Florida Outdoor Getaways 2008 - (Page 27) outdoor getaways Ross Prairie State Forest www.fl-dof.com 10660 S.W. Hwy. 200, Dunnellon, 352-732-1201. A freshwater depression marsh characterized by wetland grasses and surrounded by live oak hammocks. Sea Screamer www.seascreamer.com 25 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater Marina, Slip 15, Clearwater Beach, 877-948-4700. Two rides in one in a unique 73’ speedboat. Enjoy a sightseeing cruise while exploring for dolphins, then a refreshing speedboat ride. Allow 1 hour. $$$ Egmont Key State Park FloridaStateParks.org West end of State Road 586, north of Dunedin, St. Petersburg, 727-893-2627. The island has unique natural and cultural histories; a valuable resource since the time settlers first arrived in Florida. Éi Seminole State Forest www.fl-dof.com 9610 C.R. 44, Leesburg, 352-360-6675. The main feature is Blackwater Creek. Trails allow for hiking, biking and horses. Three primitive campsites can be reserved. Shell Key Shuttle www.shellkeyshuttle.com 801 Pass-a-Grille Way, Merry Pier, St. Pete Beach, 727-360-1348. Eco-tour with low impact on unspoiled Shell Key, a small barrier island. Shelling, birds and dolphins. Allow up to 6 hours. $$-$$$ Ê Ë Fort Cooper State Park FloridaStateParks.org 3100 S. Old Floral City Rd., Inverness, 352-726-0315. This state park offers a picnic area, trails and some of the best birding in Citrus County. $ Silver River State Park FloridaStateParks.org 1425 N.E. 58th Ave. (S.R. 35), Ocala, 352-236-7148. Pristine wilderness next to the world-famous Silver Springs. Pioneer Cracker village. Modern cabins. $ Éi Hillsborough River State Park FloridaStateParks.org 15402 U.S. 301 N., Thonotosassa, 813-987-6771. One of Florida’s first state parks. ADA swimming pool. Tours of Fort Foster Historic Site. Allow 1.5 hours. $ Ê É Éi St. Nicholas Boat Line 693 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs, 727-942-6425. Half-hour boat cruise with live sponge diving demonstration. Narration of sponge diving history. Allow 30 minutes. $-$$ Split Oak Preserve www.floridacommunitydevelopment.org/fct/parks Narcoossee Road and Clapp Simms Duda Road, Orlando, 407-886-6200. This 1865-acre preserve was named for a large oak tree on property now growing as two trees. StarLite Cruises - StarLite Princess www.starlitecruises.com Two locations: Clearwater Beach & St. Pete Beach Area, St. Pete Beach, 800-444-4814. Lunch, dinner and sightseeing cruise on smooth inland waters. Allow up to 3.5 hours. Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park FloridaStateParks.org/homosassasprings 4150 S. Suncoast Blvd. (U.S. Highway 19), Homosassa, 352-628-5343. A showcase for Florida’s wildlife including manatees, cougars, black bear, bald eagles and more. Allow up to 4 hours. $-$$ Éi Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area www.myfwc.com 3365 Taylor Creek Rd., south of State Road 50, Christmas, 407-568-5893. A mosaic of freshwater marshes, swamps, pine flatwoods and forests bordering the St. Johns River. $ Éi $$-$$$$$ Ê Sunshine River Tours/ Swim with Manatees www.sunshinerivertours.com 9394 W. Yulee Dr., Homosassa, 866-645-5727. Swim with or view manatees for as low as $10. Lodging, dining, fishing, kayaking and airboats on site. Allow up to 4 hours. $$-$$$$$ Ê Honeymoon Island State Park FloridaStateParks.org One Causeway Blvd., Dunedin, 727-469-5942. Visitors enjoy sun-drenched Gulf beaches, mangrove swamps and tidal flats. Swim, fish and picnic. $ Ê É Éi Wekiwa Springs State Park FloridaStateParks.org/wekiwasprings 1800 Wekiwa Cir., off S.R. 434 or S.R. 436, Apopka, 407-884-2008. Swim, fish and canoe on the beautiful headwaters of