Rustic River Retreat Guidebook
Parks & Nature
This first magnitude springs, river boat tours, swimming area and diving platform, along with beautiful grounds and hiking trails offers a unique and beautiful experience. The lodge itself inspires and provides an excellent dining experience as well.
65 locals recommend
Wakulla Springs
This first magnitude springs, river boat tours, swimming area and diving platform, along with beautiful grounds and hiking trails offers a unique and beautiful experience. The lodge itself inspires and provides an excellent dining experience as well.
This is the second oldest lighthouse in Florida with scenic views of the bay and gulf as well as a wide variety of wildlife, being located in a National Wildlife Refuge.
45 locals recommend
St. Mark's Lighthouse
This is the second oldest lighthouse in Florida with scenic views of the bay and gulf as well as a wide variety of wildlife, being located in a National Wildlife Refuge.
The Florida Trail along the Aucilla River and Aucilla Sinks inspires wonder at the wild and natural beauty of the area.
Aucilla Sinks trailhead
Goose Pasture RoadThe Florida Trail along the Aucilla River and Aucilla Sinks inspires wonder at the wild and natural beauty of the area.
Besides the historical landmark, this part offers an excellent view of the Upper St Marks River disappearing underground into a series of sinkholes until reappearing as a first magnitude spring for the Lower St Marks River.
8 locals recommend
Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park
7502 Natural Bridge RdBesides the historical landmark, this part offers an excellent view of the Upper St Marks River disappearing underground into a series of sinkholes until reappearing as a first magnitude spring for the Lower St Marks River.
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
3540 Thomasville RdWow, this place is beautiful!
A great hiking loop to see the variety of sinkholes in the area, some deep and dark, some crystal clear.
16 locals recommend
Leon Sinks Geological Area
6605 Wildflower RdA great hiking loop to see the variety of sinkholes in the area, some deep and dark, some crystal clear.
Biking trail that goes all the way down to the town of St Marks if you're adventurous! And you can rent bike right at the north trailhead.
Tallahassee-St Marks Historic Railroad State Trail - North Trailhead
5057 Woodville HwyBiking trail that goes all the way down to the town of St Marks if you're adventurous! And you can rent bike right at the north trailhead.
A great swimming hole, if you can find it, and some hiking trails to boot.
Riversink Tract, Bob Rose Trail, Wakulla Springs Park
A great swimming hole, if you can find it, and some hiking trails to boot.
This National Historic site at the confluence of the Wakulla and St Marks rivers gives a glimpse of Spanish settlement history reaching back to the 17th century.
6 locals recommend
San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park
148 Old Fort RdThis National Historic site at the confluence of the Wakulla and St Marks rivers gives a glimpse of Spanish settlement history reaching back to the 17th century.
Food Scene
The seafood dive bar with dollar bills covering the wall cooks up some good food, and even has occasional bands and karoke. Make sure to try the mullet dip and maybe the fried oreo's too!
13 locals recommend
Ouzts' Too Oyster Bar and Grill
7968 Coastal HwyThe seafood dive bar with dollar bills covering the wall cooks up some good food, and even has occasional bands and karoke. Make sure to try the mullet dip and maybe the fried oreo's too!
This hidden gem may be the best seafood restaurant in the area and a great dining experience. And if you had a good day fishing yourself, you can bring in your catch and ask them to prepare it for you!
Spring Creek Restaurant
This hidden gem may be the best seafood restaurant in the area and a great dining experience. And if you had a good day fishing yourself, you can bring in your catch and ask them to prepare it for you!
The incredible food and upscale but relaxed dining experience make this the place to come for a great evening.
81 locals recommend
Kool Beanz Cafe
921 Thomasville RdThe incredible food and upscale but relaxed dining experience make this the place to come for a great evening.
Breakfast, lunch, or dinner, game day or any day is a great day to visit this local favorite.
Jim & Milt's Bar-B-Q
1923 W Pensacola StBreakfast, lunch, or dinner, game day or any day is a great day to visit this local favorite.
The Bada Bean
2500 Apalachee PkwyExcellent brunch!
Great relaxed dining with surfboards hanging from the ceiling! Order from the "staff favorites" and you won't regret it!
