I think it all depends on what you like to do! We have all sorts of regular tourist attractions but there's also a lot of virtually unknowns too.I live just south of Gainesville right off I75. Here's a few nearby things I like to do:
I love the wineries for instance & my favorite one is in Plant City; it's called Keel & Curley & it's pet friendly outside on their teak deck overlooking a little duck pond & the vineyard.
Silver Springs is on the touristy side but it's nice when there's concerts there.
If I'm in the mood for a nice relaxing walk I'll head over to Rainbow Springs in Dunnellon through the paths where there used to be an attraction. Nice to swim in the cool springs in the summer time
Pets need to be leashed & aren't allowed in the spring. (There IS a campground just down the road from RS that is pet friendly though. BTW,there's a lot of springs in Florida)
I'd say your best tool for seeing what you want to do before you get here is exactly what you're doing as well as internet searches.
Have fun planning!