What’s the best route to drive to Panama City Beach from Nashville, Tennessee? I’ve never taken a road trip before, but one of my friends asked me to join her on vacation! It’s kind of your friend to extend that invitation! It typically takes about seven-and-a-half hours to travel from Nashville, Tennessee to Panama City Beach, Florida if you travel on I-65 S for the majority of your journey. This is the best route for people who want to make the trip in one day without stopping to spend the night along the way. With a trip this long, however, it’s conceivable that your friend might want to stop for the night on your way to Panama City Beach. In this case, you’ll probably stop in or near Birmingham, Alabama, as that is the halfway point between Nashville and Panama City Beach. Here’s a more detailed route description:
While you’re learning more and preparing for your trip, take an extra minute to update your car insurance policy to the best rate. Check out the Jerry app, where you can see a list of policy quotes that work for you in minutes. The average user saves over $800 per year. WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content. Browse More ContentInsurance in Your StateWhat Others Are AskingRead Advice From Car Experts At JerryBrowse By TopicsCar Insurance by MakeCar Insurance by StateThere's one south of Tally, but it's not great, and then there's St. Pete, but it's not close to Tally either. Once you get North of Clearwater, you're somewhat SOL for beaches until you get to Panama City. You could go to Tarpon Springs and see the Greek sights, or Homosassa and things like that, but it's not a true beach experience. 46,531,914 Halfway points found so far ; About Making finding a middle point between two address easier than ever.
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meetways.com © 2008 - 2022 Arandola, LLC Wanderlog staff How long is the drive from Orlando to Panama City Beach?The direct drive from Orlando to Panama City Beach is 384 mi (618 km), and should have a drive time of 6 hrs 7 mins in normal traffic. If you’re going on a road trip from Orlando to Panama City Beach, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Gainesville, Tallahassee, Crystal River, Ocala, Clermont, and The Villages and top places to visit like Pandora - The World of Avatar and Magic Kingdom Park, or the ever-popular Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. 36 stops Cities / Attractions I'll never travel to Orlando without this trip planner again  Don't take our word for it Slide 1 of 6 Love love love! ❤️ Planning travel has actually been fun instead of tedious because of this app. Exactly what I needed to plan a trip. I can’t imagine anyone not loving this app! Wanderlog makes planning a trip so effortless. Seriously, this app does it all! This site and app let me do all the planning for our 15 day trip in a little over 6 hours! I can’t recommend it enough! Amazing!! The organization this app provides has taken a huge weight off my shoulders. This is the crème de la crème of planning apps! Don’t think about it - just click download right this minute. Top cities between Orlando and Panama City BeachThe top cities between Orlando and Panama City Beach are Gainesville, Tallahassee, Crystal River, Ocala, Clermont, and The Villages. Gainesville is the most popular city on the route — it's 2 hours from Orlando and 5 hours from Panama City Beach. 1 ClermontClermont is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States, about 22 miles west of Orlando and 22 miles southeast of Leesburg. The population was 30,201 in 2013. The city is residential in character and its economy is centered in retail trade, lodging, and tourism-oriented restaurants and bars. 49% as popular as Gainesville 9 minutes off the main route, 7% of way to Panama City Beach 2 The VillagesThe Villages is a census-designated place in Sumter County, Florida, United States. It shares its name with a broader master-planned age-restricted community that spreads into portions of Lake and Marion counties. 34% as popular as Gainesville 11 minutes off the main route, 15% of way to Panama City Beach 3 OcalaOcala is a city in central Florida. East of downtown, Fort King National Historic Park was an important Second Seminole War site. The collection at the Appleton Museum of Art includes pre-Columbian artifacts and contemporary art. The waters of Silver Springs State Park are dotted with kayaks and glass-bottom boats. The park is also the gateway to the woods and lakes of the vast Ocala National Forest to the east. 62% as popular as Gainesville 4 minutes off the main route, 19% of way to Panama City Beach 4 Crystal RiverNature & Parks Bodies of Water Crystal River is a coastal city in western Florida. Kings Bay, which is fed by springs, is home to the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, sheltering manatees year-round. Boardwalks at Three Sisters Springs Wildlife Refuge offer views of the marine mammal and the natural springs. Northwest is Crystal River Archaeological State Park, with remains of an early Native American settlement, including ceremonial mounds. Slide 1 of 1 Wake up early for a 90-minute drive to Crystal River, a small rural town on the Gulf Coast with a network of warm waterways, like the Three Sisters Spring, that are a favorite of manatees. Spend the morning canoeing or kayaking, keeping an eye out for the sea cows that lumber along just beneath the surface. Afterward, buckle in for the six-hour drive to Destin along scenic, rural US-98. You’ll arrive fairly late, so enjoy a seafood dinner and sunset. 62% as popular as Gainesville 38 minutes off the main route, 21% of way to Panama City Beach 5 GainesvilleGainesville is a city in northern Florida. It's known for the University of Florida. Set on the sprawling campus, the Florida Museum of Natural History houses fossils and ethnographic exhibits. It includes the Butterfly Rainforest, home to hundreds of free-flying butterflies and birds. Harn Museum of Art has a huge collection of Asian and African works. The Matheson History Museum has a vintage postcard collection. Most popular city on this route 9 minutes off the main route, 27% of way to Panama City Beach 6 TallahasseeTallahassee is the state capital of Florida. The Capitol Complex includes the restored Historic Capitol, now a museum with displays on political history. The 1970s Capitol tower offers city views from its 22nd-floor observation deck. Nearby, exhibits at the Museum of Florida History cover European colonization, the Civil War and WWII. The city's antebellum mansions include the 1843 Knott House Museum. Slide 1 of 1 Arrive in Tallahassee in the mid-afternoon, but before checking into your hotel and scoping out the Florida State Capitol, take a dip in the cool, freshwater springs at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. Duly relaxed, you’ll be ready to take on the crowds of Florida State University students and government officials crowding the city’s restaurants and bars. 99% as popular as Gainesville 8 minutes off the main route, 60% of way to Panama City Beach The top stops along the way from Orlando to Panama City Beach (with short detours) are Magic Kingdom Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and Silver Springs State Park. Other popular stops include Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History, Swamp Fever Airboat Adventures, and Rainbow Springs State Park. 1 Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme ParkJumbo wildlife park divided into 6 sections with animal encounters, thrill rides, safaris & shows. Slide 1 of 6 Set apart from the rest of Disney both in miles and in tone, Animal Kingdom attempts to blend theme park and zoo, carnival and African safari, all stirred together with a healthy dose of Disney characters, storytelling and transformative magic. It's the greenest, and most calm, of the Disney experiences. Don't miss Finding Nemo – The Musical, Kilimanjaro Safaris and Expedition Everest. Reserve ahead for the nighttime performance, Rivers of Light, based around animal folklore with lights and effects, of course. If you are heading to Animal Kingdom for opening time, my advice would be to go straight to Pandora – World of Avatar and ride Flight of Passage because the lines for this attraction build up really fast and usually remain over two hours long for the whole day. If you only have 2 weeks in Orlando, you don’t want to spend a whole day standing in line! On day 1 Disney’s Animal Kingdom was open early, so that’s where we headed. With minimal crowds we rode the Kilimanjaro Safari, Kali River Rapids and twice on Expedition Everest (our favourite Disney World ride) before brunch at Donald’s Safari Breakfast at Tusker House (our favourite character meal – see our review here). Great time! Highly recommend if you have little one’s. There is plenty to see and do that everyone has fun. A few playground areas are scattered around the park too so you can sit and watch your kids play or join them in the fun! We did a few rides, but mainly enjoyed the ambiance and the animals. Again it was perfect with our little guy! Pandora was mind blowing, a floating mountain over your head! Wow. Really impressive, well done Disney. Tree of life is always amazing, wish the food was better. Also pretty crowded and we went on a weekday in May. Didn’t have a chance to get on any rides, and we were at the park at 8 o’clock. We’re not willing to wait an hour for a ride, but apparently lots of people are. We had perfect weather, so didn’t feel the need for AC. Several of the animal habitats were being cleaned, so we didn’t see tigers or antelope. Overall a really nice day Animal Kingdom is hands down the best of all the Disney Parks. It's stunningly beautiful. The lines move fast and are amazing! The food is so good. So many awesome animals and photo opportunities! Also a ton of places to sit in the shade! We had a wonderful day, and since we gate dropped we did a ton of stuff and even managed a lightning lane for Flight of Passage! 