2012-3 DAY TRIPS from Inverness Fla

DAY TRIPS


Listed below are some of the day trips available from the Inverness Fla area where I'm wintering this year.

1.  Crystal River Archaeological State Park.
29 miles (43 minutes)  Thursday-Monday $3.00

A National Historic Landmark, this 61-acre, pre-Columbian, Native American site has burial mounds, temple/platform mounds, a plaza area and a substantial midden. The six-mound complex is one of the longest continuously occupied sites in Florida. For 1,600 years the site served as an imposing ceremonial center for Native Americans. People traveled to the complex from great distances to bury their dead and conduct trade. It is estimated that as many as 7,500 Native Americans may have visited the complex every year. Although primarily an archaeological site, the park sits on the edge of an expansive coastal marsh. Anglers may catch saltwater and freshwater fish. As part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, the park offers bird-watchers the chance to observe a variety of birds.

Pontoon Ride:  $10.00,  (352)563-0450.  check for days, currently m/w/f

2.  Crystal River Preserve State Park.
29 miles (43 minutes)

BICYCLING

The main trailhead is located at the intersection of North Tallahassee Road and Curtis Tool Road. Curtis Tool Road is one block south of 7 Rivers Hospital off US Hwy 19 north of Crystal River. The bicycle trail is a 9-mile loop that can be accessed either at the trailhead on Tallahassee Road or at the end of State Park Drive. This bike trail offers varied habitats from the Hardwood Hammock to Pinewoods and fringes a salt marsh. This is a trail for the experienced biker or hiker.

3.  Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park:
 24 miles (33 minutes) $13.  Groups:  $9 ea.

Visitors can see West Indian manatees every day of the year from the park's underwater observatory in the main spring. The park showcases native Florida wildlife, including manatees, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, American alligators, American crocodiles, and river otters. Manatee programs are offered three times daily

4.  MK Rowlings State Historical Site:
Thursday- Sunday.  $3.00  55 miles (1 hour 2 minutes)

Visitors to this Florida homestead can walk back in time to 1930s farm life where Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings lived and worked in the tiny community of Cross Creek. Her cracker style home and farm, where she lived for 25 years and wrote her Pulitzer prize-winning novel The Yearling, has been restored and is preserved as it was when she lived here.

5.  Micanopy.
57 miles (10 minutes) from Cross Creek (MK Rowlings)

As Florida's oldest inland settlement, Micanopy (pronounced Mick-can-oh'-pee) has a well-established tradition of charm and Southern hospitality. Micanopy sometimes called "the little town that time forgot" possesses warmth and charm as well as eclectic shopping.

6.  Silver Springs State Park, Ocala.
43 miles (57 minutes)

Cost:  $47 Special rate yearly, includes concerts
Cost:  $32 general admission, one day pass

 Festival of Lights December 16 – 24 & December 26 – 31
 18th Annual Ford/Mustang Roundup Car Show January 7 & 8, 2012
 Merle Haggard January 14, 2012
 REO Speedwagon January 28, 2012
 Thompson Square February 11, 2012
  James Otto February 18, 2012
 Travis Tritt February 25, 2012
 Steel Magnolia March 3, 2012
 Styx March 10, 2012
 Glen Campbell March 24, 2012
 Eddie Money

No matter what your age, there are plenty of rides and attractions at Silver Springs that will make you laugh, fill you with wonder, and provide a glimpse into what life was like here more than 10,000 years ago. Just as they did then, the springs pump out 550 million gallons of sparkling-clear water a day—enough to supply the entire city of New York.

Surrounding the springs is a marvelous diversity of animals and nature you simply won’t find anywhere else. Come and explore the stunning beauty of Florida in its natural state.

7.  Weeki-Wachee State Park
41 miles (47 minutes)

A great place to experience the old road side attractions back in the 50's.  Florida has taken over the park and has maintained it's quaint nostalgic character, right down to the swimming mermaids.

Adult:                         $13.00
Child (Ages 6 - 12):      $8.00

Current show times
The Little Mermaid
11 a.m. & 3 p.m.
Fish Tails Mermaid Show
1:30 p.m.
Animal Show
10:30 a.m., 12 p.m. & 2:15 p.m.
River Boat Cruise
First cruise departs at 10:15 a.m.