Lake City, FL Road Trips

The old part of town is on either side of Highway 90 around the intersections of Main and Marion Streets. It has a pleasant appearance with old houses and shops and Lake DeSoto and is worth a look if you're not too much of a rush.

Check out the downtown by day. Pretty much everything downtown closes up at 5PM. Places near the Interstate remain active at night. From the end of November through December, the Festival of Lights is a spectacular Christmas display downtown. 1 Big Shoals State Park (on County Road 135, approximately a mile east of White Springs, off US 41). This Florida state park features the largest whitewater rapids in Florida. Limestone bluffs, towering 80 feet above the banks of the Suwannee River, afford outstanding vistas not found anywhere else in Florida. When the water level on the Suwannee River is between 59 and 61 feet above mean sea level, the Big Shoals rapids earn a Class III Whitewater classification, attracting thrill-seeking canoe and kayak enthusiasts. A smaller set of rapids downstream is called Little Shoals. Over 28 miles of wooded trails provide opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing. The Woodpecker Trail, a 3.4 mile long multipurpose paved trail, connects the Little Shoals and Big Shoals entrances to the park. The river offers excellent opportunities for freshwater fishing. A picnic pavilion that seats up to 40 people is available at the Little Shoals entrance. 2 Ichetucknee Springs State Park, 12087 S.W. US Hwy 27 (exit from I-75 at exit 399; take US 441 north to High Springs; take US 27 north to Ft. White the south entrance to the park is 4 miles on the right), ☏ +1 386-497-4690. 8AM-sundown, 365 days a year.

The standard national chains are well represented in the area by the Interstate exits. The old downtown also has several local places. 1 Cedar River Seafood, 1592 W US-90 (west of downtown), ☏ +1 386 752-8399. Su–Th 11AM–9:30PM, F Sa 11AM–10:30PM. (updated Jun 2021) 2 Maggie's Place Latin Cafe, 132 SE Hernando Ave, ☏ +1 386 487-5194, [email protected]. M–F 8AM–3:30PM. (updated Oct 2021) 3 Marion Street, 281 North Marion Ave (downtown, one block west of the lake), ☏ +1 386 487-6194, [email protected]. (updated Jun 2021)

1 Halpatter Brewing, 264 NE Hernando Ave, ☏ +1 386 438-8788, [email protected]. (updated Sep 2021)

1 Days Inn, 3144 W US-90, ☏ +1 386 269-6074. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Jul 2020) 2 Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 213 SW Commerce Dr (just off I-75 Highway 90 exit), ☏ +1 386 754-1411. Rooms with whorlpool tubs available.

Lake City's location at the intersection of Highways 90, 441, Interstate 75 and just off Interstate 10 have long made it a convenient stopping place on long highway drives. US-90 approaches the town from the west, while I-75 passes west of the town from north to south. Greyhound Bus Lines, (bus station) 251 S Marion Ave, ☏ +1 386-752-3232. Daily 7:30AM-2:00PM.