Looking for the best and fun things to do in Lake City, FL?
Lake City is the city and county seat of Columbia County, Florida, the United States, which is the principal city of Lake City.
In 1821, the friendly and exciting city started as Alligator 1821, close to the Seminole settlement, also known as the Alligator Village. Alligator became the seat of Columbia County in 1832 during its establishment from Alachua and Duval counties.
Lake City is popularly known as “The Gateway to Florida” because it is adjacent to Interstate 75 and 10. Established in 1858, the Alligator changed its name to Lake City; the biggest American Civil War battle in Florida in 1864 happened near the city in the Battle of Olustee.
Here are the top things to do in Lake City, Florida.
Things to Do in Lake City
1. Halpatter Brewing Company
The Halpatter Brewing Company is Lake City-Columbia County’s original craft brewery. It got its name from the Halpatter Tustenuggee, which is best known previous Seminole Indian resident from the village of Alligator but now called the Lake City.
The Halpatter Brewing Company brews varieties of specialty craft brews situated in the heart of downtown Lake City. The beautiful environment and the craftsmanship of the brewery are captivating.
You can also enjoy a glass of wine from the San Sebastián Winery, from St. Augustine, Florida. You can also explore the view of the outdoor second-floor deck, sit by the fire in the beer garden, relax in the modern indoor bar setting, or watch your enjoyable game at the bar outside.
You’re welcome to host your birthday parties, meetings, and other special events in The Halpatter Brewing Company as there are spaces for you. The staff is friendly and lovely, and you’re sure to enjoy your visit to the brewery.
Address: 264 NE Hernando Ave, Lake City, FL 32055-4012
2. Webb’s Antique Mall
The Webb’s Antique Mall is Florida’s Premier Antique Mall, which opens every Monday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Webb’s Antique Mall is home to 400 booths in a 60,000 sq. feet air-conditioned building.
There are large parking spaces in the Webb’s Antique Mall; the mall also offers free entry and parking. The Webb’s Antique Mall is an incredible place to visit as it is filled with loads of treasures of collectibles and antiques.
Situated in north Florida, off of 1-75 at exit 414, the mall is easily accessible from other counties or cities, including Gainesville, Tallahassee, Ocala, Orlando, and others. New stocks are added every day as vendors fill the spaces.
In Webb’s Antique Mall, you will find antique furniture, coins, records, jewelry, and other unique items you will discover. The prices of the antiques and collectibles are affordable, and you’re sure to love this place.
Address: 245 SW Webbs Gln, Lake City, FL 32024-0235
3. Lake City Columbia County Historical Museum
Lake City Columbia County Historical Museum
Lake City Columbia County Historical Museum consists of exhibits related to the history of Northern Florida County and the surrounding area. In addition to the several artifacts, the historical museum also provides guided tours (done by appointment only).
You will also discover other exhibits and public services like historical re-enactment and genealogical research. Every room of the historical museum features a different era of history, permitting you to browse the extensive collection of relics and valuable heirlooms. Being Columbia County’s official museum, the historical house collects and preserves the history of North Florida for more generations to come.
The museum holds a yearly event called the Battle of Olustee Festival downtown; other events are held in the Lake City-Columbia County Museum. The events are linked to civil war history, such as caring for injured civil war soldiers or performing plays related to the civil war.
Explore the Lake City-Columbia County Museum to discover unique histories and festivals in the Lake City Museum. A visit to this wonderful museum is one of the best fun things to do in Lake City, FL, for history enthusiasts.
Address: 157 SE Hernando Ave, Lake City, FL 32025-4428
4. The Lake City Mall
The Lake City Mall
The vendors in Lake City Mall offer a wide variety of items from jewelry to apparel, shoes to accessories, and more. You’re sure to enjoy your visit, and you will also receive seasonal style ideas, gift guides, fashion tips, and many more exclusively for you in the mall.
The staff in the mall is friendly and nice. The Lake City Mall is the only enclosed mall during its primary trade area; it served as the prime shopping destination for Columbia, Suwannee, Baker, Union, and Hamilton Counties.
You will have stores like Hibbett Sporting Goods, rue21, Shoe Dept., Bath & Body Works, Old Times Country Buffet and Guangdong Chinese Buffet, Payless Shoes, Maurices, Michael’s, Kay Jewelers, plus many other stores. JCPenney, Belk, and TJ Maxx are the anchor stores in the mall.
Address: 2469 W United States Highway 90, Lake City, FL 32055-4738
5. Lake DeSoto Farmers Market
The Lake DeSoto Farmers Market opens every Saturday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm in downtown Lake City. The Lake DeSoto Farmers Market is known as a ‘make it, bake it, or grow it’s market which features talented artists, local growers, and food vendors.
