is without doubt one of the greatest locations in Florida to go to for scalloping, an space generally known as the scallop capital of the US. Every 12 months from June to August, individuals can free dive for scallops within the grassy shallows.
We spent 4 hours snorkeling among the many turtle grass, spying the scallops camouflaged and grabbing them with our arms. Pretty quickly you get the grasp of it and may spy their mouths opening and shutting.
There are limits on what number of every individual can catch, and we didn’t even come near that, ensuring we solely grabbed as a lot as we might eat.
I beloved the nearer connection it gave me to nature. You have a a lot deeper appreciation for the place meals comes from if you go to the hassle of catching it your self.
It additionally gave me a deeper sense of gratitude and honor for the scallop that gave me one thing to eat. This is a apply indigenous cultures have around the globe – taking time to bless and honor every animal that gave its life so we might eat.
Captain Mike was a implausible information with a straightforward going, pleasant nature.
He took us to a sand bar on the way in which dwelling – once more waist deep, the place we might swim and hunt although the sand for sand {dollars}.
Thankfully, he was capable of finding a pair and we bought a better have a look at these fantastically designed animals.
Captain Mike organized for our sea scallop bootie to be shucked again on the marina, after which Fiddler’s Restaurant at our resort cooked them up or us and we loved them with a chilly drink and dwell music on the newly constructed deck overlooking the river.
Recreational scalloping begins on June 15 and ends on Labor Day.
This is unquestionably the most effective issues to do in Florida with children!
Read extra: Wild scalloping in Florida
Stay: Fiddler’s Resort
We loved the simplicity of our keep at Fiddler’s Resort. The resort is laid-back and blends in stunning with the gorgeous pure setting of its Steinhatchee River location.
Rooms have a screened in porch and grassed sections exterior full of big jenga, corn gap, swinging chairs and fireplace pits.
Staff are pleasant and accommodating and have a lot of insights on the encircling space.
Another should not miss in Steinhatchee is the nightly dwell music exterior on their new, spacious deck overlooking the water.
Both artists we noticed have been unbelievable and the proper approach to finish an excellent day in North Florida having fun with the sunshine and pure magnificence
Eat: McDavid’s Cafe
Grab your conventional Southern breakfast at native’s favourite McDavid’s Cafe. Be certain to seize a field of heat cinnamon donuts in your means out.
The ladies have been delighted to have these to snack on throughout our scalloping journey. (And okay, the following day too as we drove to Wakulla Springs!)
Video: Scalloping in Steinhatchee, Gulf Coast Florida
Explore Wakulla Springs State Park
Wakulla Springs is without doubt one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs on this planet. Its sapphire waters are plentiful with wildlife together with manatees, alligators, turtles, deer, and birds.
The cypress mangroves rising out of the swamp provides it an eerie and ethereal really feel and it’ll really feel acquainted to you.
Hollywood beloved its primeval setting and filmed scenes from Tarzan and the Creature of the Black Lagoon right here.
We have been so upset we couldn’t take the glass backside boat to tour the springs, beneficial as one of many high issues to do in north Florida. We might solely glimpse at its magnificence within the distance by means of the boats lined up on the jetty. It was closed as a result of COVID.
There is a small swimming part out the entrance of the historic Wakulla Lodge, which was inbuilt 1937.
The water is a refreshing 70 levels and there’s a diving platform for further enjoyable. As it was COVID, we selected to swim in our personal quiet space. The jungled canopied views surrounding it have been gorgeous.
Staying at Wakulla Lodge for a few nights was a tranquil expertise and the meals of their eating corridor was wonderful.
Gulf Beach: Alligator Point
If you need a hotter ocean swim, a thirty-minute drive from Wakulla Springs will take you to Alligator Point with this white sandy seaside on the Gulf Shore.
The water is the standard brown coloration this area is thought for, however nonetheless great for swimming and snorkeling among the many grassy beds.
Tiki bar lovers will take pleasure in grabbing a day drink from the Oasis Tiki Hut simply down the highway on the small marina.
We extremely advocate stopping in at The Sieneyard Rock Landing on the way in which dwelling for scrumptious seafood on the water.
Time it for sundown and be sure you reserve a desk!
Historic and Charming Monticello
Monticello was the proper finish to our pure North Florida highway journey and a chance for us to get to know the historic and cultural heartbeats that make up this stunning area.
This charming, historic city is situated 24 miles east of the state capitol, Tallahassee and has a inhabitants of simply 2,000.
It’s the seat of Jefferson County, which is named the Keystone County for its unspoiled magnificence and gentle local weather providing the ‘keys to quality living.’
We found a spot stuffed with journey, distinctive and pristine magnificence, historic and academic experiences, and a group centered on supporting native companies and a vibrant life-style.
You can learn extra in regards to the great issues we did in Monticello.
Here are two of them we beloved essentially the most and are particular don’t miss on our Natural North Florida highway journey. They are a few of the greatest adventures we’ve had within the USA.
Airboat Ride on the Wicassa River
The Wacissa River is a primary magnitude clear, spring-fed stream that’s fed by about 20 springs at its headwaters at Wakulla Springs.
Just seeing the great thing about this area is sufficient to fulfill you, however we extremely advocate exploring the springs and the river by kayak or, as we did, airboat – it’s one of many coolest issues to do in north Florida!
One of the distinctive issues to do in Florida is an airboat trip.