4.7(104593) • 4.5(31471) 2901 Osceola Pkwy, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, USA 2 Pandora - The World of AvatarArea Water & Amusement Parks Disney Parks & Activities 4.5(1406) 3 Magic Kingdom ParkTheme park Water & Amusement Parks Disney Parks & Activities Organized in 6 themed lands, this iconic attraction features rides, costumed characters & parades. Slide 1 of 6 When people think of WDW, they picture the Magic Kingdom, from the iconic Cinderella's Castle to Space Mountain, the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. This is where the nighttime fireworks and light 'spectacular' illuminates the castle and Main Street, USA. For Disney mythology, it doesn't get better, and rides and shows aim squarely at young kids and their parents and grandparents. Disney’s Animal Kingdom seemed the most obvious choice to visit first because we also wanted to visit Magic Kingdom on day one and the famous fireworks over Cinderella Castle take place in the dark. Therefore it made sense to go to Magic Kingdom after lunch and stay until evening.(Magic Kingdom closed at 10.30pm). We had an absolute ball in the theme park capital of the world, hitting Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Epcot at Disney World, plus Universal Studios (Harry Potter’s home away from home!), Kennedy Space Center and LEGOLAND. It was one incredible trip. An absolute must visit for adults and kids big enough to walk on their own. We started on Epcot and moved to Magic Kingdom (two grown adults) we spent over 10 hours in a single day between the two and didn’t even get to see half of magic kingdom (we did no rides just sight seeing and food stops) If you have kids start at magic Kingdom and plan no less then one full day, several if you have the time. As two adults in Epcot eating/drinks as we got hungry or thirsty and without any concern for cost we spent about $300 above the cost of parking and entry tickets. (Adult beverages and two “meals”). A final note, if you go absolutely plan to stay for the firework show. Video and photo do no justice to the visual or audio quality of the display. LED lights in the trees are synced to the projector lights and are synced to the street lights, synced to the projectors on the castle, synced to the choreographed fireworks. All of that on top of an absolutely mind blowing audio set up that resonates from what I imagine is hundreds or thousands of speakers throughout the park. To top it all off you may even see Tinker Belly fly from the castle off into the distance. (Best use of a zip line and LED outfit I have ever seen) Plan ahead so budget isn’t a concern and just plan to enjoy yourself. Bring sunscreen and stay hydrated. (A hat or umbrella to block to sun would go a long way to increase your sunshine stamina). Great experience to have with family and friends. Best place to take if you have kids but I went with adults and we had a lot of fun. Prepare for long lines and a lot of walking but the parades were amazing, and the castle was magnificent. 9pm showcased the fireworks and that was pretty cool. Definitely recommend! This was our first time taking out toddlers to Disney. I love the fact that we were able to bring in our own snacks and drinks in our travel cooler. It wasn't that crowded and the Disney Genie Plus Lightning Lanes help cut down our wait for some ridesnot the popular ones though. I would definitely suggest getting familiar with the app prior to your trip. Make sure to also bring an extra charging pack for your cell phone because you will be using it all day for the app. We only had to order lunch once since we came prepared with our own snacks. The rides we were able to get on with our toddlers were pretty good and they enjoyed them. We loved the shows and parades throughout the day. I am glad we did not get the photo pass and would not suggest getting one. Almost every picture they took of us was awful. You will be better off taking your own photos. Our best photos were taken when we offered other families to take photos of them and then they take one of us. My toddlers had a great time and all in all we enjoyed our time here and will definitely be coming back. 4.7(181598) • 4.5(63950) 1180 Seven Seas Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, USA 4 Wekiwa Springs State ParkState park Nature & Parks Park Guided & self-guided canoe or kayak tours on the Wekiwa River with equipment rental available. Slide 1 of 15 A popular natural attraction near Orlando, at Wekiwa Springs State Park you can swim in crystal-clear Wekiwa Springs where the water is a refreshing 72 degrees year-round. The springs feed the Wekiwa River and lush tropical hammocks where you can canoe or kayak the Wekiwa River. Rentals within the park are available from Wekiwa Springs State Park Nature Adventures – 407-884-4311. Cool off in the icy spring-fed swimming hole, hike miles of trails and paddle the tranquil, still waters of the Wekiva River. Central Florida Nature Adventures, inside the park, offers 2½-hour guided tours, rents kayaks and canoes (two hours $17, per additional hour $3) and supplies overnight camping supplies. Reserve primitive riverside campsites in advance. One of the closest natural springs to downtown Orlando is Wekiwa Springs State Park, a really popular weekend destination for locals. Arrive early to slide into the small parking lot, and be prepared to plant your picnic blanket on whatever tiny patch of grass you can find. And if you roll up to a full parking lot? The highlight of this park is the first magnitude natural spring, but there are more than 25 miles of trails to explore as well. Visitors might spot white-tailed deer, gopher turtles, turkeys, and possibly a bobcat, or Florida black bear. Mountain biking, horseback riding, and camping are also popular at this park. Wekiwa Springs State Park is one of my family’s favorite parks to visit close to home. Our first trip here was for a small hike to explore and get familiar with the park. Since that time we have camped, hiked, and swam, and we have still only scratched the surface of what Wekiwa Springs State Park has to offer. Close to home, just 25 minutes from Orlando is Wekiva Springs State Park, a perfect spot for a day of kayaking and cooling off in the cold spring. Keep your eyes out for alligators sunning on the riverbank as you make your way down the Wekiva River. Even if you can’t see them, you might be able to hear them. Take a swim in crystal-clear Wekiwa Springs where the water is a refreshing 72 degrees year-round. A large grassy lawn surrounds the swimming area, perfect for a picnic or afternoon nap in the sun. You can bring your own tube or float, individual size flotation devices are allowed in the swimming area. This serene state park is less than half an hour from downtown Orlando. Upon arrival, its soothing spring waters and luscious greenery will provide welcome relief after traveling there on I-4. Trail options range in length from less than a mile to more than 13 miles. Wekiwa Springs features refreshing, crystal clear waters that are naturally 72 degrees all year long. 42 million gallons of water flow from the springs to the Wekiva River daily. Wekiwa Springs State Park is a popular place to go camping in central Florida. Wekiwa Springs State Park is one of the most well-known and popular parks in Florida. It's most famous for the beautiful winding Wekiva River and the cold spring, but locals have a secret. Wekivia Springs has miles of pristine trails to explore. North of Orlando, Wekiwa Springs is a fun place to experience the great outdoors. It is known for its crystal-clear waters that you can even tube down a short lazy river in. As with many state parks, it costs $6 per car to enter. Wekiva is a Creek Indian word meaning "flowing water"; wekiwa means "spring of water." The river, springs, and surrounding 6,400-acre… Nice beautiful state park in Apopka county. The main feature of the park is its spring water pool. Kayaking, canoeing and trails are other features of the park. There is $6 admission fee to the park. Kayaking and canoeing costs $40 for 2 hours and the area is separated from spring pool. The pool is big enough and has clear water. The view around is scenic. People can also picnic around the area near pool. There is restroom available. There is also a small restaurant. The wet to dry trail is beautiful. There is also a 2 mile trail to sand lake which is located at other end of the park. The place is good for all age groups, and the pool also has a section for small kids. Excellent park! Well-maintained nature, then - almost well-maintained, and then comes wild nature. And it's wonderful! Several hours passed like minutes. Canoeing is something special! We did it for the first time and the impressions were the most memorable ... even the Titanic was remembered when they collided in a pair of logs. Lovely, friendly staff, moderate parking prices. Everything is wonderful, we celebrated my wife's birthday. Thanks guys! See you again. This place is one of the gems of Florida I'd say. But before I go deep, I must tell you to arrive early during the weekends, we arrived around 9:30 and there was a line of cars waiting to get in. We got in in approx. 