Appreciation for local heritage runs deep in Arcadia, located about 50 miles east of Sarasota. The Antique Association of Arcadia has been hosting Antique Fairs on the fourth Saturday of every month since the 1990s. The fairs are some of the largest in Florida, often drawing thousands of shoppers to pick through the offerings of more than 100 dealers. On non-fair days, two dozen antique shops line the streets of downtown for browsers to explore. Parking is free and a slice of “Old Florida” is within easy walking range within a four-block area.
Planning a visit? Stay at Little Willies RV Resort.
Appetites from antique hunting can be sated at Wheeler’s Cafe, which has been recognized as one of Florida’s best authentic hometown diners. Wheeler’s has been family-owned and dishing out its famous peanut butter pie since 1929. Of course, the Shelfer family over at Joshua Citrus can be excused for considering the Wheelers and their 86 years in business as “newcomers.” James Shelfer planted his first orange trees along Joshua Creek in 1880 before there was a dream of a town. Fresh from Florida, the marketing mavens at the Florida Department of Agriculture, has designated Joshua Citrus a Century Pioneer Family Farm. Today you can visit the heritage groves and see a Florida packinghouse in operation – don’t leave without a glass of trademark strawberry orange juice.
The ranching roots of Arcadia are still very much in evidence with rodeos scheduled through the year at the DeSoto County Fairgrounds. This is highlighted by “The Granddaddy of ’em All”—the Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo in March. First started in 1928 as a way to raise money for a new American Legion building, the All-Florida is now the premier bull riding and barrel racing event in the Sunshine State. It is a much-anticipated stop for performers of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
You can saddle up your own mounts at Deep Creek Preserve southwest of town where nine miles of multi-use trails wind through 2,000 acres of freshwater prairie and longleaf pine flatwoods. Once you are through rambling up and over the scrub oak-covered ridges, several local canoe outfitters stand ready to launch you onto the Peace River. Meandering 106 lazy miles towards the Charlotte Harbor estuary, the Peace River has made Arcadia the best place to canoe in the state according to Florida Monthly magazine readers. Those folks you see prowling the banks with their heads down are seeking fossilized shark teeth and prehistoric mammal bones. The Peace River is such a rich ground for fossil hunters that Arcadia took a star turn on the Travel Channel adventure reality show Cash & Treasures.
Is paddling languidly past the majestic Peace River cypress trees and water oaks dressed in Spanish moss is too slow for your tastes? Settle into an elevated cushion seat of a Peace River Charters airboat and cruise the waters with 450 horsepower behind you. In an hour, you will cover twenty miles of primordial river teeming with of 400 native Florida animal species from Roseate Spoonbills to American alligators. To experience non-natives visit Lions, Tigers & Bears just north of Arcadia where unwanted exotic pets and non-releasable wildlife have been given a permanent home on 40 acres of Florida habitat.
