Nancy's Guidebook
Nature
Boat rentals, art gallery and weekend music events, super place! Is just up the road from Rum Island.
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Rum 138
2070 SW County Rd 138Boat rentals, art gallery and weekend music events, super place! Is just up the road from Rum Island.
Upper Santa Fe River state park with multiple structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps including a suspension bridge. Many miles of biking and hiking trails present as well as river access for canoes and/or kayaks. This a very quiet section of the river as it is cut off from the much busier lower Santa Fe. The river goes underground for a few miles then re-emerges in River Rise State Park which has many miles of horse trails as well as camping facilities for equestrians and their horses. Paved trail present that goes from O'Leno all the way to Fort White/south entrance of Ichetuknee Springs State Park.
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O'Leno State Park & River Rise
410 SE Oleno Park RdUpper Santa Fe River state park with multiple structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps including a suspension bridge. Many miles of biking and hiking trails present as well as river access for canoes and/or kayaks. This a very quiet section of the river as it is cut off from the much busier lower Santa Fe. The river goes underground for a few miles then re-emerges in River Rise State Park which has many miles of horse trails as well as camping facilities for equestrians and their horses. Paved trail present that goes from O'Leno all the way to Fort White/south entrance of Ichetuknee Springs State Park.
State Park...Dogs allowed on trails, not swimming/spring or river areas. Great tubing in the summer, canoe/kayak during the off season with fewer people and lots of migratory birds.
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Ichetucknee Springs
State Park...Dogs allowed on trails, not swimming/spring or river areas. Great tubing in the summer, canoe/kayak during the off season with fewer people and lots of migratory birds.
Local State Park with multiple springs and camping, is located on the Santa Fe River. The main spring creates a spring run that flows out to the Santa Fe River and is close to Rum Island-on the opposite bank.
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Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
7450 NE 60th StLocal State Park with multiple springs and camping, is located on the Santa Fe River. The main spring creates a spring run that flows out to the Santa Fe River and is close to Rum Island-on the opposite bank.
Local nature preserve, hiking, biking and horse trails
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San Felasco State Hammock Preserve Hiking Trailhead
11101 Millhopper RdLocal nature preserve, hiking, biking and horse trails
Great walking trail nearby, dogs allowed. See the Mill Creek Preserve website for more information on the trails and the flora & fauna seen here.
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Mill Creek Preserve
Great walking trail nearby, dogs allowed. See the Mill Creek Preserve website for more information on the trails and the flora & fauna seen here.
Beautiful botanical gardens in Gainesville, non-aggressive vaccinated dogs on leashes allowed.
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Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
4700 Southwest 58th DriveBeautiful botanical gardens in Gainesville, non-aggressive vaccinated dogs on leashes allowed.
Beautiful county park with a boat launch on the Santa Fe River that has a small spring right on the rivers edge which forms a pool with a shallow sandy bottom. There is a park trail that leads up river to a tiny, more isolated spring also right on the river’s edge. Rum Island is a popular spot because from this point on the river you are within paddling distance of multiple other springs, including Ginny Springs. You should be a reasonably strong paddler if you opt to go down river to Ginny (only 20 minutes when going with the flow) because the river’s current has a swift area just as you get close to the beginning of the campground and you have to paddle upriver with some sustained power to get back through it. Helpful hint-stick to the riverbanks edges when paddling back up river through the swift area.
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Rum Island
Beautiful county park with a boat launch on the Santa Fe River that has a small spring right on the rivers edge which forms a pool with a shallow sandy bottom. There is a park trail that leads up river to a tiny, more isolated spring also right on the river’s edge. Rum Island is a popular spot because from this point on the river you are within paddling distance of multiple other springs, including Ginny Springs. You should be a reasonably strong paddler if you opt to go down river to Ginny (only 20 minutes when going with the flow) because the river’s current has a swift area just as you get close to the beginning of the campground and you have to paddle upriver with some sustained power to get back through it. Helpful hint-stick to the riverbanks edges when paddling back up river through the swift area.
Large privately owned campground with multiple Springs located on the Santa Fe river, 17 miles from my Airbnb. Has 7 springs that flow into the Santa Fe river with canoe/kayak and tube rentals available. Best times to camp are off season unless you like loud, noisy crowds that stay up late into the night. Memorial Day weekend is really wild. Stay somewhere else at night if you want to get at least some sleep and enjoy the action during the day!
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Ginnie Springs
7300 Ginnie Springs RoadLarge privately owned campground with multiple Springs located on the Santa Fe river, 17 miles from my Airbnb. Has 7 springs that flow into the Santa Fe river with canoe/kayak and tube rentals available. Best times to camp are off season unless you like loud, noisy crowds that stay up late into the night. Memorial Day weekend is really wild. Stay somewhere else at night if you want to get at least some sleep and enjoy the action during the day!
