Page 90 - 2024-2025 Travel Guide to Florida

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA
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2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA
FEATURED LINKS
ARTS AND CULTURE
Capital City Amphitheater, Tallahassee
capitalcityamphitheater.com
Cascades Park, Tallahassee
talgov.com/parks/parks-cascades.aspx
Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville
floridamuseum.ufl.edu
Harn Museum of Art, Gainesville
harn.ufl.edu
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, White Springs
floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ stephen-foster-folk-culture-center-state-park
ATTRACTIONS
Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention, Gainesville
cademuseum.org
Depot Park, Gainesville
depotpark.org
Florida Historic Capitol Museum, Tallahassee
flhistoriccapitol.gov
Goodwood Museum & Gardens, Tallahassee
goodwoodmuseum.org
Museum of Florida History
museumoffloridahistory.com
Tallahassee Automobile Museum
tacm.com
BEACHES AND
OUTDOOR GEMS
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, Tallahassee
floridastateparks.org/maclaygardens
Big Bend Scenic Byway
floridabigbendscenicbyway.org
Osceola National Forest
fs.usda.gov/osceola
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Gainesville
floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ paynes-prairie-preserve-state-park
ENTERTAINMENT
The Hippodrome, Gainesville
thehipp.org
University of Florida Performing Arts
performingarts.ufl.edu
ROAD TRIPS
Forest Capital Museum State Park, Perry
floridastateparks.org/park-and-trails/ forest-capital-museum-state-park
Suwannee River State Park
floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ suwannee-river-state-park
SHOPPING
Bradley’s Country Store, Felkel
bradleyscountrystore.com
Celebration Pointe, Gainesville
celebrationpointe.com
Town of Micanopy
micanopytown.com
an unbelievable trek from Tallahassee to the Gulf of Mexico.
Tallahassee’s Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park is a botanical showplace, renowned for winter blooming camellias and azaleas.
More of the region’s unique flora and fauna is found at such diverse spots as the sprawling savanna at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, a prehistoric sinkhole at Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park, the wetlands environ- ment at Cedar Key and wooded upland habitats in state and national forests.
ENTERTAINMENT
City life thrives too, thanks to major univer- sities in Tallahassee and Gainesville. International students and faculty bring diverse cultures, ethnic cuisines and youthful energy to cities known for Old South heritage, food and hospitality. As the state capital, Tallahassee also hosts national and international political power brokers. In this region, variety is the spice of life.
In the two major cities, student hangouts account for a large slice of nightlife. Abundant choices are found in affordable and supercharged restaurants, sports bars, coffee houses, jazz joints, open-mike nights, dance clubs and pubs.
The Swamp Restaurant in Gainesville, the mother of all hangouts for every manner of
Gator bait, from University of Florida students to elderly alumni, have found a new home that captures everything from the original landmark. Situated in the city’s Innovation District, less than two blocks from the University of Florida, patrons will quickly enjoy the charm and appeal that has attracted loyal customers since 1994. The place to go pub-crawling is West University Avenue, either near campus or in Historic Downtown, where around a dozen hot spots are mere yards apart.
Bo Diddley Plaza, named for the legendary singer/songwriter, is a community cultural center in Gainesville’s Historic District. Free concerts take place every Friday night from May to October.
As the home of Florida State University, Tallahassee has a youthful buzz and football mania. And, as the state capital, “Tally” hosts travelers from all over the world.
Here, nightlife venues range from ear- shattering clubs favored by students to more sedate places for political dealmaking. A must- see is the Bradfordville Blues Club, the only Florida club on the Mississippi Blues Trail.
Known for drinks, late nights, high energy and live music are Bullwinkle’s Saloon and The Moon. Level 8 Lounge in the elegant Hotel Duval is popular for both after-work and after-dinner drinks, tapas and live music.
CASCADES PARK, TALLAHASSEE • VISIT TALLAHASSEE/SAIGE ROBERTS