We joined Captain Brad Cooley from 5 Rivers Adventure who took us on an 11-mile airboat journey zig zagging over the eelgrass and brilliant inexperienced lilies overlaying river, navigating by means of slender channels canopied by Spanish moss cypress and oak timber, chasing egrets and bald eagles, and quick diving alligators.
It was an exhilarating journey made all that significantly better by Savannah’s tight grip on my arm and squeals of equal terror and delight. The Wacissa River captured my coronary heart.
It’s actually some of the pristine and delightful locations in Florida (and the USA) I’ve visited.
You can learn extra of this journey, and the following one, in our in-depth put up on Exploring the Wacissa River and take a look at this different superb airboat tour in Sebring, Fl.
Kayaking the Slave Canal
We traded our airboats for kayaks and set off on an exhilarating and difficult journey by means of the Slave Canal, which connects the Wacissa to the Aucilla River.
The Slave Canal was initially constructed by the slaves for plantation homeowners to move cotton all the way down to the Gulf. Blocks of limestone stay and are a reminder alongside the way in which of the arduous work compelled by slaves.
It’s greatest to take this journey with an skilled information.
The Slave Canal is marked however you might simply get misplaced and regardless of the rapidly transferring water helping your paddling, it’s fairly a technical paddle as you navigate slender areas, fallen logs and the overhanging branches of historical oaks, cypress and palmettos draped with Spanish Moss.
Keep a watch out of the alligators poking their eyes above the water watching you!
Cedar Key
Step again into the times Hemingway roamed by means of Key West. Cedar Key on the Gulf Shore is without doubt one of the most unusual north Florida seashores experiences that retains previous world appeal.
There’s no bling or over-development right here. It doesn’t want it. It’s plentiful with quiet, pure magnificence and journey.
We beloved its small city, fishing village vibe and sloth-like tempo. It’s about gradual morning dawn begins, mild day time paddles, scrumptious seafood, and sundown views.
We have an in-depth put up on issues to do in Cedar Key.
Here are the do-not miss issues to do in North Florida or your highway journey cease in Cedar Key.
Kayaking the Cedar Refuge Islands
The Cedar Key National Refuge is an space composed of 13 offshore islands jutting into the Gulf Coast.
Cedar Key is nestled amongst many of those small islands 4 miles out into the Gulf of Mexico and about half a mile out from Cedar Key is Atsena Otie, which was the unique village till a hurricane blew it down.
You can kayak over to discover the island. It’s a straightforward paddle over, and if fortunate, you might have dolphins as your companions.
There is a small seaside for swimming and remnants of the previous pencil manufacturing facility and cemetery. Those wishing for an extended journey can paddle the additional 1.5 miles across the island and thru the interior marshes.
Ambitious paddlers can go on to different close by islands of the Cedar Key National Refuge. They are mentioned to have good seashores.
You may discover these islands by boat. Put kayaking right here in your record of enjoyable issues to do in north Florida!
Seafood at Steamers, Cedar Key
One of the very best issues to do in Florida is eat recent native seafood.
Since 95% of farm-raised clams are harvested within the clear waters of Cedar Key, we advocate grabbing your self a bowl of steamed clams in a white wine sauce at Steamers, a seafood restaurant.
Suspended on stilts over the water, you get prime Gulf views over Atsena Otie and different islands of the Cedar Key National Refuge.
There are massive home windows that enable for views in case you want to sit inside. However, to make your meal right here a memorable expertise, we advocate grabbing one of many nooks on the deck.
The exterior deck is slender so there are about 4 non-public nook areas the place you may sit with entrance row seats of the view, the balmy breeze in your pores and skin, and dolphins frolicking in entrance of you.
Cedar Key Sunset
You might get colours within the sky at Steamers for sundown. Otherwise you may run across the nook to the pink Beach motel for the very best sundown views in the principle space,
The native’s tip for the last word sundown was the Tiki Bar just a little out of city. It’s an adults solely bar, which is why its on our record for a future go to to Cedar Key (with babysitters!)
And Savannah has put her foot down and demanded we come again to Cedar Key for a for much longer Florida Island seaside trip.
Stay: Harbor Master Suites with superb dawn views
Harbor Master Suites has entrance row stilted place on D Street with straightforward strolling distance to in all places.
We stayed within the two-bedroom, Pearl Suite with a dwelling space and kitchen. We couldn’t imagine we had all the high deck to ourselves.
We had a spot for morning espresso and dawn views over the Gulf, a spot for afternoon drinks, after which one other hidden screened in porch that missed the road for later at evening when the ocean views have been gone and the individuals watching simply began.
Giving again to Natural North Florida
As a part of the marketing campaign partnerships we do with native tourism boards, we donate again to native non-profits or native companies that assist the surroundings or native communities we journey by means of.
As so lots of our superb recollections from our Natural North Florida highway journey got here from our interactions with the beautiful magnificence we discovered right here, we donated to a few causes that touched our hearts.
The Tall Timbers Research works to guard to preserve land within the Monticello/ Tallahassee Region. No Wal-Marts and subdivisions allowed! Only pure pure magnificence.
The Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida works to guard the area’s excellent animals and crops and the lands and waters they should survive.
The North Florida Wildlife Center in Monticello companions with animal conservation initiatives around the globe.
Our ladies fell in love with the endangered lemurs because of our go to right here and wish to assist shield them. You can be taught extra about that have in our Monticello put up.
Watch our Natural North Florida Highlights Video
If you’re in search of enjoyable issues to do in Florida with some pure magnificence, appeal, and recent native delicacies thrown in, take into account Natural North Florida!
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