the pristine Wekiva River. Miles of trails. $ Éi Little Manatee River State Park FloridaStateParks.org 215 Lightfoot Rd., Wimauma, 813-671-5005. Designated an “Outstanding Florida Water,” one of the state’s most pristine rivers flows through the park. $ Ê Éi Fishing Go Florida Fishing www.gofloridafishing.com 495 Palm Ave., Palm Harbor, 727-781-5339. Tarpon, snook, redfish, permit and trout. Come spend the day with Capt. James Goodwin. $$$$$ Ê Watersports Adventures In Florida www.adventuresinflorida.com 2912 E. Marks St., Orlando, 407-924-3375. Orlando’s only kayak and canoe tour service. For information and bookings visit their website. Allow up to 2 weeks. North Anclote River Nature Park www.floridacommunitydevelopment.org/fct/parks 550 Old Dixie Hwy., Tarpon Springs, 727-942-5610. This 77-acre scenic park features a fishing pier and observation deck, playground and nature trails. Skyway State Fishing Pier www.skywaypiers.com 11101 - 34th St. S., St. Petersburg, 727-865-0668. “One of the world’s longest fishing piers.” No fishing license required. Bait shop, rod rentals. $-$$ $$$$-$$$$$ Ê Florida Pack and Paddle www.floridapackandpaddle.com 10950 N.E. 42nd St., Silver Springs, 800-297-8811. Guided canoe and kayak tours since 1986. Skyway Fishing Pier State Park FloridaStateParks.org 11101 - 34th St. S., St. Petersburg, 727-865-0668. The old Tampa Bay Bridge is now the world’s longest fishing pier, open 24 hours daily. $-$$ Éi Recreation & Sports Hampton’s Edge Trailside Bike Shop www.hamptonsedge.com P.O. Box 289, Istachatta, 352-799-4979. Shop on a 46-mile paved rail trail specializing in sales, service and rentals of a variety of bicycles. Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park FloridaStateParks.org Zero Cinema Drive at Scenic Drive, Port Richey, 727-816-1890. Enjoy four miles of pristine coastline; the salt spring in the park is an amazing 320 feet deep. $ Éi Fun 2 Dive Scuba & Manatee Snorkel Tours www.fun2dive.com 503 S. French Ave., Sanford, 888-588-3483. Snorkel with the manatees. Scuba charters and scuba and snorkeling lessons. Groups and professional staff. Allow a full day. $$$$$ Ê Oak Orchard Canoe Kayak Experts www.oakorchardcanoe.com 840 Second St. N., Clermont, 352-242-1064. Est. 1974. 1,400 kayaks in stock. Used kayaks and rentals. Accessories and racks. Withlacoochee State Forest www.fl-dof.com/state_forests/withlacoochee.html 15003 Broad St., Visitor Center, Brooksville, 352-754-6896. Withlacoochee State Forest offers fun for everyone. Call the Visitor Center for details. $-$$$ Skydive City www.skydivecity.com 4241 Sky Dive Ln., Zephyrhills, 800-888-JUMP. Make your first skydive or watch for free. Tandem or accelerated freefall. Video available as well. Allow up to 8 hours. $$$$$ Ê Ybor City Museum State Park FloridaStateParks.org 1818 E. Ninth Ave., Tampa, 813-247-6323. This urban park is dedicated to the preservation of Ybor City’s cultural heritage. Allow up to 1 hour. $ Ê Éi State Parks & Public Lands Central West Cruises & Tours Captain Memo’s Original Pirate Cruise www.captainmemo.com 25 Causeway Blvd., Slip 3, Clearwater Beach, 727-446-2587. Young or old, Captain Memo’s Original Pirate Cruise has something for everyone. Allow 2 hours. Alafia River State Park FloridaStateParks.org/alafiariver 14326 S. C.R. 39, Lithia, 813-672-5320. Some of the most challenging off-road bicycling trails in Florida. Miles of trails for watching wildlife. $-$$$ Ê Éi Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park FloridaStateParks.org State Road 490, west of U.S. 19, Homosassa, 352-795-3817. Visit ruins of a stream-driven sugar mill, part of a sugar plantation that thrived from 1851 to 