Get Away From It All and Discover the Real Florida in West Volusia
Just a few minutes away from Orlando and Daytona Beach West Volusia County is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle and discover what natural Florida has to offer. There are lots of things to do for families from swimming in it’s natural freshwater springs and getting up close and personal with the wildlife to fishing or hiking on the nature trails.
It was a warm afternoon as we arrived to West Volusia invited on a press trip by West Volusia Tourism Board. We headed straight to Blue Springs Park where we all enjoyed tubing in the a natural lazy river. We swam in the cool emerald water among scores of fish and enjoyed the breathtaking natural beauty of the area. This was the first time my kids tubed or swam in a river and they loved every minute of it. After our swim we enjoyed a picnic under the shade of trees covered in Spanish moss.
Early the next day we headed for a morning walk along the nature trails in Gemini Park where the kids also had the opportunity to burn some energy on the playground. After our walk we took the St Johns River Eco Cruise where we got the opportunity to get to witness the breathtaking beauty of the areas waterways and see local wildlife from alligators and turtles to osprey and barred owls.
After enjoying the natural wonders of central Florida we where ready for a bit of history and a good lunch.Wwe visited DeLand and where pleasantly surprised to find a quaint town with lots of restaurants, shops and history.
If you are looking for an antidote to the parks and want to find a place where you can experience the real Florida and where you can relax and kick back West Volusia is the place to go. The best part is that you can enjoy the natural wonders of the area and experience old time Florida without breaking the bank as most of the parks are either free or charge a minimal amount. The hotels and restaurants are also a great value.
How to get there:
Take 1-4 north from Orlando or 1-4 south from Daytona beach.
Where to stay:
There are many options when it comes to places to stay. The Holiday Inn Express in Orange City has affordable prices, free breakfast, free WiFi and wonderful and friendly service making it a great option. IT also is centrally located just minutes away from DeLand and DeBary.
Things to do:
- Float on a natural lazy river or look at the manatees at the Blue Springs National Park.
- Hike or bike at Gemini Springs Park.
- Take an eco tour along the St. Johns River Eco Tours.
- Visit DeLand for a dose of local history and great restaurants.
- The area is also popular with anglers and birdwatchers.
- If you are looking for excitement West Volusia is well knows for it’s skydiving.
For more information about attractions and accommodations in West Volusia visit VisitWestVolusia.com, like Visit West Volusia on Facebook and follow @WestVolusiaFla on twitter to stay informed about events, offers and vacation giveaways!
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