The Great Outdoor
CHALLENGE Your guide to getting outside and discovering the beauty of Central Florida’s outdoor attractions, state parks and farms. By Lyndsay Fogarty
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ne of the best parts about living in Central Florida is that there are so many things to do. From learning about animals and their habitats to taking in the beauty and history of local gardens, and everything in between, the outdoor opportunities are endless. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite spots to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. We invite you to join us in the Great Outdoor Challenge to get to know these places and all they have to offer. Lake Apopka North Shore The 20,000 acres that make up the Lake Apopka North Shore provide plenty of opportunity to get in touch with nature for free. Once a part of Lake Apopka, it’s now a restoration area that is a haven for wildlife as well as one of the top three birding destinations in the state of Florida, with 369 bird species recorded on property. Visitors could also spot alligators, bobcats, otters, bears, raccoons, armadillos and coyotes. The Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, a scenic one-way, 11-mile drive, provides opportunities to view wildlife
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Central Florida Lifestyle | May 2021
and learn more about the area. It’s available from Friday through Sunday and on federal holidays. Entrance gates open at 7 a.m. and close at 3 p.m., though vehicles can tour the area until 5 p.m. On the St. Johns River Water Management website, drivers can access an audio tour that provides information across a variety of stops, including details on the bird and alligator populations, agricultural history and more. For those who want to explore the area on foot, the Lake Apopka Loop Trail and two blazed hiking trails are available for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. Audubon Center for Birds of Prey Maitland is home to the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, a facility that works to protect land, water and wildlife by using science to guide their work and birdlife to measure the health of the ecosystem. As one of the state’s most influential conservation organizations, the center connects people to nature through in-person visits, special events and programs such as wildlife rehabilitation and research, conservation education and