Poe Springs is located on the Santa Fe river, it has pavilions, grills, playing fields for baseball, football, volleyball and soccer, nature trails, playground, boat launch and a boardwalk. Also includes a beautiful riverfront lodge for event rentals.
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Poe Springs Park
28800 NW 182nd AvePoe Springs is located on the Santa Fe river, it has pavilions, grills, playing fields for baseball, football, volleyball and soccer, nature trails, playground, boat launch and a boardwalk. Also includes a beautiful riverfront lodge for event rentals.
Wilder upper Santa Fe River park in Worthington Springs located about 10 miles from here, good for canoes and kayaks. You can paddle up the Santa Fe for just a short way to access the New River. Last time I was there a few months ago some sections of the boardwalk were closed off due to damage from past flooding and lack of repair. Is still a nice place to walk as there are plenty of other trails to follow and has a small playground with a pavilion.
Chastain-Seay Park (Town Of Worthington Springs)
3210 SW 118 LnWilder upper Santa Fe River park in Worthington Springs located about 10 miles from here, good for canoes and kayaks. You can paddle up the Santa Fe for just a short way to access the New River. Last time I was there a few months ago some sections of the boardwalk were closed off due to damage from past flooding and lack of repair. Is still a nice place to walk as there are plenty of other trails to follow and has a small playground with a pavilion.
Game room and family tavern available whether you camp here or not. Beautiful stone fireplace present in game room-utilized in cold weather. Very near the north entrance of Ichetuknee Springs State Park.
Ichetucknee Springs Campground
245 SW Breckenridge LnGame room and family tavern available whether you camp here or not. Beautiful stone fireplace present in game room-utilized in cold weather. Very near the north entrance of Ichetuknee Springs State Park.
120 foot deep sinkhole located in Gainesville, also has a nature trail. (Excerpt from website)... As you descend the 132 steps of the boardwalk, you can see rich vegetation all around you. Pass by tumbling waterfalls and slow flowing creeks that feed into the sinkhole. The climate, geology and plant life of this area have created an incredible ecosystem rarely found anywhere else in the world.
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Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park
4732 Millhopper Rd120 foot deep sinkhole located in Gainesville, also has a nature trail. (Excerpt from website)... As you descend the 132 steps of the boardwalk, you can see rich vegetation all around you. Pass by tumbling waterfalls and slow flowing creeks that feed into the sinkhole. The climate, geology and plant life of this area have created an incredible ecosystem rarely found anywhere else in the world.
Florida’s first state preserve- biologically, historically and geologically unique. With nearly 23,000 acres and over 30 miles of trails, there’s plenty to explore at Payne’s Prarie!
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Paynes Prairie
Florida’s first state preserve- biologically, historically and geologically unique. With nearly 23,000 acres and over 30 miles of trails, there’s plenty to explore at Payne’s Prarie!
Canoe and kayak rentals available, nice spot to walk trails and swim. Walk trail upriver and float/swim back down to boat ramp.
Gilchrist County Santa Fe River Park
8500 State Rd 47Canoe and kayak rentals available, nice spot to walk trails and swim. Walk trail upriver and float/swim back down to boat ramp.
Sweetwater Wetlands Park is not only a place to connect with nature, it's a way to protect our environment. The park, which consists of more than 125 acres of wetlands and ponds, was created to improve the water quality of wetlands in Paynes Prairie and the Floridan Aquifer.
Now a thriving habitat, Sweetwater Wetlands Park is filled with vast numbers of plants and animals, including birds, butterflies, alligators and Florida cracker horses. At the park, you can walk more than 3.5 miles of crushed gravel trails and boardwalks, experience the lush landscape from viewing platforms, and learn about the habitat through educational signs and tours.
Sweetwater Park
532 SE 2nd AveSweetwater Wetlands Park is not only a place to connect with nature, it's a way to protect our environment. The park, which consists of more than 125 acres of wetlands and ponds, was created to improve the water quality of wetlands in Paynes Prairie and the Floridan Aquifer.
Now a thriving habitat, Sweetwater Wetlands Park is filled with vast numbers of plants and animals, including birds, butterflies, alligators and Florida cracker horses. At the park, you can walk more than 3.5 miles of crushed gravel trails and boardwalks, experience the lush landscape from viewing platforms, and learn about the habitat through educational signs and tours.
A bit of a drive deep into the country at a little over 40 miles, but well worth it especially if you have kids. Pack a picnic and bring drinks because there's not much available near the springs as it's very rural. Super fun splash pad, platform for jumping into the spring all at once (recommended) and a shady boardwalk that runs along the bank of the Suwannee river make this a pretty special place. Plenty of open shelters, grills and picnic tables are usually available, but can be reserved.
