Florida Unexpected Florida: More Southern than Southern Georgia 7 Days/6 Nights
It's a land of plantations and patriots, pine forests and politicians. Remote, naturally beautiful, unspoiled and enchanting. The Suwannee River winds its way lazily from top to bottom, through thousands of acres once populated by genteel planters, Florida crackers, carpetbaggers and crocodiles. This is Florida before Disney, spring break crowds, the Civil War and Cape Canaveral; authentic and southern in all its ways. Most importantly, its all still here! If you're looking for a different kind of vacation, you're guaranteed to find it in Original Florida. No crowds, no palm trees, no Atlantic beaches. There are more antebellum plantations in Original Florida than any other southeastern destination, the largest collection of natural springs on the planet, amazing sunsets, wonderfully quiet recreational rivers and lots of opportunities to spot wildlife. Very remote scenic roads wind through the region, almost unreal in the fourth most populated state in the US. It’s a "come as you are" kind of place, where you'll find people down home, sophisticated, natural and nice, all at once. The Florida tourism industry began here 1835. Never considered visiting the “real” Florida before? You'd have to travel far and wide to find anything like it.
Itinerary Day One: Tallahassee Day Two: Tallahassee to Perry Day Three: Perry to Gainesville Day Four: Gainesville to Lake City Day Five: Lake City to Madison Day Six: Madison to Tallahassee Day Seven: Leave Tallahassee
Trip Highlights Tallahassee’s Famous Canopy Roads: Low sprawling oaks dripping with Spanish moss create dramatic tunnels of dancing sunlight on these specially protected roads. US Route 90: Gorgeous highway through the Original Florida area of northern Florida. Even though it’s not a scenic byway, it should be. Old Capitol Museum: Restored to its 1902 appearance, complete with red and white striped awnings. Florida Caverns State Park: Pretty unusual to have underground caverns in this part of the world. Forest Capital State Museum: Authentic Florida “cracker” homestead and exhibits illustrating the timber and naval stores industries in Florida. Goodwood Museum and Gardens: Gracious 1834 plantation estate. Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science: Three floors of high quality exhibits. Museum of Florida History: Official museum of Florida where exhibits range from prehistoric to the 20th century. Tallahassee Museum: Bellevue plantation house and turpentine commissary are among the fascinating exhibits. Wakulla Springs State Park: One of the world’s deepest fresh water springs. Glassbottom boat tours. Capitol Downtown Cultural District: More than 25 historic and cultural sites within 10 square blocks. Historic Quincy: Prosperous tobacco shipping town since the 1830s. Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park: Located right on the Suwannee River to immortalize the author of the famous song. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park: Microcosm of an original Florida farm and home of the author of The Yearling. Haile Homestead at Kanapaha Plantation: Learn the story of resettlement from South Carolina to Florida. Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art: One of the largest university museums in the South. Florida Museum of Natural History: The largest natural history museum in the southeast, located at University of Florida. Micanopy Historic District: Meander under moss-dripping live oaks through a real Florida historic town right out of a novel. Dudley Farm Historic State Park: 18 authentic historic structures illustrate life in early Florida. Ichetucknee Springs State Park: One of the many class one springs in the region. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens: Enjoy the stroll. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park: Unique landscape that was pushed here by the glaciers. San Gelasco Hammock Preserve State Park: See a traditional thicket of trees. Prices starting at: $339. Per person, double occupancy, including all hotel taxes and breakfast using Best Western accommodations. Package rates may vary by season and day of the week. No attractions or activities included. Other accommodations choices and customization available. Call toll-free 877-485-8747 to book.