Between Tampa And Gainesville Is An Archaeological Park With Native American History, Fishing, And Trails

Florida's Gulf Coast is a prime, year-round vacation escape, but its tourism hotspots tend to center on its prominent Gulf-side beaches. Inland from the Gulf, however, sits a worthy collection of outdoor attractions preserving Florida's natural, cultural, and historical treasures without any beaches involved. A superb Florida hidden gem for history and nature lovers alike is the small but extraordinary Crystal River Archaeological State Park. With the word "archaeological" in its name, you can probably guess that this park is a bit more history-minded than most Florida state parks. At the same time, this park is far from a stuffy history lecture, and you'll find top-tier inland water recreation along with its historic treasures.

This Florida Town Is Known as the Horse Capital of the World, and It’s Worth the Trip

There’s a town in Florida where million-dollar horses graze behind miles of white fences, the countryside looks more like Kentucky than the Sunshine State, and some of the clearest water in America is hiding just down the road. Welcome to Ocala, a place that proudly wears the title of Horse Capital of the World, and for good reason. But horses are only half the story.

Florida’s Oldest Diner Serves Its Famous Milkshake Out Of A 1932 Rail Car

A sandwich here stacks scrambled eggs, bacon, and ground beef on one bun. Yes, all three, together, on purpose. That wild creation comes from a Florida diner that has been flipping burgers inside an old railroad dining car since 1932. The milkshakes are hand-spun, and the onion rings get battered by hand.

Veterans event renamed in honor of local hero

When the phrase “freedom isn’t free” is heard, the relatives of Interlachen’s Robert H. Jenkins Jr. resonate with it to a different degree than many other families. Jenkins, who has been celebrated as a Putnam County hero, died March 5, 1969, when he threw himself on a live grenade while serving as a Marine in the Vietnam War.

Concert, fireworks at Marion County Veterans Memorial Park to honor those who served

The Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band will host its annual “Veterans Light the Stars” concert and fireworks show in Ocala this weekend. The event will take place on Sunday, November 8, at the Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, located at 2601 E. Fort King Street in Ocala.

Ocklawaha River Raid returns to bring local history to life

OCKLAWAHA, FL (352today.com) – The 1st Brigade, PACS Inc. is hosting another year of living history at the Florida Horse Park, 11008 S. HWY 475, Ocala. The 42nd Annual Ocklawaha River Raid Civil War Re-enactment Living History Weekend will be hosted Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 7-8, 2026, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Nationally acclaimed celebrity chefs to cook up inspiration for MCPS students

MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – Five nationally acclaimed celebrity chefs will share their experiences with Marion County middle and high school culinary arts students, Friday, November 6, 2026. The celebrity chefs, who are all affiliated with World Equestrian Center (WEC) Ocala, are participating in a culinary celebration. This year’s...

Ocklawaha River Raid returns to bring local history to life

OCKLAWAHA, FL (352today.com) – The 1st Brigade, PACS Inc. is hosting another year of living history at the Florida Horse Park, 11008 S. HWY 475, Ocala. The 42nd Annual Ocklawaha River Raid Civil War Re-enactment Living History Weekend will be hosted Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 7-8, 2026, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

This Florida House Was Almost Demolished. Now It’s a Museum.

The remarkable history of the May Vinzant Perkins House and our unexpectedly short visit to the Lake City-Columbia County Historical Museum. Some historic places welcome you with open doors, fascinating exhibits, and stories waiting around every corner. Others greet you with an empty parking lot and a locked door. Unfortunately,...

Amendment 3 raises concern for local library funding

Controversial Florida property tax ballot measure Amendment 3 could offer tax relief to homeowners, but the amendment’s critics warn that public services are at risk, including public libraries. Now that Florida voters approved the measure with 62% of the vote, cities and counties may need to scramble to shore...

Holiday Guide 2026: Here’s your list of seasonal events in North Central Florida

MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – We tend to go on and on about how many seasonal events happen in North Central Florida during “winter,” but that’s only because the list of seasonal events also goes on and on. Here’s our living rundown of 2026 holiday-season to-dos...

Micanopy Fall Festival wraps up 51st year with more than 200 vendors

The 51st annual Micanopy Fall Festival ended its two-day run Sunday.

Florida’s Luke Poulter Steps Into Larger Role With Walker Cup Win

Luke Poulter began September by helping Great Britain and Ireland reclaim the Walker Cup. Then, six weeks later, the Florida senior helped the Gators close their fall season with back-to-back tournament victories. Poulter entered his final collegiate season following a memorable and iconic international appearance at Lahinch Golf Club in...

Eastside’s Malicah Williams Balances Books, Blitzes

For Malicah Williams, the second part of his double life is just beginning when the final school bell rings at Eastside High School. After spending seven hours in the classroom, Williams still has football to think about. As a junior cornerback and wide receiver for the Rams (2-7), he has plays to learn, practices to get through and big shoes to fill as captain. On his desk, there’s homework waiting for him when he’s home.

WUFT journalists receive three 2026 National Edward R. Murrow Awards

Eleven recent graduates from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) and former WUFT student journalists received three 2026 Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) National Edward R. Murrow Awards. Nicole Borman, B.S. Journalism 2026, earned the Excellence in Video Hard News Student Award for “Rebuilding paradise:...

Warren Haynes joins String Cheese Incident at Hulaween for Allman Brothers tribute set

With Halloween around the corner, the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida, turned into a costumed celebration of music history, where the sound of Macon, Georgia, still echoes through the Spanish moss. In Macon, music is part of the city’s identity. It’s where the Allman Brothers...

Clay County cut may result in a library fee

Records, cookies and condoms: Fest offers more than music

Since 2002, Fest has brought punks from all over the world to Gainesville. Attendees of Fest 24, held Friday to Sunday, flooded downtown as they migrated from show to show. Beyond the music, Fest serves as an opportunity to build community within the subculture, and patrons can find everything from records and food trucks to nonprofit organizations. Vendors set up tables in closed-off streets, Bo Diddley Plaza and First Magnitude Brewing Company’s Flea Market.

Matheson History Museum presents ‘When the Sky Speaks and the Body Trembles: Timucua Spiritual Practices in Colonial Florida’ with George Aaron Broadwell, PhD

The Matheson History Museum welcomes back Dr. George Aaron Broadwell on Wednesday, October 28, at 7 p.m. to share about the spiritual practices of the Timucua people in colonial Florida. The post Matheson History Museum presents ‘When the Sky Speaks and the Body Trembles: Timucua Spiritual Practices in Colonial Florida’ with George Aaron Broadwell, PhD appeared first on Alachua Chronicle .