Rainbow Springs State Park
By Skye from Real Moms Review
Florida is a state many, many people vacation to. Typical families pay visits to Disney World or Universal, but when the Florida Bucket List below is a complete list of things that my family has researched and added to our ‘must see’ list! If you love food, make sure you check out the Foodie Bucket List for Florida. Enjoy.
1. Three Sisters Springs: This unique and critical natural warm-water refuge for the endangered Florida Manatee has crystal clear water. Plus, if you go during the winter months you get to swim with Manatees.
2. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park: If seeing mermaids has always been something you wanted to do, Weeki Wachee is a must see. For almost 60 years, the fun, family oriented park has lured in visitors with beautiful mermaids who swim in the cool, clear spring waters with manatees, turtles and bubbles.
3. Florida Caverns State Park: Most of Florida’s caves are underwater, so this one is very special. Dazzling formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstones and draperies fill the entire cave. There are guided tours of that last about 45 minutes.
4. Duval Street: Yeah, yeah, yeah I know it’s a cliche, but Key West honestly has something for everyone. It’s scenic, historic, fun and charming all rolled into one. There are even plenty of things for young kids to do if you look hard enough.
5. Spook Hill: Some believe it’s the haunted site of an epic battle.. Most believe its an optical illusion. No matter what team you are on you have to agree that Spook Hill is a weird spot. Put your car in neutral at the bottom of the hill and it will appear to roll uphill.
6. Rainbow Springs State Park: Florida’s fourth largest spring is popular for swimming, tubing, canoeing, and kayaking because of its crystal blue waters. It’s nearly impossible to find natural waterfalls in Florida, but the man-made ones at this park are a lovely.
7. Devil’s Den With crystal clear water, year round 72 degree water temperatures, ancient rock formations with stalactites, fossil beds dating back 33 million years, and much more diving or snorkeling in Devil’s Den is something that can’t be replicated.
8. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park: Most famous for its formal gardens, and gorgeous live oaks, the park holds one of the largest outcroppings of coquina rock on the Atlantic Ocean, creating a picturesque boulder-strewn beach perfect for beach walking.
9.Coral Castle: Built single-handedly in the early 1900’s using reverse magnetism or supernatural abilities to move and carve numerous stones weighing many tons the Coral Castle is a sight unlike any other. It’s monolithic structure made to look like a castle, complete with huge furniture and sculptures.
10. Dry Tortuga: The remote Dry Tortugas National Park is about 70 miles away from Key West and only accessible by boat. The 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands. The park is known the world over as the home of magnificent Fort Jefferson, picturesque blue waters, superlative coral reefs and marine life, and the vast assortment of bird life that frequent the area.
11. Kennedy Space Center: “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind..” Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is where rockets launch and inspiration begins. Located one small step from Orlando, arrive early for a full-day experience at the greatest space adventure on Earth!