Blue Spring State Park

About an hour north of Orlando's rides, this spring on the St. Johns River is the closest way to swap a theme park day for a wild one. In winter manatees shelter in the spring run, and on a cold day in January 2024 the park counted 932 of them. Boats are kept out of the spring while the manatees are in, and swimmers wait until the animals leave in spring, so a winter visit means the boardwalk that follows the run right up to the spring. In warmer months it becomes a swimming and tubing spot instead. Since July 2026 every day visitor needs a reservation, which can be made up to 60 days ahead, so book before a cold weekend.