1864. $ Éi Anclote Key Preserve State Park FloridaStateParks.org 3 miles off the coast of Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, 727-469-5942. This state park is an island-lover’s paradise. Éi Watersports Birds Underwater www.birdsunderwater.com 320 N.W. U.S. Hwy. 19, Crystal River, 800-771-2763. Manatee snorkel in Crystal River. Scuba dive, kayak, bird watching and scenic tour. Allow up to 4 hours. Kayaks and Beyond www.kayaksandbeyond.com 1326 S.E. U.S. Hwy. 19, Crystal River, 352-795-2255. Kayak or canoe Crystal River. See manatees and dolphins with guided and self-guided kayak tours. Allow at least 4 hours. Ê Caladesi Island State Park FloridaStateParks.org Off the Gulf Coast, 1 mile west of Dunedin, 727-469-5918. Take a ferry from Honeymoon Island to enjoy this island with one of the nation’s top-rated beaches. Allow 1 hour. $ Ê É Éi Native Sun Tours www.nativesuntours.com 13982 W. Ozello Trl., Crystal River, 352-212-6142. Kayak rentals, airboat rides, family fishing, snorkeling, seasonal scalloping and pontoon tours. Allow up to a full day. Ê Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park www.floridacommunitydevelopment.org/fct/parks 601 St. Pete Times Forum Dr., Tampa, 813-274-8615. Features a playground, canoe/kayak launch, the Riverwalk and a memorial to the Seminole Indians. $$$-$$$$ Ê Canoe Country Outfitters, Inc. www.canoecountryfl.com 6493 - 54th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-545-4554. A family owned and operated business that is dedicated to selling only the best canoes, kayaks and gear available. River Safaris & Gulf Charters www.riversafaris.com 10823 W. Yulee Dr., Homosassa, 800-758-FISH. Narrated pontoon tours, airboat rides, dolphin and manatee encounters, boat rentals and gift shop. Allow at least 1 hour. $$$-$$$$$ Ê Crystal River Archaeological State Park FloridaStateParks.org 3400 N. Museum Pt., Crystal River, 352-795-3817. Preserves a pre-Columbian, Native American site that has burial and temple mounds and a plaza. $ Éi Canoe Escape www.canoeescape.com 9335 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-986-2067. Escape to nature through a 16,000-acre wilderness park. View birds, gators and more. Minutes from Tampa. Allow up to 6 hours. $$$-$$$$ Ê Outdoor Getaways 27 http://www.fl-dof.com http://www.seascreamer.com http://FloridaStateParks.org http://www.fl-dof.com http://FloridaStateParks.org http://www.shellkeyshuttle.com http://FloridaStateParks.org http://FloridaStateParks.org http://www.floridacommunitydevelopment.org/fct/parks http://FloridaStateParks.org/homosassasprings http://www.starlitecruises.com http://www.myfwc.com http://FloridaStateParks.org http://www.sunshinerivertours.com http://FloridaStateParks.org/wekiwasprings http://FloridaStateParks.org http://www.gofloridafishing.com http://www.floridacommunitydevelopment.org/fct/parks http://www.adventuresinflorida.com http://www.skywaypiers.com http://FloridaStateParks.org http://www.floridapackandpaddle.com http://FloridaStateParks.org http://www.fun2dive.com http://www.hamptonsedge.com http://www.fl-dof.com/state_forests/withlacoochee.html http://www.skydivecity.com http://www.oakorchardcanoe.com http://FloridaStateParks.org http://FloridaStateParks.org/alafiariver http://FloridaStateParks.org http://www.captainmemo.com http://FloridaStateParks.org http://www.kayaksandbeyond.com http://www.birdsunderwater.com http://FloridaStateParks.org http://www.nativesuntours.com http://www.canoecountryfl.com http://www.floridacommunitydevelopment.org/fct/parks http://www.riversafaris.com http://www.canoeescape.com http://FloridaStateParks.org
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