Undiscovered Florida – 20 Best Things in Hamilton County

Hamilton County is full of historic places, scenic rivers, and undiscovered trails. Hamilton calls itself “Florida’s Front Porch.” Notice you can hear the quiet. And the beautiful, diverse landscape. You’ll enjoy sitting on the porch. The county has over 32,000 acres of public lands. Hamilton is encircled by the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers and split …

25 Best Natural Things to Do in Columbia County

Columbia County is rural and filled with natural freshwater springs, rivers, and friendly people. Lake City, once called Alligator, is the county seat and was the first home of the University of Florida—bet you didn’t know that! Fort White is the other large town in Columbia County. At this point, I’m starting to feel like …

18 of the Best Adventures in Taylor County

Taylor County is in the Big Bend of Florida—where the state curves and wraps around the Gulf of Mexico. The county has picturesque fishing villages and towns, such as Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach. And for Heaven’s sake, call it STEEN-hatch-ee. If you say it like a German beer STEIN, you’ll be marked an outsider and …

The 16 Best Things to Do in Lafayette County and the Suwannee River

The Suwannee River runs through South Georgia into Florida and down to the Gulf of Mexico. The Suwannee is a 235-mile black-water river that hides artifacts and fossils. Although the river became well-known because of Stephen Foster’s “Old Folks at Home,” it remains well-known because of the wildness it discloses. You can travel for miles …

The 25 Best Things to do in Levy County

Levy County, Florida, is a master at hidden jewels, like their springs. There are small towns in this county that people tend to speed through on the way somewhere else—missing out on some of the best things Florida has to offer. Slow down, stop a while, and ask a local where to go. But, please…ssshhhhh… …

The Best Things to Do in Union County Include a Lake

Natural North Florida’s Union County may be Florida’s smallest county, but it delivers big with a fantastic diversity of activities. It is a perfect day trip from Gainesville with a laid-back atmosphere, Rails-to-Trails walking trails, historic buildings, fishing, and a freshwater lake. But get there early—there’s a lot to do! Splish, Splash! Watery Fun on …

Treasure Hunting (for Bay Scallops!) in Taylor County, Florida

By: Dawn V. Perez Picture the scene, you are heading out to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico by either the Keaton Beach Canal, the Steinhatchee River or the Econfina River in Taylor County,  watching the seagulls fly, the fish jump in the water and enjoying a fresh salt breeze coming from the …

Spend The Night and Spread Your Wings From Perry, Florida

Perry, in Florida’s Taylor County, is known as the “Forest Capitol of the World”. And rightly so, as for many years the smell of the local paper mill was the giveaway that this small city was more important than just a “wide spot in the highway”. But now, with the Foley mill is now turning …

LET’S GO FISHING ON FLORIDA’S BIG BEND! LESSON #2: SNOOK

Story by Capt. Tommy Thompson Until recently, there was nothing “common” about catching common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) on our Big Bend Gulf of Mexico coast. Historically (at least in my 70 years!) snook were pretty much limited by cooler water to the Gulf of Mexico south of Anclote Key in Tarpon Springs. But, in the …

LET’S GO FISHING ON FLORIDA’S BIG BEND! LESSON #1: COBIA

Story by Capt. Tommy Thompson Cobia, or ling, are a species of fish found both inshore and offshore in Florida. They’re terrific fishters and when the fight’s over they’re excellent table fare. 8iuccessful cobia hunters make a point of idling around every channel marker they encounter.  Big tripod-style markers are few and far between, but …