Sometimes pronounced the "Swanee" River (a pronunciation popularized by the old song "Old Folks at Home"), the Suwannee River winds a historic route through southern Georgia and northern Florida. Then, it empties into the Gulf of Mexico.

Okefenokee Swamp is where this famous river begins. Its wild blackwater is home to the only whitewater rapids in Florida. The Suwannee is mostly known, however, for its broad, gentle flow, and its beautiful green banks. These calmer waters are where you can rent a houseboat and loll in the Florida sun, basking in the warm Gulf breeze.

The Suwannee River Wilderness Trail is a 170-mile long canoe trail and the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge is an excellent place to watch birds and wildlife - and fish. Both are well worth exploring.

For fishermen, the Suwannee Bass is, unsurprisingly, found only in this river. You'll also be able to catch largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish and red bellies - you may want to try pan fishing in one of the many creeks for the crappie, bream and red belly. When you reach the mouth of the river, the fishing changes - set out a line for black drum, sheepshead, whiting, red fish or speckled trout.

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