Lake City is the county seat of Columbia County, widely known as the "Gateway to Florida" due to its location at the major intersection of Interstate 75 and Interstate 10.  Lake City offers easy access to beautiful parks, lakes, and crystal-clear freshwater springs, earning it the nickname “Florida’s Springlands.”

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The town’s proximity to some of the state’s most sought-after dive spots, nature preserves, and state parks means Lake City is the perfect place to stage North Florida outdoor adventures on land and water. Cave divers from across the world seek out the approximately 33,000 feet of surveyed underwater passages at Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park. Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, which hosts programs and events throughout the year that include the longstanding Florida Folk Festival and Antique Tractor and Engine Show, is a popular park for paddling the famed Suwannee River, as well as hiking, camping, and biking. Ichetucknee Springs State Park in Fort White, just 16 miles south of Lake City, is where families can tube and paddle the clear waters of the serene Ichetucknee River and splash in some of Florida’s favorite springs.

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In-town adventures center on Lake City’s quaint downtown of boutique stores, restaurants, local attractions, and the Lake Isabella Historic Residential District, which showcases the community’s past with homes from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Growers and Makers Market on the second and fourth Saturday of the month brings local artisans and food vendors downtown to sell their goods, and Food Truck Wednesday brings a different food truck each week to Olustee Park near the downtown courtyard.

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The Lake City area’s wide variety of accommodations range from chain hotels to state park cabins and campsites to vacation rentals. The 14 chic rooms of The Blanche offer visitors the opportunity to stay downtown at a stunning local landmark recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Grocery Stores, Shopping, and Restaurants:

• Grocery Stores: Publix, Winn Dixie, Walmart Supercenter, and Aldi

• Shopping: Home Depot, Lowe's, Tractor Supply, Lake City Mall, Walmart Supercenter, Hobby Lobby, & many more. 

• Restaurants: Texas Roadhouse, Sonny's BBQ, Olive Garden, Cracker Barrel, Long Horn Steakhouse, & many more.

• Fast/Casual: Chik-fil-A, Culvers, Chipolte, Panera Bread, Wendys, Moes, Chicken Salad Chick, Burger King, & many more.

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Hospitals:

• HCA Florida Lake City Hospital  Located in Lake City

• Lake City VA Medical Center  Located in Lake City

• HCA North Florida Hospital  1 Hour South of Lake City in Gainesville

• UF Shands Hospital  1 Hour South of Lake City in Gainesville

• HCA Florida Gainesville Hospital  1 Hour South of Lake City in Gainesville

• Gainesville VA Medical Center 1 Hour South of Lake City in Gainesville

 

College and Universities:

• Florida Gateway College

• Santa Fe College  1 Hour South of Lake City in Gainesville

• University of Florida  1 Hour South of Lake City in Gainesville

 

Nearest Major Cities:

• Gainesville, Florida  1 Hour South of Lake City

• Jacksonville, Florida  1 Hour East of Lake City

• Tallahassee, Florida  2 Hours West of Lake City

• Tampa, Florida  2.5 Hours South of Lake City

• Atlanta, Georgia  4 Hours North of Lake City

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Nearest Airports:

• Gainesville Regional Airport 50 Miles South of Lake City

• Jacksonville International Airport  60 Miles East of Lake City

• Valdosta Regional Airport  65 Miles North of Lake City

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Outdoor Adventures:

• Ichetucknee Springs State Park

• Watertown Lake

• Lake Isabella

• Big Shoals State Park

• Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

• Oleno State Park

• River Rise Reserve State Park

• Olustee Battlefied Historic State Park

• Osceola National Forest

• Rum Island Springs County Park

• Suwannee River Wilderness Trail

• Florida National Scenic Trail  Hiking

 

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