Thanks to Payton Velez for this guest post!Palatka is a small town located in central Florida that offers a multitude of activities that many visitors, and even residents, don’t know about. I have been living here for all my life and have experienced some of these activities listed below on multiple occasions. These activities are perfect for any family that is looking for a fun experience in this small town of Palatka. Although some of these activities are offered just about anywhere, they each have their own uniqueness that sets them apart from the rest.The MUST DO’s that I will be talking about include Putnam Lanes, Palatka Golf Club, Skydive Palatka, and [...]

Thanks to Angie Hogan for this guest post! Cruising along the street, listening to the sweet tunes of nature. Crossing the memorial bridge and seeing the sign of Palatka, welcoming all to the city of historical beauty and nature. Upon arriving, finding food in this nostalgic city was a top priority, and the options were limitless. The only issue was deciding on what to eat between me and my best friend. On one hand, he saw seafood and craved it dearly, while on the other, I wanted something more American. We ended up stopping in Pizza Boyz, where the pizza was fresh and made so you cannot refuse. It was as [...]

Thanks to Miya B for this guest post!Florida School of the Arts, better known as FloArts, is offered at St John’s River State College on the Palatka campus and gives students the opportunity to develop artistically. Consisting of Performing Arts, Production Design, and Visual Arts, FloArts has many different options for students to choose from. The school enables each student to further develop their knowledge, and skills of their chosen art. Established in 1974 by the Florida State Board of Education, FloArts has successfully prepared students for careers in visual and performing arts. A variety of talented students represent this school, and they offer [...]

Skydive Palatka has been around for decades with the most current owner purchasing it back in 2005. Art Shaffer has owned the business since 2005 and it is more than just a business to him, it is also his passion. Skydive Palatka has been a great training center that offers extensive training to newcomers or a place to learn new skills and become a more comfortable and experienced skydiver. Skydiving is seen as a sport to many people and is often done for the adrenaline rush or for competition. Skydiving is not for the faint of heart however and has very strict requirements for [...]

Some people believe that outdoor picnics are a thing of the past, but this list is going to present some of the best spots in Palatka to have one. Outdoor picnics over the years have become less common due to the abundance of dine in restaurants or other takeaways from the old tradition. This old tradition, however, is one that should not be forgotten as it presents an experience like no other. Outdoor picnics allow us to experience the outdoors and bask in the face of nature and the wonderful clean air it provides. The pureness of being outside while eating is incomparable to anything else. Outdoor picnics can foster family rituals [...]

Thanks to Angie Hogan for providing this Guest Blog Post! Not only is Palatka the heart and center for St. Johns River State College, it is also home to many other beautiful, historic, and aquatic places. When visiting Palatka, remember to bring your walking shoes because there is a lot to see. You can start at the St Johns River Center, located in downtown Palatka and scroll along Riverfront Park for more great views, or you can go for a mid- to easy hike at the Ravines State Park. There is a map to help guide you along your way, so you will not get lost and it is an activity [...]

Palatka is a beautiful city with some of the best bass fishing in the United States. However, the bass are not as visible as the artistic creations spread across the city’s architecture. The murals are large set pieces that are not just painted on the buildings throughout, but they also paint a picture of the town’s history. Over thirty murals spread through the city, making it hard to miss these massive works of art. The murals cover an array of topics, such as the history of the waterfront town. Palatka being a waterfront town, was essential to the establishment of the city, which is depicted in several murals showing how important riverboats [...]

Summer is here and with children being out of school they will have more free time and much more energy. Did you know that Palatka has many great locations to consider for family fun? One great location to consider for fun for all ages is the St. John’s River Center. Located just South of Downtown Palatka the St John’s River Center is a one stop destination for education and regional history. Everyone in the family will find something they enjoy here, and it will be a memorable trip for all. The center has hands-on activities to keep little minds intrigued, and will probably even teach parents a thing or two about [...]

Thanks to one of our Visit Palatka interns for his recap of the Blue Crab Festival! The city of Palatka was thriving the weekend of the Blue Crab Festival! There was a near palpable energy in the air. As I walked into the festival I was surrounded by countless vendors, the smell of seafood boil, and the echo of a reggae band in the background. The carnival offered rides and amusement for most ages. The food is what drew me in instantly, nothing beats a good seafood boil! My son loved the FREE bounce and waterslide. The vendors offered a lot of local shopping opportunities as well, the honey I got [...]