Brooksville Area - Brooksville, FL

Brooksville's earliest origins date back to the establishment of Fort DeSoto, a military fort that served as both a trading post and a regular stop on the Concord Stage Coach Line during the mid-19th century. In 1856, the county seat of Hernando County, which then contained the towns of Melendez and Pierceville, became Brooksville. The city soon saw the settlement of four major pioneer groups, including the Howel, Mays, Hale and Parsons families, and was officially incorporated on October 13, 1880. Major additions to the city further fueled its development, including Brooksville Regional Hospital, Pasco-Hernando State College and Hernando County Airport.

The Hernando Heritage Museum displays a number of artifacts and memorabilia from historic Brooksville. The museum also hosts the Brooksville Raid, voted one of the best and largest Civil War re-enactments in Florida. Don't miss the annual Halloween Festival held every October

Brooksville houses a unique collection of eateries that includes everything from Southern breakfast and brunch cafes and barbecue restaurants to internationally themed bistros and nationally recognized food chains of both fast-food types and high-end spots. Although fairly scattered in their locations, several restaurants sit within Main and Broad Street and the surrounding areas.

Florida Cracker Kitchen embodies all the signature culinary greatness of the South into a homey, down-to-earth, family-owned restaurant. The business specializes in crafting sizzling and full-flavored meals for breakfast and lunch every day, with dinner options offered on the weekends. Chefs take pride in their creations and bring the authentic home-cooked meals to the tables for their guests, baking fresh bread and biscuits daily. From pumpkin pancakes and mouth-watering omelettes to mozzarella balls and fried quail, Florida Cracker Kitchen covers all of the culinary bases. Try the shrimp and grits, one of the restaurant's most popular dishes.

Residents craving the taste of the exquisite and delectable dishes of the Land of the Rising Sun travel to Wasabi Japanese Sushi. From meal presentation to its distinct and trendy decor, the restaurant exceedingly defines the ideal sushi bar. The place holds a reputation for its gracious portions, full-bodied sushi and savory hibachi-style meals. Whether your taste buds desire the luscious flavors of the classic California roll or traditional miso soup, expect culinary excellence in every bite. For the full experience, order a sashimi dinner plate consisting of 16 sashimi slices, a California roll, soup and a salad.

Nightlife in Brooksville entails a fairly straightforward range of options that mostly includes sports bars, cafes and pubs. Beef 'O' Brady's is a classic American sports bar, with an Irish twist to its menu. All the big games are displayed on the screens around the bar, and locals value staff members' sense of fun and good service. For a more lively scene, head over to Sail Inn and enjoy a grand selection of cold draft beers and a full bar, in addition to amenities that include darts, a pool table and the tunes of a classic jukebox.

To experience the true colors of Brooksville's pub and nightlife scene brought together, however, make your way to Red Mule Pub. The pub serves a selection of hearty and flavorful artisan sandwiches, in addition to a few tasty sides. A sundry collection of memorabilia lines the walls of the facility, while classic bar-style decor creates a special and distinct atmosphere found only at Red Mule Pub. Enjoy a few drinks at the bar, or partake in a casual conversation or two with the friendly staff. Try the Red Mule Reuben - a crisp and delicious sandwich made up of thin-sliced kosher corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and savory house sauce.

Automobiles serve as the most common means of transportation in Brooksville, while The Hernando Express Bus serves as the area's primary public transportation option. A decent number of taxi businesses service Brooksville and the surrounding areas but are not heavily used by residents. Uber provides coverage throughout Tampa Bay. On-street residential parking comprises the majority of public parking in Brooksville, in addition to a light spread of parking garages and lots. U.S Routes 98 and 41 run through Brooksville, while State Road 50 horizontally intersects the length of the town. The town presents a moderately wallkable environment, where cyclists enjoy blazing through over 180 bicycle routes.

Brooksville presents a unique blend of both nature-centric landscapes and recreation focused parks. Tom Varn Park serves as a great spot for the young and young-at-heart, providing an intricate wooden play-scape surrounded by plenty of benches, shady and great company. But as previously mentioned, Withlacoochee State Forest stands as the true gem of Brooksville. Spanning over 40 miles, packed with 157 thousand acres of luscious green woodlands, the park provides an ideal atmosphere for hikers, cyclists and adventurers alike. Experience the vibrant wildlife and breath-taking views hidden within the forest, and find out why this National Recreation Trail is so highly regarded. Bring along the whole family for a refreshing and exhilarating retreat into the great outdoors, and don't forget the dog

Make sure you catch the annual 3-day Blueberry Festival held every April, featuring an abundance of entertainment, local vendors and interactive family-friendly events.

Brooksville incurs a cost of living 20 percent lower than that of Tampa. Residents travel to the city center via THE Bus for as little as $1.25. One-bedroom residences rent at an average cost of $611, while gas prices sit at rates 8 percent above the national average cost. Grab yourself an ice-cold pint for just $5.

Brooksville features a well-balanced blend of nationally recognized big-box department stores, retails chains, and independently-owned specialty shops and boutiques. The town has a store for just about everything, from eyewear, shoe repair, and custom T-shirts to building-supply shops and auto-part suppliers. Several businesses operate along Cortex Boulevard and surrounding areas.

Velva Darnell Electronics specializes in computer repair and car audio and offers an abundance of computer-related merchandise. From simple software installations and virus removal to full on PC tune-ups and hardware repair, this store does it all. With over 40 years of business, Velva Darnell Electronics has earned a distinct reputation in the community as a trustworthy business.

Publix and Walmart serves as Brooksville's primary grocery providers, but residents also go to Wasabi Asian Store for grocery needs. The store focuses on providing a healthy assortment of specialty Asian products, in addition to general goods and fresh produce, all at low prices.