16 locals recommend
Cabos Island Bar
1221 Apalachee PkwyGreat relaxed dining with surfboards hanging from the ceiling! Order from the "staff favorites" and you won't regret it!
Lucky Goat Coffee
668 Capital Cir NEThe closest pizza to the River house. And their take and bake option lets you enjoy it right out of the oven at the house.
Panhandle Pizza
8875 Woodville HighwayThe closest pizza to the River house. And their take and bake option lets you enjoy it right out of the oven at the house.
Riverside Cafe
69 Riverside DrThis fun restaurant has an old diner feel complete with ice cream and a model train running along near the ceiling!
Myra Jean's Cake
2669 Crawfordville HwyThis fun restaurant has an old diner feel complete with ice cream and a model train running along near the ceiling!
Sightseeing
There are a dozen springs along the first mile of this pure and clear water river, including right by the beach, swimming, area and boat ramp. Additionally, you can rent a canoe or kayak at the parking area and head down to the rope swing at Big Blue!
Wacissa Springs Public Boat Ramp
433 Wacissa Springs RdThere are a dozen springs along the first mile of this pure and clear water river, including right by the beach, swimming, area and boat ramp. Additionally, you can rent a canoe or kayak at the parking area and head down to the rope swing at Big Blue!
Along with Alligator Point, Bald Point, Mashes Sands, and Wakulla Beach, Shell Point provides easy access to a sandy beach spot to relax, play, splash and look out to the Gulf. While not to be confused with wide sandy beaches of Destin and the Emerald Coast, these spots are still a great way to enjoy a bit of the beach life.
17 locals recommend
Shell Point Beach
117 Beaty Taff DrAlong with Alligator Point, Bald Point, Mashes Sands, and Wakulla Beach, Shell Point provides easy access to a sandy beach spot to relax, play, splash and look out to the Gulf. While not to be confused with wide sandy beaches of Destin and the Emerald Coast, these spots are still a great way to enjoy a bit of the beach life.
Entertainment & Activities
Doak Campbell Stadium
403 Stadium DrGo 'Noles!
This is a great place to take kids for a hands on experience of the diverse aquatic life in the gulf. Not a major aquarium but a local marine lab with smaller tanks, etc. Our kids have loved it!
42 locals recommend
Gulf Specimen Marine Lab & Aquarium
222 Clark DrThis is a great place to take kids for a hands on experience of the diverse aquatic life in the gulf. Not a major aquarium but a local marine lab with smaller tanks, etc. Our kids have loved it!
Along with Tree to Tree adventures, the Tallahassee Museum is an excellent stop for families or anyone. From examples of early settlement life and cabins to exhibits of local wildlife, it has something for most everyone.
118 locals recommend
Tallahassee Museum
3945 Museum RdAlong with Tree to Tree adventures, the Tallahassee Museum is an excellent stop for families or anyone. From examples of early settlement life and cabins to exhibits of local wildlife, it has something for most everyone.
Essentials
This local grocery store has most everything you need and at decent prices.
Food Giant - Woodville, Fl.
9019 Woodville HwyThis local grocery store has most everything you need and at decent prices.
An easy place to stop on the way in or the way out to gas up or grab an item or two.
Pan Food Stores#1
8147 Apalachee PkwyAn easy place to stop on the way in or the way out to gas up or grab an item or two.
Drinks & Nightlife
Proof Brewing Company
1320 S Monroe StEverything Else
The Wilderness Way
6527 Coastal HighwayRent a kayak or reserve a tour!
Paddle up the Wakulla River in a canoe or kayak from TNT Hideaway.
23 locals recommend
TNT Hideaway Inc
6527 Coastal HwyPaddle up the Wakulla River in a canoe or kayak from TNT Hideaway.
Shields can get you started out on the water. There is a boat ramp and boat rentals, whether you want to come up river to the springs or go on out into gulf!
Shields Marina Inc
Shields can get you started out on the water. There is a boat ramp and boat rentals, whether you want to come up river to the springs or go on out into gulf!