MICANOPY, FLORIDA

Micanopy is on the west side of U.S. Highway 441 about 12 miles south of Gainesville in Alachua County, Florida. 

It is a small village with a population of about 647 with some unique antique shops, restaurants and historic residential homes. 

Downtown Micanopy

It is a bit more than one square mile in area and is a great place to spend a day or more.

The entire town is designated a historic district and is on the United States National Register of Historic Places.  It's easy to see why when you walk or drive around the quiet streets.

Micanopy is reported to be the oldest inland town in Florida that has been continuously inhabited.

Home in Micanopy Residential Neighborhood

First let's get the pronunciation out of the way. 

It is Mick Can Opie (as in the boy character on the old Andy Griffith Show about Mayberry) - so don't make it rhyme with canopy.

Chief Micanopy

The name comes from Seminole Chief Micanopy. 

He didn't actually live here, but a lot of his tribesmen did and there was a lot of fighting around Micanopy during the Second Seminole War.

Fort Micanopy was not located here, but in nearby Williston.

Micanopy Shops

It's hard to think of violence in this peaceful village of about 700 people.  

Visitor from Green Bay, Wisconsin Enjoys Micanopy

Peace and quiet is still the order of the day in this quiet oasis in the middle of the booming state of Florida.  It's a great getaway.

Micanopy Shops and Restaurants

It's more fun to browse the antique shops, an interesting musical instrument shop or just lounge around the small restaurants in town.

Home in Micanopy Residential Neighborhood

There are also several old homes in the downtown area and on its edge that look like great places to live.

Herlong Mansion

The Micanopy area has some good places to stay.  One of the best is the Herlong Mansion Bed & Breakfast.

Micanopy Shop

The movie "Doc Hollywood" starring Michael J. Fox and Woody Harrelson was largely shot in Micanopy in 1991.

Gift Shop in Micanopy, Florida
Flickr/Todd Van Hoosear

Micanopy seems to have escaped the ravages of Florida's population boom. 

Micanopy Episcopal Church

There are still many authentic old buildings to visit and enjoy. The quiet old residential streets are shaded by ancient oaks draped with Spanish Moss.

Thrasher Brothers Warehouse
Photographic Destinations by Bob Kyle

The old Thrasher Brothers warehouse is a good example of these historic buildings. 

It's a favorite photo opportunity for amateur and professional photographers alike, and is home to the local historical museum.

Old Vine Covered Building in Downtown Micanopy

A few buildings are not being used but still add to the downtown charm like this old vine covered building.

Some neat businesses in the small downtown area include the Pearl Country Store and the Mosswood Farm Store.

Micanopy Downtown Stores

When you've seen most of what you want to see in Micanopy, there are some nearby great places to visit.  These include:

Micanopy Historical Society Museum in the old Thrasher warehouse on Cholokka Boulevard.  It's the perfect place to learn all about the area's history.

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park with its 50 foot tall observation tower.  You may see wild horses, wild bison, and up to 300 species of birds.

Micanopy Downtown Store

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Historic Site in nearby Cross Creek.  You can tour the home of the famous author and have lunch or dinner at the historic Yearling Restaurant.

Micanopy Native American Heritage Preserve is a 16 acre site with a popular hiking trail.

Evinston and the historic Wood and Swink Store and post office, sill in operation.

There are two country roads leading west from the Micanopy community.

Florida Cracker House West of Micanopy

One of them is County Road 234 that leads from the west side of downtown Micanopy and soon crosses I-75 into Old Florida country.

Another is Wacahoota Road that leads west from US-441 at a point about one half mile northwest of Micanopy.

These country roads have many examples of old Florida Cracker homes and outbuildings. 

Home in Micanopy Residential Neighborhood

The same is true of the quiet canopied streets in the residential areas of Micanopy.

RECOMMENDED MICANOPY RESTAURANT

Antonio's Made In Italy
22050 North US Highway 441
Micanopy, Florida 32667
Tel: 352-591-4141

Micanopy is a small and quiet little town, so it's somewhat of a surprise to find a restaurant as good as Antonio's four miles south of this historic country town and close to the village of McIntosh.  

Antonios, Micanopy, Florida

It must be an Italian thing, because the minute you walk in here you feel like you're part of a big happy family.  Maybe this is because Antonio was born in Italy. 

READ MORE ABOUT ANTONIO'S MADE IN ITALY

THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO SEE NEAR MICANOPY

Cross Creek & Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Home

McIntosh and Its Large Historic District

Gainesville and the University of Florida

Historic Evinston & the Wood & Swink Store

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park