Local area

A ravine was created over thousands of years by water flowing from the sandy ridges on the shore of the St. Johns River.In 1933, this ravine was transformed into a garden.Much of the original landscaping still exists as formal gardens and an extensive trail system.A 1.8-mile paved road winds around the ravine, offering a view of the gardens.The garden's peak flowering period is azalea season, late January to April.Numerous picnic sites, equipped with tables and grills, are available to visitors.

Runs south of Palatka Memorial Bridge along the St. Johns River. It’s several amenities include the Millennium Clock Tower, the Veteran’s Memorial Fountain, the Frederick L. Griffin-Rotary Club Amphitheater, the Basil C. Pearce, Jr.-USS TANG Submariner’s Memoria, the City Dock, a boat ramp, picnic areas and a gazebo covered dock.

The Palatka Railroad Preservation Society is dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of the rail heritage of Palatka and surrounding communities, from the first railway in the 1800's.A portion of the historic depot has been established as the Museum and contains documents, photographs, maps, signs and other items donated or loaned by the public.One room has been set aside for the construction of a model train layout depicting Palatka and surrounding areas during the heyday of rail traffic

The Bronson-Mulholland House was built by Judge Isaac Bronson in 1854, a member of the 25th United States Congress. Around the year of 1866, Charlotte J. Henry opened a school for freed slave children in the area in the house . In 1965, Palatka purchased the property and gave the Putnam County Historical Society use of the house. They then listed the home on the National Register of Historic Sites. In 1977, the home was reopened and a dedication service was held in order to honor its history.

From the early days of riverboats and the rebirth of a town dusting itself off from the devasting effects of a massive fire in 1884 the Putnam County Historic Museum houses the archives and memorobilia of the History of Palatka and Putnam County. The museum is housed in the oldest surving structure in Putnam County, orignally built in 1834 and served as the Officers Quarters during The Seminole Indian War.

Welaka is a warmwater hatchery. Ponds are operated at two locations. Those ponds at headquarters, near the aquarium, are called the Welaka Unit, and a second group of ponds about three miles south of headquarters is called the Beecher Unit. The Beecher Unit is named for the spring that serves as the water supply.

The Ocala National Forest located between the Ocklawaha and St. Johns Rivers protects the world's largest contiguous sand pine scrub forest. Four major natural springs of crystal clear water can be enjoyed at the popular recreation areas of Juniper Springs, Salt Springs, Alexander Springs and Silver Glen Springs Recreation Areas. Visitors can enjoy year-round camping, picnicking, fishing, birding, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding and four-wheeling on designated Jeep and ATV trail systems.

Salt Springs offers plenty of activities for the family; including, fishing, camping, biking and hiking. The neighboring body of water known as Lake Kerr is also a place to enjoy a variety of water sports. Just inside the town limits is "Bass Champions," a seafood/country cooking restaurant that has become a favorite of locals as well as those from other parts of the state.

There are plenty of rides and attractions at Silver Springs that will make you laugh, fill you with wonder, and provide a glimpse into what life was like here more than 10,000 years ago. Just as they did then, the springs pump out 550 million gallons of sparkling-clear water a day—enough to supply the entire city of New York. Surrounding the springs is a marvelous diversity of animals and nature you simply won’t find anywhere else.

St. Augustine founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the United States. St. Augustine lies in a region of Florida known as "The First Coast". North Florida boasts a year-round mild climate perfect for strolling Saint Augustine's delightful historic district, with its cobblestone streets, quaint cafes, bars, unique shops and significant landmarks.

Since opening in 1959, it has been the home to the biggest race in all of NASCAR, "The Great American Race", the Daytona 500. Today the facility has a seating capacity of almost 168,000 spectators. It hosts races of motor vehicles of various kinds, including go-karts, motorcycles, sports cars, modified pickup trucks, and stock cars.The facility is also used for an annual spring car show and swap meet, and a Thanksgiving street rod meet, some of the largest of their kind races around the track.

The University of Florida (UF) is a major, public, comprehensive, land-grant, research university. The state's oldest and most comprehensive university, UF is among the nation's most academically diverse public universities. UF has a long history of established programs in international education, research and service. It is one of only 17 public, land-grant universities that belongs to the Association of American Universities.