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Sponsored by Go to Florida
Go away behind the well-known Florida locations and head to a quieter, extra rural expertise in Pure North Florida.
One the place your bliss is kayaking down meandering rivers, cooling off in refreshing luminous-blue pure springs, and catching your individual scallops off the Gulf shoreline.
Within the period of concern for well being and security in quieter places, these are the locations in Florida your loved ones can really feel secure and comfy touring by means of!
Once you go to North Florida, you’ll escape the everyday Florida crowds and welcome in area and serenity.
Throughout our one week street journey by means of the Pure North Florida area we explored the areas of Suwanee Wilderness Path, Cedar Keys, Steinhatchee River, Wakulla Springs, and Monticello.
We skilled a few of our favourite Florida adventures and household moments up to now on our higher US street journey and had been shocked we had not heard of this space earlier than.
Regardless of touring the globe for 22 years, I nonetheless handle to seek out locations that amaze me and preserve me tapped into the magic of newness, awe, and surprise.
Our Pure North Florida street journey podcast
We share our highlights and tales from our Pure North Florida street journey in our podcast.
The place is Pure North Florida?
Pure 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.
A part of the enjoyment of our journey running a blog life-style, is we could be launched to areas we’ve got by no means heard of earlier than, and so we are able to share their less-charted hidden secrets and techniques with you.
Due to our paid partnership with Go to Florida and Go to Pure North Florida we had been in a position to go to and fall in love with the surprise of this space.
It was a kind of household roads journeys that gave us recollections we’ll discuss collectively endlessly.
Listed here are our strategies for one of the best issues to do in North Florida.
Discover the Suwanee Wilderness River Path
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 Solar God who introduced shade to the flowers of the earth. Its river presents nature lovers the grandeur of unspoiled previous Florida and the great thing about outside journey.
The Suwannee River Wilderness Path 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 strategy to the Gulf of Mexico.
For these searching for a singular journey you possibly can 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 brief journey we visited a number of of the star sights within the Suwanee River Wilderness Path.
Suwannee River State Park
The Suwannee River State Park is positioned close to the city of Reside Oak and presents a number of the greatest backcountry canoeing alternatives within the state.
This Florida State Park presents lovely mountaineering trails by means of the woods alongside the river and encompasses historic ghost cities, and Civil Warfare battlements, and remnants of a 19th Century steamboat.
Take the straightforward Suwanee River Path which runs for just below a mile alongside the riverbank and presents lovely views of its quickly working waters and the gorgeous dwell oaks with Spanish moss dripping over the banks.
You’ll be able to 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.
Because it was excessive, we turned again by way of the Lime Sink Run path which is just 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
A few 20-minute drive from Suwannee River State Park, is what has been dubbed by USA Right this moment, “one of the best swimming gap within 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 shade on account of rising river ranges and darker shade water, however that didn’t cease us from loving this refreshing solution 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’s a sturdy present that can push you out to the sting of the Withlacoochee River and you’ll stroll again across the perimeter of the spring and benefit from the views.
Take your float and simply sit back. There are picnic tables within the space in the event you wished to make a complete day of it. This was one among our favourite issues to do in North Florida.
Different North Florida’s Pure Springs:
Sadly, there had been a little bit of flooding simply earlier than we arrived, which meant lots of the springs had been closed due to what’s referred to as a brown out.
As you possibly can think about the rising river ranges took away the glory shade of the pristine springs.
And due to COVID a number of the boardwalks had been closed.
Primarily based upon our analysis, these are the Pure North Florida springs we’ve got listed for a return to this space:
Keep: Music Pageant Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and Campground
The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and Campground is 800 acres of out of doors tenting enjoyable located alongside the banks of the Suwannee River.
Not solely does it supply primitive and powered tenting, it has miles of mountaineering and horseback driving trails, disc golf course, and canoeing and kayaking on the river.
You can too keep in cabins right here like we did in our 2-bedroom cottage.
Suwannee isn’t just a spot to pitch your tent, it’s rated as one of many US’s high outside music venues. It hosts a number of outside music festivals every year, plus common concert events, and campfire pickin’ session.
You realize 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 large property and discovering issues like outside amphitheater and phases, lovely fishing lakes, hidden campgrounds, the river, and this gigantic troll.
Is that this not the good art work you’ve ever seen?
Pals let’s meet up right here one 12 months for tenting and dwell music and troll hunts!
