Central – Section 3.1: Springs, Forests & Wildlife Encounters

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. In Silver Springs State Park, visitors can hop on one of the fabled glass-bottom boat tours, observing an underwater panorama of fish and other wildlife.

Fun fact: Silver Springs State Park’s glass-bottom boat tours have been wowing visitors since the 1870s.

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.

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.

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: The Weeki Wachee mermaids have been performing feats of swimming for the past six decades, including eating and drinking underwater.

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.

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.

Fun fact: For the best opportunity to spy a gator, don’t miss the 1.2-mile Alligator Alley trail overlooking Lake Hancock at Circle B Bar Reserve.