Destinations

When people think about vacations in Florida all the typical places come to mind: Disney, Universal Studios, etc. But there is a greener side of Florida that one shouldn’t miss when visiting this beautiful state.

I have visited Florida more then 12 times and I believe these wildlife preserves are some of the most captivating the U.S. has to offer. On my most recent trip I visited the Blue Springs State Park. It is located north of Orlando and west of Daytona where I was staying. It took me about a 45 minute drive from Daytona beach to reach Blue Springs Park. From the parking lot there is an immediate path that will take you along the St. John River. I recommend going in late November early December as this is when the coastal waters cool and the manatees migrate to the river. It is an amazing site! We saw about 40-50 manatees all along the river and this is just from the shore!

If you want to see more incredible sites I recommend taking the St. John River Cruises. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and the views are spectacular. I saw all sorts of wildlife from alligators to turtles to a variety of birds. The cruises are 2-3 hours and they leave daily at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm. They also provide snacks and refreshments all throughout the duration of the cruise. If you’re looking for a different experience from the same old amusement park and going for a more local experience, then the wildlife parks are the prefect alternative.

Also if you take pictures on your visit you can submit them to the Park’s annual photo contest (please visit site for details).