THINGS TO DO, CONTINUEDwalled garden, and hundreds of camelliasand opportunities for swimming, fishing,canoeing, and kayaking. Only boats withoutmotors or with electric motors are allowed.Pavilions and grills along the lakeshoreprovide the perfect setting for a picnic.Hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians canenjoy five miles of multi-use trails windingthrough nearby woods. High bloomingseason is from January 1-April 30. Duringthese months, the Maclay house is opendaily, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.Black Archivesof <strong>Florida</strong> A & M UniversityGamble Street at <strong>Florida</strong> A & M University850- 599-3020Open Monday -Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.Brokaw-McDougall House329 N Meridian Rd850- 891-3900Challenger Learning Centerand IMAX TheaterKleman Plaza, S Duval Street and CollegeAvenue850-645-STAR (7827) or 850-644-IMAX (4629)www.challengertlh.comGoodwood Museum and Gardens1500 Miccosukee Road Corner of MiccosukeeRoad and Medical Drive850- 877-4202http://www.goodwoodmuseum.orgJohn G. Riley House Museum ofAfrican American History and Culture419 E Jefferson Street850- 681-7881http://www.rileymuseum.orgBuilt in 1890, it is the last visible evidenceof the middle-class black community andrepository of African American history fromReconstruction through Civil Rights movement.Open Monday, Wednesday, andFriday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.Knott House301 East Park Avenue850- 922-2459http://www.taltrust.org/knott.htmOpen . Wednesday – Friday 1:00p.m. – 4:00p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.Mary Brogan Museumof Art & Science, Inc.350 S Duval Street850- 513-0700www.thebrogan.orgMission San Luis de Apalachee2020 W Mission Road850-487-3711Old CapitolA 17th century Spanish mission. Observearchaeological excavations and living historyprograms.Museum of <strong>Florida</strong> History500 S Bronough Street850- 245-6400National High Magnetic zFieldLaboratory1800 E Paul Dirac Drive850-644-2943One of the nation’s highest-tech laboratoriesfor scientific research and engineering.An annual October Open House featureshands-on activities, demonstrations, toursand more. Wheelchair accessible. Grouptours year-round by appointment.Odyssey Science Centerand Museum of Art350 S Duval Street850-513-0700www.odysseysciencecenter.orgExperience an interactive hands-onscience center and national travelingart and science exhibitions. Familyfocused science demonstrations andprograms each Saturday. Wheelchairaccessible. Gift shop.Old CapitolMonroe Street at Apalachee Parkway850-487-1902An eight-room exhibit portrays <strong>Florida</strong>’spolitical history. 20th-century furnishings,cotton gins and other artifacts. Monday- Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Saturday10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Sunday andholidays from noon to 4:30 p.m.Tall Timbers Research Station andthe Historic Beadel HouseCounty Road 12, 3 miles W of FL 319850- 893-4153www.talltimbers.orgOpen to Public.: Two miles east of SR155 and 12Tallahassee Automobile Museum3550 Mahan Drive850-942-0137More than 85 rare automobiles, pedal cars,boat motors dating back to 1915, Indianartifacts, motorcycles, cash registers, golfand sports memorabilia.Tallahassee Museum of Historyand <strong>Natural</strong> Science3945 Museum Drive850-575-8684http://www.tallahasseemuseum.org/Tallahassee’s premier outdoor museumoffers native animals, nature trails, hand-onexhibits and educational programs for allages. Open to Public Monday – Saturday9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sun 12:30 p.m.– 5:00 p.m. Limited wheelchair accessible.Union Bank Building219 Apalachee Parkway850-561-2603The Center houses a current collectionof more than 500,000 documents,letters, photographs, films, officialnational and state records, slave papers,military documents, church records, rarebooks, maps, newspapers, manuscripts,magazines, etc.. Included is a unique oralhistory collection which consists of tapesof black and white southerners over theage of seventy. Monday – Friday9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.Maclay GardensT R E N T O NSuwannee Valley Stained Glassworks& Art GalleryThe art gallery is home to over 100 localartist showcasing their work which includes,woodcarving, photography, paintings in oils,watercolors & acrylic, wind