Wekiwa Springs State Park

The Write-Up

The full story

Wekiwa Springs is the old-Florida counterpoint to the theme parks: an emerald spring in Apopka feeding the Wekiva River, with clear, cold water guests call magical to swim over. Canoes and kayaks drift past turtles and the occasional manatee, and trails run through dense tropical hammock. On popular days the park reaches capacity and turns cars away, so the day-pass reservation is worth sorting out before the drive.

District Stories

Orlando's long memory

The guide keeps the long memory of Orlando's districts in one place: the names, the plats and the stories behind the streets.

Browse the district stories →

Similar Feel

More places with this feel

Matched by vibe, not by neighborhood: the places across Greater Orlando closest in spirit to Wekiwa Springs State Park.

Kelly Park / Rock Springs Run

Parks & outdoors · Apopka · $

The spring run is the draw here: clear, cold water from Rock Springs into a lazy channel made for tubing.

400 E Kelly Park Rd, Apopka, FL 32712

Blue Spring Manatee Kayak Tours

Attractions · Orange City · $$

At Blue Spring State Park, guided kayaks slip into clear, 72-degree spring water where manatees roll and graze beneath the boat.

Blue Spring State Park, 2100 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763

Gatorland

Attractions · South Orlando · $$

Old Florida, unpolished and proud: gators launch for chicken at the Gator Jumparoo Show while handlers work the sand nearby.

14501 S Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL 32837

Lake Eola Park & Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain

Parks & outdoors · Downtown · $

Downtown's lake is the city's front porch, with swans, pedal boats, a lit fountain, and a shaded loop around the shore.

Lake Eola Park, 512 E Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801-1941

Disney Springs

Markets & shops · Disney Springs · $$$

Disney's open-air waterfront promenade, no park ticket and no turnstile, just an evening on the water.

1486 E Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

CoCo Key Water Park

Attractions · International Drive · $

A low-key hotel water park on International Drive that sells day passes, so no resort stay is needed.

7400 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819

Keep Going

More in Day Trips

Other places in Day Trips, closest to Wekiwa Springs State Park first.

Kelly Park / Rock Springs Run

Parks & outdoors · Park · $

The spring run is the draw here: clear, cold water from Rock Springs into a lazy channel made for tubing.

400 E Kelly Park Rd, Apopka, FL 32712

1921 Mount Dora

Restaurants · Restaurant · $$$

Modern Florida cooking in a historic 1921 house, and the meal feels personal rather than formal.

1921 Mount Dora, 142 E 4th Ave, Mt Dora, FL 32757-5584

Fun-Ko's Poke Bowls and Asian Snacks

Japanese & sushi · Poke · $$

Tucked inside Mount Dora Marketplace on Donnelly Street, a cheerful, low-key poke counter regulars call their go-to.

Fun-Ko's Poke Bowls and Asian Snacks, 334 N Donnelly St, Mt Dora, FL 32757-5525, United States

The Goblin Market Restaurant

American · Gastropub · $$

Mount Dora's storybook gastropub, a cozy book-lined hideaway on Dora Drawdy Way where guests love being surrounded by books.

The Goblin Market Restaurant, 330 Dora Drawdy Way, Mt Dora, FL 32757-5593, United States

Salt & Ember

Fine dining & steak · Steakhouse · $$$

A wood-fired steakhouse on Alexander Street in Mount Dora, relaxed and warm with a polished finish.

322 N Alexander St, Mount Dora, FL 32757

BTW Burgers Tacos Waffles

Burgers & sandwiches · Burgers · $$

On Main Street in Tavares, playful and unpretentious, doing exactly what its name promises with real imagination in each lane.

115 E Main St, Tavares, FL 32778