Most people today know that wintertime is the best time to see manatees. But in which can you see manatees in Florida, any time of year? The solution is Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park.
Spark some romance and strike the street. A working day journey is a fantastic way to hook up with your honey. Place with each other a playlist, seize a couple of of your favored street vacation snacks, and make the hour and 45-minute travel to Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park. There are numerous roadside stops along the way if you want to make it a genuine road vacation, moreover other springs and parks close by if you’d like to make it a weekend getaway.
Homosassa Springs Points To Do
There is so a great deal to enjoy about Florida’s Point out Parks, and Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park is a shining instance of what makes our point out parks so distinctive. You get a tiny bit of all the things below — all-natural springs and a river check out, wildlife, boardwalks, and walkways.
- Underwater Observatory of the “Bowl” – manatee and fish viewing
- Wildlife Stroll – perspective numerous habitats, dwelling to rescued wildlife
- Lu the resident Hippo
- Site visitors Centre – showcasing this park’s storied record
- Springs at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park
- Trails and boardwalks
We parked in the parking good deal on US Highway 98. This parking ton has a Welcome Center with restrooms, a modest shop, and a number of displays showcasing the park’s historical past of nearly 100 years. From here we boarded a tram that drove us down to the park’s visitor heart and entrance. Count on crowds on the weekend. Immediately after paying for our tickets ($13 for each person), we passed by the doors and into Florida’s splendor.
See manatees in Florida at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park
The Underwater Observatory in the “Bowl” of the springs is just one of the extremely very first points of interest included to this park for the duration of its early a long time. In 1968 the underwater “fish bowl” was mounted, again when this park was a roadside attraction, alternatively than a state park. This bowl is a fantastic position to start off your day.
By browsing the Underwater Observatory first, we caught some sights of manatees in the wild in advance of they moved on in the afternoon. We also liked the boardwalk leading up to the Underwater Observatory. There are multiple photo options here.
After viewing the manatees and plethora of fish, we ongoing going for walks previous the observatory, toward the river. Quickly we arrived to a attractive wood pavilion that enabled us to search out more than the river. A lot of boaters liked the weekend and properly moved slowly and gradually along the river to be mindful of manatees and other wildlife.
We backtracked and followed the walkway along the riverbank. We observed turtles sunning by themselves on logs and a couple of a lot more manatees in the wild. We recognized a couple persons crowding together a bridge-like structure and shortly located that this is exactly where some of the rescued manatees dwell.
Boardwalk main to manatee viewing place at Homosassa Springs State Park
We continued towards the Wildlife Wander. This winding walkway can make a comprehensive circle, so there’s no way to shed your way. All the animals along this attractive Wildlife Stroll are rescued from several locations all-around the state. As much as achievable, this sort of wildlife is rehabilitated and despatched back into the wild.
On the other hand, if it is not secure for an animal to return to the wild for what ever explanation, it finds a dwelling listed here. Together our walk, we spotted Florida alligators, river otters, pelicans, flamingos, owls, deer, black bears, a Florida panther, and more.
Some could evaluate this section of the park with browsing a zoo, and the encounter is related, but to see a sample of Florida’s various wildlife in a single place like this is really exclusive. Speaking of special, you will never be equipped to forget about Lu the Hippo. A former animal actor, Lu is over 60 decades previous. He is a reminder of when this land was used to present off animals that have been qualified to carry out in movies and television. Hippos surely are not a Florida animal, but Lu is thought of an honorary Florida resident.
Distinctive be aware – Homossas Springs Wildlife Park is adorned with Christmas lights in a several places throughout the getaway year.
Florida alligators at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park
In which to See Manatees in Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park
One of the need to-do encounters in Florida is viewing manatees in the wild. When moving into Homossa Springs park, head to the still left to the Underwater Observatory. The two within the observatory and along the boardwalk major to and from the observatory you may perhaps spot some manatees.
First detail in the morning and awesome climate times are your ideal wager for catching views of manatees in the wild at Homosassa Springs. Having said that, you can also view a couple of rescued manatees that remain at the park calendar year-round. Their habitat is in close proximity to the center of the park.
Owing to multiple environmental explanations, like in excess of-advancement during Florida, wildlife professionals are concerned about the amplified mortality fee of manatees. One way to bond jointly is to do some excellent alongside one another, so I would inspire you and your honey to understand additional about manatees and how we can aid them.
Exactly where else can you see manatees in Florida?
Practicalities: Parking, Meals and Beverage, and Restrooms
Never anticipate just about anything fancy at this condition park. Having said that, there are lots of creature comforts. There are restrooms in close proximity to the center of the park, as perfectly as the Welcome Heart at the Freeway 98 parking whole lot, and the Website visitors Middle that you have to pass by way of in advance of getting into the park alone.
There are two parking tons – just one off County Road 490 and the other on Highway 98. Considering that we arrived from Orlando it was best for us to park at the parking whole lot on Highway 98. This is where the Welcome Center is, and where by you will board a tram to head to the park entrance itself. The trams appear and go about every 15 minutes. There is also normally boat transportation, but this is briefly unavailable.
The parking good deal off County Highway 490 is lesser, but it does put you future to the park’s genuine entrance and the Visitor Heart. At this visitor center there is a relaxed cafe with sandwiches and treats, as well as a present shop. Some of the t-shirt designs in this shop are exciting and desirable.
Present store at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park
Dogs are not authorized in the park, but there is a kennel at the Welcome Center where your pup can cling out although you take a look at.
There is also a modest snack stand around the centre of the park. This is a superior place for a midday snack with cold beverages, ice cream, sizzling canines, and other fast treats.
Pack some water to keep yourselves hydrated. You don’t want to really feel rushed as you discover this lovely park.
Additional Tips – Approach a Date to Examine Springs in Florida Around Orlando
What’s Close to Homosassa Springs State Park
Driving to Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park from Orlando usually takes about an hour and 45 minutes. It truly is not a pretty swift trip, but it is worthy of the travel. And if you want to make it a complete working day or a total weekend getaway there is loads nearby.
Alongside the generate, my spouse and I took notice of some places that would be enjoyable to halt in future time. On our the latest stop by to Homosassa Springs we hadn’t created more than enough time to quit along the way. But, there is lots to see.
Within just 10 – 20 minutes generate of Homosassa Springs State Park, you are going to obtain a great deal of other parks, pursuits, and dining establishments.
Costume easily and appreciate getting in Florida’s purely natural natural beauty, with each other.
