Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is a natural tourist attraction located in Weeki Wachee, Florida, where underwater performances by "mermaids," women wearing fish tails as well as other fanciful outfits, can be viewed in an aquarium-like setting in the spring of the Weeki Wachee River. A waterpark Buccaneer Bay, Discovery Pointe Wildlife Theater, riverboat rides, kayak, and paddleboard rental are some of the other activities offered at Weeki Wachee Springs. The spring was named "Weeki Wachee" by Seminole Indians, which means "Little Spring" or "Winding River". The attraction was created in 1947 by stunt swimmer and attraction promoter Newt Perry. The Mermaid Theater is embedded in the lime rock of the spring with viewing windows below the surface of the water, to allow visitors to watch the mermaids perform in the spring.—Wikipedia
Fountain with flowers ajacent to the ticket booth at the main entrance of Silver Springs State Park. Silver Springs State Park is a Florida State Park located on the Silver River in Silver Springs, Florida in the Ocala area. Silver Springs is often called the gateway to the Ocala National Forest, the second-largest, most southern National Forest east of the Mississippi. The park contains Silver Springs, Florida’s first tourist attraction featuring one of the largest artesian springs in the world. The park became renowned for the Glass Bottom Boat tours: guided boat rides where guests could travel around the spring on a vessel with a clear bottom in order to view life underwater. Today, visitors still enjoy the Glass Bottom Boat tours on top of the same crystal springs that have been enjoyed for decades and sustaining a wealth of aquatic life. The Silver Springs attraction dates to the 1870s. In 1985 the state of Florida purchased the land surrounding Silver Springs to spare it from development, creating the Silver River State Park. In 1993 the state acquired Silver Springs as well, and in 2013 the state of Florida took over control of Silver Springs, merging it with the adjacent parkland to create Silver Springs State Park. Designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1971, Silver Springs State Park and the surrounding areas offer a wealth of cultural and historical significance.—silversprings.com & Wikipedia