chimes, pottery,stained glass, pen & ink drawings and somuch more. Call 352-463-3841 or visitwww.suwanneeshops.comW H I T E S P R I N G SBig Shoals State ParkLocated off US 41 in White Springs386- 397-2733This park features the largest whitewaterrapids in <strong>Florida</strong>. Limestone bluffs,towering 80 feet above the banks of theSuwannee RiverStephen FosterFolk Culture Center State ParkLocated on US 41 in White Springs386- 397-2733Dedicated to the memory of composerStephen Foster. In Craft Square are demonstrationsof quilting, blacksmithing, stainglass making, and other crafts. Hiking,bicycling, canoeing, and wildlife viewing arepopular activities. Memorial Day weekendthe park hosts the <strong>Florida</strong> Folk Festival.TRAILSTrails for off-road bicycling and hiking offera special chance to discover beautifulwoodlands, disappearing streams andblue-water springs. Stately live oaks pinegroves, palmetto thickets and lowlandswamp shelter a large variety of wildlife.Deer, fox raccoon, gopher, tortoise andan occasional bobcat, black bear or wildhog. Traveling on these trails is a privilegethat needs to be protected. Please actresponsibly and respect and preserve allthat surrounds you, the trail, your neighborsand your natural resources. Pleaseobserve the following tips and guidelines.• Use open trails only.All areas are open during daylight hoursonly. Some areas are closed to hikingand bicycling during hunting season.Check with the <strong>Florida</strong> Game and FreshWater Fish commission of SuwanneeRiver Water Management District for thehunt schedules.• Stay on the marked trails. If you arecycling be careful not to stray onto the<strong>Florida</strong> Trail, developed for hiking only.This trail is marked with orange blazes(white in state parks.) Be sure to stay onpublic land. All property lines are markedwith red banded trees or posts and yellowproperty line signs.• Leave no traceBe sensitive to the trail beneath. Be sureto pack out at least as much as you packin. Practice low impact cycling – minimize“brake-slides” and skidding. Do notride through wet or muddy areas. Stayon the designated trail and do not createany new ones.• If you are riding a bicycle, stay incontrol.Inattention, even for a moment, can causedisaster. Excessive speed threatenseveryone; there is no excuse for it!• If bicycling, always yield trail.Show your respect when passing othersby slowing down, stopping or evendismounting and walking, if needed.Anticipate that other trail users may bearound the bend.• Never spook animals.All animals are startled by unannouncedapproach, sudden movement or loudnoise. Spooked animals can be dangerousto you, to others and to themselves.Always give animals extra room and timeto adjust to you. Use special care inpassing horseback riders and follow anydirections they may give.• Plan ahead.Be self-sufficient at all times. Bring raingear, sunscreen, insect repellent, firstaid kit, compass, pocket knife, food andplenty of water. If bicycling, be sure yourbicycle is in good working condition.Bring basic tools, spare tubes, patch kitand air pump and always wear a bicyclehelmet while riding. Always travel witha friend.• Enjoy but do not destroy.Plant and animal life is protected on thesetracts. Do not remove or destroy thenatural resources. For your safety, pleasedo not attempt to pet, feed or approachthe wildlife. Watch out for poisonoussnakes and plants.44 <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>North</strong> <strong>Florida</strong>
B R A N F O R DThe Suwannee River Greenway -8 milesThe Suwannee River Greenway at Branfordis a rail-trail built on the old CSX railcorridor in Branford. The Suwannee RiverWater Management District paid for finalengineering plans for the project, andworked in cooperation with the <strong>Florida</strong>Department of Transportation and SuwanneeCounty Board of Commissionersto oversee construction of the trail. Thetrailhead is located in downtown Branford.The four-mile paved trail extends north toCounty Road248, and south past 79thRoad, and was built for users to bicycle,hike, jog, walk, skate, and rollerblade. Allmotorized vehicles, except wheelchairs, areprohibited from using the trail.C H I E F L A N D / T R E N T O N /C R O S S C I T YManatee Springs State Park Trails-10.5 milesThe heart of the Manatee Springs StatePark is its namesake first-magnitude spring,that flows a short