Florida Road Trip: Quincy, Marianna and Havana

Take a driving tour through Quincy, Marianna and Havana for a taste of Florida's quaint side.

By VISIT FLORIDA staff

Heritage Highlights

Quincy, located west of Tallahassee off Highway 90, is known at the "City that Coca-Cola Built" because of the many residents who invested early on in the stock. In fact, 68 percent of all Coke stock was once held by Quincy citizens. Stock market success is evident in the grand homes downtown, two of which are now bed and breakfasts. Centered around a square, the downtown is a Nationally Registered Historic District.

Located on the courthouse square, in the restored Bell & Bates hardware store, you will find the Gadsden Arts Center, 13. N. Madison St. This 1910 building is home to fine visual art by local, regional and national artists in all media, and will also provide information for local historical tours.

Nature Trek

About 30 minutes away from Quincy in Marianna, also located off Highway 90, veer off the main road to see Florida Caverns State Park, three miles north of Marianna on State Road 167. It's the only limestone cavern open to the public in the state, and the spiky stalactites and stalagmites on display are right out of a geologist's dream. Some formations are named for their shapes, such as the Waterfall Room, where waterfalls of rock appear fluid, and the Wedding Room, which has a wedding cake formation that has been the backdrop for several weddings. Others like Tall Man's Torment and The Squeeze are named because of their size.

COURTHOUSE SQUARE: The Gadsden County Courthouse is the center of downtown Quincy with highways 90 and 12

- Colin Hackley for VISIT FLORIDA

A diorama at the Florida Caverns State Park visitor center depicts what life was like for the park's early Native American inhabitants.

- Jackson County TDC

Culture Quest

Minutes from Tallahassee but a world away in regard to atmosphere, Havana is a charming old town that once prospered by growing tobacco leaves for cigars. Now it's an antiques mecca, with most of the downtown stores chock full of impressive art, heirloom antiques and kitschy knick knacks. Find your treasures at Mirror Image Antiques, 303 First St. N.W.

Tucked away between antique and vintage shops and an eclectic mix of new stores, including jewelry and furniture stores, are sidewalk cafes serving fresh salads and hot home cooking.