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Things To Do In North Florida
North Florida is one of the most popular destinations as it is home to places like Jacksonville that have a lot to offer to travellers.
If you are considering a visit to North Florida, this article is for you. Here is a list of places that you must consider for a visit in North Florida.
Must-Visit Places In Northern Florida
Here is a list of places that you must visit in North Florida. Read on to know more:
1.Amelia Island
Amelia Island is a cluster of barrier islands that is located on the Atlantic coast of northeast Jacksonville. This is one of the best places to visit in North Florida because there is a lot that Amelia Island has to offer and you will never run out of things to do.
Here you can spend your time indulging in some window-shopping as there are a lot of unique shops in Amelia Island. If you are looking for some quality time with your family then you can spend your time at Main Beach and Peter’s Point. Amelia Island is very beautiful and it makes for an ideal location to spend some time in the open air.
2.Alfred A.Ring Park
If you are looking to indulge in some adventurous activities in North Florida, visit Alfred A. Ring Park. This is a perfect place for anybody who is looking to hike and catch some fresh air. The hike route here is 1.4 miles long and is ideal for beginners as well as experts.
While hiking you will also come across the Devil’s Millhopper Geological Park which is famous for being built around twelve hot springs. Alfred A. Ring Park makes for a perfect getaway location and we highly recommend it.
3.Jacksonville Farmer’s Market
Jacksonville Farmer’s Market has been operating for over a hundred years and is one of the most famous places in Northern Florida. Here you will find a number of farmers from all over Jacksonville who use it as an opportunity to sell their fresh produce.
The market will give you the chance to meet the farmers directly and inquire about the food that you are purchasing. Not just this, here at the market you will also find ethnic and other imported items. Jacksonville Farmer’s Market operates from Monday to Saturday from 7 AM to 5 PM so you can visit it at your convenience.
4.Pensacola Beach
If you are looking for things to do in North Florida and would love to spend some relaxing time with your family then Pensacola Beach is just the right place for you. Characterized by mild temperatures and white beaches, Pensacola Beach makes for an ideal getaway in Jacksonville.
This is a perfect place to plan a mini-picnic with your loved ones or you could simply visit the beach by yourself and spend your team reading a book.
5.Capitol Complex
Located in Tallahassee, the Florida State Capitol is one of the most significant buildings in Florida owing to its architectural and historical significance. The building is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places and hence makes for one of the best places to visit in North Florida.
Located at the intersection of Apalachee Parkway and South Monroe Street, this place has come to be recognized as a landmark in Northern Florida. This place is famous amongst the localities and is often referred to by the name of “The Old Capitol.” A visit to the Capitol Complex will enable you to get a taste of the essence of Northern Florida.
6.Jacksonville Zoos And Gardens
Located at the mouth of the river Trout lies the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Spread over an area of 122 acres, this place is a must-visit if you are taking the trip with children. Here you will come across over 2000 animals and around 1000 plant species. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens also organizes a number of programs all over the year to attract visitors.
Here you will have a great time as you will come across animals like jaguars, giraffes, and tigers. Not just this, you will also have the chance to watch Elephants taking a bath in the zoo’s Splash Ground. A visit to Jacksonville Zoos and Gardens will be one of the exciting things that you will do in Northern Florida and we highly recommend it.
7.Ginnie Springs
Located about 6.5 miles northwest of High Springs is a privately owned park called Ginnie Springs. This is a popular tourist destination in Northern Florida owing to its clear and cold waters. If you are looking to indulge in some recreational activities like scuba diving, this is just the right place for you.
The clear waters of Ginnie Springs makes it an ideal place for water-based activities like swimming, kayaking, canoeing, among other sports. Ginnie Springs is an ideal location to visit with friends as you can be sure of a good-time.
8.Florida Theatre
Looking for a place to visit on your date night? Here is an idea for you- catch a live show at the Florida Theatre. Located in Jacksonville, this is considered to be one of the most iconic American movie theatres. The theatre came into operation in the year 1927 and was eventually also added to the list of the U.S.
National Register of Historic Places. This place is also very historic because a lot of famous performers have performed here in the past, one of them being Elvis Presley. From ballet to music shows, Florida theatre has a lot to offer to people who love the arts.
