Central – Section 3.1: Springs, Forests & Wildlife Encounters
A classic glass-bottom boat tour at Silver Springs offers a front-row view of crystal-clear waters and the thriving underwater life below. Photo courtesy of Emergent Media.
Unlike your smartphone, people have to unplug to recharge, and Central Florida offers the means to do just that. This part of Florida is home to beautiful, crystal-clear and perennially temperate natural springs, and one of the best places to go to experience this marvel of nature is at Ocala/Marion County’s Silver Springs. Silver Springs State Park’s glass-bottom boat tours have been wowing visitors since the 1870s. In the park, visitors can hop on one of these fabled tours, observing an underwater panorama of fish and other wildlife.
Adventure takes flight at The Canyons Zip Line and Adventure Park in Ocala, where travelers can soar over canyons or paddle peaceful waters—all in the heart of Central Florida’s wild beauty. Photo courtesy of CycleHere Films.
Then they can go even farther off the beaten path in Ocala, ziplining through canyons, skydiving or, in the other direction, diving through the mysterious depths of spring caverns. Ocala/Marion County is also home to one of the few national forests in the state—Ocala National Forest, featuring more than 600 lakes and rivers and a haven not only for people but migratory birds, manatees and some of the world’s rarest plants.
A bald eagle swoops through the prairies of Lake Kissimmee State Park, where sightings of rare and majestic wildlife are just part of the adventure. Photo courtesy of Florida DEP.
From the deep forests of Ocala, those who head south will find themselves in the woodlands and prairies of Kissimmee, home to the second largest population of nesting bald eagles in the contiguous 48 states and a re-entry location for the nearly extinct whooping crane. Your clients can look for them while hiking one of the many trails winding through live oak hammocks, remnant cypress stands and freshwater marshes.
The legendary mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs continue to dazzle visitors with underwater performances in one of Florida’s most enchanting natural settings. Photo courtesy of John Athanason.
Then recommend your clients head west to the pristine waters of Weeki Wachee Springs in Hernando County, offering paddling down sparkling waterways, river boat cruises, swimming and the famous Weeki Wachee mermaids.
Fun Fact with Marina the Manatee!
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From the Weeki Wachee mermaids to Solomon’s Castle in Ona, Central Florida is filled with wonderful, historical Old Florida attractions, including Gatorland, south of Orlando. This 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve, founded in 1949 on former cattle land, is home to alligators and crocodiles of all sizes—including the largest collection of rare white leucistic alligators—as well as a free-flight aviary, petting zoo and thrilling ziplines.
Adrenaline meets Old Florida charm at Gatorland in Orlando, where visitors can soar above alligators on a heart-pounding zipline adventure. Photo courtesy of CycleHere Media.
Trek to neighboring Polk County for a true experience in the wild at the Circle B Bar Reserve, named one of the “Top 50 Places to See Wildlife” by USA Today. Once a functioning cattle ranch, Circle B Bar Reserve has been restored to its original natural state as one of the most impressive bird habitats in Central Florida. For the best opportunity to spy a gator, don’t miss the 1.2-mile Alligator Alley trail overlooking Lake Hancock.