Should you’re in search of a spot to eat, whereas based mostly close to or at Reside Oak, the next two locations are beneficial.
Huge Wooden BBQ & Grill
We had been impressed by the scale and high quality of the meals right here. All of us selected one thing completely different: blackened shrimp, child again ribs, and rib eye steak, and sliders – all had been improbable.
I used to be impressed by the standard of the grilled greens and baked potato – the seasoning on it was excellent.
Dixie Grill
Should you love pleasant Southern attraction, you’ll love eating at Dixie Grill.
The proprietor Charles walked round to greet every individual with a fist pump, a discount chat catch-up, or a dialog to find extra about you (in the event 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
“Gradual. Manatees round right here.”
The signal on the dock outdoors my resort room immediately instructed 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 realized that swimming alongside the manatees are alligators and bull sharks and we’d not be becoming a member of them!
However 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.
Should you’re in search of locations to go to in north Florida with the proper mix between journey and rest in a shocking pure setting, you get that in Steinhatchee.
Scalloping within the Gulf of Mexico
In Steinhatchee, we had what the women dubbed, “probably the most enjoyable ever!’ We went scalloping out within the Gulf of Mexico with Captain Mike, a non-public constitution captain.
This is without doubt one of the greatest locations in Florida to go to for scalloping, an space often known as the scallop capital of the US. Yearly from June to August, folks 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 fingers. Fairly quickly you get the cling of it and might 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 may have a a lot deeper appreciation for the place meals comes from if you go to the trouble 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. It 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 improbable information with a simple going, pleasant nature.
He took us to a sand bar on the best way residence – once more waist deep, the place we might swim and hunt although the sand for sand {dollars}.
Fortunately, he was capable of finding a pair and we obtained a more in-depth 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.
Leisure scalloping begins on June 15 and ends on Labor Day.
That is undoubtedly among the finest issues to do in Florida with youngsters!
Learn extra: Wild scalloping in Florida
Keep: Fiddler’s Resort
We loved the simplicity of our keep at Fiddler’s Resort. The resort is laid-back and blends in lovely with the beautiful pure setting of its Steinhatchee River location.
Rooms have a screened in porch and grassed sections outdoors stuffed with large jenga, corn gap, swinging chairs and fireplace pits.
Workers are pleasant and accommodating and have a number of insights on the encircling space.
One other should not miss in Steinhatchee is the nightly dwell music outdoors on their new, spacious deck overlooking the water.
Each artists we noticed had been unbelievable and the proper solution to finish an excellent day in North Florida having fun with the sunshine and pure magnificence
Eat: McDavid’s Cafe
Seize your conventional Southern breakfast at native’s favourite McDavid’s Cafe. Make sure you seize a field of heat cinnamon donuts in your manner out.
The ladies had 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
Discover Wakulla Springs State Park
Wakulla Springs is without doubt one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs on the earth. Its sapphire waters are considerable with wildlife together with manatees, alligators, turtles, deer, and birds.
The cypress mangroves rising out of the swamp offers 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 had 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 on account of COVID.
There’s a small swimming part out the entrance of the historic Wakulla Lodge, which was in-built 1937.
The water is a refreshing 70 levels and there’s a diving platform for additional enjoyable. Because it was COVID, we selected to swim in our personal quiet space. The jungled canopied views surrounding it had been beautiful.
Staying at Wakulla Lodge for a few nights was a tranquil expertise and the meals of their eating corridor was wonderful.
Gulf Seaside: Alligator Level
If you would like a hotter ocean swim, a thirty-minute drive from Wakulla Springs will take you to Alligator Level with this white sandy seashore on the Gulf Shore.
The water is the everyday brown shade this area is understood for, however nonetheless fantastic 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 street on the small marina.
We extremely suggest stopping in at The Sieneyard Rock Touchdown on the best way residence for scrumptious seafood on the water.
Time it for sundown and remember to reserve a desk!
Historic and Charming Monticello
Monticello was the proper finish to our pure North Florida street journey and a chance for us to get to know the historic and cultural heartbeats that make up this lovely area.
This charming, historic city is positioned 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 called the Keystone County for its unspoiled magnificence and delicate local weather providing the ‘keys to high quality residing.’
We found a spot stuffed with journey, distinctive and pristine magnificence, historic and academic experiences, and a neighborhood centered on supporting native companies and a vibrant life-style.
