Central Florida

To some, Central Florida is the land of Orlando and theme parks.

To Florida Rambler, it’s a place of incredible natural beauty and history – pristine freshwater springs with manatees, long broad beaches where you can walk for miles without a sign of man, quaint old towns with historic hotels and a national forest that is home to the Florida black bear.

Here are some of our favorite places to begin your exploration of the area. Each of these stories contains links to places to kayak, hike, bicycle and fascinating historic sites.

Mount Dora, a charming small town that is home to antique fairs and festivals that draw people from afar.

The Lake Wales Ridge, a geographic high point in Florida where you’ll find small towns, abundant wildlife, hiking and paddling.

Lakeland, home to Florida Southern College and its 12 structures built by Frank Lloyd Wright, and to Circle B Bar Reserve, a remarkable place to see birds and wildlife.

Daytona Beach, where there is more to see than its famous beach.

Crystal River, a small town on the Gulf Coast dedicated to manatees and the springs that attract them.

Tarpon Springs, best known for its Greek heritage.

The bridge over Big Creek at Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Bike & Hike, Camping, Central Florida, Lodging

Lake Louisa: Nature near Orlando with great hiking and cabins

by Bonnie Gross

Lake Louisa State Park is a half hour from theme parks, but is a natural world with 20 miles of hiking trails and great cabins. Located on the east end of the vast Green Swamp, you’ll find wildlife, old citrus groves, hills, cypress swamps and forests.

The highlights of our ride on the Van Fleet Trail were the three bridges over the Withlacoochee River, which are between miles 10 and 12. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Bike & Hike, Central Florida

Van Fleet bike trail: Central Florida’s 29 miles of beauty & solitude

by Bonnie Gross

The Van Fleet Trail into the Green Swamp is one of the most rural, isolated rides you’ll find in Florida. It’s flat. It’s straight. But if you want to truly get away from it all and encounter a little wildlife along the way, here’s the place.

Camping, Central Florida, Kayak & Canoe, Springs

Beautiful park, fabulous paddle, shady campground: Rock Springs Run and Kelly Park

by Bob Rountree

Kelly Park is best known for popular Rock Springs Run, but this fabulous Orange County park also has one of the nicest campgrounds anywhere. Now’s the time to go, before the summer crush and long lines.

Birding, Central Florida

Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge: Safe harbor for birds & other living things

by Bob Rountree

Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge is a year-round refuge for birds and other living things, from the dazzling roseate spoonbills to the American bald eagle. Right now, birding is especially good.

Alexander Springs in Ocala National Forest is a wide, slow-moving stream with extremely clear, clean water. (Photo: Bonnie Gross)

Central Florida, Kayak & Canoe

Ocala: Four great kayak or canoe rivers within 45 minutes

by Bonnie Gross

You can experience four outstanding Florida rivers in one trip if you base yourself in the Ocala area. In four days of paddling, you have a good chance to see wildlife — from manatees to American eagles to alligators and even monkeys. Three of the four rivers are aquarium-clear spring-fed streams. The fourth is a wild and peaceful place where you can escape the modern world.

Central Florida, Festivals

January 2019 manatee festivals: Orange City and Crystal River

by Bonnie Gross

Two large manatee festivals celebrate Florida’s beloved manatee every January — one in Orange City and one in Crystal River. These two locations are probably the best places in the state to see manatees well and in great numbers. Next up: Jan.�26-27 in Orange City.

Alexander Springs in Ocala National Forest offers easy scenic paddling with lots of wildlife.

Central Florida, Kayak & Canoe

Alexander Springs in Ocala National Forest: Easy scenic paddling; lots of wildlife

by Bonnie Gross

The clear waters flowing out of Alexander Springs are the start of a great paddling trail inside Ocala National Forest. It’s an easy stream to paddle with lots of wildlife, especially birds and fish.

Central Florida, Festivals, Southwest Florida

Go for the orchids. Stay for a stroll in the garden.

by Vicki McCash Brennan

Selby Garden contains the most diverse living and preserved collection of of orchids and bromeliads in the world with thousands of species represented.