Daycation

HOMOSASSA SPRINGS WILDLIFE STATE PARK ‘The Main Attraction Is Its Rotund Stars’

Story & Photos By Dean Blinkhorn

One of the coolest state parks is only about an hour away on Florida’s Nature Coast. The fresh seafood, the nearby monkey island, and dirt-cheap prices are merely a bonus.

WHY GO? Who doesn’t want to see a manatee—those roly poly, Barney-like underwater sea creatures that we adore—any time of the year? The other animals there are pretty cool, too, especially the birds of prey you can see at close range.

A LITTLE HISTORY: The park has been a tourist attraction for more than a century when the train would stop to let passengers rest at the springs. Then for almost 40 years, it was a small regional attraction until the county purchased the property in 1984 to be preserved as a wildlife sanctuary for future generations.

WHERE TO EAT (PART 1): The park itself has limited dining options, so my suggestion is to get a hearty breakfast at Red’s on your way. Regular readers of Ocala’s Good Life will already know that we love the place for good reason. Their country breakfasts are hearty, delicious, and served quickly. I’d recommend an omelet, a plate-sized blueberry pancake, or their biscuits and gravy. Be sure to tell ‘em we sent you.

WHAT TO DO: I hadn’t been to the park for nearly 20 years and I was amazed at how well it’s been kept in my absence. This is obviously a labor of love for the numerous volunteers and park officials who work there on a regular basis. After a leisurely pontoon boat ride down Pepper Creek, a unique elevated boardwalk leads you through the park’s numerous animal exhibits. Spend some time with each one, take some great pictures of Florida’s wildlife, and read the information on each species. We learned a lot in our short time there and enjoyed talking with the knowledgeable guides.

We liked the birds of prey exhibit the most, a fascinating peek into these winged hunters’ lifestyle. You’ll know exactly why the American Bald Eagle is our nation’s symbol by witnessing its intelligence, majestic grace, and beauty from a mere ten feet away. Fascinating. Later, a visiting hawk from the nearby preserve swooped down and seemed to pose for the curious onlookers and amateur photographers on a comfortable fencepost for about 10 minutes. He wasn’t in any hurry—and neither were we.

You’ll also see plenty of birds, reptiles, and gators, but the main attraction is its rotund stars— the protected West Indian manatees. The underwater observatory in the main spring is a great way to see the floating tourists who are merely snowbirds at the park, but the thrice-daily shows and education centers will provide a memorable encounter with its full-time residents. You’ll be a manatee expert in no time!

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: The Yulee Sugar Mill ruins are an interesting detour on your way to dinner in Homosassa. According to floridastateparks. org, the park houses the remnants of the “oncethriving 5,100-acre sugar plantation” with its 40- foot limestone masonry chimney, rusting iron gears, and a huge cane press. The mill supplied sugar products for southern troops during the Civil War.

WHERE TO EAT (PART 2): By now, you’re probably ready for an early dinner, so head into Homosassa to the Florida Cracker Kitchen & Monkey Bar. The two-story building also houses a bar with generous seating for a sunset cocktail and overlooks the docks and a charming monkey island. Yes, you read that correctly. Get to the restaurant early to request a window seat to watch the primates’ antics during dinner. We enjoyed seeing them running, jumping, and playing on the ropes and swings.

Since Homosassa is a fishing village, we opted for the seafood, although their burgers come highly recommended. Also on their delicious regional menu is a vast array of salads, fry baskets, and the aforementioned burgers. The Ponte Vedra Salad features jumbo shrimp and avocado, the Gator Basket has gator tail with a signature breading, and the Cattle Drive burger has Angus beef and a sweet barbecue sauce. They also open early for breakfast, so consider a massive omelette, some shrimp ‘n’ grits, or a griddle cake with bananas. I mean, you are at the Monkey Bar after all!

WHERE TO SHOP: Just past the sugar mill are a couple of locally owned art shops, both worth discovering, and several fish markets right on the river. The state park also has a pretty extensive gift shop where you can probably find a manatee emblazoned upon virtually every type of novelty trinket. Who knew they made manatee shot glasses?

HOW TO GET THERE: This isn’t the most scenic drive in Central Florida, but it’s pleasant, quick, and with little traffic. Your best bet is to take SR200 west to the county line and look for CR491 on the right just past Red’s. (You’ve read my tip already, right?) Turn right on SR44 in Lecanto and then left on CR490 west into Homosassa Springs. Pick some good tunes—or a new audiobook—and the drive will be over before you know it.

KNOW A GOOD DRIVE? Send your favorite daycation destination to dean@ocalasgoodlife.com and maybe it’ll be featured in an upcoming issue. Or if you want to keep your getaway all to yourself, that’s okay too.