Blake Walsh

20 Best Things to Do in Brooksville, FL

  • Published 2022/12/13

When you think of Florida, you might first think of its sunlit beaches and buzzing nightlife.

Make no mistake, you’ll find those things in the state, but it does have many more activities to offer.

You can head down to Brooksville for its distilleries, golf courses, and museums.

Or, if you’re a nature lover, you can even choose among various outdoor spots for camping and fishing.

For travelers looking to avoid the bustle of the city, Brooksville offers numerous watersport attractions, such as kayaking or canoeing.

On the other hand, landlubbers may prefer going on scenic and rugged biking or hiking trips by visiting places like the Withlacoochee State Forest.

Interested in what Brooksville has to offer? Check out the list below.

Relive a Bygone Age at the May-Stringer House

Outside View of May-Stringer House

Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

History buffs will want to go to Brooksville just to visit the May-Stringer House, a restored Civil War-era building. Built in 1856, the house is now in the National Register of Historic Places.

Thanks to the efforts of the Hernando Historical Museum Association, the May-Stringer House now offers themed rooms for visitors to see the history of the Civil War-era United States.

These rooms include an 1880 Doctor’s Office, a 1900s Communication Room, and a Victorian Bedroom.

Facade of May-Stringer House

Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Likewise, the house contains 11,000 historical artifacts from Hernando County.

If you’re a fiend for horror, the Museum Association also opens “ghost tours” at the May-Stringer House, known as one of the most haunted houses in Florida.

The May-Stringer House is at 601 Museum Court, Brooksville, FL 34601.

Front view of the May-Stringer House

Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Wine and Dine at the NJoy Spirits Distillery

If you love casual afternoons sipping wine with friends, look no further than Brooksville’s own NJoy Spirits Distillery.

You’ll only enjoy your friends’ company better with the award-winning liquor the distillery makes.

Makers of the award-winning Mermaid Rum and Wild Buck Whiskey, NJoy Spirits offers a variety of satisfying liquors that everyone can enjoy.

You can also trust the quality of their products because they cultivate their own ingredients.

For example, NJoy Spirits grows their own sugar cane, which they use to produce Mermaid Rum.

For their 100-proof Wild Buck Whiskey, they also use their own rye.

Visit NJoy Spirits Distillery at 13243 Commercial Way, Brooksville, FL.

Enjoy the Great Outdoors at the Withlacoochee State Forest

River in Withlacoochee State Forest

kim bowman / Shutterstock.com

Now, if your idea of a good vacation is losing yourself in nature, then there’s no better place than the third largest state forest in Florida, the Withlacooche State Forest.

Immerse yourself in the outdoors through hiking, biking, or birding, among others.

Besides, there’s no better endorsement for a forest than the World Wildlife Fund.

Thanks to Withlacoochee’s recreational options, the fund named it one of the “10 Coolest Places You’ve Never Been in North America.”

Nature scene at Withlacoochee State Forest

kim bowman / Shutterstock.com

Why the honor? Aside from miles of trails for biking and hiking, the forest also offers horseback riding, canoeing, seasonal hunting, and fishing options.

You can even go to the Croom Motorcycle Area for hours and hours of fun driving ATVs and motorcycles on its 2,600-acre course.

You can find the Withlacoochee State Forest on US Highway 41, an estimated seven miles north of Brooksville.

Vandal Cave in Withlacoochee State Forest

Julie rubacha / Shutterstock.com

Support Local Businesses at Twelve Oaks Community Farms

Aside from exercise, you can still keep yourself in good shape at Brooksville by buying locally grown produce from Twelve Oaks Community Farms.

Spanning 13.5 acres deep in rural Hernando County, the farm sells every vegetable you can ever think of and you might ever need.

Go there in the fall, and you can buy vegetables like okra, zucchini, green cabbage, and Brussel sprouts.

Depending on the season, you’ll have your pick of assorted produce at the farms.

Want to get an authentic taste of farm life in Brooksville?

Twelve Oaks will be waiting for you.

You can find Twelve Oaks Community Farms at 5344 White Road, Brooksville, FL 34602.

Indulge Your Creativity at the Uptown Art Gallery

Tourists seeking a little more art in their vacations will definitely enjoy visiting the Uptown Art Gallery.

You won’t just see paintings there, but you can also marvel at the fine handcrafted jewelry and digital art hosted at the gallery every year.

If you want to showcase your own art, Uptown is the gallery for you.

The space offers precious opportunities for artists or artist groups, popular or emerging, to display their own art.

Who knows, maybe another tourist will buy your painting?

Drop by the Uptown Art Gallery at 201 Howell Avenue, Brooksville, FL 34601.

Swing Away at the World Woods Golf Club

Signage of World Woods Golf Club

Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Itching for an afternoon’s worth of golf?

Unleash your inner Tiger Woods at Brooksville’s World Woods Golf Club!

Sitting at 2,100 acres of untouched forest and vegetation, the golf club is home to two world-class golf courses. One of these courses is Pine Barrens, a nationally ranked course.

