Ecotourism - Orlando Parks
Central Florida brims with lakes, a few rivers, nature preserves and camping areas. The Orlando weather allows you to enjoy the great outdoors year round. For more infomation about Florida wild-life.
A short distance from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, Orlando's location is convenient to many of the best beaches in Florida. Nearby beaches include Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and Clearwater Beach. And if camping outdoors isn't for you, find and book online one of many fine Orlando Hotels to make your camping adventure not so rough.
Like to ride horses? Bicycle? Parasail? Water Ski? Hot air balloon ride to see Central Florida from above? Airboat the cypress swamps and natural wetlands? Sunset dinner cruise on the St. Johns River? Golf every day on a variety of Orlando golf courses designed by the masters? Camp along the lakes or go on a bass fishing expedition along the Kissimmee and St. John's Rivers? How about tubing or snorkeling down a crystal clear spring? Then Orlando ecotourism is for you.
PARKS & GARDENS
BIG TREE PARK is home to one of the oldest and largest trees in America. This 3,500-year-old, 138-foot bald cypress tree is named "The Senator" after Senator H.G. Overstreet who donated the tree and the surrounding land to Seminole County. 407-788-0405
BLUE SPRINGS STATE PARK, located in Orange City, has a 72-degree spring that is home to endangered manatees. The pine forest park also features camping, hiking and canoeing. 904-775-3663
BOK TOWER GARDENS features a 255-foot Singing Tower with 57 bronze bells in the center of the sanctuary set among reflecting pools and winding pathways. The 128-acre gardens are located on Iron Mountain, the Florida peninsula's highest point at 298 feet. 941-676-1408
HARRY P. LEU GARDENS boasts 50 acres including the largest camellia collection and formal rose garden in the South. Guided tours through a restored house museum are available. 407-246-2620
HONTOON ISLAND STATE PARK in Deland along the St. Johns River invites visitors to discover its natural wonder and its common inhabitants: alligators, osprey, snakes, turtles, monkeys, raccoons, deer and eagles. 904-736-5309
KELLY PARK in Apopka has many activities for a day of fun and sun including tubing, swimming, camping, as well as nature trails, volleyball courts, horseshoes and pavilions with picnic tables and barbecue grills. 407-889-4179
TURKEY LAKE PARK offers 125 picnic tables, a 3-mile bicycle trail, hiking trails, two beaches, a swimming pool, camping areas, a 200-foot fishing pier, canoe rentals and a petting zoo. 407-299-5594
WEKIVA SPRINGS STATE PARK features many recreational activities including canoeing, boating, camping, fishing, swimming, hiking, picnicking and tubing. 407-884-2009
WILDLIFE REFUGES & ZOOS
BREVARD ZOO, located in Melbourne, features more than 400 animals and a walk-through aviary. "Paws on" provides a unique interactive learning adventure for children and adults. 407-254-9453
CENTER FOR BIRDS OF PREY is one of the state's oldest and largest conservation organizations. At its Audubon House, visitors view live eagles, owls, hawks and vultures and picnic at tables provided. An outdoor aviary has 22 species of birds of prey. 407-539-5700
CENTRAL FLORIDA ZOOLOGICAL PARK, with 21 acres, is part of a 109-acre forest with palms, cypress trees and oaks. The zoo houses hundreds of native and exotic animals, including birds, primates, mammals, felines, reptiles and amphibians. 407-323-4450
DISCOVERY ISLAND ZOOLOGICAL PARK, operated by Walt Disney World, is an 11-acre sanctuary inhabited by more than 120 species of animals and 250 species of plants, including some threatened with extinction. 407-824-3784
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