distance to the SuwanneeRiver. Trail opportunities are availablefor the entire family. The paved entranceroad is a pleasant 2-mile ride, and theoff-road trails are easy, fun trails that fastpacedriders could complete in an hour.Nature Coast Greenway-32 milesThis trail is like a Y with a horizontal barrunning across the top and extendingboth left and right to make a modified T.Chiefland is at the south end of the Y/T,Trenton at the east end, and Cross City isat the west end. The triangular portion inthe middle is known as Wilcox Junctionfrom the days when this was a railroadjunction. (There is no town at WilcoxJunction.) Wilcox Jct. consists of three trailjunctions that can be referred to as “SouthJct”, “West Jct” and “East Jct” .By traveling the length of the trail, visitorswill get a close-up look at the flora andfauna of rural, north <strong>Florida</strong>. Deer step outfrom the sections of dense underbrush,while planted pines shade woodlands alongother sections of the trail. A few stretchespass through marshy land.Chiefland TrailheadFrom Fanning Springs, head south on US 19.Trailhead is located at the Chiefland railroaddepot, 2 blocks beyond downtown Chiefland.Trenton TrailheadFrom Fanning Springs, head east on StateRoute 26. In Trenton, head north (left) onMain Street (US 129). Proceed about 2blocks to the Trenton railroad depot.E L L AV I L L ETwin Rivers, 8 milesOne mile west of the Agricultural InspectionStation on U.S. 90 in Ellaville, look for theentrance road to the Twin Rivers WildlifeManagement Area on the south side of thehighway. Park at the check station. Severalroute choices include a scenic routethrough bottomland forest along the riverwith numerous overlooks. Many sinkholesand carpets of wildflowers. In the spring,grace the area.F O RT W H I T EIchetucknee Springs State Park has 3hiking trails currently openBlue Hole Trail - 1/2 mileWalk through the Ichetucknee forest andcypress flood plain, which leads to BlueHole Spring, the largest spring in the park.Trestle Point Trail – 1⁄2 mileShaded path winds along the crystalclear waters of the Ichetucknee River.The self- guided trail will take you back intime, when in the early 1900’s, phosphateore was mined in the area. Walk time isapproximately 30 minutes.Pine Ridge Trail - 2 mileLoop trail will take approximately 1 hour15 minutes. A frequently overlooked areaof the park is the majestic sandhill, withits towering longleaf pine and wide openvistas. View the natural diversity of thisunique and vanishing ecosystem.G A I N E S V I L L EBivens Arm Nature Park Trail-1 mileThis trail offers an enjoyable natural retreatjust minutes from Interstate 75. The trailmeanders through uplands past numerouslarge live oaks, while the boardwalk andmain pavilion border a small marsh. Thisis a great place for the highway traveler totake a break with nature.From Interstate 75 in Gainesville, take Exit382. Head toward Gainesville (northeast)on State Road 331. You will come to afork in the highway approximately 2 milesafter you exit the interstate. Stay left, followingState Road 329. Just after the fork, thepark is on the left.Gainesville-Depot Avenue Trail-2.1 milesThis trail follows a former rail corridorthrough residential and industrial areas insoutheast Gainesville. It connects to theGainesville-Waldo Road Greenway on itseastern end, allowing for an extendedtrail experience. These trails are part of agrowing network that will ultimately provideaccess to the Gainesville-Hawthorne TrailState Park via the Gainesville-DowntownConnectorAccess is available at crossroads along thelength of the trail.Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail-16 milesThe Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail StatePark stretches 16 miles from the Cityof Gainesville’s Boulware Springs Parkthrough the Paynes Prairie PreserveState Park and the Lochloosa WildlifeManagement Area. The recreational trailis designed for walking, cycling, andhorseback riding. Primitive restrooms arelocated at mile markers 1.0 and 6.6.From Gainesville, at the intersection ofUniversity Avenue and Main Street, traveleast on University Avenue and take theright fork onto State Road 20 (HawthorneRoad). Follow State Road 20 to US 301.Take a right and proceed into Hawthorne.Look for signs on US 301. The trailhead islocated at 300 SW 2nd Avenue.Paynes Prairie Preserve State ParkTrails-22.6 milesThe park’s paved