Why live next to an attraction and contend with traffic? Live in Citrus County and attractions are minutes or a few hours away to travel to and on great roads and highways?
Scroll down to see these pages:
Day Trips
Biking
Hiking
On the Water, boating, fishing, diving, paddling
Horseback Riding
"Been There, Haven't Done That" article
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Here are just a few of our favorite day trips. We're sure you'll be adding your own favorites to the list. Click on the name and the website will appear.
--- For trips less than an hour's drive and/or for pre-schoolers, see "Activities in Citrus County."
One hour or so trips:
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Rainbow Springs Park-Dunnellon FL
Rainbow Springs State Park is a Florida State Park located on U.S. 41,
three miles (5 km) north of Dunnellon, Florida. It comprises 1459.07 acre upland
(which includes around 100 acre of wetlands) and 12.83 acre submerged. The most
significant natural feature is the first magnitude headspring basin which
produces between up to 600000000 USgal of fresh water per day, forming The
Rainbow River. Tube down the river! Kayak!
Weeki Wachee Springs
The only home of live mermaids, Weeki Wachee Springs is a great place to enjoy Florida's only spring-fed waterpark. Swim in the 72-degree, crystal clear spring with white sandy beach, have a picnic, play beach volleyball, and watch the mermaid show.
Ginnie Springs Resort
Canoe, tube, snorkel and hike at this privately owned resort. Float down the Santa Fe River, scuba dive in the crystal clear springs. Cavern and cave-dive if you're experienced. There are campsites with electric and water hook-ups, heated bathrooms, picnic tables and grills, and a general store.
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Historic Site
Visit the Cracker-style house and farm where Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings wrote "The Yearling," the novel that won her the Pulitzer Prize in 1939.
Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour
(Near Orlando)--You'll see lovely lakeside homes. Hour long excursion. Call for reservations. 877.972.4262
Micanopy
Florida's oldest inland settlement. Named for Chief Micanopy, the town is now one of the premier antique centers in Florida. Spend a day strolling through the many antique and curio stores or stay a while in one of the local bed and breakfasts.
Butterfly Museum
Established by the University: butterfly museum and rainforest.
Williston Elephant Farm
Explore the retired circus elephants and more! Call ahead for reservations.
Lakeridge Winery
Florida's largest winery and vineyards overlooking the rolling hills of south Lake County. Take a tour of the winery and then enjoy a little wine tasting. The Spanish-style building sits high on a hill and is easily reached by the Florida Turnpike. Gift shop, picnic area, free admission.
The Holy Land Experience
The Holy Land Experience is a living, biblical museum that takes you 7000 miles away and 2000 years back in time to the land of the Bible. Its unique sights, sounds and tastes stimulate your senses and blend together to create a spectacular, new experience.
Walt Disney World
Orlando
-- There are over 47 square miles that comprise Walt Disney World. There are four major theme parks, Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. There are two Disney waterparks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. There are also two nighttime entertainment complexes, Downtown Disney West Side, Harry Potter and Pleasure Island. Coming October 2011:LegoLand! Disney's Wide World Of Sports Complex is 200 acres of sporting action, while the Downtown Disney Marketplace is a favorite of people who enjoy shopping. Also within the Disney complex are many resort hotels and five championship golf courses.
Due to the massive size of the various theme parks, most visitors can expect to spend more than one day viewing everything within a single park. Some parks have night spectaculars during various holiday celebrations.
Sea World
Orlando--
Amusement park, animal encounters, entertaining and education experiences focusing on dolphins, whales, sea lions, sharks, and other sea creatures. For thrills, ride Kraeken, the 15-story, longest, fastest, and only floorless roller coaster in Orlando. Follow it up with Journey to Atlantis, a thrill ride that combines the best parts of water rides and roller coasters.
Choose from several shows, or see more than one: Shamu Adventure, Cirque de la Mer, Key West Dolphin Adventure, Pets Ahoy, and Clyde and Seamore. Explore the many animal attractions: Wild Arctic, Sharks Deep Dive, Manatees, Pacific Point Preserve, Penguin Encounter, Shark Encounter, and Tropical Rain Forest.
One day and one visit may not be enough time to also view the interactive displays, take guided behind-the-scenes tours, take part in the False Killer Whale Interaction Program, dine with Shamu, or have a unique meal at the Sharks Underwater Grill, an upscale full-service restaurant.
Islands of Adventure-Universal Studios
Islands of Adventure-Universal Studios
Orlando
--Experience a rush of adrenaline as the most innovative rides, shows and interactive attractions ever created challenge all your senses at Universal's Islands of Adventure.
