How to plan a trip to North Central Florida

North Central Florida encompasses eleven counties, with Gainesville being the largest city in the region. Often overlooked for more popular destinations, such as Orlando, North Central Florida offers natural beauty, old Florida charm and many romantic bed and breakfast inns.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet access for making travel arrangements and booking accomodations.

1. Start by visiting the Gainesville/ Alachua County Visitor and Convention Bureau website at http://www.visitgainesville.com. You can also call 866-778-5002 to get more information.

2. Decide whether you want to stay in a hotel or a bed and breakfast inn. Gainesville offers a multitude of chain hotels, and there are many charming inns throughout the North Central region. The Herlong Mansion, which is located in Micanopy, is a romantic option.

3. Using the website listed above, plan to visit one of Gainesville's cultural institutions, such as the Hippodrome State Theatre, or the Florida Museum of Natural History. If you would prefer to browse one of the region's many boutiques, visit http://www.alachuabusiness.com/index.htm for information on stores and locations.

4. If you are a nature lover, check out Paynes Prairie, a 21,000-acre preserve located 10 miles south of Gainesville. Paynes Prairie became Florida's state preserve in 1971, and offers eight trails for hiking, horseback riding and bicycling.

5. History buffs won't want to miss the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Park, which features the author's house and farm yard, and was designated as a national historic landmark.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose the month of your trip to North Central Florida wisely. Although you may get better deals in the summer months, note that summer is hurricane season for Florida, and the entire state is affected by monsoon-like rains during this time.