20 minutes. You pay for the car and you're in. Prices are reasonable. Ample parking was available, so no issues with that. We headed towards the main area where the springs are. On the way we saw families doing BBQ, music playing and what not. It was pretty nice to see people enjoying and actually happy. Arriving at the springs area was kind of overwhelming due to large number of people, there's no limit to how many people can be in the park at the same time. Apart from that the place is stunning. The change rooms and restrooms are available not very far from the springs. Don't forget to bring a good sun screen cream (SPF 70, I'd say) as it can get very hot. The springs are crystal clear and very beautiful, the average depth is I guess 4-5' but don't take my word for it, practise caution while swimming. Water is moderately warm. There is a kayaking area as well for those who love kayaking. As the day advances, the number of people gets higher and higher, at one point of time, there were at least 500 people in the area surrounding the springs. Due to heavy crowds and no control over that, I'll reserve my one star. Else this is an amazing place to be with kids and adults alike. 4.7(7470) • 4.5(686) 1800 Wekiwa Cir, Apopka, FL 32712, USA 5 Kelly ParkOn Country park Nature & Parks Free-flowing, 70-degree natural spring offering swimming plus hiking, volleyball & a playground. Slide 1 of 4 Bring your tubes to Kelly Park, and the Rock Springs Run will whisk you all the way to the Wekiva River. These waters run a little cooler – roughly 68F (20C) year-round – but that’s nothing that a little between-dips sunbathing won’t resolve. Don’t be afraid to dive right in – snakes and alligators are as good as nonexistent around these parts. My first time going here. The water was absolutely beautiful. Water wasn't deep except in a few areas. Lots of big rocks, would suggest good water shoes. Nice picnic areas with grills. Enjoyed the day and would definitely go again. this park is spacious, clean and quiet. its water sources are beautiful. You can breathe fresh air. Very familiar. Handsome. Awesome place to spend the day. I paid $3 for my husband and I, so it's cheap. I recommend it. About: Beautiful spring. One of my favorites. Kelly Park has camping, a snack shack (pricy), plenty of places to hold a party, and a great spring, to say the least. You can walk to the head of the spring and float down to the end. Or go for a walk on the short hiking trails. Need to know: Get to the park very early. In the summertime, people will start lining up to get in the park about an hour before opening. Camping, call about 6mo to a year in advance. I have camped down by rock springs before but not at Kelly yet. I do not think there are rental tubes, so bring your own. 4.7(3632) • 4.5(431) 400 E Kelly Park Rd, Apopka, FL 32712, USA 6 Fantasy of FlightMuseum Sights & Landmarks History Museums Specialty Museums Points of Interest & Landmarks Slide 1 of 4 This gem is the home of the World’s Greatest Aircraft Collection. Guests get up close with vintage aircraft like the 1945 Grumman Duck. Absolutely brilliant little museum/hangar full of actual historical planes from all ages that are still in use, along with a variety of vintage cars. There are several cockpits set up you can climb into and you have the opportunity to be mere inches away from not only war planes but older racing planes, sea planes, and experimental ones. A very unique experience that I would highly recommend to any aeronautics enthusiast! Love the history behind the planes. It is well worth the visit. I am sad that the bigger building is no longer open. If you are a first timer it is a great stop. Nice gift shop. You can tell a lot of love has come along with all of these historical aircrafts. The people here are devoted and full of information! Truly a delight ! The tour was led by a man with amazing info and I learned much from him in my short visit ! Kids loved it ! Totally recommend ! The gift shop is reasonably priced ! 4.2(237) • 4.5(340) 1400 Broadway Blvd SE, Polk City, FL 33868, USA 7 Florida Citrus TowerSights & Landmarks Points of Interest & Landmarks Old-school tower, built in 1956, offering 360-degree views from its 226 ft.-high observation deck. Slide 1 of 4 141 US-27, Clermont, 352-394-4061Take the day to conquer your fear of heights and head up to the tippy-top of the Florida Citrus Tower, which is a resounding 226 feet off the ground. This tower offers a 360-degree view of eight different counties in Central Florida, making the terrifying ride up worth it. Photo via funky_fredd/Instagram Went here to the Citrus Tower and views were amazing. The is a great top over. You can see for miles. I would highly recommend this attraction at least one. Great photo opportunities. You won't be disappointed. to say the least. We spent about forty-five minutes here. I enjoyed my visit to the Citrus Tower. Would I do it again? Maybe. The Tower has a wonderful coffee shop on the first floor, and the elevator takes you to the only other floor, the second floor. I believe that this quite something in the fifties and sixties, with the piano roll playing and the miles and miles of citrus groves close by. Worth a visit, but bring binoculars. Don’t expect more than what is advertised. The tower has terrific sunset views!!! This is a tower that stands 226 feet tall, that’s 22 stories! Luckily, the tower is equipped with an operating elevator. Upon entering you’ll purchase your ticket and find very limited souvenirs. T-shirts, a few pin designs and a magnet. They do have a few snacks for purchase. Once your out on the observation tower, providing it’s a clear day, you can view eight different counties. The place was very clean, with plenty of FREE parking. On 11.2.2021 adults tickets were $11. Check Groupon first for discounted tickets. In the same parking lot is Presidents Hall of Fame. They are not affiliated and have different hours so check before arrival. 4.3(826) • 3.5(248) 141 S Hwy 27, Clermont, FL 34711, USA 8 Alexander SpringsNature & Parks National Parks Bodies of Water 4.0(261) 9 Lakeridge Winery & VineyardsExpansive vineyard offering facility tours & wine tastings, plus regular music & food festivals. Slide 1 of 4 Everyone associates wine with California but there are other wineries across the country that are lesser known. Florida, while hot and humid is home to a winery that produces its own label. This is not your ordinary non-Californian winery. The video and the tour were exceptional. Was quite a surprise to be able to go through that before for the taste test. We sampled seven exquisite wines. Of course I loved the dry reds. The Cabernet was really good and so was the special reserve Cabernet. We ended up picking out a couple of bottles and some cheese to take back to the room with us. Place was wonderful, the staff were helpful and kind, and the wines are a real delight. Stop in, even if it means going out of your way. You will be glad you did. Be sure to check out my photos on google maps as well. Great experience, we have a stroller and the staff is very helpful in accommodating us because there's a 2nd floor tour. Lovely place! Reasonable wine prices for both in bottle and case. I surely love all of it. Will definitely come back. Very busy, but we did go on a Saturday afternoon and it would be a wonderful way to spend your afternoon we chose just to check it out. The free wine tasting is neat, a no hassle mini tour. They gift shop has an extensive array of goodies and of course the wine you can buy by the bottle or by the case what ever you want. Tha staff were extremely helpful and welcoming. I hope to come back again and enjoy the outdoor venue, music, and the delicious smelling food booths. Bring your lawn chair and have a relaxing time. 4.7(1184) • 4.5(735) 19239 US-27, Clermont, FL 34715, USA 10 Key West Resort on Lake Dora - TavaresCasual hotel offering unassuming quarters, many with lake views, plus an outdoor pool & dining. Slide 1 of 3 Perfect Location and Excellent Service for my Birthday Party Concert Fundraiser! We hosted my birthday party concert fundraiser, Rock Stars for Lake Cares, in April 2022 at the Key West Resort on Lake Dora. The rooftop event space was perfect! Sam, Sydney, Alex and the maintenance team were responsive and helpful. Our guests loved the lake and sunset views from the rooftop. We were able to extend a blocked room rate to our guests, which was nice. The band had access to electrical outlets and all went well from a sound standpoint. We had several guests stay at the resort and they were happy with the accommodations. They have a pool with a lake view and a restaurant, The Dog House, on the property, which is great. Our catering and event team said everything went smoothly, and the guests are still talking about this wonderful venue and how much fun they had at the event! The staff here is amazing! Anna, Sydney and Sam were so accommodating! Not only did they go out of their way for us we watched them deal with some of the rudest people and they dealt with it flawlessly. You can't please everyone but these girls sure did try. One morning I was sitting in the breakfast area which by the way is quick and easy. They also have alot of different options. Well as we ate breakfast Miss Anna was running around making sure everyone had what they needed and was super sweet. We had a great stay and will definitely come bk because of the staff! They made our stay so much better. Beautiful view and spacious clean accommodations . The bed was very comfortable. The breakfast was a joke with prepackaged foods. And slim pickings at that. The front desk are a salty bunch and sloppy in appearance. Definitely doesn't want to be at work like behavior. The surrounding restaurants where great. So much potential with this place. 