The Orlando You Don't Know: Spend a day in Old Florida

A mere 45 minutes from the parks awaits a lush paradise that is an unexpected surprise. Wekiva Springs State park is a different kind of Florida, the closest you can come to what things were like centuries ago, long before theme parks and interstates and Starbucks. Wekiva is part of the Florida State Park system and it prides itself on being " a glimpse of what Central Florida looked like when Timucuan Indians fished and hunted these lands."

Wekiva is a wonderful break from the ordinary, often hectic rush of an Orlando theme park vacation. Wekiva has acres and acres for you to explore at your leisure. There are trails for hiking, walking, bicycling, and horseback riding. You can take a kayak or canoe (rentals available at the park) ride on the often crystal clear water for glimpses of wildlife both on land and beneath the shimmering surface -- animals like Alligators, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Limpkins, Little Blue Herons, Tricolored Herons, Woodpeckers, Swallow-tailed Kites, Florida Black Bears, White-tailed Deer, River Otters, and Fox are just some of what you may see. Swimming and snorkeling is available year-round as well, since the spring maintain a natural temperature of 72 degrees no matter what the air temp is--that's refreshing in the hottest Florida summer and still comfortable during cool Orlando winters. Just remember this is a State Park, not a theme park -- all animals are wild animals and you always swim/snorkel at your own risk. I'd stick with the kayaks, myself, but the more adventurous out there might think differently.

Wekiva is one of my favorite places in the Orlando area. It's a peaceful, beautiful haven, the perfect place to relax and get away from all stresses, even the ones vacations sometimes bring. And at $5 a carload, it's a real bargain. This is a day trip well worth making time for, especially with the new Nature Center where you can learn about Florida history as well as local flora and fauna. There are even live wildlife specimens if you're not brave enough to hit the trails on your own. You can bring your own food to Wekiva too, so grab a picnic basket or a loaded backpack; there are also a few concession stands serving snacks and basics.

If you go to Wekiva, be sure to pack plenty of sunblock, bottled water and insect repellent; the Florida sun is strong and the bugs can be plentiful. A small first aid kit isn't a bad idea either, especially for inexperienced hikers. In my opinion, the best way to spend time at Wekiva is relaxing near the big spring swimming hole, stretched out on a blanket with a good book, with perhaps the occasional walk along the 18-mile boardwalk to try to spy some lurking wildlife. Bring your camera, bring a blanket, bring the family. This is the Orlando area at its most unexpected. Make time for it if you can.

Wekiwa Springs State Park\
1800 Wekiwa Circle
Apopka, Florida 32712
(407) 884-2008

Wekiwa Springs State Park

*Photographs credit of The Florida Department of Environmental Protection

New Owners New Management, Same Old Fun

Cypress Gardens is a hidden gem of a theme park tucked away just outside of Orlando in Winter Haven Florida although many have heard of the park, it is not always an Orlando vacation must see. New owners have recently stepped up to change that, and DWTickets.com is right there with them, offering the best deals on cheap tickets to the best area theme parks and attractions, and of course, Cypress Gardens is on that list.

Cypress Gardens is the original Florida theme park. It was the first theme park to open in Florida – back in 1936, but over the past several years, the park saw some unfortunate times and even shut down for awhile. All that changed when new owners bought the park and saved the day last October. Expanding their salvation plan, those new owners announced earlier this month that they have partnered up with the Baker Leisure Group of Orlando to bring the oldest Florida theme park back to its former glory as a community staple and attraction that makes guests eagerly anticipate their next visit.

The new management company said “changes will range from cosmetic to cultural” and future visitors can expect a “more lively, interactive, engaging atmosphere.” The park’s beauty is legendary to anyone who has been there, and the new owners hope to use this natural setting to attract increased wedding business. Another draw is the historic “Starliner” roller coaster, the first wooden coaster in Florida that came to Cypress Gardens from a defunct theme park in Panama City Beach.

An additional crowd pleaser has been the outdoor concerts in the Cypress Gardens Star Haven Amphitheatre. Some really great acts have performed here recently, including Willie Nelson.

The upcoming schedule is as follows:

Feb. 3 Pat Boone
Feb. 9 Ray Price with special guest Connie Smith
Feb. 10 Juice Newton
Feb. 16 Loretta Lynn
Feb. 17 The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards
Feb. 23 George Jones
Feb. 24 Bill Haley’s Comets & The Knockouts

Whether you are here on vacation or a local looking for something different to do, spending the day at Cypress Gardens and taking in some live music in the amphitheatre is a wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable way to spend a day. And no one will help you do it better or cheaper than DWTickets.com, so click to it and check out the new Cypress Gardens today!