If you’re looking to practice your putts, the World Woods Golf Club also hosts one of the world’s best golf practice facilities.

Not convinced? Take it from the club’s architect himself, Tom Fezio, who said that the World Woods Golf Club is “like having Pine Valley and Augusta, plus the best practice facility in the world—in the same location.”

Bring your clubs over to 17590 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34614.

You can book your tee times at their website.

See Animals and More at Boyett’s Citrus Attraction

Tourists who just want a bite-sized taste of everything Florida has to offer should make it a priority to visit Boyett’s Citrus Attraction.

Don’t let the name fool you. Citrus is not the only thing on offer here.

If you’re just there for citrus, you can watch as the staff washes, waxes, polishes, sorts, and packs fruits using techniques invented over 50 years ago.

But if you want something more, how about seeing various animals like monkeys, wallabies, deer, and even alligators?

What’s Florida without alligators, anyway?

You can even look at a stuffed 300-pound great white shark and a real African tortoise.

Boyett’s also holds gigantic fish tanks, adding up to 13,000 gallons, containing all kinds of sea creatures.

For kids who love dinosaurs, you can take them to Boyett’s own dinosaur cave, where they can see replicas of their favorite extinct lizards.

They can even find something called “The Chomper” there!

Boyett’s Citrus Attraction is located at 4355 Spring Lake Highway, Brooksville, FL 34601.

Fly Through the Trees at the FLG X Adventure Course

Bored of walking along the parks or looking at museums?

Start your blood racing at the FLG X Adventure Course!

At the adventure course, visitors will experience an adrenaline-filled day zooming through the trees thanks to its zipline.

Afraid of heights?

After going through the FLG X Adventure Course, the only thing you’ll fear is fear itself.

If you’re visiting with co-workers, FLG X is the perfect place for team-building exercises.

Learn to trust each other as you overcome the taxing and heart-pumping challenges you’ll face at the course.

Enjoy zip-lining and more at the FLG X Adventure Course, located at 6440 Cedar Ln, Brooksville, FL 34601.

Experience US History at the Chinsegut Hill Historic Site

Exterior of Chinsegut Hill Historic Site

Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Brooksville’s Chinsegut Hill Historic Site might have everything a student of US history might ever desire.

Sitting on top of one of Florida’s highest points, the 114-acre Chinsegut Hill preserve contains centuries of history in every wall and blade of grass.

Interested tourists can live through a cross-section of US history on Chinsegut Hill’s various sections.

History marker of Chinsegut Hill Historic Site

Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Interested in the lives of prehistoric peoples or pioneering settlers?

How about the lives of slaves and soldiers during the Civil War?

Learn all about them at Chinsegut Hill.

Drive up to the Chinsegut Hill Historical Site at 22495 Chinsegut Hill Road, Brooksville, FL 34601.

The grounds of Chinsegut Hill Historic Site

Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bask in the Sunshine at Tom Varn Park

On the other hand, if you would rather just walk around with friends or family, Tom Varn Park will suit your needs, and more.

The Park holds a vast expanse of green space, making it perfect for people who want to relax and spend the afternoon taking photos or strolling.

Tourists who want to stretch their legs a bit can also go for a walk down the park’s paved trails that coil around tall trees and a peaceful pond.

If walking is not for you, then just enroll in the park’s fitness course, or play softball and basketball with friends.

Try racquetball, too.

The Tom Varn Park is located at 301 Darby Ln, Brooksville, FL 34601.

Enjoy a Nightcap at the Sparacia Witherell Family Winery and Vineyard

When you’ve done all you wanted to do in Brooksville, cap off your trip by sampling the delicious wines at the Sparacia Witherell Family Winery and Vineyard.

Enjoy your wine while marveling at the verdant view, for the vineyard sits 275 feet above sea level.

Known for its green farming practices, the vineyard grows native muscadine and hybrid grapes for their wines.

Their sweet wines include the winery’s signature Sicilian Punch blend and other fruit wines, featuring the flavors of blueberry and black currant.

You can find the Sparacia Witherell Family Winery and Vineyard at 21509 Snow Hill Road, Brooksville, FL 34601.

Visit the 1885 Brooksville Train Depot

Outside View of 1885 Brooksville Train Depot

Daniel Wright98 / Shutterstock.com

What better way to settle down after a long day of zip lining than by looking at restored vintage trains?

If you want an overview of the history of American trains, go down to the 1885 Brooksville Train Depot to learn more.

Built in 1885, the Train Depot still stands on its original spot.

The tour will start at the depot office, where passengers of centuries past used to buy train tickets, send packages out or send telegrams.

Daytime view of 1885 Brooksville Train Depot

Daniel Wright98 / Shutterstock.com

Inside the depot, you’ll also find displays featuring important railroad events, as well as artifacts in rail history.

If you go to the dock, you can also have your picture taken next to an original 1925 LaFrance Fire Engine.

The 1885 Brooksville Train Depot can be found at 70 Russell St., Brooksville, FL 34601.

Join the Brooksville Blueberry Festival

If you find yourself in Brooksville in March or April, grab the chance to join the Florida Blueberry Festival!

