A first-magnitude spring, towering cypress swamps, and wildlife-rich forests shape this serene North Florida escape.

Unlike other locations in Florida where you can interact with manatees – the Crystal River area north of Tampa is probably the most famous – the water here isn’t clear, so it isn’t always easy to see ...

One of the ways you can see gorgeous manatees in Florida is by renting a kayak and gently paddling in the warm waters where manatees are present. If you've very lucky, one of these gentle giants may ...

This story is part of our weekly Hidden Gems feature series as the USA TODAY Network – Florida takes readers around the state to highlight some of our most interesting attractions. Round Island ...

Blue Spring State Park is Florida at its finest. Located west of Orange City and north of Orlando, the 2,600-acre destination ...

What’s happening: Enjoy a free garden tour of the Manatee Park butterfly garden and habitats. Participants also have the opportunity to see manatees with the weather bringing cooler water temperatures ...

Blue Spring State Park has long been a hot spot for tourism as visitors have traveled from near and far to swim in the azure-blue waters or see manatees, sometimes on kayak tours. But local outfitters ...

Florida is known for making dreams come true. And while many associate Orlando with vacation magic (Hello, Disney!), a lesser-known destination about an hour and a half northwest brings the same ...

Bekki Kennedy saw a manatee while vacationing in Pensacola The manatee swam up to her kayak while she was observing in in a channel off Bayou Texar In 2024, there were over 150 manatee sightings ...

Around 800 manatees seek refuge in the warm springs of Crystal River, Florida every winter. Florida is known for making dreams come true. And while many associate Orlando with vacation magic (Hello, ...