At Universal's Islands of Adventure the world's most cutting-edge rides and attractions make you the hero of your favorite stories, myths, legends, cartoons, comic books and children's tales. You'll join Harry Potter and his friends in an unforgettable adventure on the groundbreaking new ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Battle villains on The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. You'll launch from zero to 40 mph in two seconds flat on The Incredible Hulk Coaster. Plunge down an 85-foot waterfall to escape the jaws of a hungry T-rex on the Jurassic Park River Adventure. Cheer on the heroes as you enjoy the explosive feats of The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad stunt show. Help save the day as you hurtle down the Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls flume ride. Spin and whirl through the mischievous world of The Cat in the Hat. It's action, thrills and excitement for all ages.
The Orange County History Museum
-- Travel back 12,000 years in time and fast-forward to today exploring the people, places and events that shape Central Florida. The History Center is new, fun, and interactive.
Orlando Opera
-- Central Florida's finest resource for quality performing arts. Vision and imagination come alive each season through exciting, world-class productions both on and off the main stage.
The Orlando Philharmonic
-- Central Florida's resident orchestra appearing in more than 95 performances each season. As a fully professional ensemble, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra engages the talents of more than 80 conservatory-trained musicians from around the globe.
The Orlando Science Center
-- A 207,000 square-foot "hands-on" learning center with hundreds of interactives for all ages. Features include the giant-screen of the Dr. Phillips CineDome.
Pirate's Dinner Adventure
-- A dinner show attraction that puts you and your family right in the middle of all of the swashbuckling action. A pirate adventure that's perfect for children and adults alike.
Ripley's Believe It Or Not!
Orlando -- The Orlando Odditorium appears to be sinking into one of Florida's infamous sinkholes. For over 40 years, Robert Ripley traveled the world collecting the unbelievable, the inexplicable, the one-of-a-kind. All of it is amazing, much of it is extremely amusing, and it's all on display in Orlando.
Titanic - The Exhibition
Orlando -- The world's first permanent Titanic Exhibition immerses visitors in this timeless story in a way it has never been experienced before. The only full-scale Titanic room re-creations in existence, including her world-famous Grand Staircase. Over 200+ priceless artifacts and historic treasures from some of the most prestigious private collections in the world, many of them on display for the very first time.
Medieval Times Dinner Theatre
Kissimmee -- Set within the walls of a European-style castle, the live show recreates a Middle Age tournament of skill and sport, featuring valiant knights and powerful stallions. The hands-on medieval feast includes a four-course dinner and a two-hour live show.
Polk Museum of Art
Lakeland
-- The inviting entrance of the Polk Museum of Art leads into the Hollis Gallery, a gateway to the museum's two main galleries. Traveling exhibitions of historic and contemporary works visit the museum. Permanent collections focus on four collection areas: Modern and Contemporary Art, Asian Art, European and American Decorative Arts and Pre-Columbian Art.
Fantasy of Flight
Polk City -- The vision of Kermit Weeks, aviation enthusiast and historian, Fantasy Of Flight is a tribute to the innovation and imagination of the pioneers of flight. Features many rare and vintage aircraft.
Central Florida Zoological Park
-- Lake Monroe -- A relaxing, entertaining and educational experience for the entire family. Discover a world of animals from around the world within this intimate park nestled in the heart of Florida.
Busch Gardens
Tampa Bay -- Busch Gardens is the ultimate family adventure park with a unique blend of thrilling rides, one of the country's premier zoos featuring more than 2,700 animals, live shows, restaurants, shops and games. Rollercoaster fans can get their thrills on Kumba, Montu, Python, and Gwazi, then head over to the Tanganyika Tidalwave or the Congo River Rapids. There are plenty of kid friendly rides, up-close animal encounters, and the "Around the World On Ice" show.
Florida Aquarium
Tampa--See why The Florida Aquarium is 1 of the top 10 aquariums in the country! See sharks, alligators, stingrays and penguins!
The Institute for Research in Art
--The museum is one of only 45 AAM (American Association of Museums) accredited museums in Florida. The museum brings to USF and the Tampa Bay community vital, investigative and scholarly contemporary exhibitions and houses a collection of more than 4,500 works with a focus on contemporary graphics, photography and sculpture multiples.
Ruth Eckard Hall
Clearwater -- The acoustically perfect center is convenient to all Central Florida communities and serves a five-county area. According to a 2001 Poll Star report, Ruth Eckerd Hall ranked as the number two theatre venue worldwide in ticket sales for capacities of 2,500 or less. Ruth Eckerd Hall's education program, the largest of its kind in the state of Florida, has touched more than 1.5 million people with a commitment to life-long learning through the arts.
MOSI(Museum of Science and Industry)
Tampa--�MOSI is a non-profit, community-based
institution and educational resource that is dedicated to advancing public
interest, knowledge and understanding of science, industry and technology.
MOSI's core ideology is to make a difference in people's lives by making
science real for people of all ages and backgrounds.� Includes an IMAX Theatre.