4.1(426) • 4.5(574) 199 W Ruby St, Tavares, FL 32778, USA 11 Spanish Springs Town SquareShopping mall Sights & Landmarks Points of Interest & Landmarks Quaint complex with boutiques, restaurants, performing-arts venues & a movie theater. Slide 1 of 3 Great live entertainment. Check out the band Hooligans. They were great. Rain or shine, there is always something to do. A fun place to visit.. the people enjoy life and have a great time. The little shops were nice the music was great,live band and dancing in the evening . Love it here! Spent St Patrick's day with my folks and we had a blast at the Parade ☘️☘️☘️ 4.6(3320) • 4.5(567) 1120 Main St, The Villages, FL 32159, USA 12 Giraffe RanchLeafy park home to giraffes, camels & rhinos with drive-through tours, plus up-close encounters. Slide 1 of 5 At this attraction in Dade City, a little over an hour west of I-Drive, you’ll get to know giraffes and other species from around the world, all in a setting that seems right out of Africa with huge live oaks and open grasslands. Offering tours exclusively by reservation, Giraffe Ranch is on 47 acres of countryside adjoining Florida’s second largest wilderness area, the Green Swamp, complete with native orchids, lush pastures and rolling wetlands. Rural Dade City is known mostly for its strawberries, but word is quickly spreading about something else that makes people flock here:… Here are just a few shots of all the amazing animals you will see and learn about at the Giraffe Ranch. Lex and Elena are so great and Lex was who took us on our tour. His genuine love for his ranch and all his animals shows loud and clear. He is a wealth of information so take notes! Very worldly man to say the least. We learned so much and asked many questions that Lex was happy to answer. It was so fun and so educational. Worth every cent and then some. I will go again and take the camel tour next! We did this for my moms 81st bday and learned that he had a lady over 100 do the camel back tour!! My mom says she will do it for her 85th lol!! I've lived her my whole life and just learned about this place on my favorite morning radio show. I'm sorry I did not know earlier. I'd of love to have taken my father who had a huge love for the animals. Needless to say im grateful I got to experience this with mom. I rate this life experience like the best of diamonds. Colorless triple excellent!!! ❤😘 This was absolutely an amazing experience! They take pristine care of this facility and really care about these animals. It was a drive-thru tour with the guide over the radio. We have taken other tours like this and the quality of the tour and information from the guide (who has worked all over the world and is an adjunct professor) is 2nd to none. We also did the lemur feeding afterwards ($35) and it was SO COOL. They have other package options (Segway tour/camel tour/driven) and other feeding options to explore as well. There is another location in Lakeland that is 5x the size and we will go and review that soon too! VERY MUCH WORTH THE COST!!! Excellent adventure! We did the camel tour. The guides were knowledgeable and you got to see the animals way closer than you would at a zoo. They were also very open about where each animal came from and their conservation efforts. 4.6(320) • 5.0(403) 38650 Mickler Rd, Dade City, FL 33523, USA 13 Dade City's Wild ThingsGift shop Zoos & Aquariums Zoo Vast zoo offers safari tours & close-up encounters with jungle cats, bears & other animals. Slide 1 of 3 Fantastic. Great family enjoyment. My girls loved it. Thanks Nice place wish I could of taken pictures myself and able to see some of the big cats They offer very cool individual experiences that you just can't find anywhere else! 2.7(553) • 4.0(295) 36909 Blanton Rd, Dade City, FL 33523, USA 14 Tom and Jerry's Airboat RidesBoat tour agency Tours Gift shop Sightseeing tour agency Tour operator Boat Tours Slide 1 of 3 Definitely a recommendable Florida adventure. Fun experience. Peaceful at times. You don’t get wet, wear comfortable clothes. Very windy. Staff is very friendly. We got to see turtles, a few gators and different types of birds. There’s a Subway across the street if you need to grab a quick bite or snacks. I like the vibe here. Some ppl may say it is a little bit creepy, but I would rather say this place is a hidden gem, not too much commercialized. When I went there, there was not that many ppl so we felt safer from COVID. Also, captain knew a lot about the history and alligators. But what I am pretty sure that what reader really wants to know is "are there a lot of alligators?". When I went there, I saw like 6-8 alligators including the baby alligator too. I will visit this place without hesitation next time. Don't forget the tips to the captain! It is what he is working for! This is a must do for everyone! We saw gators and turtles and birds galore! Air boat was so much fun. The tour guide even stopped a couple times to give us a history lesson. We will definitely be looking up more tours like this, we really enjoyed. Everyone seemed to. Good times all around! 4.5(766) • 4.5(379) 68 N Main Terrace, Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538, USA 15 Swamp Fever Airboat AdventuresBoat tour agency Tours Boat Tours Nature & Wildlife Tours Slide 1 of 3 Great time!!!! Captain Kyle was awesome. We saw gators big & small, one water snake, lots of turtles of all sizes plus beautiful scenery. Holding the gator at the end is a great bonus!!!! I will do this again highly recommend giving it a whirl. Captain Steve and the ladies were knowledgeable, and like their jobs. Steve explained pretty much every plant and animal as the tour went on. He also is prideful of the eagles, as well as the rest of the birds in the area. We saw quite a few gators, from a foot long to eight footers. Great for all ages. Had a great trip with Swamp Fever. Drove out from Tampa and it was well worth the effort to see another side of Florida. Beautiful location, educational and entertaining. Would highly recommend the adventure if you are looking for something a little different to do with your family. 4.9(649) • 5.0(849) 4110 NW 42nd Pl Lot 1, Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538, USA 16 Silver Springs State ParkNature park bisected by a river, with trails, a museum, a picnic area, rental cabins & more. Slide 1 of 7 Silver Springs State Park is a truly magical place to visit just outside of Orlando. It’s thought to be the largest artesian formation in the world, and it’s an amazing place to go kayaking in central Florida. Kayaking at Silver Springs State Park is an eco-friendly and kind way to discover wildlife in its natural habitat without disturbing any of the animals. Often called Florida’s first tourist attraction, glass bottom boat tours have been running at Silver Springs for over 100 years!. (Random trivia – Over 20 movies have also been filmed here including Creature from the Black Lagoon, and six Tarzan movies). Rental options within Silver Springs State Park include kayaks, clear kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes. There’s no better way to enjoy the crystal-clear waters of Silver Springs State Park than aboard a glass-bottom boat. These are not ideal waters to swim in, but a voyage is very much the next best thing, with on-deck breezes to keep you cool. Alternatively, you can kayak your way down the river for a picnic under the trees at Ray Wayside Park. It is also one of the first tourist attractions in Florida, with recorded visitors dating back to the 1870’s. Visitors can enjoy a glass bottom boat tour, kayaking, and numerous other activities while at Silver Springs State Park. Silver River Museum and Environmental Center remain closed due to Covid-19. Beautiful and only $2 entry fee. Wish CA would provide it's residents such value. Open and not crowded. Great to paddle around or take a hike. Clean restrooms and great staff. Didn't see a manatee but we were a little late. Found this beauty while exploring the area on a business trip to Ocala. The most beautiful blueish green water. They have clearly defined trails and a beautiful boardwalk area that loops you through the forest. Didn’t get to take the boat tour but it looked awesome with the clear see through bottoms! Lots of parking, well maintained restrooms, and reasonably priced to enter! A must see if you are in the area! We love Silver Springs. It is amazing to kayak. You see birds, manatees, alligators, turtle, fish, sunken ships and several springs not just Silver Springs. We have not been on the glass bottom boats but have overheard the boat captains and the seem quite knowledgeable. It is $5/kayak to launch your own kayak but parking is free. We have been here in December and saw several manatees and in April and saw the birds in their estuary, amazing both time frames though I think I'm my opinion the Spring was a little better because of all the birds. However, I don't think you can go wrong any time of year. 4.7(7534) • 4.0(1500) 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd, Silver Springs, FL 34488, USA 17 Silver Springs State ParkNature park bisected by a river, with trails, a museum, a picnic area, rental cabins & more. Slide 1 of 7 Silver Springs State Park is a truly magical place to visit just outside of Orlando. It’s thought to be the largest artesian formation in the world, and it’s an amazing place to go kayaking in central Florida. Kayaking at Silver Springs State Park is an eco-friendly and kind way to discover wildlife in its natural habitat without disturbing any of the animals. Often called Florida’s first tourist attraction, glass bottom boat tours have been running at Silver Springs for over 100 years!. (Random trivia – Over 20 movies have also been filmed here including Creature from the Black Lagoon, and six Tarzan movies). Rental options within Silver Springs State Park include kayaks, clear kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes. There’s no better way to enjoy the crystal-clear waters of Silver Springs State Park than aboard a glass-bottom boat. These are not ideal waters to swim in, but a voyage is very much the next best thing, with on-deck breezes to keep you cool. Alternatively, you