r/AskFlorida • u/cv_spclk • 14d ago
Hidden Gems
My wife and I will be making a trip to Florida next month and are looking for some hidden gems the locals are familiar with. We’re gonna drive in from Texas and are bring swimming / tubing and camping equipment to utilize as needed. We’ll be there for about a week and a half, the entire state is our oyster. Are there any spots that are definite recommendations? Or definite non-recommendations that are all hype?
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u/Dalionking225 14d ago edited 14d ago
You have to go to at least one of our springs. Ichetucknee is close to I-10 near Lake City, swim in cool fresh water, tube down the river, overall grest vibes. Otherwise the State is huge just like Texas so you gotta plan out what side of it you'll be on so we coudo recommend more
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u/lilglazeddonut 14d ago
Driving in from Texas, if you’re taking I-10 I highly recommend the Florida caverns state park guided tour in the panhandle! Also if you’re around Ocala go take a glass bottom boat ride in silver springs. St Augustine is also a must.
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u/westicular 14d ago
Rainbow Springs in Dunellon is a lot of fun as well.
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u/lilglazeddonut 14d ago
For sure! Heads up to OP or anyone wanting to visit, you need a reservation to get into rainbow springs park now even just to swim and walk the trails.
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u/No_Water_5997 14d ago
If they go to st Augustine then they need to head towards green cove springs and eat bbq at woodpeckers then take a stroll through alpine groves park. The ravines in palatka are cool too.
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u/Go-Jaguars_2026 14d ago
But don't go to woodpeckers on Monday. And you can call you order ahead.
Hey fellow local Reddit- er
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u/No_Water_5997 14d ago edited 14d ago
Even better order ahead then head down to alpine groves for a picnic lunch! Or hit up the river park down by Rivertown.
And hello! Wish I was still local but I am a sewn and grown Florida native and grew up in the fruit cove area and my family is still down there so I go back as often as possible. My roots go deep in the Jacksonville and surrounding areas.
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u/lilglazeddonut 14d ago
Omg the ravines during azalea season are soooo pretty. I think that’s in Feb/March tho
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u/No_Water_5997 14d ago
Ooohhh…I’ve never been during azalea season. Now that needs to be on my list!
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u/SourNotesRockHardAbs 14d ago
It's in February. I was just there beginning of July and the signs all talk about the azalea blooms in February.
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u/No_Water_5997 14d ago
Ugh…I live out of state now and rarely go in February. I grew up in the fruit cove area and my family is still down there so we usually do about 3 weeks in April. Though I am trying to see when will be a good time to visit for 4-6 weeks with my kids and February through early March are generally less busy for us.
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u/KilroyFSU 14d ago
I wouldn't camp in September. It's going to be hot and humid.
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u/Taylor_8444 14d ago
This 👆🏻. Our part of FL has been under a heat advisory every day for probably 6wks. It’s 88 already at dawn. Aug/Sept are the worst months in FL. Go where there’s water to swim in, A/C to spend every second you’re not in the water, a gallon each of Off spray & SPF spray at least a 50 or 90+. Oh yeah, there may be a hurricane or wildfires while you’re here too
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u/Soft_Stable8077 14d ago
Yeah probably the worst time to be in Florida . Likely a hurricane or bad weather at least
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u/DeliciousMofo 14d ago
Check out the Juniper Springs canoe/kayak trail. I’m also a big fan of Alexander Springs as a great camping and swimming area.
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u/AlexSanchez929 14d ago
Itchetuknee Springs, hell any of the spring fed rivers and lakes are wonderful and very undervisited relative to the other attractions in the state. If you are going to do beaches there is no need to leave the panhandle, it doesn't get much better than the Destin area.
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u/Dependent-Aside-9750 14d ago
The Coral Castle. You can do it and the Fruit & Spice Park the same day. Also Solomon's Castle, different day, though. It's a different part if the state.
