The Best of 2015

The year is coming to a close. During 2015, Creative Florida Living explored many of the interesting, fun, educational, and enriching things to do and places to go. In this post, we will look back and explore the best of...

Outside things to do

Coastal Central Florida is teaming with opportunities for outdoor activities. Over the course of the year, we talked about some of them in this very blog. Follow the links to find out more.

Sunglow Pier Fishing Near Port Orange, South Daytona, Daytona Beach Shores, Wilbur by the Sea – the pier is easily accessible and makes for inexpensive outdoor fun!

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse The lighthouse is spectacular. Accompanied by a museum that talks about the life of the lighthouse keepers, this activity takes you in and out of doors. Great for you, kids, and your guests.

Central Florida Springs The springs in Central Florida are of breath-taking beauty. Each one has different activities and all of them are quickly accessed by car.

 

Inside things to do

In the summer months, it gets pretty steamy, so it is nice to have some indoor options!

Cinematique - This independent movie theater gives you a lot of bang for your buck. Not only do you get to see fabulous films and avant-garde film festivals, the popcorn is a whole lot less expensive than in the commercial movie theaters.

Southeast Museum of Photography - Truly excellent photographic exhibits, along with artist talks and docent lectures, make this museum outstanding.

Mary Bethune House   A valuable piece of Central Florida history.

 Waterfront dining

Waterfront dining is part of Florida living. Here are a few of our favorite outdoor restaurants.

Crabby Joe’s Deck and Grill is on the Sunglow pier. You can eat and drink while sitting right on top of the water!

Captain Daddy’s  features Florida fare in a unique riverboat restaurant.

Boondocks – a long established restaurant on the Halifax river. 

 Inside dining

 

Third Wave Café New Smyrna Beach’s café and restaurant features fresh, interesting food and drink selections in a fabulous indoor/outdoor setting.

Hamburger Mary’s Fun and quirky, Hamburger Mary’s is part of Daytona’s Beach Street life.

Adam’s Kitchen This local gourmet restaurant has a small, seasonal menu, and lots of delicious events.

Stay tuned for interesting discoveries in this blog in 2016!! Happy New Year!

 

Creative Florida Living 

Janet Sells 

Central Florida Springs

Florida is the state with the most springs in the country, and mostly in the world. The Highly porous limestone that can hold vast quantities of water underlies most of the state. Combined with relatively high rainfall amounts and subsurface water flow, the two are responsible for the occurrence of so many springs in Florida. All of Florida’s springs are around 70 degrees Fahrenheit all year round!

As visitors and/or residents we can all enjoy some of the beautiful Central Florida springs that feed our rivers. You can swim, snorkel, dive, boat, kayak, hike, picnic, camp, take boat rides, enjoy wild life and just overall experience the beauty of Florida. 

Blue Springs

Blue Springs State Park covers more than 2,600 acres, including the largest spring on the St. Johns River. Blue Spring is a designated Manatee Refuge and the winter home to a growing population of West Indian Manatees. During manatee season, which approximately runs from mid-November through March, several hundred manatee can be viewed atop the spring’s overlooks. The spring and spring run are closed to all water activity while manatees are present during this time.  Swimming or diving with manatees is not permitted.

The spring´s crystal clear, 73 degree water can be enjoyed by swimmers, snorkelers, and certified scuba divers with a partner during our designated swimming season. Fishing, canoeing and boating are also enjoyed along the St. John’s River.

A self-guided tour inside The Historic Thursby house, built in 1872, can also be experienced. In addition the park has plenty of picnic areas as well as three covered pavilions. Air-conditioned cabins and a full-facility campground are available for visitors interested in staying overnight.

Blue Springs Website  2100 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763

De Leon Springs

 

 

The outstanding feature of the De Leon Springs 625 acre park is the spring, overlooking beautiful Spring Garden Run, producing 19 million gallons of water a day at 72 degrees year-round.  The swimming area is accessible by stairs, ramp, and a swimmer lift. 

Snorkeling is a popular activity but access into the cave is prohibited.  Canoes, paddleboats and kayaks may be rented from the park's concession.  The park's paddling trail provides access to the 22,000 acre Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, with lakes, creeks and marshes to explore. 

Picnic tables, grills and a playground are available under the grand live oak trees, with four pavilions available for rent. Visitors can hike the 4.2 mile Wild Persimmon Hiking Trail or take a leisurely stroll on the one-half mile paved Nature Trail to see the 600 year-old cypress tree.  The Butterfly Garden has about 500 plants for the benefit of resident and migrating butterflies and hummingbirds. 

De Leon Springs Website 601 Ponce Deleon Blvd, De Leon Springs, FL 32130

Silver Springs

Silver Springs State Park combines the charm of a historic Florida attraction with the crystal clear beauty of one of the last uninhabited spring runs in the state.
 
Enjoy the headspring from a viewing deck, walk along the river on paved trails, see the ornamental gardens, and enjoy an easy stroll through the Real Florida. Visitors can enjoy a meal from the restaurant with a view of the spring. Glass bottom boat rides and canoe and kayak rentals are offered through the concessionaire. 

Visitors can paddle down the crystal clear river, hike or bike along one of the nature trails, or just sit and watch the wide variety of birds and wildlife.The picnic area features three pavilions available for rental with grills and a playground nearby. For overnight stays, the park has a 59 site full facility campground and 10 modern cabins.

Silver Springs Website 1425 NE 58th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34470

 

Creative Florida Living 

Janet's Real Estate Site