Page 120 - Travel Guide to Florida 2020

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA

WOOLLEY PARK PIER, WAKULLA COUNTY • VISIT WAKULLA

ROAD TRIPS for fried chicken at the Dixie Grill and a visit West of Madison off U.S. 90, the Hixtown
The belly of this region is so sparsely to the museum in the old railroad depot. Swamp Conservation Area is a major
populated that almost any paved road is a Continue west to Suwannee River State wintering spot for wading birds. Public
good place for a jog, two-wheel journey or a Park on the site of a vanished community access allows wildlife viewing, fishing,
leisurely drive. The way is rimmed with called Columbus. The park offers cabins, picnics and hiking. Like Madison and Live
wildflowers and passes by farm fields and campsites, a boat launch and picnic sites. Oak, Monticello is the county seat, centered
pastures of grazing cattle, horses or goats. Hiking trails take you past Civil War-era by a grand courthouse. Drive around the
The main east-west route I-10 roughly fortifications, sawmill remains and an old small historical district, enjoy a meal and
follows ancient paths used since pre- cemetery. The highway then leads you buy a bag of treats at Tupelo’s Bakery & Café.
Colombian times. Old roads that parallel the through Madison with its stately courthouse There’s also a museum in the old jail that’s
interstate pass through charming communi- and antebellum homes. Hotels, once patron- worth checking out.
ties where the clock stopped once the ized by tobacco auctioneers and cotton U.S. 27, the original highway from Miami
interstate opened. Starting at Lake City, factories, now stand empty but the small to the Midwest, provides an interesting
perhaps with a loop up to White Springs, downtown grid has antique shops and a few north-south road trip through this region.
take U.S. 90 westward, stopping at Live Oak restaurants. Known by different names including Claude
Pepper Memorial Highway throughout the
region and the Apalachee Parkway in
INTERNATIONAL Tallahassee, it links High Springs, with its
GATEWAYS funky restaurants, B&B inns and old opera
house, to Perry, home of Forest Capital
Gainesville Regional Airport: flygainesville.com Museum State Park. Little towns along the
Jacksonville International Airport: flyjacksonville.com way include Branford, where cave divers find
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport: iflybeaches.com lodgings and outfitters, and Mayo, where
Tallahassee International Airport: talgov.com/airport/airporthome.aspx you’ll discover authentic country food and
captivating antique shops.

118 2020 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA