Recommendations for Animals/Nature

[Themousefamily]

we always go to the state parks at least a couple of times during our stays. the nearest one is wekiva springs (about 40 mins drive from disney and really easy to find) and i also like de leon springs (little bit further). it is proper wild and you can swim in the natural springs and canoe down the river where you can see loads of turtles, birds and usually a couple of small alligators! i have a teenage (vegan) daughter who refuses to partake in anything like seaworld/discovery cove for ethical reasons so it is perfect. also a really cheap day out - think its about $6 per car (you don't pay per person). if you google florida state parks there are quite a few x

[justus2again]

This year we went to mount Dora lovely little trip round the town on a golf trolly free just a tip, learning all the history of mount Dora, a nice lunch and a boat trip a lovely day

[Ridersmom]

My middle son is now a wildlife biologist and wetlands scientist for an environmental consulting firm. We spend many a Florida on nature adventures. I would do as suggested and good Florida State Parks as well as National Wildlife Refuges and National Parks. All have websites and list wildlife you can see.

My son was not into animals in captivity so we found trips to parks more to his liking than trips to for profit ventures. Even a drive around Lake Ocheechobee (spelling?) yielded good birds including crested cara cara.

Most state and national parks/refuges offer nature walks, classes and lectures. They cost a pittance compared to for profit ventures.
A previous poster mentioned $6./car load for a state park. Blackwater Wildlife Drive at Merritt Island is $10./ carload and while you are there you can pretty reliably see manatees there in the summer.

[Tweety1]

Originally Posted by justus2again

This year we went to mount Dora lovely little trip round the town on a golf trolly free just a tip, learning all the history of mount Dora, a nice lunch and a boat trip a lovely day

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Did you do this en route from somewhere or did you drive from Orlando? Where can you catch the boat from? I would like to do this...

[justus2again]

Originally Posted by Tweety1

Did you do this en route from somewhere or did you drive from Orlando? Where can you catch the boat from? I would like to do this...

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We drove there from Orlando took about an hour there is a little jetty that is sign posted the little taxi cart is there too its not a big place the history is lovely and the locals are friendly so if you cant find it they will advise x

[manxmum]

Amazing animals
amazinganimalsinc/

This place looks fab, we are planning on visiting when we go in December