Looking for something new to do this summer?  Why not float in a warm, crystal-clear river in the heart of natural Florida?

It’s a little known fact that Central Florida was a popular vacation destination before the famous “House of Mouse” was built. But in the early 1920’s, Central Florida was a popular vacation spot for the roadside attractions surrounding the natural warm-water springs.

Today, there are five major state parks featuring springs within just an hour drive of where you’re reading this right now. Two of the most distinct parks are De Leon Springs and Blue Spring State Parks, each offering a pleasant, 73 degree year-round natural pool and much more.  In fact, these lands are filled with history dating as far back as when Florida’s only residents were Native Americans.

De Leon Springs was originally named after the famous explorer, Ponce De Leon.  Originally, the spring was marketed as the fountain of youth.

“The spring was promoted to cure. Back in the 1800’s, all of the spring resorts would say that the water would cure anything, from dandruff to cancer,” says Brian Polk, park manager, De Leon Springs.  “They said it would make people completely healthy.”

Today, the roadside attraction owes its fame to the hotel and casino that was built around the spring that operated until the mid 1960’s.  It wasn’t until 1982 that the state purchased the land and it became a state recreational park.

De Leon Springs is home to a variety of wildlife including alligators, deer, turkeys, manatees, bald eagles, osprey and black bears.  Wildlife boat tours are narrated by the one and only Captain Frank who takes guests on a journey down Spring Garden Run.

Perhaps the most popular attraction in De Leon Springs is the historic Old Sugar Mill Restaurant.  Owned and operated by the same family since the 1960’s, the restaurant was built in the building that held the first water-powered mill in Florida.  Though it was operated by settlers in the 1800’s, the original chimney and brickwork used for the kettles still remains.

“It’s a great atmosphere the old rustic building overlooking the spring.  It’s a wonderful combination that attracts people by the bus load,” says Polk. “What sets this restaurant apart are the built-in table griddles on which guests can make their own pancakes.”

Less than 25 minutes down the road from De Leon, another park offers a different kind of experience.

Best known for its manatees, Blue Spring State Park attracts visitors from all over the world who have come to experience Central Florida.  Throughout the manatee season of Mid-November through early March, visitors can walk along the botanical boardwalk overlooking Spring Run and learn about the manatees in their natural habitat.  Blue Spring even hosts their annual manatee festival in January to celebrate the large population of manatees in the spring run.

“We had almost 300 spend the entire winter season with us this past year,” says Lynn Flannery, park services specialist at Blue Springs.

In the summertime, the spring is open for swimming with over 40 different species of fish occupying the long-flowing spring run.  Other wildlife that frequents the area includes a variety of shore birds as well as turtles and gopher tortoises.  Visitors may encounter these as they tour the beautiful and historic St. John’s River on a two-hour narrated ecological cruise.

For history lovers, Flannery recommends visiting the Thursby House, built in 1872 by Louis Thursby and his family, the first family to settle on the Blue Spring land.

Whatever you choose, visiting one of the state parks certainly promises an authentic and unique summertime experience.

“You can go out in the spring run and just imagine what it looked like 100 years ago.  It’s easy to imagine because there are no signs of people. You can maybe look up and see an airplane, but there are no houses, no power poles, no cell towers; so, it’s definitely like experiencing old Florida,” says Polk.  “It’s really a great place for families and for people to get out into the natural environment and enjoy themselves.”

Article by Erika Finnimore