St. Pete Pier
-- Fish on the approach to The Pier and around the exterior of the building along the seawalls. No pole? No problem! Pole rentals are available. If fishing isn't your choice, rent a two or four-seater bicycle and bike around The Pier and explore downtown St. Petersburg. Boat tours and dining cruises are also based at The Pier.
The Florida Orchestra
St. Petersburg -- Recognized as Tampa Bay's leading performing arts institution, one of the leading professional symphony orchestras in Florida, and one of the best regional orchestras in America. With a full orchestra of 80 professional musicians, the Orchestra performs more than 150 concerts annually, including Masterworks, Super Pops, Coffee Concerts, Blue Jeans Classics, Kids Time Classics, free parks concerts, youth concerts and concerts at Pasco County's Center for the Arts in River Ridge.
Great Explorations
St. Petersburg-- A place for young minds to experience the thrill and excitement of science - to see first-hand why things work the way they do. Experience the joy of being a kid - at any age - at this hands-on museum.
Florida International Museum
St. Petersburg -- The premier Florida museum for world-class, blockbuster exhibitions with attendance since 1995 at over one million visitors from all 50 states and over 100 countries. Organized in 1992, it has undergone a multi-million dollar renovation. The museum is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing educational exhibitions.
Museum of Fine Arts
St. Petersburg -- European and American art, Greek and Roman antiquities, pre-Colombian and Asian art are displayed inside the museum's Palladian-styled architecture. The museum provides examples of world art in an inviting, elegant setting with a purpose to increase knowledge and appreciation of art, to collect and preserve objects of artistic interest and merit, to protect works of art, to provide facilities for research, and to offer instruction and opportunities for aesthetic enjoyment of art.
The Salvador Dali Museum
St. Petersburg -- "The new Dali Museum is one of a kind. Dali's art, at once classically-based and provocatively imaginative, resonates in the geometry of the concrete and the astonishing flow of glass from the fractured center of the building. The Dali Museum is iconic and a beacon of the arts scene in downtown St. Petersburg. Come sip coffee in our wi-fied Caf� Gala, stroll to the center of our garden labyrinth and take a deep breath. Entertain the possibility of the fantastical as the place and the art invite you to look beyond."
St. Petersburg Museum of History
-- Home to nearly 30,000 objects and archival items relating to the history and pre-history of St. Petersburg and the Pinellas Peninsula. The collections have appeared in books, videos, advertising, and exhibits. Collections document such things as the first commercial airline, the development of tourism in St. Petersburg, and the history of local businesses. The collections and archival materials are accessible for research and examination by special appointment.
Ringling Museum of Art
Sarasota -- The 66-acre estate, the legacy of John Ringling, is the largest museum/university complex in the nation. The Museum of Art, recognized as the state art museum of Florida, includes 21 galleries of internationally recognized European and American art with paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, Poussin and other baroque masters.
The estate includes Ca d'Zan, the recently restored Ringling mansion; the Circus Museum; the Original Asolo theater; the Rose Garden and beautifully landscaped grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay. The art library contains a major reference collection of more than 60,000 volumes encompassing all art periods.
Lowry Park Zoo
Tampa area
-- The region's only dedicated zoological garden, Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo was designed to enhance quality of life in greater Tampa Bay as an affordable leisure destination and center for education and endangered species conservation.
Natural outdoor exhibits for more than 2,000 animals from Florida and similar habitats include a Florida wildlife center and manatee hospital, Asian Gardens, Primate World, aviary, Australian-themed children's zoo, and Safari Africa. Feed the Giraffe-Ride a camel!
Ocala Easy Street Family Fun Center
--On one site: arcade, playground, climbing wall, go carts and miniature golf. some activities for pre-schoolers.
Silver Springs Park
Ocala--National musics acts, live animal exhibit, glass bottom boats, rides, nature tours. Water Park-seasonal.
***Bay News 9 runs featured day trips and records the information on its website. Check out the trips from Scott Fais' Road blog"Florida on a Tankful."
www.baynews9.com
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BIKING
Biking
is great exercise and a wonderful way to see a variety of natural settings
found in Citrus County. If this is your favorite way to go,
you can choose from a cross-country excursion, a meandering scenic day ride or
a more primitive off-road track.
The rolling hills of the Central Ridge provide the most
challenging bike ride for cross-country cyclists.
Roads
which lend themselves well to cyclists are S. Pleasant Grove Road (CR 581),
Stagecoach Trail (CR 480) and the internal roadways of housing developments in
Citrus Springs, Sugarmill Woods, Pine Ridge, Citrus Hills and Beverly Hills.
Each offers something different; acres of undeveloped land with already
paved roads, challenging hills, and panoramic miles-wide views.
