Central – Section 3.5: Scenic Drives & Botanical Escapes

A sweeping aerial view of Ormond Beach highlights the unspoiled coastline and natural scenery that define the iconic Ormond Scenic Loop. Photo courtesy of NPI Productions.

Meanwhile, farther north in Daytona Beach, visitors will find the 34-mile Ormond Scenic Loop, which showcases some amazing and diverse natural scenery, interspersed with rivers, creeks, marshes and beaches. The area’s state parks, national seashore and national wildlife refuge are also popular spots for exploring natural Florida landscapes and waterways. Visitors can also take a low-speed cruise on the beach (and even park) in specifically designated areas. Fun fact: There are no stoplights or shopping centers on the Ormond Scenic Loop, known locally simply as “The Loop”—just miles and miles of well-maintained, twisting and turning roads.

Cyclists enjoy a peaceful ride along West Volusia’s Coast-to-Coast Trail, tracing a scenic route through forests, waterways and classic Central Florida landscapes. Photo courtesy of CycleHere Films.

At the heart of the region surrounding Daytona’s neighbor, West Volusia County, flows one of only 14 American Heritage Rivers in the country, the St. Johns River, encompassing the St. Johns River Blueway and the River of Lakes Heritage Corridor. Whether by canoe or kayak, riverboat or houseboat, exploring the river offers visitors stunning views of turtles, gators, manatees and more than 200 species of birds in a lush, purely Floridian landscape.

Native birdlife thrives in Central Florida’s preserved landscapes, where pine flatwoods, wetlands and waterways create a haven for wildlife and nature lovers alike. Photo courtesy of Florida DEP.

The pace slows down at Heathcote Botanical Gardens in Fort Pierce, which welcomes the visitor to serenity and beauty with a unique collection of specialty gardens, including Japanese—boasting the largest public display of bonsai in the U.S.—with a Reflection Garden, Herb Garden, Rainforest Display and a Secret Garden, among other intimate, flowering spaces.