At the Lake DeSoto Farmers Market, you will find fresh, locally grown plants, produce, herbs, and other farm products, plus local artists and food vendors. Periodically in Lake DeSoto Farmers Market, special events are hosted every week through July 2nd, including live music and other exciting activities in the market.
The Lake DeSoto Farmers Market offers fruits, vegetables, locally-crafted jewelry, syrups, decor, sauces, vegetables, flowers, fashion accessories, homemade items, cheese, free-range eggs, goat milk, honey, fruit trees like grapevines, native plants, and many others.
The market features a beautiful and welcoming environment that gives its visitors room to browse the market, meet new people and vendors, and carefully select lovely items they need in the market.
Address: 778 NE Lake Desoto Cir, Lake City, FL 32055-4064
6. Painting with a Twist
If you’re on holiday with your friends and family in Lake City, California, be sure to visit Painting with a Twist, as it offers a fun experience while painting, and you will also discover excellent techniques of art.
Painting with a Twist is a beautiful destination to explore with your friends or family to have fun, meet new people, relax or let your hair be yourself, and discover your inner artist.
You can come with your favorite bottle of beverage or wine as you paint and your teacher to create your work of art which you will also love to take home at the end of the day’s work. Whether you have artistic skills or are not creative, visit the area to have fun with your guide learning painting.
Painting with a Twist helps allow you to connect with friends over a glass of wine, the night of laughs, or your favorite snacks. The studio organizes classes alongside friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful instructors.
Address: 1009 SW Main Blvd Suite 135, Lake City, FL 32025-5781
7. Alligator Lake Recreation Area
Alligator Lake Recreation Area
If you’re on a trip to Lake City, do well to visit the trails in Alligator Lake Recreation Area for a stroll with your loved ones as you explore the area. You can also go jogging, bike, run, or relax in the picnic area with your friends as you enjoy the fresh air and the beauty of the area.
You will also love to visit the area with your kids as they play in the playground or enjoy the picnic area with you. You will enjoy launching a canoe or kayak into the wetlands around the extensive network of hiking trails.
The playground behind the well-maintained Alligator Lake Recreation Area restrooms offers short walks through the forest along the park’s east side. The longest loop is the Montgomery Trail, which starts down at the canoe launch encircling the impoundments along the lake.
8. UA Cinema 90 6
If you are looking for fun things to do in Lake City, FL with the family, add a visit to UA Cinema 90 6 to your checklist.
The UA Cinema opened its doors to the public as a twin in 1977, which later became the Cinema 90 6 in 1990, featuring seatings listed at 1,490. The Cinema 90 6 is for HWY, where the theater is situated, and the six is for the number of screens.
In 2002, United Artists managed the theater, and it also fell under the Regal banner. Do well to visit Cinema 90 6 with your family and friends, and buy movie tickets or showtimes to enjoy yourselves.
Visiting Cinema 90 6 is a fantastic way of spending a good time with your friends and family, and you’re sure to enjoy your visit and have an exciting experience. The staff in the Cinema are friendly and nice.
Address: 2830 W U.S Highway 90, Lake City, FL 32055-4756
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9. Gateway Art Gallery
In Gateway Art Gallery, local artists display their sculptures, paintings, mixed media, jewelry, photography, and other unique handcrafted artworks. The large gallery consists of three dozen ‘hanging’ artists plus a gift shop.
The artworks in the Gateway Art Gallery are affordable and kept at a reasonable price. Gateway Art Gallery also offers fine arts workshops six times a month. The gallery also offers classes as their hanging artists are willing to share their knowledge in the form of hands-on courses.
The sizes of the classes in Gateway Art Gallery are kept small so that the artists can offer lots of assistance to each participant. Explore the gallery to discover beautiful and unique items to take home.
You will use art techniques like Woodcarving, Turkish Marbling, Portrait Drawing, Acrylics, Basic, Jewelry-making, Watercolor, Basic Pastels, Alcohol Ink, Mixed Media, Photography,
Woodcarving, etc. The gallery work towards giving young people a positive learning experience.
Address: 168 N. Marion Street Across from the County Court House in historic downtown, Lake City, FL 32055-3915
10. Southern Oaks Golf Club
The Southern Oaks Golf Club is a true country’s club at Lake City and an excellent par 72, 18-hole golf course.
Designed by Willard Byrd, the Southern Oaks Golf Club is Lakes City’s premier golf course that offers players of every caliber an exciting day on the links. The Golf Club has held the 1990 and 1991 Hogan Tour, featuring well-manicured greens and a natural setting.
The Southern Oaks Golf Club is the perfect destination to place golf with your friends or family as you’re sure to have an enjoyable experience in the area. The staff is friendly, and the courses are always in good condition.
