Silver Springs

Silver Springs, the world's largest artisan spring by volume, is located deep in the wilds of central Florida. Every day, the springs release over 2,080,000 cubic meters of crystal-clear water. There have been enough movies filmed there that you've almost certainly seen ones like the black and white Tarzan films or Creature from the Black Lagoon. Many people come here to take glass bottom boat tours, but we prefer to paddle. Kayaking Silver Springs allows you to explore this amazing habitat and immerse yourself in nature.

The first mile of the spring run is crystal clear, making it ideal for seeing manatees. Wild monkeys swing through the cypress swamp a little further downstream (they were brought in for an animal attraction in the 30s). Cormorants drying their feathers in the sun and white ibis resting on the branches can be found all along the river. On the banks, you're likely to see an alligator or two, as well as more turtles than you can count. It's only a 5 1/2-mile paddle, but you feel transported to another world where beauty and nature take precedence over concrete and automobiles.

Silver Springs State Park, located in north central Florida, just east of Ocala, has been a natural landmark destination since the 1870s. The 4,000-acre Silver Springs State Park includes not only the springs, but also the Silver River and surrounding sandhill forest. Explore the historic structures and serene gardens that surround the main spring, which serve as reminders of the park's past history as a major tourist attraction.

Location: Florida