Janet Groene - Romantic Getaways in Tallahassee, Gainesville, Cedar Key & Beyond

Romantic Getaways in Tallahassee, Gainesville, Cedar Key & Beyond

Hunter Publishing, Inc.

www.hunterpublishing.com

IN CANADA :

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In the UK

Windsor Books International

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2010 Janet Groene & Gordon Groene

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher. Brief extracts to be included in reviews or articles are permitted.

Every effort has been made to insure that the information in this book is correct, but the publisher and author do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any liability for any loss or damage caused by errors, omissions, misleading information or potential travel problems caused by this guide, even if such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause.

About The Authors

Janet Groene began her writing career when she was hired as a stringer for her hometown newspaper while still in junior high school. Since then she has written thousands of newspaper and magazine pieces, and more than a dozen books. When Janet and her husband Gordon sold their home and furniture and headed south, her typewriter and his cameras came along. It was the start of their new life as a travel writer and photographer team. After traveling full-time for 10 years in their sailboat and RV, they settled in Central Florida . Janet is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers; Gordon belongs to the North American Travel Journalists Association. Both are members of the American Society of Journalists & Authors.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Lori Chester of the Tampa/Hillsborough Convention & Visitors Association; Danielle Courtenay of the Orlando Convention & Visitors Bureau; Geiger Associates of Tallahassee; Maureen Gonzalez of the Orlando Peabody Alliance for Arts and Culture (OPAAC); Bert Lacey and Robyn DeRidder of Cypress Gardens; Brian Parrish of FLA-USA; Charlotte Luer of PCI; Angel Passailaigue of Jacksonville and the Beaches; Steve Sprecht of Silver Springs; Ed Stone of Ed Stone Associates; Susan McLain and Tangela Boyd of the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Association; Wayne Vaughn of the Central Florida Convention & Visitors Bureau; Bill Voliva of SHE Tours; Rene Wente of the DeLand Chamber of Commerce and West Volusia Tourism Authority; and the Zimmerman Agency, Tallahassee.

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Contents

• Introduction
• A Little History
• The Weather Picture
• Getting Here & Getting Around
• What to Pack
• Rating the Rates
• Other Helpful Information
• Information Sources
• Visitor Information
• North Central Florida
• Introduction
• Getting Here & Getting Around
• For More Information
• Major Annual Events
• Cedar Key
• Sweet Dreams
• Tables For Two
• Gainesville
• Sweet Dreams
• Tables For Two
• Things To Do
• High Springs
• Sweet Dreams
• Micanopy
• Sweet Dreams
• Steinhatchee
• Sweet Dreams
• Tallahassee
• Sweet Dreams
• Tables For Two
• Things To Do

Introduction

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In This Chapter

Cedar Key

Gainesville

High Springs

Micanopy

Steinhatchee

Tallahassee

Florida has plenty of little pockets where a couple in love can lose themselves for a romantic weekend. Some of the most remote are found along the coasts and in the forests of North Central Florida.

Today its eclipsed by Miami and Orlando, but this part of the state was settled far earlier. Micanopy was a thriving Indian village when the Spanish arrived. Tallahassee was an affluent community long before the Civil War. The states first railroad ran from Fernandina Beach to Cedar Key, which remained an important harbor until the late 1800s.

Just south of Tallahassee in Wakulla County is Wakulla Springs, with its nature watching, swimming in crystal waters, and rustic lodgings. This area also has a rails-to-trails route that extends almost 20 miles south to St. Marks along the old Tallahassee-St. Marks rail line. Walk, bicycle, or ride horseback here.

Getting Here & Getting Around

The region ranges from Gainesville west to the Gulf Coast and north to the state line. Its chief north-south artery is I-75, which slashes across the eastern corner of the region. US 98 is a good route if you want to follow the coast, although its so far inland you have to take minor roads out to the Gulf. US 27 takes you to Tallahassee. I-10 is the rapid route from the Alabama border east to Jacksonville. Gainesville and Tallahassee are served by secondary air lines. Some travelers like to fly into Atlanta, then rent a car for the drive to Tallahassee.

For More Information

Alachua County Visitor & Convention Bureau , 30 E. University Avenue, Gainesville 32601; 352-374-5231. Web site www.co.alachua.fl.us/~acvacb.

Cedar Key Area Chamber of Commerce , Box 610, Cedar Key 32625. 352-543-5600. Web site http://cedarkey.org.

Tallahassee Area Convention and Visitors Bureau , 200 W. College Avenue, Tallahassee 32302; 850-413-9200; fax 850-487-4621. Web site www.co. leon.fl.us/cvb/homepage/htm.

When youre in the city, pick up information at the Visitor Information Center downtown in The Capitol, S. Duval Street, 850-413-9200.

Major Annual Events

January

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Hernando DeSoto Winter Encampment at the DeSoto State Historic site in Tallahassee is a living history re-enactment of the winter of 1539 when DeSoto camped among the Apalachee Indians here. 850-413-9200.

February

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In Gainesville , the Hoggtown Medieval Faire has arts, crafts, jousting and song, all in medieval costume. 352-374-5231.

March

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Natural Bridge Battlefield Re-enactment at San Marcos de Apalache re-enacts the 1865 battle when Florida soldiers saved Tallahassee. It was the only Southern capital that did not fall to Union forces. 850-413-9200.

Also this month, Tallahassee hosts its annual Jazz and Blues Festival . 850-413-9200.

The three-day Havana Music Fest features more than 40 acts, including nationally known headliners, regional bands and popular local artists in the little community that has become known for its artists and crafters. 850-488-6211.