Monticello, Florida–Bike Fest, May 12, 2018

The 2018 Monticello Bike Fest will take place on Saturday, May 12 and will consist of a series of pro/am bicycle rides throughout beautiful Jefferson County, in Natural North Florida.  It’s a CAAM Tour Series Event, so you’ll rub shoulders with some seriouse cyclists from the southeast. Ride 10, 30, 60 or even 100 miles …

Alachu-Way or Alachu-Wuh?–A “Must Stop” Stop on Your Visit to Natural North Florida

If you’re driving south along Interstate 75 in North Florida, at about mile marker 410, you’ll cross the Santa Fe River and enter Alachua County.  The name of the county is pronounced “Alachu-Wuh”, derived from the Timucua word for “sinkhole” or “spring” which pepper the geography of the region.  There’s also a town, at the …

10TH ANNUAL ROCK THE DOCK FISHING TOURNAMENT, April 28 & 29, Panacea, Florida

10TH ANNUAL ROCK THE DOCK FISHING TOURNAMENT April 28-29, 2018 Woolley Park | Panacea, Florida There are many reasons to love the Rock the Dock Fishing Tournament, but it’s definitely the fishing itself that is the star attraction. Anglers come from throughout the region to test their skills in the coastal waters of Wakulla County. …

Learn About North Florida’s Flora and Fauna At Gainesville’s Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Whether Gainesville is your Natural North Florida destination or if you’re just passing through on I-75, don’t miss the opportunity to explore Kanapaha Botanical Gardens.  It’s located about a mile west of the Archer Road exit (SR24) on the expressway. Named for Lake Kanapaha (Timicuan tramslation: palmetto leaf and house, referring to the typical Timicua …

Gainesville’s Best—2018 Festival Schedule—Save The Dates!

Gainesville is home to festivals of all kinds.  They range from “medieval faires” to “punk rock” music events to curated art shows.  Each year, thousands of visitors come to this North Florida college town to enjoy food, art and just to have a great time.  In 2018, there are events planned almost any month.  Here’s …

Visit Panacea, Florida and The Gulf Specimen Marine Lab and Museum

  Panacea’s Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory is the “real deal”, founded by Jack Rudloe in the early 1960s to provide marine specimens to scientists and researchers.  The facility has grown over the years, to become a full-fledged tourist attraction, while still delivering sea creatures of all sorts to educators and scientists.  A trip through the …

Holiday (and Everyday!) Shopping at Base and Range in Madison, Florida

Welcome to Madison, one of Natural North Florida’s most scenic small towns.  Located in Madison County, just south of the Florida/Georgia line, Madison is an exciting place to spend a day of holiday (or any day!) shopping and dining. Expect bargains galore, year-round, at Madison’s many antique shops! Even if you don’t make it to …

Perry–Much More Than Florida’s Forest Capital!

There’s something for everyone when you visit Perry, Florida–Florida’s Forest Capital! Yes, Perry’s main industry still revolves around pine trees and the products produced by the wood harvested nearby.  But there’s more to see and experience in Perry, and it’s certainly worth a visit if you’re traveling down US19/98 into our Natural North Florida region. …

Join The Fun at The 2018 Steinhatchee Fiddler Crab Festival, February 16-18

If you’re looking for a fun event in the middle of what can be a (not necessarily cold) cool February weekend, take a ride to Natural North Florida’s Gulf coast and the fishing village of Steinhatchee.   The name, Steinhatchee, is derived from the Native Timicua name, Esteenhatchee, which means “River of Life”.  And Steinhatchee certainly …

See Gainesville’s Butterfly Rainforest–And Be Swept Away By Beautiful Creatures

As part of the Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville‘s Butterfly Rainforest is truly one of the wonders in our Natural North Florida region.  The immense screened-in facility, full of flowers and plants (and butterflies!) serves not only as a destination for nature lovers and photographers, but as an adjunct facility for the research team …