If you are interested in golf, add a visit to Southern Oaks Golf Club to your list of things to do in Lake City, FL.
Address: 717 NW Fairway Dr, Lake City, FL 32055-8695
11. Lake City Bowl
In search of a place to have a good time in Lake City, California? The Lake City open Bowling is an excellent spot to explore. A visit to Lake City Bowl is one of the most fun things to do in Lake City, FL with the family.
Whether you are a visitor to Lake City or a long-time resident, Lake City Bowl gives you the room to connect with your fun-loving self. You can also sign-up to join Lake City Bowl’s many leagues if you are in search of a fun and exciting team sport.
Lake City Bowl offers terrific and exciting packages to its guests to ensure they have an enjoyable experience in the environment; they offer things like theme nights, concessions, show rental, and many others.
Lake City Bowl strives towards providing moderately priced entertainment for your friends or family to enjoy. Lake City Bowl opens every Sunday through Friday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm and on Saturday from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Visit the Lake City Bowl with your friends and family as you’re sure to enjoy a fantastic time in their environment.
Address: 347 SW State Road 247, Lake City, FL 32025-1510
12. Longbranch Saloon
The Longbranch Saloon is a family-owned business operated since 1998. The Longbranch Saloon serves its customers a wide range of great wine, cocktails, beer, specialty drinks in a relaxing and enjoyable environment.
The Longbranch Saloon makes everyone who comes to explore the place feel welcomed and at home. During vacations, The Longbranch Saloon provides customers with a hearty holiday meal that they can enjoy.
The bartenders at Longbranch Saloon are helpful and friendly, and they also have a nice chat with their guests; the bar loves to meet new people and establish long-term friendships.
Do add a visit to Longbranch Saloon to your list of things to do in Lake City, FL, for some relaxation time.
Address: 712 S Marion Ave, Lake City, FL 32025-5810
13. Quail Heights Country Club
Quail Heights Country Club is an 18-hole championship layout featuring a challenging mixture of water, sand traps, and rolling hills; this provides golfers with various challenges while rewarding smart play.
The 18-hole Quail Heights Country Club rests in the “Gateway to Florida,” which offers its guests an enjoyable experience in the area. The golf course comprises five sets of tees to accommodate and entertain players of all abilities and ages.
The golf course in Quail Heights Country Club is open to everyone, both members and other people. Quail Heights Country Club is an excellent spot to visit after work or on the weekend.
The staff in the club are friendly, and there are lots of amenities that will help you relax and enjoy the good life, including the Southern hospitality and facilities. The golf course is well-maintained, same with the greens and fairways, to ensure you enjoy golfing.
For some golf time, add a visit to Quail Heights Country Club to your checklist of things to do in Lake City, FL.
Address: 161 SW Quail Heights Ter, Lake City, FL 32025-1427
14. Odell’s
Odell’s is a beautiful and unique local beer and wine pub where the bartenders are friendly and nice, warmly smiling to everyone in the bar.
Odell’s is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a perfect place to spend a good time with your friends. Odell’s is an excellent place to watch sports, dance, and play games. The bar also offers karaoke, live music, and bar games.
Maybe you don’t want to sit inside the bar; you can also sit outside and enjoy the view of the area while drinking. Odell’s offers an incredible selection of beer and other happy-hour drinks. You’re sure to enjoy your visit with your friends in the bar.
Address: 1421 SE Baya Dr, Lake City, FL 32025-5400
15. TnT Mini Golf & Games
TnT Mini Golf and Games provides fun for families, friends, and groups. Visit the TNT Mini Golf and Games to play their mini-golf, bank-shot style basketball, plus other games like foosball, air hockey, putt-putt, and video games.
If you’re on a trip with your friends or family and you need a place to explore and play games as a family, friends, or in groups, it will be fantastic if you visit the TNT Mini Golf and Games, as there are lots of fun things to do here.
Do add a visit to TnT Mini Golf & Games to your list of things to do in Lake City, FL, for some fun time.
Address: 5111 SW State Road 47, Lake City, FL 32024-4885
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16. Good Times at the County Line
Great Times at the County Line features a massive spacious indoor and outdoor ping-pong table, unique drinks, and many other exciting and engaging activities that take place there.
The Great Times at the County Line also offers karaoke during the week for their visitors. You’re also sure to enjoy live music, especially during weekends, the food served in Good Times! are nice and tasty.
The staff and bartenders are nice and friendly, and the pool tables are neatly kept. You will also meet new friends or interact with the people there to learn new things about the area. The surroundings are welcoming and relaxing.