9.Castillo De San Marcos
Castillo de San Marcos is known for being the oldest masonry fort in the United States and makes for one of the best places to visit in Northern Florida. The fort was designed by a Spanish engineer and is known for its architectural design.
A visit to Castillo de San Marcos will take you on a visit to the history of Florida and we highly recommend it.
Parks To Visit In Northern Florida
North Florida with its amazing weather makes for a perfect place for outdoor visits. In order to experience it at its best, here is a list of parks that you must visit.
1.Washington Oaks State Park
Located near Palm Coast, Washington Oaks State Park is one of the most scenic state parks in Florida and makes for one of the best places to visit. This park is famous for its gardens and is also known for its preservation of the original habitat of a northeast Florida barrier island.
Some of the habitats preserved by the park are beach, coastal scrub, coastal hammock, and tidal marshes. A visit to this place will enable you to experience nature at its best and we highly recommend it to you.
2.Kanapaha Botanical Garden
Spread over an area of 62 acres lies a botanical garden in Gainesville known as the Kanapaha Botanical Garden. The garden opened to the public in 1986 and has been growing in its popularity everyday since. The garden owes its reputation to its bamboo garden which has given it the accord of being Florida’s largest public bamboo gardens.
Not just this, the Kanapaha Botanical Garden is also the largest herb garden in the Southeast. There is a lot to see at the Kanapaha Botanical Garden, which includes a number of their different gardens. When at Kanapaha Botanical Garden, make sure that you check out the water garden and the hummingbird garden.
This is an ideal place to visit with your family as here you will get the opportunity to spend some quality time with them as you take a scroll in this beautiful garden.
3.Henderson Beach State Park
Located near Destin, the Henderson Beach State Park is one of the most scenic places in Northern Island. Known for its Appalachian quartz sand, this place makes for a perfect picnic spot. You can plan a trip with your family to Henderson Beach State Park and spend your time relaxing in the sun.
Here you also have the chance to indulge in a number of recreational activities as the place is famous for bicycling, birding, hiking, and fishing. The state park is open on all days of the week from eight in the morning to sundown.
4.Ichetucknee Springs State Park
If you are looking to indulge in some outdoor recreational activities, Ichetucknee Springs State Park is the just the right place for you. This is an ideal place for paddlers and tubers and is considered to be a famous spot for tourists.
The springs are characterised by cool waters which will instantly put you at ease. The crystal waters also makes for a very refreshing site and we highly recommend it. You can spend a day at the Ichetucknee Springs State Park appreciating nature and experiencing it at its best.
Museums To Visit In Northern Florida
There are a number of museums in North Florida that are worth a visit. Here is a list of some of them.
1.Florida Museum Of Natural History
Abbreviated as FLMNH, the Florida Museum of Natural History is one of the best places to visit in North Florida. This is one of the top places to visit in North Florida because there are no admission charges in the museum and it is open to visitors all round the year.
The museum is located in Gainesville at the University of Florida so you also have the chance to relive your college days. The museum is a one-stop destination for people who are interested in fossils as here you will find a huge range of ethnographic exhibits.
2.National Museum Of Naval Aviation
When in North Florida take out time to visit the National Museum of Naval Aviation. This museum is famous for being the world’s largest Naval Aviation Museum. Owing to its wide range of exhibits it is also the most-visited museum in Florida.
The museum is spread over an area of 350,000 square feet, excluding its 37-acre ground. Here you will have the chance to see over 150 restored aircraft representing the Marine Corps. Coast Guard Aviation, and Navy. If you are interested in aviation and would like to know more about it then you must visit the National Museum of Naval Aviation.
3.Cummer Museum Of Arts And Gardens
Located in Jacksonville, the Cummer Museum of Arts and Gardens is one of the most famous museums in Northern Florida. Founded in 1961, the museum is home to a number of gardens and art collections. The permanent collection of the museum consists of 5000 works of art which range from 2100 BCE to the 21st century.
One of the most famous sections of the museum is its ‘Art Connections’, where visitors have a chance to learn more about the installations in an interactive manner. The museum’s grounds consist of three flower gardens which are worth a visit.
Owing to its significance it has been included in the National Register of Historic Places. A visit to Cummer Museum of Arts and Gardens will make for an interesting visit and we highly recommend it.
Please also read about things to do in Middle Tennessee.