The Blueberry Festival offers activities such as live music, craft beer, a hospitality corner, and a community showcase.

Plan your trip accordingly to create your beer, get a massage, or taste everything blueberry, from pies to cheesecakes to jams.

Discover Nature at Florida’s Adventure Coast

Aside from the beaches, the Sunshine State offers many more nature activities for casual tourists and rugged adventurers.

For example, you can go to Florida’s Adventure Coast in Brooksville to try watersports, saltwater fishing, or scalloping.

You can even trace the state’s history by following its historical trails, whether on foot or by bike.

And if you find yourself there from July to September, you can go scalloping with family or friends, where you gather these tasty mollusks under the sun and surf.

Florida’s Adventure Coast is located at 205 E. Fort Dade Avenue, Brooksville, FL 34601.

See More Animals at the Chinsegut Wildlife and Environmental Area

Can’t get enough of Florida wildlife? You’re in luck because you can always go to the Chinsegut Wildlife and Environmental Area.

Drop by the preserve, and you’ll see native wildlife like turkeys or deer.

View of Chinsegut Wildlife and Environmental Area

Daniel Wright98 / Shutterstock.com

And if you’re lucky, you might even spot a bobcat!

Of course, the area doesn’t just offer sightseeing options, but they also hold all-year educational programs for families and school trips.

If you want to learn more about nature and be inside it at the same time, go check out the Chinsegut Wildlife and Environmental Area.

You won’t regret it.

Play a Game of Golf and Appreciate the View at Brooksville Country Club

Pay a visit to the semi-private facility in Brooksville, accepting daily-fee play at a reasonable price.

The Bobby Weed-designed back nine at Brooksville Country Club delivers the best golfing in Florida!

While a special set of stunning holes snake through, around, and in between the steep rock walls of an old limestone mine, rolling fairways wind between centuries-old Live Oak trees.

Everything you’ll need to spend a day on the course or a whole golf season is available in the pro shop at Brooksville Country Club.

Tucked away amid the grand oaks, enjoy a meal at the clubhouse dining rooms featuring sweeping views of the golf course.

Drop by the complete-service bar and restaurant for lunch and admire the breathtaking scenery.

Explore the Healthy Items For Sale at Frazier Farms

Take a trip to Frazier Farms, which is available for two seasons each year.

They harvest their spring crop in May and June and their fall crop in October.

The ambiance of their open-air barn, where people make new acquaintances and reunite with old ones, is unquestionably delightful anytime you visit.

The farm is a site you’ll want to revisit time and time due to the sounds of tractors operating in the fields and the aromas of fresh vegetables.

In addition to delicious sweet corn, they provide a wide range of fresh products at budget-friendly pricing.

Most of the food for sale is produced by local farmers in Hernando County.

Don’t miss the wide selection of jams, salsas, spices, and sauces they provide throughout the year.

Pick Some Berries at JG Ranch

Founded in 2001 by Joan and George Casey, JG Ranch is a family-owned and -operated boutique farm.

JG Ranch offers a wide selection of fresh vegetables, making it a one-stop destination for all your farm-to-table needs.

There are numerous fresh vegetable options, honey, and hundreds of u-pick strawberry, blueberry bushes, and blackberry..

Pick your own berries; they provide buckets and bags to transport your bounty home.

Berries should be transported home in coolers to keep them fresh and chilled.

Come browse the great selection of fresh vegetables and begin a family custom of berry picking and feeding the pets at JG Ranch.

Learn more about History at Countryman Family One Room Schoolhouse

Exterior of the Countryman Family One Room Schoolhouse

Sunshower Shots / Shutterstock.com

The Countryman Family One Room Schoolhouse resembles Fredrick Lykes’ 1852 First Schoolhouse in Hernando County.

They will transport you through time; sit at actual wooden desks and enjoy school teachings.

The structure is based on the Lykes School from 1852, with several modern amenities, including electricity and a wheelchair ramp.

Countryman Family One Room Schoolhouse features a program to remember a departed (or alive) family member or friend.

Perhaps you want to commemorate a birthday, an anniversary, or a success.

Have a Taste of Delicious Hotdogs at Coney Island Drive-In

Coney Island Drive-In strives to provide delicious, reasonably priced meals in a tidy and welcoming setting.

They have offered the same hot dog brand for more than 40 years.

The Coney Island Drive-In offers its hot dogs in various ways and prepares them according to customers’ specific requests.

They sell several different kinds of specialty hot dogs, corn dogs, and other snacks.

Taste their homemade chili with beans or their Coney Sauce produced without beans.

Events at the Coney Island Drive-In are constantly unique and unforgettable.

Final Thoughts

Rich in history, nature, and adventure, Brooksville gives tourists of all ages a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Even aspiring golfers can take advantage of the unique attractions the city has to offer.

Once you’ve finished everything you want to do in Brooksville, you’ll surely book another ticket and do it all again.

See also: Best Restaurants in Brooksville, FL

Discover More of Hernando County, FL

Things to Do in Spring Hill, FL

Things to Do in Pine Island, FL

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