The Ultimate Summer Getaway!

The most beautiful kayaking route in Florida — Weeki Wachee Springs State Park 🛶💎 Known as the "Little Jiuzhaigou of the U.S.", its crystal-clear "jelly river" and lush forests make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale 🌲✨ And don’t miss the classic mermaid show 🧜♀️! If you want to escape the summer crowds, this is the place to be! 🚘 Transportation Drive from Orlando or Tampa via I-75, then head north on US-19. About 1–1.5 hours by car. 📍 Address: 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606 🎫 Tickets Adult: $13｜Child (6–12): $8｜5 & under: FREE 🆓 ✅ Things to Do 1️⃣ Clear Kayak Drifting 🛶💦 Rent a kayak from the official website — it’s the only way to go downstream! The route is about 8 miles long and takes ~2 hours. Along the way, you might see little fish 🐟, turtles, otters, storks, pelicans, and if you’re lucky — manatees! Stop at a shallow area near Roger’s Park for a picnic 🧺. 💰 Rental Prices: Single Kayak: $35｜Tandem Kayak: $51 Paddleboard: $35｜Private Boat: $8 ⚠️ Tips: The upstream section has faster currents; downstream is calmer with sandy shallows — perfect for relaxing! The park has limited kayaks — book 2 weeks ahead for June–September, 1 week ahead for other seasons. If the park is sold out, you can rent from private companies (launch from their docks). 2️⃣ Mermaid Show 🧜♀️🌟 The Weeki Wachee mermaid show is a legendary Florida attraction — even Elvis Presley came to see it! Two types of shows: live mermaids performing underwater ballet and real "mermaid" manatees 🦭. Great for kids — includes performances based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid! 3️⃣ Buccaneer Bay 🏴‍☠️💦 Features two water slides that run right into the spring 🛝! Sunbathe on the sandy beach or swim in the clear spring water 🏊. You can also rent a tube and float along the gentle natural river (lifeguards on duty). Lil' Mates Caribbean Cove is a kids’ water playground with a shallow pool — perfect for families! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 ⚠️ Travel Tips You can bring your own food and water, but no single-use plastic bottles ♻️. A shuttle bus will pick you up at the end of the kayaking route and take you back to the starting point. Must-pack: swimsuit, hat, water shoes, towel, sunscreen, bug spray 🧴🦟. Bring plenty of water to avoid heat exhaustion. Swimming is NOT allowed in the Weeki Wachee River 🚫🏊. Weeki Wachee = natural beauty + adventure + pure summer joy! #US #Florida #Orlando