Address: 9634 W U.S Highway 90, Lake City, FL 32055-8057
17. Gateway Art Gallery
The Gateway Art Gallery is a community art gallery that features the work of a lot of artists and craft people. The Gateway Art Gallery is a fun place to visit and easy to locate in the heart of downtown Lake City across from the County Courthouse on Marion Street.
The Gateway Art Gallery is dedicated to giving the young people a positive experience in eco themselves and their talent through art. The art gallery organizes art classes and other programs, including their free Youth Art League Classes, which take place every year, and annual and affordable membership.
The students in the gallery are presented with an art lesson every month, and the Gateway Art Gallery provides all the materials. Classes are held throughout the year, the 2nd Saturday of each month every10 am to 12 pm.
You will learn art techniques like Turkish Marbling Portrait Drawing, Mixed Media, Photography, Woodcarving, Acrylics, Basic Jewelry Making, Watercolor, Woodcarving, Turkish Marbling, and many others.
Address: 168 North Marion Street, Lake City, FL 32055-3915
18. Southern Sisters Boutique & Embroidery
Southern Sisters Boutique and Embroidery provides a beautiful selection of apparel, accessories, baby items, gifts, jewelry, decor, bags, drink wares, skills, and many personalized items.
Southern Sisters Boutique and Embroidery is a special place especially for ladies as they will find a fabulous and quality selection of items they will buy and take home. You are sure to find exciting and beautiful gifts in Southern Sisters Boutique and Embroidery.
You will also find wood watches for men and women and lightweight; they are all great gifts for them, and you can add a personal touch with customized engraving.
The Southern Sisters Boutique and Embroidery is one of the best things to do in Lake City, FL, as it is worth your visit.
Address: 124 North Marion Street, Lake City, FL 32055-3913
19. The Mello Store
The Mello Store
The Mello store is a special place for Hemp health as they have cultivated Bs-free CBD products which will keep your body rested, balanced and Mello.
The owner of the Mello store in Boronia; works towards making people realize that CBD dominant products are also essential within the discussion about how people can thoroughly use all the health benefits of the cannabis plants.
People are advised to consider CBD dominant products as a perfect supplement to relieve pain, lift mood, reduce anxiety, and remedy insomnia. The products sold in the Mello Store are personally tested, verified, and used.
You can visit the Mello Store to buy CBD oils, tinctures, and other products.
Address: 618 S Marion Ave Suite 105, Lake City, FL 32025-5841
20. Christ Central Ministries
The Christ Central Ministries is also one of the great and exciting places to visit in Lake City, California, as the leading and founding pastors, namely Lonnie and Pastor Tammie, have a great passion for helping the next generation seek the presence of God.
The couple also sought to help people understand their identity in Christ, alongside building a life on the Word of God, thereby making Christ the center of everything in our lives, friends, and families.
The Christ Central Ministries consists of children’s ministry, as they develop and encourage an intimate relationship between children and Jesus, plus other ministries and programs.
Pastor Lonnie, who has been in the ministry for 31 years, recently serves as the founding and lead Pastor of Christ Central Ministry in Lake City, Florida. Be sure to visit the Christ Central Ministries with your kids, friends, and family to learn about Christ and grow in Him.
Address: 217 SW Dyal Ave, Lake City, FL 32024-4519
21. Falling Creek Falls
Falling Creek Falls
Are you in for an adventure? add a visit to Falling Creek Falls to your checklist of fun things to do in Lake City, FL.
Falling Creek Falls is a 204-acre with a 10-foot (3 m) waterfall. The Falling Creek Falls is jointly run by Columbia County, Florida, and the Suwannee River Water Management District.
Falling Creek Falls is situated north of Lake City, Florida, and has boardwalk access to the waterfall beginning at a parking lot on the East-side of county road 131 north of the 441/I-10 interchange.
Falling Creek Falls was the first settlement site in this area, and this short, accessible boardwalk trail offers easy access to the picturesque view. A new loop trail extends your walk in the woods past rapids in the creek.
The Falling Creek Falls is one of the District’s gems. The creek roars over a 10-foot waterfall during normal water levels and flows under Falling Creek Road through a deep ravine before going underground. You will enjoy hiking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and walking on the trails with a picturesque view of waterfalls and other attractions in the recreational area.
Address: 953 NW Falling Creek Rd, Lake City, FL 32055-5374
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Plan your trip to Lake City
Lake City is a fantastic destination for that family or friends vacation you’ve been planning for quite some time, as it features everything for everyone, plus beautiful places to visit in Lake City.
Lake City, in California, features recreational parks, antiques, bars, golf courses, outdoor and indoor games, malls and stores, jewelry, accessories, delicious food, farmers market, good honey, great drinks, studios, artworks, and art gallery, and many more.
So why don’t you start now to plan your fun holiday to the fun-filled city as you’re sure to enjoy a wonderful and memorable trip?