Old Florida Heritage Highway

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See a grazing baby bison at Payne's Prairie Preserve State Park.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

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Visit Micanopy, the oldest inland town in Florida.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

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Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

A taste of old Florida along the Old Florida Heritage Highway, designated as a Florida State Scenic Highway in 2001.

For a true taste of Old Florida, visit the town of Micanopy – the oldest inland town in Florida. You really get a sense of history and heritage when you arrive among the old Florida bungalow homes, stately oak trees, quaint cafés and antique stores. The cafés and restaurants alone are worth the trip! If you feel that something is vaguely familiar, it may be because Micanopy was the setting for the films, Doc Hollywood, with Michael J. Fox, and Cross Creek, with Mary Steenburgen and Rip Torn. The annual Doc Hollywood Days takes place in the spring. The main street in Micanopy is located just south of U.S. 441 along N.E. Cholokka Blvd., and is lined with old brick buildings that now house some of the finest and most affordable antiques in the state of Florida.

While traveling the looped trail, visit the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park, 352-466-3672, located 10 miles east of U.S. 441 in Cross Creek (take C.R. 346 to C.R. 325), and reconnect with the past. Meander through the historic home and farmland where Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for The Yearling, lived and worked from 1928-1953.

Just a couple of miles north of Micanopy along U.S. 441, stop and stretch your legs at Payne's Prairie Preserve State Park, 352-466-3397. This 22,000-acre park has a national reputation for its abundance and diversity of wildlife, including bison. The park offers wonderful recreational activities such as hiking, biking, camping, fishing and trails. Its waterways are also great for paddling; however, there are no rentals available.