[willis100]

Black Diamond Ranch Quarry Course in Lecanto.

[Paula]

Ocala, right up the street, has the Appleton Museum, Sholom Park, Florida Horse Park, Silver Springs, Don Garlits Drag Racing Museum, Zip Line, Gypsy Golf Horse Farm, just to name a few!

[chvlt57]

Bok Tower gardens Lake Wales.

[Decadeofdave]

Boca Grande Island near Port Charlotte. You can schedule a tour of the back range lighthouse (pre-pandemic)

[Carol Nichols]

So many in Florida. Go to AAA and get their flyers,,,,,, especially calendars,, with their trips to get more ideas than you can handle. Then go on your own but use their list of events on the foyers for the area as a guide. Their tour books are great but you might have to get a AAA Member to get you one if you aren't a member.
Also an unusual fun day is Solomon's Castle and eat in the Boat in the Moat.

[HimandMe]

Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, Matlacha, Pine Island area

[HappyRetired]

I've heard that the Barnum & Bailey mansion and circus museum is nice. We haven't had a chance to go yet, but it's been recommended to us.

[John_W]

Originally Posted by Carol Nichols

So many in Florida. Go to AAA and get their flyers,,,,,, especially calendars,, with their trips to get more ideas than you can handle...

That reminds me of a trip that AAA offers. It must be popular, I've seen the price go from $899 to $1049 in the past two years.

You get a bus to Fort Myers, a nice hotel there, meals at nice restaurants, then a hydroplane high speed 90 minute Key West Express boat ride to Key West. Then a couple of nights in Key West at nice place. Meals and tours and then back to Fort Myers.

If you're not into the whole excursion, you can drive to Fort Myers and park your car and take the boat ride on your own, I think it's $155 round trip.

Key West Express Official Page | Key West Ferry Service

[aldeana]

Ichetucknee Springs State Park for leisurely and pristine,, peaceful tubing. If you go during the week t may be more quiet. About 30 mins west of Gainesville. Rent a tube for $5 outside the park, as you approach the south entrance. Rainbow Springs tubing is also fun, but less peaceful, and more crowded.

[dkaufnelson]

Bok tower at Christmas.
City of DeLand downtown is very cute and has a great dog Mardi gras parade usually February and Stetson Mansion decorated beautifully at Christmas. DeLand also has several arts and crafts fairs that take up the whole main Street for a full weekend with music and food also a great place to stroll on a lazy day. The Morse museum in Winter Park has wonderful Tiffany Glass exhibits. St Augustine is a wonderful long day trip

[kathyspear]

Originally Posted by Paula

Ocala, right up the street, has the Appleton Museum, Sholom Park, Florida Horse Park, Silver Springs, Don Garlits Drag Racing Museum, Zip Line, Gypsy Golf Horse Farm, just to name a few!

We visited Gypsy Gold Horse Farm in February and I have been meaning to write up a review. I am not a horse person. Never been on a horse in my life. But these animals are amazing and Dennis Thompson's story of bringing the Gypsy Vanner horse to America is fascinating. Highly recommended for all ages.

http://www.maitaitravel.com/GypsyVan.../01_braids.png

http://www.maitaitravel.com/GypsyVan.../02_horse1.png

http://www.maitaitravel.com/GypsyVan.../03_horse2.png

http://www.maitaitravel.com/GypsyVan.../04_horse3.png

http://www.maitaitravel.com/GypsyVan..._1week_old.png

http://www.maitaitravel.com/GypsyVan...s_Thompson.png

kathy

[JGVillages]

Carson Springs Wildlife Center (carsonspringswildlife.org) is just North and east of Gainsville.
Rescue center for wide variety of animals, tigers, lions, rhino, and many many others. Visit the website for details.

[stevemac]

boat rise across Dora Lake into the Dora canal. It begins at the Lakeview Inn.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Essex Seafood II in Pierson. Just like New England.

[Aloha1]

Begone, uninvited pestilence! I want to visit some of these places and return to others!