Activities Outside of Gainesville

It may be old, but today, St. Augustine remains one of the most beautiful cities in Florida with tons of things to see, do and explore. It’s approximately 2 hours away from Gainesville. The city is totally walkable with historic sites , and contains tons of cute shops, restaurants and unique architecture, not to mention the beach, lighthouse and even a Ripley’s Museum. It’s a fun place for a day trip or even a weekend getaway.

Cedar Key is a quiet island community nestled among many tiny keys on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Long admired for its natural beauty and abundant supply of seafood, it is a tranquil village, rich with the almost forgotten history of old Florida. It is located 50 miles SW of Gainesville and sits three miles out into the Gulf of Mexico. Highway 24 is only one road coming into town. It crosses over the salt marshes and channels on four small, low bridges. The population is approximately 800 full time residents.

The Town of Micanopy encompasses 1.03 square miles near the Alachua-Marion County line in rural north-central Florida between Gainesville and Ocala (Horse Capital of the World^®). Micanopy’s 669 residents occupy 300 residences. Our beautiful southern community was named for Seminole Chief Micanopy (ca.1780-1849).
Once a critical hub for commerce in Florida, “The Town that Time Forgot” is now known for its 19th-century buildings offering visitors antiques, art, food, music, and hospitality under the shade of enormous oak trees.

Whether you’re a theme park enthusiast, bird watcher, foodie, water sports fanatic, sun worshipper, arts patron, serious shopper or anything in between, you’re always welcome here. The possibilities are endless. And wonder is always within reach. It’s the getaway you deserve — and you’ll only find it in Orlando.

Along with beautiful, award-winning beaches, St. Petersburg is home to the world-renowned  Salvador Dali Musuem, top-rated restaurants and beautiful Fort De Soto Park. The waterfront escape is a perfect family getaway with so many things to do! The St. Pete Pier combines the peaceful blue waters of Tampa Bay with the vibrant greenery of downtown St. Petersburg’s parks, creating the ultimate place to stroll, bike, dine, drink, shop, swim, and take in a concert and more. St. Petersburg, which glimmers between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, is known for its warm weather and for holding the title of “most consecutive days with sunshine” at 768 days!

840 square miles of experiences. Relax on stretches of stunning beaches; paddle through our nature-filled waterways; hike, bike and explore our national, state and city parks; dine in our top-rated restaurants; and take the time to enjoy and unwind in a place that makes it all possible. There’s plenty to do in Jax for families, couples, nature-lovers, adventure junkies, foodies, sports fans, arts and history travelers and more.

For food, fun and fantastic finds, you will want to make sure to dedicate time on your visit to the Daytona Beach area to explore everything that is offered within the Districts and Neighborhoods. No matter which area strikes your fancy – Ormond Beach, Boardwalk, Beach Street, Main Street, Midtown, Seabreeze, Ponce Inlet, or Speedway – you find new flavors, treasures, experiences, and events waiting to be discovered.

The Suwannee River has been part of Florida’s history since the early days, and was the location of Florida’s first tourist attraction (White Springs) in the 1830s. The river that inspired a state song winds its way through scenic parks, natural springs and charming small towns. A leisurely paddle down any stretch of the 170 navigable miles will almost certainly yield an encounter with abundant wildlife. This famous river is one of three rivers that boarder Suwannee County. The gem-colored waters of the Ichetucknee and Santa Fe Rivers are perfect for a float or paddle any day of the year.the way.

Discover the wild side of Florida with endangered Florida panther, red wolf, manatee and whooping crane, plus black bear, bobcat and, of course, alligators. When Homosassa Springs was a popular train stop in the early 1900s, passengers could picnic and take a dip in the spring while train cars were being loaded up with cedar, crabs, fish and spring water. On a 1924 visit, Bruce Hoover of Chicago called it “the most beautiful river and springs in the world.” In this regard, Homosassa Springs hasn’t changed much.
An Underwater Observatory allows visitors to “walk underwater” beneath the spring’s surface to watch the various fish and manatees swim about. Gaze down into the depths of the first-magnitude spring and perhaps catch a glimpse of fish and manatees in their natural habitat.