What to do and see in Homosassa Springs, Homosassa Springs: The Best Things to do

Reviewed By scalise12 - Homosassa, United States

A very beautiful place to visit, located on HWY 19 4150 South Suncoast Blvd. Homosassa, Florida The park is officially named Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park in honor of Elmyra Felburn Schiller (1943 – 2009), a benefactor of the Florida state park system. The park is about 75 miles north of Tampa & 90 miles northwest of Orlando. HERE IS A LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT HOMOSASSA SPRINGS!!! Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State park has been a tourist attraction since the early 1900s, when trains stopped to let passengers off to walk the short trail to the first-magnitude spring. The tracks ran alongside what is now Fishbowl Drive. While passengers enjoyed a view of Homosassa Spring and its myriad of fresh and saltwater fish, the train's crew were busy loading their freight of fish, crabs, cedar and spring water aboard the Mullet Train. The 50-acre site and surrounding 100 acres was purchased in the 1940s and was operated as a small attraction. In 1964, the Norris Development Company bought the property and expanded it as Homosassa Springs "Nature's Own Attraction," with an emphasis on entertainment and with a variety of exotic animals and some native species. Ivan Tors Animal Actors housed their trained animals at Homosassa Springs Attraction for several years. These animals were trained for television shows and movies. When they were not performing they were kept at Homosassa Springs. One of the most popular of these animals was Buck who was a stand-in for Gentle Ben in the famous television series. Lu, a hippopotamus, was one of the Ivan Tors animals and still resides at the park after being declared an honorary citizen of the State of Florida by then Governor Lawton Chiles. Norris owned the attraction until 1978. From 1978 until 1984, the land went through several changes in ownership. The Citrus County Commission purchased the attraction to protect it as an environmentally sensitive area until the State of Florida could purchase the property as a Florida State Park. Modern thinking about captive wildlife has influenced how the park is now managed. Both visitor safety and animal welfare are of utmost importance at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. With Florida's Wildlife in mind you will -Discover the wild-side of Florida with endangered Florida panther, red wolves, manatees and whooping cranes, plus black bears, bobcats and of course, alligators. One of the most interesting encounters is a floating observatory, where you descend into a wall of glass encloser where you can view hundreds of Fish and Florida's Endangered Manatees, this natural springs water is a very comfortable year around temperature of 72 degrees and can be observed at close range 365 days a year. There are many wildlife to see on the walking trails. From - Alligator's, Back Bears, Florida Panther, Hippo & of course Manatees. Here is a footnote on Lu the Hippo - Lu is the oldest hippopotamus in North America, and the only animal in the park not native to Florida. Lu was born at the San Diego Zoo in 1960. He appeared in the TV shows Daktari and Cowboy in Africa and he has lived in the park since 1964. Lu's Birthday is 26 January. Along the trails, you will also find resting places, picnic tables & bathrooms... Homosassa Springs Wildlife - also offers, Educational Programs on Manatees, and Florida's Wildlife. Children's Education Center, offers variety of hands-on activities, & Boat Tours... Homosassa Springs is a quiet, relaxing, beautiful place to enjoy a full day of fun and learning experiences all rolled into one for the whole family, friends & visitors from other parts of the World... People in wheel-chairs,scooters & even new moms with baby strollers, will not have any problem getting around inside the park as it offers paved trails & boardwalks. For parking - plenty, also for Handicap!!! Park Hours are - every day from 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM The ticket counter closes at 4:00 p.m. All schedules are subject to change, weather permitting... Park Prices - Adults (age 13+) $13, Children (ages 6-12) $5, Children 5 and under, free... Please note: Florida Temperatures are Warm & Sunny during the day and cool at night in the Winter Months . In the Summer Months Florida is Very Hot, Steamy & Humid all day & night. Drink Plenty of Water and a wear a Hat or Visor while you visiting Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park! No Smoking, No Swimming, & Do Not Feed the Animals, Park Rules.... This is worth your time to adventure out and enjoy mother nature;s gift. Hope to see you there, Till later, Be-Safe, Happy Traveling!! John & Jackie Scalise/Homosassa, Florida