entrance road (SavannahBoulevard) provides a nice walk or bikeride under a canopy of trees. Cone’s DikeTrail is suitable for hikers and bikers, whileChacala Trail is suitable for equestrians,hikers and bikers.From Interstate 75, take Exit 73 (new Exit374) to County Road 234. Head east onCounty Road 234 through Micanopy for1.4 miles until you reach US 441. Take aleft and proceed .6 miles until you reachthe park entranceH I G H S P R I N G SO’leno State Park, High SpringsO’Leno State Park Trails-15 milesOne of <strong>Florida</strong>’s original state parks, O’Lenois located on the banks of the scenic SantaFe River, a tributary of the Suwannee River.The major feature of the park is the SantaFe land bridge. The biking and hiking trailsboth begin at the suspension bridge by thepark’s swimming area.The River Trail (hiking) takes you alongthe river to the “river sink” where the riverdisappears underground. The Wire Trail isthe easiest to find from the campground.It’s a double track trail with hard dirt surfaceand some long sandy stretches. Jug Lakeand Sweetwater are both single-track trails.Sweetwater is mostly within the upperfloodplain and may be impassable duringperiods when the river is high. Parener’sLoop is a smooth double track trail.Santa Fe River Canoe Trail -26 milesThe Santa Fe River Canoe Trail is officiallydesignated as part of <strong>Florida</strong>’s StatewideSystem of Greenways and Trails. Thisbeautiful trail begins in O’Leno State Park,where the Santa Fe reappears after flowingunderground for more than three miles.Access: US 41 / 441 Bridge – Go 2 milesnorthwest of High Springs on US 41 /441 (State Road 25); turn left to publicboat ramp.J A S P E RHolton Creek-16 milesTwelve miles northwest of Live Oak justacross the Suwannee River on HamiltonCounty Road 751 (Suwannee CreekWildlife Management Area. 0.2 miles northof the Agricultural Inspection Station. Followthe signs to Holton Creek, and park at thetrailhead kiosk. Bike or hike through oldgrowth forest in an area dubbed, “Land ofa Thousand Sinks.” Woodland roads gofor many miles along the river. Visit HoltonCreek thought to be one of the rises of thedisappearing Alapaha River.J E N N I N G SMattair Spring-11 milesGo 3.5 miles north on US 129 from I-10.Turn right (east) on 40th Street and followit for 1.5 miles. Turn left (east) at 75thDr., which becomes unpaved in 0.3 miles.Watch for the entrance road and sign onthe left, about 0.6 miles from the end ofthe pavement. Park in space provided,0.1 mile beyond the entrance sign. Sevenmiles of riverside jeep trail and MattairSpring are the highlights of this area. Theriver is quite scenic with high limestonebanks and occasional white sand beaches.The uplands have longleaf pine and scruboaks with sandier trail surfaces.L A M O N TAucilla River Canoe Trail-19 milesThe Aucilla River Canoe Trail is officiallydesignated as part of <strong>Florida</strong>’s StatewideSystem of Greenways and Trails. The dark,coffee-colored waters of the Aucilla Riverswiftly course over shoals and the remainsof two old rock dams. They make the trail achallenge, especially in low water, but theycan be portaged. High limestone banksframe the trail, and the river flows throughcypress-gum swamp. Wildlife you may seeincludes river otter, hawks and a variety ofwading birds.Access US 27 Bridge – One-mile southeastof Lamont.L I V E O A KSpirit of the Suwannee Music Park currentlyhas 4 open hiking trails:• <strong>Florida</strong> scrub - 1⁄2 mile• Mesic hardwood forest - 1.5 miles• Oak hammock (seasonaluse only) – 1⁄4 mile• Riparian zone (River Trail) - 2.5 miles• Suwannee River (Lower)Canoe Trail – 51.7 milesThe Suwannee River (Lower) Canoe Trailis officially designated as part of <strong>Florida</strong>’sStatewide System of Greenways andTrails. This section of the Suwannee Riverbegins at Suwannee River State Park andcontinues downstream for 51.7 miles.Rising out of the Okefenokee Swamp inGeorgia, the Suwannee is fed by manysprings. In Troy Springs, you can see theremains of a Confederate river runner,the Madison, resting on the bottom. Mostof the time, the lower Suwannee River iswide, tranquil and gentle, and the sceneryis spectacular.Access at the Suwannee River State Park– Off US 90, west of Live Oak<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>North</strong> <strong>Florida</strong> 45
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