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13 Nature Lovers’ Hideaway in Orlando

Sun’s out, spring is here and it’s time to be outdoors. There is no better time to start your summer bucket list but today. More people are encouraged to travel because of the comfort and convenience offered by new transport systems, services by numerous travel agencies and the availability of information on the internet. People have more access to numerous information and services that allow them to have a hassle-free trip. With different places and attractions offered all around the world, one of the places that everyone is dying to visit is the city of Orlando.

Orlando, Florida is home to different amusement parks like Disney World which has Epcot and Magic Kingdom, Universal Studios which offers the Island of Adventure and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and themed restaurants. Besides the busy places Orlando has to offer, people are surprised by the variety of parks, beaches, lakes and other nature-lover destination the city has.

Here are some hideaways in Orlando for nature-loving travelers

  1. Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve : Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve is a 44-acre nature park in Orlando, perfect for a relaxing and peaceful afternoon stroll. The trail is wide and flat and walking would be easy for kids and elderlies. The park also offers a small museum with interesting displays. This place is near Disney World. Best of all, there is enough parking for visitors and the park is free and open to the public.
  2. Lake Eola Park : Lake Eola Park is the kind of place you want to visit on a peaceful Sunday morning. The peaceful and calming atmosphere allows visitors to have a breath of fresh air. On Sundays, it has a farmer’s market offering a variety of local food, perfect for a little picnic with the family. People go here to jog around the one-mile path around the lake or rent a paddleboat and relax with the swans.
  3. Kelly Park: Kelly Park is perfect for people looking for less crowded places that offer various activities. This place allows visitors to appreciate nature, especially with the wide variety of trees in the park. The park also offers nature activities like swimming, camping, hiking, and rock climbing.
  4. UCF Arboretum: A tour around UCF Arboretum is both fun and educational. This park is home to many different exotic species of plant and animals. People who go here can book a tour with a botanist who would explain the nature of the plants and animals residing in the arboretum. This place is perfect for people who want to observe wildlife and nature.
  5. Harry P. Leu Gardens: Experience the wonderful landscape of Orlando in the Harry P. Leu Gardens. This picturesque place is home to rose bushes blooming from April to January and camellias in bloom from November to March. People could also visit the butterfly garden and witness how butterflies interact. The park’s sprawling old oak trees provide plenty of shade for strolling and jogging.
  6. Green Mountains Byway: Green Mountains Byway offers a walking, biking and hiking trail for the active individuals who want to slip in a workout or exercise during travel. It is also a great place to get to the boardwalks for a serene view of Lake Apopka or Sugarloaf Mountain, the highest point in Florida. This is a relatively long 6-mile hike around the park.
  7. Orlando Wetlands Park: Bird watching enthusiasts call Orlando Wetlands Park a paradise. The 1,650-acre Orlando Wetlands Park is home to many species of birds that would be a treat to nature photographers. Visitors can also observe alligators at the park. There is enough space to bike, hike, and relax in the park.
  8. Cocoa Beach: One of the nearest beach to Orlando is Cocoa Beach, only one hour away from the heart of Orlando. People go to Cocoa Beach to ride the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Numerous surf schools abound where some of the world’s greatest surfers teach first-time surfers at Cocoa beach. Watching professionals surf the waves of Cocoa Beach is also a relaxing thing to do.
  9. Winter Park Chain of Lakes: At the Winter Park Chain of Lakes, people can enjoy a one-hour scenic boat tour around the area. There are also available kayaks, paddleboats and speed boats that people could rent to tour around the lakes. During the ride, people could see the local scenery, waterfront mansions, and plenty of wildlife.
  10. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge: Merritt Island is one hour east of Orlando and it is a place where nature-loving travelers should visit. This Wildlife Refuge is home to a thousand plant species, 117 species of fish, 330 bird species, 31 individualized mammal species and 68 reptile and amphibian species. A visit to Merritt Island is truly a captivating experience which allows visitors to get a glimpse of the Florida native wildlife.
  11. Wekiwa Springs, State Park: Only 20 minutes away from Orlando, this state park boasts a clear, blue water spring perfect for snorkeling and swimming. There are lockers available in the park so people don’t have to worry about bringing extra clothes and gadgets. Visitors can also tour the park by renting a kayak boat. The visit is surely an enjoyable experience because of the beautiful park scenery.
  12. Blue Springs State Park: Blue Springs State Park is considered a paradise for nature-loving travelers. The park offers a boardwalk and trail leading to the forest hammock. Visitors go here to swim, snorkel and scuba dive and observe wildlife under the water. Canoeing, kayaking, and tubing can also be enjoyed along the St. Johns River. This place is only an hour away from the heart of Orlando.
  13. Apalachicola National Forest: The Apalachicola National Forest is the largest U.S. national forest in Florida. You can set up a hammock and chill under the shade of trees. This spot is famous for the Leon Sinks, which has areas of wet sinkholes, caverns, tunnels, and disappearing streams. Plenty of flourishing wildflowers can also be seen in the area.

There are numerous spots and activities waiting to be discovered at Orlando, Florida. Whether you are up for the challenge and try extreme activities, go to the usual tourists’ spots, or wander around undiscovered and less crowded places, Orlando will surely offer a fun, relaxing or adventurous vacation.

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