Gretna FloridaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Gretna, Florida.
1. Creek Entertainment Gretna
GAMING AND HORSE RACING
Creek Entertainment Gretna offers visitors a chance to enjoy poker, horse racing, and simulcast dog racing in a lively atmosphere. The facility provides multiple entertainment options for adults looking for gaming excitement in a rural Florida setting. Visitors can experience the thrill of placing bets while enjoying food and beverages in this popular local attraction.
2. Painting with a Twist
CREATIVE ART EXPERIENCES
Painting with a Twist provides fun art lessons and workshops where visitors can create their own masterpieces while enjoying a relaxed social environment. The studio offers guided painting sessions where even beginners can produce impressive artwork with step-by-step instruction from talented artists. This unique attraction combines creativity with entertainment, making it perfect for date nights, girls' nights out, or family bonding experiences.
3. Torreya State Park
RARE NATURAL LANDSCAPES
Torreya State Park showcases stunning natural landscapes with hiking trails, rare plant species, and spectacular views of the Apalachicola River. The park is home to the endangered Torreya tree, found almost nowhere else in the world, and features historic sites including a fully furnished plantation house from the 1840s. Visitors can explore high bluffs, deep ravines, and diverse ecosystems while enjoying camping, picnicking, and wildlife viewing opportunities within driving distance of Gretna.
4. Golf Club of Quincy
SCENIC GOLF EXPERIENCE
The Golf Club of Quincy offers a well-maintained course with scenic fairways and challenging holes for golfers of all skill levels. This attractive golf destination features beautiful landscapes, water features, and strategically placed bunkers that create an engaging experience for players. Visitors can enjoy the clubhouse amenities and friendly atmosphere after completing their round on this popular local course.
5. St. Paul's Episcopal Church
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE
St. Paul's Episcopal Church stands as a beautiful example of historic religious architecture in the region with its impressive design and peaceful grounds. The church features stunning stained glass windows, traditional woodwork, and a serene atmosphere that attracts visitors interested in both history and spirituality. Visitors appreciate the welcoming community and the opportunity to explore this well-preserved piece of local heritage.
6. Seminole State Park
LAKESIDE OUTDOOR RECREATION
Seminole State Park offers beautiful lakeside recreation on the shores of Lake Seminole, a 37,500-acre reservoir with excellent fishing, boating, and water sports opportunities. The park features scenic camping areas, hiking trails through pine forests, and abundant wildlife viewing that attracts nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. Visitors can enjoy the beach area, rent boats, or simply relax while taking in the natural beauty of this expansive park near the Florida-Georgia border.
7. Three Rivers State Park
PRISTINE WATERFRONT WILDERNESS
Three Rivers State Park sits at the confluence of the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers where they form Lake Seminole, offering visitors a peaceful retreat in a pristine natural setting. The park provides excellent fishing opportunities, with bass, bream, catfish, and crappie being common catches for anglers who visit this picturesque location. Hikers can explore the pine forests along well-maintained trails while campers enjoy the quiet, waterfront campsites with beautiful views of the surrounding wilderness.
8. Mount Zion Church
COMMUNITY RELIGIOUS CENTER
Mount Zion Church serves as an important community gathering place and religious center in Gretna, offering regular services and spiritual guidance to residents. The church hosts various community events, outreach programs, and activities that bring together local families throughout the year. Visitors appreciate the warm welcome and the opportunity to experience the strong community bonds that make this church a cornerstone of Gretna's social fabric.
9. Gadsden County Courthouse
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The Gadsden County Courthouse stands as an impressive historic structure in downtown Quincy, showcasing classical revival architecture from its construction in the early 1900s. The building serves as both a functioning government facility and a significant landmark that reflects the region's rich history and development. Visitors can admire the distinctive exterior design, detailed stonework, and the well-maintained grounds that make this courthouse a point of pride for the county.
10. Lake Talquin State Park
SERENE FISHING PARADISE
Lake Talquin State Park offers visitors access to the beautiful 8,800-acre Lake Talquin, known for its excellent fishing and scenic views surrounded by rolling hills and forests. The park features a fishing pier, boat ramp, and hiking trails that wind through the natural habitats where visitors might spot deer, various bird species, and other wildlife. Nature enthusiasts appreciate the peaceful atmosphere and the opportunity to experience Florida's natural beauty away from crowds and commercial development.
11. Florida State Capitol
GOVERNMENT AND HISTORY
The Florida State Capitol complex includes both the historic Old Capitol and the modern 22-story New Capitol building, offering visitors insight into Florida's government and history. The Old Capitol has been restored to its 1902 appearance and now serves as a museum with exhibits on state history and the legislative process. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Tallahassee from the New Capitol's observation deck on the 22nd floor, making it a popular destination for tourists and school groups.
12. Tallahassee Museum
NATURE AND HISTORY COMBINED
The Tallahassee Museum spans 52 acres of natural habitat where visitors can explore Florida's wildlife, history, and culture through unique outdoor exhibits and trails. The living history area features historic buildings from the region, including an 1880s farmstead, a one-room schoolhouse, and a plantation home that help bring Florida's past to life. Adventure seekers can test their courage on the Tree-to-Tree Adventures zip line and obstacle course that provides thrilling aerial views of the museum grounds.
13. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
ORNAMENTAL GARDENS AND RECREATION
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park showcases a masterpiece of floral architecture with its ornamental gardens featuring camellias, azaleas, and hundreds of other flowering plants in a meticulously designed landscape. Beyond the formal gardens, the park offers a 950-acre natural area with hiking trails, biking paths, and Lake Hall with opportunities for swimming, fishing, and canoeing. Visitors especially enjoy the peak blooming season from January through April when the gardens burst with color, though the park's natural beauty can be appreciated year-round.
14. Jim Woodruff Dam
ENGINEERING AND SCENIC VIEWS
The Jim Woodruff Dam creates Lake Seminole at the confluence of the Flint and Chattahoochee Rivers, offering visitors impressive views of this massive hydroelectric project. The dam's observation area provides information about the structure's history, purpose, and impact on the regional ecosystem and economy. Visitors can watch boats navigate through the lock system while enjoying the scenic overlooks that showcase the power of controlled water management in this engineering marvel.
15. Florida Caverns State Park
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDER
Florida Caverns State Park features the state's only tour cave, where visitors can explore dazzling formations of stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, and flowstones in cool underground chambers. Above ground, the park offers camping, hiking, and picnicking amid a landscape of sinkholes, springs, and hardwood forests that showcase the unique karst topography of the region. The historic visitor center, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, houses informative exhibits on the geological processes that created these remarkable caves over millions of years.