can kayak your way down the river for a picnic under the trees at Ray Wayside Park. It is also one of the first tourist attractions in Florida, with recorded visitors dating back to the 1870’s. Visitors can enjoy a glass bottom boat tour, kayaking, and numerous other activities while at Silver Springs State Park. Silver River Museum and Environmental Center remain closed due to Covid-19. Beautiful and only $2 entry fee. Wish CA would provide it's residents such value. Open and not crowded. Great to paddle around or take a hike. Clean restrooms and great staff. Didn't see a manatee but we were a little late. Found this beauty while exploring the area on a business trip to Ocala. The most beautiful blueish green water. They have clearly defined trails and a beautiful boardwalk area that loops you through the forest. Didn’t get to take the boat tour but it looked awesome with the clear see through bottoms! Lots of parking, well maintained restrooms, and reasonably priced to enter! A must see if you are in the area! We love Silver Springs. It is amazing to kayak. You see birds, manatees, alligators, turtle, fish, sunken ships and several springs not just Silver Springs. We have not been on the glass bottom boats but have overheard the boat captains and the seem quite knowledgeable. It is $5/kayak to launch your own kayak but parking is free. We have been here in December and saw several manatees and in April and saw the birds in their estuary, amazing both time frames though I think I'm my opinion the Spring was a little better because of all the birds. However, I don't think you can go wrong any time of year. 4.7(7534) • 4.0(1500) 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd, Silver Springs, FL 34488, USA 18 Gypsy Gold Horse FarmHorse breeder Sights & Landmarks Farm Gift shop Historical landmark Tour operator Ranches Slide 1 of 3 If you are planning a trip to Ocala, Gypsy Gold Horse Farm is a Must See! Dennis, the owner is turning 73 and winding down. He currently gives the tour and the story behind this place is historical, memorable and I can muster the words to say positively emotional. The animals are beautiful. You can see the staff interact with them and care for them. The cost per person is nothing for what you get for. Go Now while Dennis is still hosting the tour! Great place to visit, the horses are all so friendly and beautiful! Aside from the horses they also have goats, donkeys and birds. The staff were all great and really informative about the breed. Definitely worth the tour around the farm! The owners are great; there is a great story behind this place and the breed and the owners spins a nice tale. Also, these are some of the most beautiful horses I’ve seen. 4.9(270) • 5.0(612) 12501 8th Ave, Ocala, FL 34473, USA 19 Don Garlits Museum of Drag RacingMuseum Non-profit organization Specialty Museums Long-running museum housing an extensive collection of vintage hot rods & drag racing cars. Slide 1 of 3 Wonderful place! Beautiful cars. It was set up nicely. The staff was friendly and helpful. It was a very informative visit. It was all great. However the antique cars were my favorite! Prepare to spend some time there! Awesome place if you can enjoy high quality exhibits of cars. Focus is on drag racing but lots of great classic cars and other things to see. Could go back and spend the whole day like minded people. People working there are super friendly and happy to chat. Senior discount! Ive been here many times over the past 25 years. A must see for any gearhead/race fan. Staff is great! If you can, take the tour with Don. It's an unforgettable couple hours. 4.8(1807) • 4.5(461) 13700 SW 16th Ave, Ocala, FL 34473, USA 20 Withlacoochee State ForestForest of 157,479 acres providing critical wildlife habitat, plus trails, campgrounds & canoeing. Slide 1 of 4 Lace up your hiking boots and prepare to traverse the longest unpaved loop trail in Citrus County!. Crossing over three tidal creeks, this loop provides fantastic opportunities to observe marine life, including otters and the many fish that teem in these waters. With plenty of wildlife and nature to observe, this peaceful hiking loop is the perfect place to escape the bustle of life, stretch your legs, appreciate the world around you, and come back refreshed to everyday life! The Withlacoochee Red Trail Loop is one of the most scenic trails around Tampa Bay that I have walked. It was cool weather so I didn't see much wildlife. I found the scenery was very nice, especially around the river. An added bonus is the tower along the path. I can see why the previous commenters were confused by the All Trails map. I found that I had to follow the orange blazes for 3/4 of the loop, then switched to follow the blue blazes. This is the only way I could stay on the All Trails path. This state forest offers an abundance of destinations to enjoy nature. Cooler temperatures in October and November make those months my favorite time to hike and explore the forest. Photos and video accompanying this review were taken near the intersection of Stage Coach Trail and Citrus Way. The forest is always a great place. Go for a walk and get back to nature 4.6(582) • 4.5(129) 15003 N Broad St, Brooksville, FL 34601, USA 21 Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State ParkState park Sights & Landmarks The Pulitzer Prize-winning author's restored 1930s Cross Creek farmhouse with tours & gardens. Slide 1 of 3 This is a great day trip. We took our time and enjoyed the whole area. Nice walking trails all level and in the shade; nice surprise. Tours were available and needed to go into the house. $3 per group in one vehicle to enter park. Honor box to pay the fee; correct change is needed. The farmhouse tour fee is $3 per adult and $2 per child. Hours 9 to 5. It is perfect for kids and all accessible for any age. Plenty of benches and picnic tables. Great restaurant “The Yearling” just up the road well worth the stop. One of the nicest place for a day trip. A small farm house, may be you have seen that many times in your dreams but never expected it to exist in real world. Not very exciting, yet very close to heart- beautiful! The late January winter evening: an unplanned respite, a cup of tea was the only missing thing to enjoy the mysterious evening. I went on Monday and the inside wasn't open. It was all the same magical. I own the movies and the books. This place is old Florida at its finest. I love Cross Creek. I love this home so much. There is a romance about it. Such sweet air. Come visit! 4.8(581) • 4.5(209) 18700 S, Co Rd 325, Cross Creek, FL 32640, USA 22 Rainbow RiverRiver Nature & Parks Bodies of Water Slide 1 of 4 Sometimes referred to as “KP Hole”, this spring fed river is the crown jewel of Central Florida. Known for its pristine blue water and tubing, the spring head at Rainbow River Springs feeds the six-mile river run. You can ride the river on any type of watercraft, motorized or non-motorized but most people choose to float down the river. OMG. Rainbow River, even in late November, can’t be topped for swimming, tubing, kayaking, diving, canoeing and even fishing. The beauty is astounding - old Florida at its very best (check out my (if I do say so myself) A-ma-zing pictures! This River is spring-fed which means it is crystal clear. Like many of these type rivers in Florida, there are multiple springs that provide millions of gallons of pristine water each year. Divers come from near and far due to some of the boils being large enough to enter, the largest being the ‘K-hole’. The public park across from the K-hole is very nice. Modern and well, equipped, parking and restrooms are free and the grounds are very well-kept Bottom line? If you want to swoon over the Zen beauty of nature DO NOT WAIT! Head over to Rainbow River in Dunnellon, FL. Magnificence! Beautiful scenery, water, wildlife all over! A great place to swim, kayak, explore or just sit beside and relax! The water was warm and crystal clear, and we all had an amazing day on the river! Rainbow River in December was incredible! The park is clean and the park rangers are very knowledgeable. You can walk trails go swimming. You can rent kayaks and enjoy a paddle on a crystal clear river. Lots of walking will take you to some breath taking locations. Really had a fun and enjoyable time and will definitely be returning! A special thank you to everyone who keeps this landmark going. Now parking is a little difficult to locate so I’ll save you the trouble. 