While most visitors to Orlando, Florida are there to visit Mickey, there is much to do outside the Mouse House. Check out just a few of the great outdoor and watersports activities that make great day trips from Central Florida.
1. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Want to see a mermaid? The lovely ladies of Weeki Wachee Springs dance, twirl, and yes, even eat and drink underwater! The daily performances of these finned females are a decades old Florida tradition. Located less than two hours west of Disney World, Weekiwachee also offers a “Mermaid Camp” for kids and adults, and swimming in the crystal clear springs.
2. Wildlife Spotting at Cracker Creek
Less than an hours drive will put you in Cracker Creek, a 20 acre sanctuary offering canoeing, kayaking, camping, and hiking. A leisurely trip down the quiet waterway will offer sights of alligators, raccoons, lizards, turtles, manatees, Sandhill cranes and many other varieties of wild birds native to Florida.
3. Silver Springs State Park
This clear blue spring offers swimming, canoeing, kayaking, as well as picnic areas and campgrounds. Located about an hour and forty-five minutes north of Orlando, there are also glass bottomed boat tours and a pioneer village.
4. Utterly Cute Otters on Loxahatchee River
The first nationally recognized wild and scenic river in the state, Loxahatchee is near Jupiter, about two and a half hours southeast of Orlando. This 8.5 mile waterway is an inviting spot for canoeing and kayaking. Fans of water activities will even get a short drop down the Masten Dam. There is a lot of wildlife to see in this habitat, including egrets, turtles, deer, and otters.
5. Winter Park Canal Boat Tour
Just east of downtown Orlando is the small yet upscale town of Winter Park. Daily tours ferry up to 18 passengers via pontoon boat through the intertwining Chain of Lakes.
6. Space Coast Bioluminescent Lagoon
About 90 minutes east of Orlando, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge boasts a wealth of outdoor activities like kayaking and stand up paddleboarding. Time your visit right and you can even get an up close view of a rocket launch from nearby Cape Canaveral. One of the most spectacular sights is the Comb Jelly Bioluminescent Tour, available in the cooler months of October through May when glowing plankton congregate in the Indian River Lagoon.
Related articles: Spend an Incredible Day in the Outdoors at Ginnie Springs, Florida as well as Enjoy Wildlife and Water Sports at Florida’s Ichetucknee Springs State Park!
Featured Image from Van Phat Phan/Unsplash
