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 …

Spend The Night and Spread Your Wings From Lake City, Florida

Lake City, Florida is more than a convenient stop for travelers to the state at the junction of I-75, I-10 and US90. It’s the county seat of Columbia County and a great place to stay a few days to explore many of Natural North Florida’s wet and wild wonders. I’m not sure exactly when it …

Ask A Seafood Specialist About “Reel Variety” at Florida’s Largest Supermarket Chain (Recipe Included!)

“Florida Food” is all about seafood.  And  sources of fresh, healthy seafood can be found throughout our Natural North Florida region.  In small coastal towns like Steinhatchee (Kathi’s Krabs), Cedar Key (Robinson‘s), Cross City (Rick’s)  there are some great seafood stores.  And in Gainesville, you can’t do much better than Northwest Seafood‘s two locations–one in …

Take The Slower Road…US90—Live Oak to Lake City, Florida

If you’re driving east or west along Interstate Highway 10, just south of the Florida/Georgia border, you’ve likely missed two small historic cities in our Natural North Florida region.  Yes, there are signs west of I-75 directing you to Live Oak and some to the east,  pointing towards Lake City.  But if you just keep …

Cycle Lake City, Florida–The Best of Urban and Rural Cycling

Go for a ride and take in our culture, sights and majestic wildlife.  Lake City is the county seat of Columbia County, in Natural North Florida.  And there’s no better way to see it than to hop on your trusty “steed” and ride the 17.7-mile Lake City Lakes Loop.  You’ll see the best of Lake …

AlligatorFest at Florida’s O’Leno State Park, October 14-16, 2016

The United States’ Civil War came to Florida, as well as much of the eastern half of the country.  However, much of the “action” came in the form of blockades of ports and the capture of important salt works, there were few actual “battles”.  Before that bloody war, Florida experienced the removal of Native Americans …

Ken’s BBQ–Great “Cue” at Two Locations in Lake City, FL

BBQ “joints” need to smell.  Not like Lysol or Clorox, but like smoke!  And at either of the Ken’s BBQ & Steaks locations in Lake City, Florida, the first thing that hits you when you walk in the door is the smell of smoke and smoked meats. Unlike bigger BBQ Restaurant chains (Ken’s has a …

20th Annual Suwannee Springfest, March 17-20, 2016

While not technically/officially/yet in our Visit Natural North Florida region, the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park offers some events that draw from our 11-county region, as well as from the southeast U.S. The music begins at noon on Thursday and continues until Sunday evening.  Featured artists include John Prine, Brandi Carlile and the Del …

2016 Olustee Battle Reenactment and Festival, in Natural North Florida’s Columbia County

2016 Olustee Battle Reenactment An annual re-enactment of a Civil War Batte between the North and the South. Hundreds of re-enactors come from miles around to participate in this historical event. The Annual Olustee Battle Reenactment will be held February 13th & 14th, 2016 at the Olustee Battlefield State Park. This is the famous site of …

Don’t Miss These 2015 Holiday Events in Lake City, Florida

Lighting of the Park & Santa in the Park (All of December) Olustee Park Downtown Lake City, FL 386-752-3690 www.lakecitychamber.com     Lake City Snow Day and Christmas Parade (December 12, 2015) Downtown Lake City, FL 386-752-3690 www.lakecitychamber.com