North Florida is the laid back cousin to its Central and South Florida counterparts. Often overshadowed by its larger neighbors, the region has a remarkably diverse culture and vibrant history. Synonymous with "Old Florida", the area is a treasure trove of natural beauty, southern charm, and unavoidable history lessons.
Regions
Often referred to as "Northeast Florida", the region is located along the Atlantic coast and includes the Jacksonville area. Understood as the coastal areas north of Daytona Beach and south of the Georgia state line, it also includes communities in the lower basin of the St. Johns River.
Generally viewed as the portion of the state east of the Aucilla River all the way east to Baker County and as far south as Ocala, excepting the coastal counties.
Rural coastal communities, including Dixie, Levy and Taylor counties.
Cities
s
Some of the major cities in North Florida are:
- Cedar Key - an island town on Florida's Gulf Coast
- Gainesville 📍 - home to the University of Florida, the state's flagship university
- Jacksonville 📍 - regional business and cultural capital
- Lake City 📍 - quaint town on the edge of the Osceola National Forest
- Ocala 📍 - a center of horse culture and abundant natural beauty
- Orange Park 📍 - Jacksonville suburb with a taste for greyhound races and high stakes
- Palatka 📍 - historic river city abounding with cultural assets and complemented by the great outdoors
- Palm Coast 📍 - a beach resort community and residential area on the southeastern edge of North Florida
- St. Augustine 📍 - oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States and a hub of tourist activity
Other destinations
- Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
- Fort Caroline National Memorial
- Fort Matanzas National Monument
- Ocala National Forest
- Osceola National Forest
- Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve
Understand
North Florida is "Old Florida" in that it exhibits what the culture of the entire state used to be like only a few decades ago. It is more akin to the Deep South in culture. It is mostly rural and is not as metropolitan as parts of Central or South Florida. The landscape and environment of the region does not typify the sub-tropical environment that most think of Florida. The region is more known for its magnolias and live oaks then palm trees and beaches.
Talk
English is spoken almost without exception in North Florida. Most native north Floridians speak with a Southern dialect. The old saying that Florida is the only state in the Union that gets more southern the farther north you go is certainly true in terms of accent.
Get in
By plane
- Jacksonville International Airport, (IATA: JAX), 30.4913°, -81.6839°.
- Gainesville Regional Airport, (IATA: GNV) 3880 NE 39th Ave, 29.686471°, -82.276741°, +1 352 373-0249.
- Northeast Florida Regional Airport (St. Augustine Airport), (IATA: UST), 29.9571°, -81.3444°.
By bus
- Greyhound Bus Lines, has service to Gainesville, Jacksonville, Lake City, Ocala, and St. Augustine.
By train
- Amtrak, +1-800-872-7245. Service by the Silver Service/Palmetto lines to Jacksonville and Palatka.
By car
- I-95 runs along the Atlantic coast throughout the entire North Florida region.
- I-75 runs north-south through the middle of North Florida, and connects to the Florida Turnpike south of Ocala for a straight shot into Orlando and Miami.
- I-10 runs westward from Jacksonville to Tallahassee and eventually to Alabama.
Get around
By public transit
Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), Gainesville Regional Transit System (RTS), and Ride Solution provide bus service for much of the region. The JTA operates the Jacksonville Skyway in the immediate downtown area. The elevated monorail is useful for travelers looking to explore Jacksonville's urban environment.
By car
If you are planning on exploring the depths of this vast region it is advised to rent a vehicle. Many of the area's charming cities and scenic places are inaccessible otherwise.
See
History has an important presence in North Florida, represented by the beautiful city of St. Augustine. It's the oldest city in the United States and the location of Flagler College. Other notable historic sites include the Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park and historic regions in various parts of the region. There are nature reserves as well here, including Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park and Ravine Gardens State Park.
The region includes springs, such as the Silver Springs east of Ocala.
Florida Lighthouses are numerous and beautiful; take some time to visit these iconic images of the coast.
Do
Due to it being relatively undeveloped compared to the rest of the state, North Florida is paradise for anyone who likes to enjoy nature. Hunting and fishing are the favorite activities for both residents and many visitors to the region.
Eat
North Florida is a very diversified region for food. One could enjoy fresh seafood in St. Augustine or in Cedar Key. The region is also known for its Barbecue. Sonny's Real Pit BBQ, the largest barbecue chain in America, was started in Gainesville. The region is also known for specializing in "Cracker Cuisine" which is the traditional food eaten by the early pioneers of Florida. Two well known cracker restaurants is the Yearling in Gainesville and Stumpknockers in Ocala.
Drink
North Florida is home to two of Florida's four dry counties where the sale of alcohol is prohibited (Lafayette and Suwannee). However, alcohol of any variety can be found in abundance in the cosmopolitan city of Jacksonville and the college town of Gainesville.
Stay safe
Be warned that Jacksonville has the highest murder rate in the state, however, only certain neighborhoods are deemed "unsafe" while most other areas of the city are tourist friendly.
North Florida's "southern" culture also applies to politics; this is arguably one of the most conservative areas in the USA. Be warned if you bring up politics.