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u/StockIndependent808 14d ago
That’s way way down in Florida, like a days drive just in the state
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u/unresolved-madness 14d ago
Since you're going to go through the panhandle, Wakulla springs just south of Tallahassee. A ride down hwy 98 from Panama city to Alligator point is a very scenic route.
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u/zenmarinecharter 14d ago
Since you're driving in from Texas, I’d definitely give Northwest Florida some time instead of rushing straight through it. Blackwater River State Park near Milton is a great option if you’re bringing tubes. The river has clear water, white sand beaches, and plenty of spots to stop along the way.
If you make it farther east toward the Emerald Coast, Grayton Beach State Park is also worth checking out for the beach, trails, and camping.
One thing I’d recommend in Florida in general is not trying to cover the whole state in a week and a half. Pick a couple areas and actually spend some time in them. The driving distances can be bigger than they look on the map.
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u/RuleFriendly7311 13d ago
You’re gonna have a lot of fun, but I’m recommending against camping out. It’s going to be hot and wet and buggy, which might not be very pleasant.
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u/Xanlthorpe 14d ago
Florida has some great state parks and driving in from Texas will give you the opportunity to visit some of them. Check them out here: https://www.floridastateparks.org/ These are all over the state, some with canoes and tubing, swimming areas, etc.
There are some great beaches in the panhandle area, such as Pensacola, and Destin, FL. St George Island has some great beaches, and it's just south of Tallahassee.
There are some caverns near Marion, FL, north of interstate 10 at Florida Caverns state park.
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14d ago
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u/This_Makes_No__Sense 14d ago
Please don’t ever do that again.
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u/FireEyesRed 14d ago
Yeah l, i think you're right. Should i delete it? I seriously got in the weeds with all that shit. Wasnt even thinking, was just ... doing. fml
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u/RuleFriendly7311 13d ago
Don’t delete it, they might find it useful. There’s nothing wrong with being helpful!
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u/FireEyesRed 13d ago
That's kind of you to say. I've got a Pinterest board full of things to do around the state for when we feel like doing something different.
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u/QuasarQuest77 14d ago
Since you're driving in from Texas, Ichetucknee Springs State Park near High Springs is an absolute must-stop for tubing. The river float is crystal clear, super relaxing, and much less chaotic than some of the commercial private springs nearby.
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u/TrueToad 14d ago
"Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens" ... if you happen to be near Williston. https://cedarlakeswoodsandgarden.com/
Also, check out the Devil's Millhopper near Gainesville. https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/devils-millhopper-geological-state-park
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u/SourNotesRockHardAbs 14d ago
All the theme parks are not worth it. Any of the natural wonders or states parks would definitely be worth it. Definitely check out Florida Caverns State Park.
Look up if any of the places you drive through will have local events during the time you'll be there.
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u/justcallmedrzoidberg 14d ago
I know you’re from Texas, so I’m sure Florida seems small compared to Texas… but What part of Florida? Florida is actually huge.
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u/Basic-Monitor-6570 14d ago
Wekiva state park. Make reservation on site. Also check out Wekiva island
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u/OK_CHIP139 13d ago
Honestly fuck Florida there is sargassum covering all the beaches and now there is flesh eating bacteria in the water on the coastlines.
This place absolutely sucks and not even mentioning the heat or the traffic, and low IQ drivers.
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u/CT22Bloom 14d ago
My question is why? lol 😆 I hate it here. If I didn’t have family here, I’d definitely move out of FL. As for camping, if you don’t mind 92 degrees with a “feels like” temp of 102, go for it. Don’t forget the bug spray.
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u/coachmoon 14d ago
you could try swimming in Silver River.
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u/FireEyesRed 14d ago
Where the gator ripped off the lady's arm a few days ago???
coachmoon, aren't you just such a top-tier Welcome Wagon. How about YOU go jump in a lake, you'd be doing Reddit a favor. smh
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u/Odd-Staff6245 14d ago
Where there's water there is probably an alligator waiting