19158 SW 81st Pl Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432 4.8(197) • 4.5(469) 23 Rainbow Springs State ParkSerene public park offering natural springs & a river, as well as campgrounds & picnic areas. Slide 1 of 7 The 100mi (160km) trek from downtown Orlando to Ginnie Springs is well worth the effort – you’re heading to a spring that’s drawn visitors for more than 10,000 years. Unclouded sapphire waters maintain a cool 72F (22C) temperature, so you can soak in comfort, whatever time of year you’re here. No need to hike for miles to see nature’s finest – hunker down in a kayak, and you can glide past jungle waterfalls and aquatic forests. If you camp at Rainbow Springs State Park, you’ll have the opportunity to take a deep dive into Florida history, so make sure you bring your snorkeling gear. Humans first visited Rainbow Springs State Park over 10,000 years ago. Today, the Rainbow River draws people in for its near constant year-round temperature of 72 degrees. Located an hour and a half away on the west coast of Florida, Rainbow Springs State Park is a beautiful excuse for a day trip. Hike their trails and marvel at their man made waterfalls, formed during the lands mining days and private ownership. Tube down the river, or swim in the sapphire waters. The crystal clear water of the Rainbow River is what makes it such a popular destination for kayaking and tubing. Wildlife is abundant and at a 1 MPH flow, you can enjoy a leisurely float or paddle down the river. While you’re in the area you can also check out Rainbow Springs State Park. One of the most beautiful places ever. The water are crystal clear and have the most beautiful colors. They have a huge lawn where you can just chill, and a bbq area where they also have tables and benches. They also have a small shop at the entrance for snacks and drinks. You can rent a kayak or puddle board for around 17$-27$ per hour (or around 50$ for the entire day). Another huge benefit to this spring is that they have beautiful trails where you can walk about and explore the nature around. GO THERE! Tubes are not allowed. You can bring your own kayak or puddle board as well (don’t know if they charge you an extra fee for that). Entrance fee is $2 per person collected at a gate house near the spring headwaters about .25 miles from the parking lot. There are some short trails, a swimming area, restroom/changing rooms, pavilions and grilling areas and a lawn area for sunbathing. The visitor center and snack bar were closed on the day of our visit, Tuesday in February. There is a watercraft launch and rental area located just past the swimming area which we used to launch our paddle boards. You will need to carry your watercraft from the parking lot to that area. The water is crystal clear, deep and 72 degrees year round. Paddling was great, next to no obstacles with light currents. I have had more scenic experiences, much of the river is occupied by residential areas on one side. Wildlife is abundant, turtles, fish and birds are everywhere. As in any water source in Florida there are alligators but we did not observe any during out 3 hours on the water. Best of all were the small coves along the river which provided opportunities to pull over and cool off with a swim. There is a campground located 7 miles by road from the spring that has its own watercraft launch. Overall the park was a great experience although I’m sure it would be difficult to have that same option had we gone on a weekend, the park closes the gate at capacity, or had we not taken the watercraft out to explore the river away from the swimming area. Beautiful state park with a botanical garden with walking paths, canoe/kayak area, restrooms with changing rooms and a swimming area. The parking lot is only a 5-10min walk away. You can tell this is a touristy destination by their gift shop, food stand & how they set up the park. The swimming area is smaller than expected, but still an amazing experience. I saw a sea turtle while swimming! They do charge a $2 admission. The campground is nice, clean and spacious. Check in was easy & staff was friendly. You can see the stars above in the night. The area is quiet & great for families. 4.7(6615) • 4.5(746) 19158 SW 81st Pl Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432, USA 24 Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation FoundationWildlife refuge Nature & Parks Nature & Wildlife Areas Slide 1 of 3 LOVED this place! The animals are all so loved and well taken care of, all staff is so knowledgeable and sweet. The animals live like wild animals as they should and the enclosures are spacious and natural, absolutely a must-go! My family came down from Virginia and we stopped in here for a tour. It was amazing how many endangered animals they are taking care of, and how knowledgeable the staff is. We were surprised at the amount of animals we were able to see and interact with…at a safe distance. We were also lucky to get an up close encounter with a baby clouded leopard (adorable!), as well as to feed a rhino (both hilarious and adorable). Isaiah, the zookeeper who gave us a tour was incredibly knowledgeable. I don’t think there was one question we asked him that he couldn’t answer. He was friendly and welcoming, making the tour a great experience. Whenever we’re down here again, we’re definitely coming back to check on our new friends. Incredible place to see a myriad of big cats, primates, exotic species and interact with some really cool animals. 10/10 would recommend. They have a very knowledgeable staff, my wife and I will be back. They also have the best cat on earth, the Caracal (die Rooikat), seriously an amazing place. 4.8(120) • 5.0(161) 8528 E, County Rd 225, Gainesville, FL 32609, USA 25 Florida Museum of Natural History-ExhibitsNatural history museum Museums Science museum Museum exploring the natural & human heritage of Florida, the Caribbean & Latin America. Slide 1 of 10 While it's also home to the Butterfly Rainforest, it's worth noting that the Florida Museum of Natural History hosts many other exhibits that can be visited separately and at no cost. Considered one of the top natural history museums in the USA, FLMNH was established in 1906 and can easily consume the best part of a day if you plan on seeing everything. Must-sees in the Powell Hall, the museum's main space in the University of Florida Cultural Plaza, are its many permanent displays relating to Florida's rich fauna and flora. The Florida Museum of Natural History, which is located on the University of Florida’s campus, is a national treasure that you should not miss while in Gainesville. The museum has a fantastic permanent collection as well as regular temporary exhibitions. The Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Fossils Collection (which recounts the origin of life and land), and the interactive Our Energy Future exhibit are just a few of the most popular exhibits. The highlight of this excellent natural-history museum is the expansive Butterfly Rainforest (adult/child $13/6). Hundreds of butterflies from 55 to 65 species flutter freely in the soaring, screened vivarium. As you stroll among waterfalls and tropical foliage, peek at scientists preparing specimens in the rearing lab of this, the world's largest butterfly research facility. Other exhibits include displays on fossils and Floridian ecosystems. Pay a visit to the Florida Museum of Natural History to admire its impressive natural history collections. This museum boasts more than 40 million specimens and artifacts, including a chance to marvel at the hundreds of flitting butterflies in the award-winning Butterfly Rainforest exhibit. The institution is considered one of the top five museums in the country and conveniently offers an entrance fee discount for students. The museums in Gainesville give the very essence of its citizens and rich culture. If you are looking for something deeper and more meaningful, head to the museums in city. Explore the cultural, artistic, scientific, or historical side of Gainesville with these museums. It is never over if you wouldn’t be able to make it up to Butterfly Rainforest!. Are you thinking of the other reasonable alternative which is equally enriched with one or two branches of this city’s history?. It is normal to think or worry, but relax! One of the nation’s top 5, with permanent as well as temporary displays, from fossils to energy to environment teaching lab trails. I brought four of my little ones my wife and brother in-law to visit this gem, the kids where completely blown away and had smiles from ear to ear the whole time we were there. The wife loved many parts of the visit as did the brother in-law. I have been to quiet a few museums in my life time and this one was very well laid out and was not to long or to short it was just right the facility was clean and had ample parking over all it was a very pleasant family outing and we thank you for your work and dedication to supplying our youth and even our adults with the beauty and history you elegantly laid out for our viewing pleasure can't wait to see how you change things around with new exhibits in the future What a wonderful museum and tip of the hat to FL! Butterfly garden is a must IMO if you like butterflies. The museum has the largest specimen collection of butterfliesand moths in the world at over 9 million specimens! The temporary Fossil exhibit they have on display for a limited time is amazing. The kids were able to get hands on, not only in the discovery center, but also helping to glue together and label fossils before they are cataloged in the national database. We will be back. The.food at the Cafe next door was great and reasonably priced! This museum is great! I'm a Florida native and very passionate about the states wildlife, and their collections are very diverse and informative. So many cool fossils, specimens, and exhibits on the flora and fauna of the state. Their traveling exhibits are always super interesting as well, most recently I saw the dinosaur egg exhibit, which had ton of interesting info and reproductions for both kids and adults. I definitely recommend this place, especially for return visits, because there's just so much to see! 4.8(2670) • 4.5(855) 3215 Hull Rd, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA 26 Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural HistoryMany species of butterflies & birds roam free in this Natural History Museum interactive exhibit. Slide 1 of 17 Whether you're traveling with kids, as a couple, or even solo, a visit to the Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History should definitely be at the top of your must-do list. Located within the University of Florida Cultural Plaza, which conveniently houses a number of other important Gainesville tourist attractions, this enthralling attraction can be visited separately from the main museum and can take a few hours to explore fully. The stars here are, of course, the thousand or more butterflies and moths that inhabit the 6,400-square-foot rainforest. Located at the University of Florida is the Butterfly Rainforest Museum of Natural