Living in a beach town holds an abundance of benefits. Sunrise beach walks, summer swims, and dining with a view \u2013 all things locals love about living in Ponte Vedra Beach. But in more recent years, tourism and development have been on an all-time rise, and it can feel suffocating not being able to find quiet in Florida\u2019s nature.\u00a0 Only roughly an hour drive from PVB, in the north part of Jacksonville, Congaree and Penn feels<\/a> completely separated from the bustling culture PVB has succumbed to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Congaree and Penn provides<\/a> a small-town feel, with its 330-acre working farm, The Roost<\/a>, a farm-to-table restaurant, and its plethora of seasonal activities and events. The farm was founded in 2014 by Scott and Lindsey Meyer and has greatly expanded since then. The farm itself features rice fields, pecan and olive groves, blackberry bushes, muscadine grapes, and mayhaw orchard with over five thousand trees. This is open to roam with a purchasable farm pass for $5-$10 (depending on dining reservation), but there are also agritourism bookings for official farm tours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Congaree and Penn provides<\/a> a small-town feel, with its 330-acre working farm, The Roost<\/a>, a farm-to-table restaurant, and its plethora of seasonal activities and events”<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n There is a lot more to do at Congaree and Penn than simply walking around the farm; the establishment offers tractor rides, animal feedings, and all kinds of social events. They have a beautiful herd of goats, chickens, and horses to see, and frequently feature local artists on Fridays for outdoor live music. Aside from their restaurant, on Fridays they have outdoor food trucks serving farm-to-table fresh food while enjoying the wonderful scenery and musical ambiance. This weekly event takes place inside the farm around an extensive field with benches and picnic tables perfect for hanging out with family or friends. Not to mention, there are recurring seasonal events such as oyster shucking, Friday night fish fries, and a pumpkin patch in the fall. Congaree and Penn have mastered the balance of having casual company in nature, while also using the atmosphere to provide luxury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Rooster, the farm\u2019s on-site restaurant, is on the pricier side compared to the food trucks and farm pass. However, its seasonal menus and determination to maintain a fresh meal are worth the extra price. From house-made fruit ciders to farm burgers it is definitely worth the try. For those looking for more than just a one-night getaway, Congaree and Penn also offer The Hammock. The hammock features multiple farm-stay bungalows that are even pet friendly. These are very popular for weddings and other private events as they provide a luxurious, but grounded atmosphere of nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n