Southern Charm in Central Florida
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Southern Charm in Central Florida
May 4th, 2010
Nothing beats driving through the heart of Central Florida, shaded from the harsh afternoon sun in tunnels of Spanish moss dripping off canopies of massive ancient oaks. This week I found myself on a relaxing road trip through Micanopy, McIntosh and Cross Creek--three ridiculously quaint little villages just south of Gainesville that simply ooze Southern charm and historic cracker style.
You gotta love a slice of real Florida--antique shops with threadbare fainting couches stashed next to rusty old farm equipment (1st Street in Micanopy is a gold mine of treasures), roadside citrus stands overflowing with the freshest fruit (you’ll u-turn for the Orange Shop on highways 301 and 318 just outside of Cross Creek) and mom-and-pop stores stocked with homemade jams and local honey (try some on the wood-fired brick-oven bread from the Mosswood Farm Store in Micanopy).
Take your time to meander down the smaller dirt roads and appreciate the centuries-old homes and glimpses of spring-fed lakes. And if you pass Jersey’s Creamery (352.317.8060) on 441 just north of McIntosh, hit the brakes. You do not want to miss this old train depot turned ice cream parlor where owner Karen DeConna handcrafts the freshest, creamiest ice cream you’ve ever tasted. The scoop of pistachio I devoured must have contained at least a cup of nuts in it alone! micanopychamber.com, floridaorangeshop.com, mosswoodfarmstore.com
Tags: Central Florida | Cross Creek | food | Gainesville | ice cream | McIntosh | Micanopy | road trip
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Vicky - Having lived in
Vicky - Having lived in Gainesville for many years, I totally agree with your enthusiastic comments about McIntosh, Micanopy and Cross Creek. It is an area of Florida where time seems to move slower, the past is ever present, people are warm and friendly, and nostalgia overwhelming. I love the antique stores, book stores, quaint mom & pop shops and restaurants. And there are a few wonderful little B&Bs that make it a perfect weekend get away.
I visited Micanopy and
I visited Micanopy and McIntosh with my photo club in The Villages, Florida and we found many opportunites to take beautiful photographs of 'old florida', but we missed the ice cream shop. We'll have to take another trip!