History. On constant display at the museum are the butterfly rainforest and the indoor butterfly exhibits where visitors can catch a spotting of hundreds of different types of butterflies, some native to Florida and others from different corners of the earth. If you are planning a trip to the butterfly rainforest, make sure you get there in time for their daily butterfly spotlight for a closer look at these delicate insects. Fans of nature will surely enjoy a visit to the Florida Museum of Natural History.One of the nation’s top five museums will be a pleasant surprise for both little visitors and grown-ups. There you will find collections that feature more than 40 million specimens and artifacts, a life-size limestone cave, and even a mammoth from the last ice age. You and your date won’t have to travel far for a perfect date. The Butterfly Rainforest, located in the Florida Museum of Natural History, is located right on the UF campus!. Take a trip to the Butterfly Rainforest with your date to admire the beautiful tropical environment filled with a variety of colorful butterflies, birds, moths, and fish. Gainesville is not without some interesting history, the city is manifested with great historical documentation. This range of history cut across human, animal, and history plants. As a wise visitor heading towards this Florida city, it will be so apt for you to visit where one or two of this form of history are adequately learned. A visit to the Butterfly Rainforest at Florida Museum of Natural History is a must-see for anyone traveling with children, couples, or solo. This captivating attraction is located in the University of Florida Cultural Plaza. It can be accessed separately from the main museum, and it can take several hours to fully explore. Hundreds of multi-hued butterflies flit throughout a four-story screened world with trails cascading waterfalls lush plants and trees. Be sure to check out the "Wall of Wings " an eye-arresting display of preserved and photographed butterflies and moths. Located at 3215 Hull Road on the west end of the UF campus. This beautiful landmark is a 6,400-square-foot screened exhibit that features hundreds of free-flying butterflies (50 species at any given time), birds from all over the world, and an assortment of other animals like turtles and fish. It is a natural environment, ideal for butterflies and plants. If you are very fond of butterflies, the Butterfly Rainforest in Gainesville will definitely impress you. Located at the Natural History Museum of Florida, this place offers a path of 6,400 sq. ft. exhibit where you will encounter more than 80 butterflies and other species. Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. The Butterfly Rainforest is actually an exhibit at the Florida Museum of Natural History. The birds and butterflies roam free in the interactive room, where visitors can see them in their natural habitat. Butterfly Rainforest is on the list of romantic places in Gainesville. The scenic landscape consists of deciduous, evergreen and flowering trees with annual, biennial and perennial flowers. The natural scenery and beautiful butterflies will deeply touch your soul. Part of the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Butterfly Rainforest is a hidden gem for those who love winged friends. A 6,400 square-foot building is screened but exposed to the natural Florida elements. Actually, this is truly heaven for butterflies. 3215 Hull Road SW 34th Street and Hull RdGainesville, FL 32611(352) 846-2000. Click Here To See Ticket Price. Part of the Florida Museum of Natural History, this 6,400-square-foot exhibit is one of the city’s most fascinating attractions for kids. A visit to the Butterfly Rainforest at Florida Museum of Natural History is a must-see for anyone traveling with children, couples, or solo. This captivating attraction is located in the University of Florida Cultural Plaza. We saw a billboard on I75 and decided to stop by. We had the best butterfly encounter. They also had a dino exhibition that we enjoyed as well.. the butterflies though stole the show. We saw 2 butterflies hatch and it was amazing!!! Then we visited the exhibit and it was beyond amazing... They were everywhere. Staff was friendly and I have to say their restrooms were super clean!!!!! The environment was clean and well cared for with a great variety of plants and butterflies! Visitors are not allowed to touch or feed the little birds and butterflies that roam the environment. Photographs are welcome as well as sitting on the benches throughout to enjoy your day. This is probably my FAVORITE place in all of Gainesville. The Butterfly Rainforest does not disappoint. They are so active and you get to sometimes see them follow you through the garden. Love the flowers throughout the paths. Lots of parking available on campus.
4.8(1354) • 5.0(1073) 3215 Hull Rd, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA 27 Devil's Millhopper Geological State ParkPark Nature & Parks State Parks Lush park where visitors can hike to view small waterfalls, thick foliage & a 120-ft. cavity. Slide 1 of 28 Have you been dying to visit the rainforest but don’t quite fancy the long flight to Brazil?. Then you will love the Devil’s Millhopper geological state park in Gainesville Florida as it will lead you down sandy paths and through epic pine trees until you reach Gainesville’s very own mini geological rainforest. You can also follow the streams into the limestone sinkhole and learn more about the marine shells and fossilized sharks’ teeth that were found there. Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park is a really cool state park with a crazy name — and it’s worth a visit!. At this state park, you’ll find a 120-foot deep sinkhole that leads down to, what they call, a “miniature rainforest.” The sinkhole was formed when the limestone underneath collapsed. When the sinkhole was formed, many different artifacts and fossils were found — like sharks teeth, and more. One of Gainesville’s most notable geological attractions, Devil’s Millhopper State Park extends out of one of Florida’s largest sinkholes. Descending into the sinkhole, you can find many different forms of vegetation as well as trickling streams of water winding through the rocks and plant-life. At the rim of the sinkhole, you can choose to hike the .9 mile nature trail for a more traditional bout. This unique sinkhole has created Florida’s own mini rainforest with rich vegetation and tons of wildlife. As you descend into the sinkhole you will feel like you’ve been transported to a faraway land while you discover this rare ecosystem. Between the temperature drop, the thick canopy, and water trickling through the limestone, you will forget that you’re in Florida entirely. Gainesville has a lot of places to visit and your list of cool things to do in Gainesville FL would not be complete without a visit to the Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park. Quite a fitting name for the most unusual historical and geological site you have ever seen. The Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park is located in a giant sinkhole just outside of Gainesville. We can assure you that you have never experienced anything like the Devil’s Millhopper State Geological Site!. This bowl-shaped crater is one of the most unique spots for hiking in Gainesville, FL; it is estimated that this sinkhole is over 10 thousand years old. Visitors can trek through the trail that runs along the edge of the cavern then down the stairs to the bottom. Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park is home to a large sink hole, that is over 120 feet deep and 500 feet wide. There is a wooden boardwalk leading to a large observation deck of the sinkhole. A forest, swamp and sand hill are all diverse ecosystems you can see at Devil’s Millhopper making this State park a unique thing to do in Gainesville. Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park is the only park in Florida that’s literally located in a sinkhole. It stretches more than 120 feet deep and 500 feet wide, and visitors can descend to the bottom with the help of winding wooden steps and boardwalks that lead to an observation deck. The sinkhole is a marvel of nature for several reasons. Gainesville is home to a number of beautiful and fascinating state parks. The Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park, which includes a limestone sinkhole, is very unique and enjoyable to explore. This geological feature is a 120-foot-deep basin where, regardless of how hot it is above ground, the temperature remains relatively cold. Some of the best hiking in Florida can be done at Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park. This area outside of Gainesville has been attracting visitors since the early 1880s!. You probably wouldn’t expect to find a miniature rainforest in Florida, but that is exactly what visitors will see at the bottom of a 120-foot sinkhole! An out-and-back trail, a boardwalk system descends to the bottom along a half-mile nature trail that takes you along the top of the sinkhole. Dogs on a 6-foot leash are welcome, and you’ll find an unexpected rainforest in this wonderland. It’s a popular place for a picnic and tours are available on Saturdays with a reservation. Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Michael Rivera used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park is a small rainforest, located on Gainesville’s northern borders beneath a sinkhole. The crater was formed within the Ocala Limestone over a long period due to its dissolution by acidic groundwater. Discover an unexpected rainforest within this remarkable geological wonderland, attracting visitors since the 1880s. It is one of the unique places in Florida, set in a sinkhole for more than a hundred years. You can hike around the area and discover marine shells and fossilized remains of extinct land animals. Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park, Gainsville, Alachua County, Florida | Photo by Michael Rivera. Located in northwestern Gainesville, Devil’s Millhopper is a relatively small park with one heck of a sinkhole. Measuring 120 feet deep, this park’s namesake sinkhole has been a boon for curious scientists. Devil’s Millhopper is a miniature rain forest right inside Gainesville!. The state park is characterized by lush vegetation, flowers, waterfalls, and trickling streams within a 120-foot-deep sinkhole. The geographical landmark is quite peculiar and has been studied by researchers since the early 1880s. Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park, located just outside Gainesville, is an unusual geological and historical site. The bowl-shaped sinkhole is surrounded by a deserted and sandy landscape. Its steep walls drop 120 feet below the surface to protect a miniature rainforest. The Devil’s Millhopper is a sinkhole just outside of town and it’s attracted visitors since the 1880’s. There is a short (0.5-mile) nature trail around the top of the sinkhole and stairs that take you down into the sinkhole. This is one of the more unique trails in Gainesville. Let’s start our list of romantic things to do in Gainesville with an outdoor adventure. Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park is a trail through the rainforest. Small streams flow down the steep slopes of the limestone sinkhole and disappear into cracks in the ground. With about 5 miles of trails, this family- and pet-friendly park is a great place to get closer to nature. Dating back to the late 1800s, it’s one of the must-see Gainesville tourist attractions. The big draw at Millhopper Geological State Park is the Devil’s Millhopper. After a visit to Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park, you can say you walked down into a sinkhole. Or, tell your friends that you explored a rainforest!. Devil’s Millhopper’s path takes you down a 120-foot cavity where the unique ecosystem is a lush rainforest. Did you know that one of Gainesville's top attractions is a massive sinkhole called Devil's Millhopper?. You can find a combination of both history and geology at Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park. The sinkhole is 120 feet deep. It’s the trickle of water that catches your attention, the steady drip and splash down the rocky rim and into the depths of one of Florida’s largest sinkholes at Devils Millhopper Geological State Park Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park, located just outside Gainesville, is an unusual geological and historical site. The bowl-shaped sinkhole is surrounded by a deserted and sandy landscape. Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park is a Florida State Park located in the north-westernmost part of Gainesville, Florida, off County Road 232, northwest of the University of Florida. In the midst of north Florida’s sandy terrain and pine forests, a bowl-shaped cavisy 120 feet deep leads down to a miniature rain forest. Nice place for a quick hike. The bridge was not accessible though. So we have to go back, cannot, and walk around the sink hole. But the best thing about it is that it has a sign before you make a decision which way to go first. We decided to walk the long path, which is the right side, then we turn around and continue to the left and head down to the sink hole first and it has 127 steps (not counting the flat just the steps.) It was nice. There are several small waterfalls that feed down to the sink hole. It was interesting hearing different sounds of the water running down the sink hole. Decided to come here while visiting our son at UF. We got to see this scene call and we walked all around the property. It was pretty cool for a short visit. There is a bathroom facility as well. One of the little bridges were closed for to maintenance so you weren't able to walk in a complete circle but it was still a nice short stroll This was very cool. I would like to see when more lush. The trails were blocked off so sadly took us longer to drive there than enjoy it. But it was very cool to see. We had visitors from out of state who wanted to see it 4.4(1345) • 4.0(467) 4732 Millhopper Rd, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA 28 Ginnie Springs Outdoors, LLCClear springs with caverns for scuba diving, snorkeling & swimming, plus a campsite & dive shop. Slide 1 of 3 Beautiful springs. 72 all year round. No lie it’s cold water in February even if it’s 80 out. I would get wetsuits if your going in the winter months. Snorkeling and diving is recommended so you can see the underwater caves. Kayaking and tubing the river is super fun but that current is strong 💪 so it’s a workout kayaking up the river but a blast floating back down!! Clearest water I’ve ever seen!! Definitely a must go to to see… The spring itself is beautiful. The staff keep the grounds nice and clean. The water is refreshing and cool. It is a nice piece of nature that I pray we don’t destroy! The people are really the problem. I took my family for the first time recently and the grounds are overcrowded which makes getting to and enjoying the spring difficult! Unfortunately, the weekend is not the best time to go. Too much partying and drinking, young people are still rude and people don’t watch their children. Parents were getting drunk and leaving children unattended. The staff or the park are not to blame for the ignorance and poor behaviors of the adults present the day I was there. Those same adults allowed their children to block the steps to launch onto the spring. I will try to go on a Tuesday the next time. I rate the park a FIVE for the view and staff. The 3 represents the experience overall. I will return and do recommend this spot for a getaway. It is affordable and could be fun for the family! Very nice campgrounds, from full service to tent sites, river tubing, kayak and canoe rentals. Good swimming. Well maintained facilities. Very good service and staff. I will return and would recommend to others. They need to have someone run a golf cart shuttle for tubing clients upstream. That would make it five stars. 4.4(5163) • 4.0(433) 7300 Ginnie Springs Road, High Springs, FL 32643, USA 29 Ichetucknee Springs State ParkState park Nature & Parks Park Park featuring a 6-mi. river with summer tubing through wetlands, wildlife sightings & snorkeling. Slide 1 of 3 We visited during the winter off season and it was absolutely amazing! There were barely any others visiting, so the river was quiet and pristine. We saw lots of wildlife, including birds, turtles, and even some manatees (they frequent the area upriver of Midpoint). Note that they don’t allow you to bring any disposable items (snacks, bottled water) so make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated. Definitely recommend for all ages and levels of experience. We were in a party of 8 with both adults and pre-teen/teenage children, with little experience kayaking, and it was awesome. May 13, 2022 a Friday. It was a perfect day with little people traffic. We floated down twice. So peaceful...you heard the birds and just a little talk ftom the people ahead. Water temp was nice-- not too cold like we expected. Highly recommend! Just be sure to spray down with sunscreen and bring water in an aluminum or reusable container. NOT allowed to have disposable containers NOR food on the water!!!! There is a small restaurant that serves burgers dogs, chicken sandwich, fries, sodas at a fair price. Enjoy🙂 What a beautiful place to go see and walk just to relax and see and learn about the blue hole and head spring where you can swim. The water here is also 72 all year round. The blue hole is only open to experienced divers. No free diving or swimming. 4.8(5448) • 4.5(568) 12087 Southwest, US-27, Fort White, FL 32038, USA 30 Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State ParkState park Museums Art Museums Riverside state park dedicated to composer with a museum, camping, trails, craft square & gift shop. Slide 1 of 3 Great park. Our first stay here was in 2020 right at the height of the pandemic. Our second stay was yesterday and unfortunately it was only an overnight stay. One day we will be back to enjoy the park for longer than a day. It’s clean and well kept and the sites a pretty big. Stephen Foster has so much history. Camp sites are spacious and restrooms are very clean. Museum was closed but Carillon bell tower was open. Highly recommend fir many reasons
This is a very nice park. Most camping sites are big enough for larger rigs. Bathhouse was nice and well taken care of. Park Ranger Watkins was awesome! She took lots of time with my grandkids explaining her job and responsibilities. Helped them to become Jr. Park Rangers. They were so thrilled!! Again a big thanks to Ranger Watkins!!! 4.6(863) • 4.5(178) 11016 Lillian Saunders Drive, White Springs, FL 32096, USA What is halfway between Orlando and Destin?Halfway between Orlando, FL and Destin, FL
The town that marks the exact halfway point is actually Hopewell, Florida. The closest zip code to the midpoint is 32331. The exact latitude and longitude coordinates are 30° 26' 8" N and 83° 29' 32" W.
How far is Orlando from Panama City Beach?The total driving distance from Orlando, FL to Panama City Beach, FL is 365 miles or 587 kilometers. Your trip begins in Orlando, Florida.
What is the halfway point to Panama City Beach?The town that marks the exact halfway point is actually Alabaster, Alabama.
What is halfway between Cocoa Beach and Orlando?The city at the geographic halfway point from Orlando, FL to Cocoa Beach, FL is Wewahotee, Florida.
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