Part of our Florida guide.
Florida’s events and seasons hinge on its mild winters and hot, humid summers, with the state’s peak tourist season running from December through April. The best time to visit for pleasant weather and wildlife viewing is during the dry season, from November to April, when temperatures are comfortable and rainfall is lower.
Related travel guides: Events And Seasons In Texas.
30 Must Visit Places In Winter Springs
Winter Springs, Florida, offers a mix of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and charming spots. While the city itself is a residential suburb near Orlando, its parks and trails—like the Cross Seminole Trail and Central Winds Park—provide access to pine flatwoods and spring-fed lakes. The city’s events calendar peaks in spring with the Winter Springs Arts & Craft Show, while summer brings heat and afternoon thunderstorms, making morning visits to outdoor sites advisable. Fall sees cooler temperatures and smaller crowds, ideal for cycling or kayaking on the Little Big Econ River.
Blue Spring State Park
Blue Spring State Park in Florida is the place to see manatees up close during the colder months, when hundreds gather in the warm, 72-degree spring water. The park, located near Orange City, offers boardwalks for viewing the manatees from November through March, plus hiking trails, picnic areas, and swimming spots in the spring run during the summer. The spring’s constant temperature makes it a reliable refuge for the manatees, and kayak rentals are available for exploring the clearer sections of the water.
The Best Christmas Towns In Florida
Florida’s holiday season transforms coastal cities and historic towns into decorated destinations with lights, parades, and warm-weather celebrations. While the state lacks snow, the Christmas spirit thrives in places like St. Augustine, where Nights of Lights features millions of tiny white bulbs from mid-November through January, and in Mount Dora, known for its annual Christmas Walk and boat parade. These towns offer a blend of holiday cheer and mild temperatures, allowing visitors to stroll outdoor markets or enjoy waterfront light displays without heavy coats.
Suwannee Springs Florida - The Oldest Spring In Florida
Suwannee Springs, nestled in the Suwannee River Valley, is documented as the oldest spring in Florida, with its waters flowing from a limestone fissure. The site includes the remains of a 19th-century bathhouse and a historic bridge, offering a glimpse into the area’s past as a resort destination. The spring’s constant 72-degree temperature supports a diverse ecosystem, and visitors can swim, fish, or picnic along the riverbanks. The surrounding hardwood hammocks and river bluffs provide habitat for deer, turkeys, and migratory birds, making it a year-round spot for nature observation.
Madison Blue Spring State Park
Madison Blue Spring State Park, located near the Withlacoochee River, offers crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. The spring’s vibrant blue hue comes from its deep, 25-foot vent, and the constant 70-degree temperature keeps it refreshing even in summer. The park has a short nature trail through mixed hardwood forest, and canoe or kayak launches provide access to the river for paddlers. Because the spring is less crowded than nearby Ginnie Springs, it remains a quiet spot for observing turtles, garfish, and river otters in their natural habitat.
Inventive Wonders At Edison And Ford Winter Estates
Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers offer a glimpse into the lives of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, who spent winters there in the early 20th century. The historic homes and gardens contain original artifacts, a laboratory where Edison worked on rubber alternatives, and a museum with over 17,000 items of his inventions. Visitors can stroll through the botanical gardens, which include more than 400 plant species, or tour the main house with its period furnishings. The property also features a working moonlit garden and a research center, making it a stop for history and science enthusiasts alike.
Secrets Beneath Florida's Little Salt Spring
Little Salt Spring in Sarasota County is a sinkhole filled with warm, mineral-rich water that has preserved artifacts dating back thousands of years. Archaeologists have recovered tools, bones from prehistoric animals, and even human remains in the anaerobic layers of sediment, which slow decomposition. The spring’s unique environment—a deep, bell-shaped basin—has made it a key site for understanding early Native American life and extinct megafauna like mastodons. Because the site is protected, public access is limited to occasional guided tours, and researchers continue to study its submerged deposits for clues about the region’s ancient climate.
Troy Spring State Park
Troy Spring State Park, located in the heart of Florida’s Suwannee River basin, features a crystal-clear spring that stays at a refreshing 72 degrees year-round. The park offers swimming, snorkeling, and picnicking along the spring run, which flows into the Suwannee River. Its historical significance includes the remains of a Civil War-era steamboat, the Madison, which sank at the spring’s head in 1863; remnants of the hull are visible from the water. The park’s hiking trails wind through oak hammocks and pine flatwoods, providing habitat for white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and gopher tortoises.
Temple Spring
Temple Spring, located near the town of Lacoochee, offers a serene escape with its clear, 72-degree water flowing from a limestone basin. The spring is less developed than other Florida springs, with no concessions or lifeguards, so visitors should bring their own gear for swimming or kayaking. The surrounding cypress swamp and sandhill habitats support a variety of wildlife, including river otters, wading birds, and the endangered manatee, which occasionally enters the spring run during winter. Because the site is managed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, access is limited to daylight hours, and no camping is allowed.
