Micanopy is a really nice LITTLE town north of Ocala. Either take I-75 north and get off at exit 374, or take 441 north all the way thru Ocala on the way to Gainsville. And as long as you are almost in Gainsville, you might stop at the Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park. It is a very large sinkhole with stairs leading to the bottom. It is on the north side of Gainsville, near NW 53rd Ave and NW 43rd Street.
Another interesting place to go "off the campus bubble" is the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, especially in the colder winter time where you can easily view manatees. It is west of The Villages near the gulf. Essentially, you take route 44 and head west until your tires get wet. And as long as you are on that side of the state, try visiting the town of Crystal River. It is right on the Crystal River bay and has some GREAT restaurants and really nice views of the water.
All of these are about an hour drive away.
|