A popular cycling route is the "Rails to Trails"
Withlacoochee State Trail. Formerly a railroad right-of-way, the 47-mile trail
is paved its entire length through Citrus County. If you don't have your own
equipment, rental bikes and roller blades are available in the downtown Inverness
area.
MAP:
Withlacoochee State Trail
www.floridabicycle.org
Call or email me for a
brochure 352.464.4881....lthomas@blackdiamondranhc.com
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HIKING
Blessed with an abundance of sunshine and foliage, Florida
presents the perfect destination for hikers to explore and experience the
Sunshine State’s natural and historic diversity.”
www.floridatrail.org
Contact me for a brochure.
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ON THE WATERSee "Activities in Citrus County" for additional local info.BOATING
There
is nothing quite like gliding quietly down a natural river or creek in a
canoe. Nature unfolds before you as though you aren't even there and where the
subtle click of a camera shutter echoes out as an out-of-place noise. If this
is your chosen mode of water transportation or you want to experience it for
the first time, then Citrus County waters are ready to welcome you.
Citrus County maintains
a number of public boat ramps throughout the area and if you are looking for a
more permanent mooring, there are a number of privately owned marinas and boat
storage yards.
If boating is your
desire but owning a boat isn't, there are also a number of local Citrus
County businesses that can rent you a vessel for a few hours, a day, a
week, or more. Once you are on the water, you still face a multitude of
decisions of what you want to do. Sightseeing, fishing, water sports,
snorkeling, or maybe just relaxing the day away from phones, deadlines, and
other signs of civilization that surround us. If you want the fun of boating
without having to drive, Citrus County also has a number of airboat tours and
operators to suit your needs.
Visit some of our local links below for a choice of tours around the area.
Captain Stu's Custom Airboat Tours
Crystal Lodge Dive Center
Native Sun Tours
Homosassa Airboat Tours
For more info:
http://ocean.floridamarine.org/Boating_Guides/
FISHING
Citrus County,
Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, offering some of
the finest sport fishing to be found anywhere.
Saltwater fishermen can find grouper and snapper off reefs and coastal rock
piles; sea trout and Spanish mackerel frequent grass beds.
Cobia and
sheepshead can be found around channel markers, redfish and whiting off oyster
bars and tarpon on the flats.
To the East, freshwater fishing is the best game in town! Freshwater fishermen
can find sunshine bass in the Lake Tsala Apopka chain, specked perch in Lake
Rousseau, catfish in the Withlacoochee River and Florida largemouth bass almost
everywhere.
"If you snorkel, you'll love "scalloping" "in season."
To learn more about the area's scalloping, Click Here.
To request more
information or e-mail or call me today at (352) 464-4881.
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DIVING
The variety and
abundance of wildlife make Citrus County a year-round vacation destination.
Citrus County is conveniently situated within a short drive to several of
Florida's other unique dive sites and can serve ideally as a "base of
operation." With several dive shops in the area, your every need can be
catered, including instruction, guides, equipment rentals, even underwater
video services.
Request more information or call me today at
(352) 464-4881.
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PADDLING
Florida is a watery paradise and the best way to experience it
is by canoe or kayak.
SEE www.paddleflausa.com
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HORSEBACK RIDING
Mother Nature
made Citrus County "a natural" when it comes to equestrian
activities. Whether you want a day's ride or a full equestrian camping trip,
the facilities you need are here.
Also, you may
trailer your own horse or rent one when you arrive. Whatever your choices, the
fun of riding through some of the most beautiful public lands in Citrus County
is available to you.
At Tillis Hill,
in the Citrus tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest, there is a horse stable
which accommodates 20 horses, as well as a 37-site camping area. From this
campground, you can begin a 14-mile one day trail, or a 24-mile two-day trail.
We
recommend you make reservations with the Florida Department of Forestry (352)
796-5650 for use of the horse stables. Trails are available for use at any
time.
The
Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has established horse
trails on both the Flying Eagle and Pott's Preserve tracts.
Flying
Eagle has nine miles of designated equestrian trails (closed during hunting
season). Equestrian camping is also allowed by permit. Call 1-800-423-1476.
Potts
Preserve has 12 miles of marked trails and even allows horse-drawn buggies by
permit. A limited number of horse stalls and overnight camping (no charge) is
allowed by permit. Call 1-800-423-1476.
The
Withlacoochee State Trail, a 47-mile former CSX railroad right-of-way, is the
newest addition to horseback riding trails in Citrus County. Plans include
interconnection with Fort Cooper State Park for stable and camping
opportunities. Horseback riding is presently confined to designated bridle
paths. For more information, call 352-394-2280.
Horse
Back Riding: A-OK Ranch/Angel Oaks Korral, Inverness; Blueberry Hill Farm Lecanto;
CLearview Farm Inverness; Rymar Ranch Lecanto.
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And when all is said and done..."Been there--haven't done that?" Read an informing article:
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