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Hart Springs Park
4240 SW 86th AveA bit of a drive deep into the country at a little over 40 miles, but well worth it especially if you have kids. Pack a picnic and bring drinks because there's not much available near the springs as it's very rural. Super fun splash pad, platform for jumping into the spring all at once (recommended) and a shady boardwalk that runs along the bank of the Suwannee river make this a pretty special place. Plenty of open shelters, grills and picnic tables are usually available, but can be reserved.
Food
Great food, generous portions. Outdoor patio with live music. Beautiful renovated historic building located in downtown High Springs.
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Great Outdoors Restaurant
18587 High Springs Main StGreat food, generous portions. Outdoor patio with live music. Beautiful renovated historic building located in downtown High Springs.
Conestogas Restaurant
14920 Main StSteakhouse located in downtown Alachua.
Bev's burgers are definitely better!
Two locations, Alachua and High Springs.
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Bev's Better Burgers
639 NE Santa Fe BlvdBev's burgers are definitely better!
Two locations, Alachua and High Springs.
Sonny's BBQ
2700 NE Waldo RdBrown's Country Buffet
14423 NW US Hwy 441Great southern style comfort food and plenty of it!
Nearby Organic Farm that is right up the road, U-pick blueberries, veggies and flowers. Check them out online for happenings and information.
Deep Spring Farm
16419 W County Rd 1491Nearby Organic Farm that is right up the road, U-pick blueberries, veggies and flowers. Check them out online for happenings and information.
High Springs Brewing Company
18562 NW 237th StOld-fashioned, family-run grocery store with an emphasis on products from local farms & vendors. Great produce, huge selection of bulk food, herbs and spices, many organic products and prepared foods including smoked meat, sandwiches, coleslaw ect. Extensive wine and especially beer selections as well.
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Ward's Supermarket
515 NW 23rd AveOld-fashioned, family-run grocery store with an emphasis on products from local farms & vendors. Great produce, huge selection of bulk food, herbs and spices, many organic products and prepared foods including smoked meat, sandwiches, coleslaw ect. Extensive wine and especially beer selections as well.
Pink Flamingo Diner and mini-golf course in High Springs, check it out!
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The Diner
19726 US-441Pink Flamingo Diner and mini-golf course in High Springs, check it out!
Tex Mex with 2 local restaurants, in Alachua and High Springs, has good customer ratings.
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El Patio
60 High Springs Main StreetTex Mex with 2 local restaurants, in Alachua and High Springs, has good customer ratings.
Specializes in coffee and baked goods with a wonderful ambiance
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The Talented Cookie Company
23519 W U.S. Hwy 27Specializes in coffee and baked goods with a wonderful ambiance
Super duper farmers market! Especially in the cooler months which is the main growing season for this area.
Alachua County Farmers' Market
5920 NW 13th StSuper duper farmers market! Especially in the cooler months which is the main growing season for this area.
Sightseeing
Florida Museum of Natural History
3215 Hull RdHarn Museum of Art
3259 Hull RdCurtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
3201 Hull RdUniversität von Florida
1310 Museum RdKika Silva Pla Planetarium at Santa Fe Community College
3000 NW 83 StSanta Fe College Teaching Zoo
3000 Northwest 83 StreetBe there at sunset to see the bats emerge on their way to eat many, many mosquitos!
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UF Bat Houses
Museum RoadBe there at sunset to see the bats emerge on their way to eat many, many mosquitos!
Interesting and interactive experiences await you at the Cade museum!
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Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention
811 S Main StInteresting and interactive experiences await you at the Cade museum!
The Department of Astronomy at the University of Florida operates an on-campus Teaching Observatory for educational and public programs. These events are all free to the public. The observatory is open Friday evenings, from 8:30pm to 10:00pm, whenever UF classes are in session.
Astronomy Teaching Observatory
The Department of Astronomy at the University of Florida operates an on-campus Teaching Observatory for educational and public programs. These events are all free to the public. The observatory is open Friday evenings, from 8:30pm to 10:00pm, whenever UF classes are in session.
Sports
High Springs BMX
Northwest 2nd StreetHighly rated BMX track located in High Springs
Gainsville Raceway
11211 N County Road 225Home of the Gator Nationals
Gator Cycle
1700 NW 13th StBicycle shop with available rentals, located in Gainesville
Haile's Trails
20525 NW 46th AveChallenging Mountain bike trails located in an old rock quarry
Local shops
Rare minerals, quartz crystals from all over the world, unusual gemstone spheres and geodes are on display to marvel at and enjoy. Beautiful jewelry and other amazing gifts are also available.
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High Springs Emporium
19765 NW US Hwy 441Rare minerals, quartz crystals from all over the world, unusual gemstone spheres and geodes are on display to marvel at and enjoy. Beautiful jewelry and other amazing gifts are also available.