Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ing. The big daddy down here is the
Ocala National Forest
, with epic hiking and biking
through Florida's fascinating limestone karst terrain.
Next, scoot over to
Ocala
. Here, the Old Florida glass-bottom boat tours of
Silver
Springs
and high-revving dragster energy of the Don Garlits Museums beckon. Then go
north to
Micanopy
, 'the town that time forgot,' for more eerie hikes at
Paynes Prairie
Preserve State Park
and a taste of Cracker history at
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings His-
toric State Park
.
For the next two to four days, string together these outdoor highlights: drive to
Cedar
Key
, where you can kayak among seabirds and unspoiled mangrove-fringed islands; fur-
ther north is
Ichetucknee Springs State Park
, which warrants a half-day of tubing.
Save at least a day for a river trip along the
Suwannee River
, a muddy-brown moss-
draped meander that's North Florida all over. Reserve ahead for a multiday river-camping
trip, and visit the
Stephen Foster State Folk Cultural Center
.
Nothing personal, but it's clean-up time. Drive back to Jacksonville, and spend a final
day or three on
Amelia Island
. Spoil yourself with a Victorian B&B and some gourmet
seafood.
