Step back in time and get a taste of Old Florida in Live Oak. The city was once one of the largest in the Sunshine State and is filled with beautiful, heritage-listed buildings. Stroll around the lively downtown district and admire century-old oak trees draped in Spanish moss. Satisfy your appetite for adventure at nearby state parks and natural springs.
Things to do in Live Oak
Downtown Live Oak is packed with specialty shops and farm-to-table restaurants. Admire historic buildings like the courthouse built in the early 1900s and get up to speed on the city’s railroad heritage at the Suwannee County Historical Museum.
Relax on sprawling green lawns and explore secret trails in Heritage Park and Gardens. The park is anchored by a handsome Georgian Revival mansion and features shady picnic tables and pavilions. Toss fish food into the koi pond and call ahead to arrange a guided tour of Crapps Mansion. Special events like Civil War Reenactments and Christmas markets keep the park lively year-round.
Rent a bike and explore the Suwannee River Greenway. The Suwannee Century bicycle route is another great trail and takes you to destinations like Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park. Stop to swim in the crystalline springs and walk beneath stands of towering pines and maples.
Explore a wonderland of lush tropical pine and palmetto forests in Suwannee River State Park. Trails take you to historic sites like an abandoned 19th-century steamship and a pair of ghost towns. Rent a canoe and explore the waterways and keep an eye out for herons, woodpeckers and red-tailed hawks.
Getting around Live Oak
Downtown Live Oak is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. Live Oak is in Suwannee County, a one-hour drive from Gainesville and 1.5 hours from Tallahassee. Jacksonville International Airport is a 1.5-hour drive away.