You’ll be able to learn extra in regards to the fantastic issues we did in Monticello.
Listed here are two of them we beloved probably the most and are particular don’t miss on our Pure North Florida street journey. They’re a number of the greatest adventures we’ve had within the USA.
Airboat Trip 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.
Simply seeing the great thing about this area is sufficient to fulfill you, however we extremely suggest 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 many distinctive issues to do in Florida is an airboat trip.
We joined Captain Brad Cooley from 5 Rivers Journey who took us on an 11-mile airboat journey zig zagging over the eelgrass and shiny inexperienced lilies protecting river, navigating by means of slim 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 probably the most pristine and exquisite locations in Florida (and the USA) I’ve visited.
You’ll be able to 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 wonderful airboat tour in Sebring, Fl.
Kayaking the Slave Canal
We traded our airboats for kayaks and set off on an exciting 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 right down to the Gulf. Blocks of limestone stay and are a reminder alongside the best way 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 shortly transferring water helping your paddling, it’s fairly a technical paddle as you navigate slim areas, fallen logs and the overhanging branches of historic oaks, cypress and palmettos draped with Spanish Moss.
Hold an eye fixed 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 attraction.
There’s no bling or over-development right here. It doesn’t want it. It’s considerable 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, light day time paddles, scrumptious seafood, and sundown views.
Now we have an in-depth put up on issues to do in Cedar Key.
Listed here are the do-not miss issues to do in North Florida or your street journey cease in Cedar Key.
Kayaking the Cedar Refuge Islands
The Cedar Key Nationwide Refuge is an space composed of 13 offshore islands jutting into the Gulf Coast.
Cedar Key’s nestled amongst many of those small islands 4 miles out into the Gulf of Mexico and about half a mile out from Cedar Key’s Atsena Otie, which was the unique village till a hurricane blew it down.
You’ll be able to kayak over to discover the island. It’s a simple paddle over, and if fortunate, you’ll have dolphins as your companions.
There’s a small seashore for swimming and remnants of the previous pencil manufacturing facility and cemetery. These wishing for an extended journey can paddle the additional 1.5 miles across the island and thru the internal marshes.
Bold paddlers can go on to different close by islands of the Cedar Key Nationwide Refuge. They’re mentioned to have good seashores.
You can too discover these islands by boat. Put kayaking right here in your checklist of enjoyable issues to do in north Florida!
Seafood at Steamers, Cedar Key
Among the finest issues to do in Florida is eat contemporary native seafood.
Since 95% of farm-raised clams are harvested within the clear waters of Cedar Key, we suggest 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 Nationwide Refuge.
There are massive home windows that permit for views in the event you want to sit inside. Nonetheless, to make your meal right here a memorable expertise, we suggest grabbing one of many nooks on the deck.
The surface deck is slim so there are about 4 non-public nook areas the place you possibly can 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 Sundown
You could get colours within the sky at Steamers for sundown. In any other case you possibly can run across the nook to the pink Seaside motel for one of the best sundown views in the principle space,
The native’s tip for the final word sundown was the Tiki Bar just a little out of city. It’s an adults solely bar, which is why its on our checklist 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 seashore trip.
Keep: Harbor Grasp Suites with wonderful dawn views
Harbor Grasp Suites has entrance row stilted place on D Avenue with straightforward strolling distance to all over the place.
We stayed within the two-bedroom, Pearl Suite with a residing space and kitchen. We couldn’t consider we had your complete 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 ignored the road for later at night time when the ocean views had been gone and the folks watching simply began.
Giving again to Pure 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 help the atmosphere or native communities we journey by means of.
As so lots of our wonderful recollections from our Pure North Florida street journey got here from our interactions with the beautiful magnificence we discovered right here, we donated to 3 causes that touched our hearts.
The Tall Timbers Analysis works to guard to preserve land within the Monticello/ Tallahassee Area. No Wal-Marts and subdivisions allowed! Solely pure pure magnificence.
The Fish and Wildlife Basis of Florida works to guard the area’s excellent animals and crops and the lands and waters they should survive.
The North Florida Wildlife Heart 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 defend them. You’ll be able to be taught extra about that have in our Monticello put up.
Watch our Pure North Florida Highlights Video
Should you’re in search of enjoyable issues to do in Florida with some pure magnificence, attraction, and contemporary native delicacies thrown in, contemplate Pure North Florida!
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