Great and large rooms. Shower big enough for 2 people with 2 shower heads and a bench. No tub. The bathroom has a separate space for the toilet with a shielded slided door for privacy. Only complaint was the coffee situation- no real creamer- only powdered and we didn't get it refilled when we asked. We also asked for towels and a room cleaning and never got it. The upper casino is extremely tight and the bottom one was tight but not as bad as the non-smoking section. Park in the Lucky parking lot if staying with lots of luggage. You'll be closer to the main entrance. You'll need to scan your room key to even get the room tower elevators. If you sign up for Unity- you get 50% off the buffet for one person. Buffet was decent. The Cafe was actually better. If you're signature status with Royal Caribbean you will be comped 3 nights and $300 room credit. Kids are allowed with adults but not on the casino floor (only along the pathways). Very fun to see history lining the hallways. We'll be back!

Nice place to hang out to kill time. They Definitely did a good job with the inside and the location of the establishment. I gave it 4 stars vs 5 because this place is very cheap with drinks and water. Be prepared to bring your own water or just don't stay too long. All drinking water faucet by bathroom doesn't work either or doesn't exist in certain restrooms. The staff told us to go to the bar for water but bar was closed so that didn't help. Only have a few servers bringing drinks around and we couldn't catch one after a few hours so we left because of thirst.

I visit and have fun for the past couple of years! Jayden at the rise and shine coffee is the best and makes our coffee perfect! One person in particular makes me so upset. Destiny. Not friendly, very rude and always has an attitude. I won't let her make my drink and has very poor people skills. Dana the bartender at the floor stands is also fantastic, always smiling and friendly.

After finally having a free day off, the wife and I decided to venture and have a go at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino - Tampa. Having moved to the Tampa Bay area recently, the travel from Lutz to the Tampa Hard Rock was short relative to our previous casino trips. My outlook on the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino franchise completely changed (for the better) after this visit. Hopefully this review will give some reasons why. As an MGM member and one who dabbles in casinos, my profiling of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino grouped the franchise along with the likes of the Caesars, Tropicana, Showboat, Ballys - in other words, casinos that are old and outdated. My ignorance in this regard also stemmed from the few quick stops at the Hard Rocks in Malta and Atlantic City, only to eat on both occasions. Again, my whole view of the Hard Rock franchise completely changed after this visit to the Tampa location. Travel and parking. Located just south of New Tampa and Temple Terrace, the Seminole Hard Rock - Tampa sits conveniently off of the I-4; while not the best of highways, it is arguably the quickest way to get to the venue. As you drive in, there are essentially three parking decks to choose from - Winner's Way and Lucky Street are the two main ones meant for resort visitors, while Orient Road and Draper Place puts you closer with respect to the actual hotel rooms. Either way, there is more than enough safe parking spaces with ease of access to the casino floor. The first thing that stands out is that smoking is permitted on the venue. While most casinos still allow smoking on their premises, it doesn't tend to be a problem. With Hard Rock Tampa - it seems a bit more noticeable. This may be a game changer for some. However, if you want some what of the casino experience without the smoking, they have a designated smoke-free area on the second floor. The casino floor is rather sizeable (larger than Parx Casino in Pennsylvania and can be compared to the Borgata in Atlantic City). The slot machine areas appear to be arranged and organized better than most casinos where other casinos seem like an elaborate maze. Navigating the floor here is easy and not as frustrating. Between the slot areas are a variety of tables. Overall, the casino floor is well maintained, neat, and clean. Meanwhile, the areas and functionality thereof around the casino floor are beautiful. There are a set of marvelous curving escalators that connect the second floor to the first, putting you right by the hotel-check in desk. There are distinguishable arcs that cast over the hall access to the hotel's East and West towers respectively, which offers a sense of elegance and class. If you are an avid casino player, you'll want to sign up at the Player's Club. The Hard Rock's rewards program is called Unity. Like the MGM, there is an app for this. The Hard Rock will also tier-match with MGM if you have the program. The ladies working the Player's Club were great and thorough. They explained the benefits and perks of the Unity program, along with giving us a brief introduction to the hotel and casino itself. The unique thing about the Unity rewards program compared to the MGM is that it applies to all Hard Rock franchise locations, which has a greater international reach compared to the mainly U.S.-based MGM. There is not much for kids - unless of course you are staying at the hotel, in which case there are amenities such as the pool. However, like most other casino resorts, there is not much for kids to do here (the Sugar Factory is more of a restaurant than a candy story itself), while the retail stores are catered toward the adult demographic. It was a fun experience overall, and we are definitely going to venture here a bit more often. I would highly recommend the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa for any casino player and as a resort hotel in general.

honestly I have tried to like this casino. playing slots its fun. If I tell you no one seems to win anything. All the people around me just losing money left and right upset and complaining. This casino used to pay out better years before the renovation. it is pretty big. Don't go with the expectation to win. Just go for the fun that way you MIGHT not leave disappointed. win the late evening hours the crowd becomes a bit sketchy so be careful in the parking lots and driving around surrounding area at night. Maybe one day I will go and actually win something lol...or maybe just save my money and do something else thats rewarding lol...

Went to watch a comedy show. The show room is average and the chairs are amateurish. Kind of like a school or conference room rather than event style. Hope they decide to upgrade the room and seating. They have upgraded the events and acts that come in which is great! Nice hotel and Casino with good food options. Parking was easy and safe.

We came on a company trip. The most important part to me is being able to eat. I have a severe soy allergy which includes soy lecithin, which is in almost all foods. I was able to eat at the buffet. I would like to give a special shout out to JOSE he checked a lot of items for me. I was pretty sure I could have some of the food items, but he took the time to make sure that I could. Gambling is easy, making sure a hotel is clean as easy, but making sure your guests are taking care of is the hard part and Jose and the managers were on point with help.

loved the ai exhibit, good amount of activities. the space show in the planetarium was like science class in the beginning and kinda boring.. but it was nice, voiceovered by a guy who worked there since 2006! and the second half was a little animated part that i loved!

My 8 year old son and I enjoyed our first visit to MOSI in October 2025. The IMAX show about the planets was educational, the curator gentleman is a great asset. The rope course was challenging yet fun and the AI exhibit was a great learning opportunity. My son tried to fly a drone. The facilities were clean and the museum stuff was attentive and friendly. We recommend this museum and look forward to returning when they build the indoor sports center.

They got the theater/digital planetarium back and better than ever with laser light shows.... There is a bar in the basement serving up a full liquor bar, with two shots away bartending, while the kids play! The exhibit on sea monsters and dragons was pretty informative. Looking forward to being a member and coming back throughout the year. Although, I am still quite nostalgic for the old MoSi building and wind tunnel (that fits more than 3 People) and the NASA space center that used to be in there, I am so happy the theater has reopened!

Staff was knowledgeable and very friendly. Activities were good for kids of various ages and adults. My son really liked the "travel to the moon" section.

We spent several hours this visit and while I see so many missed opportunities I would still suggest a visit. The main reason I poke at the missed opps is a seemingly lack of compassion from the team in place. Someone should take a walk through the center and just look around. Tidy up, spruce up and fix what is broken. Also, when speaking to an audience proportionally young, the presenter should remember to consider their audience, both for understanding and attention span. Still, a must visit when in Tampa.

Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) delivers an energetic, hands-on science experience in roughly 50,000 sq ft of exhibit space. With over a hundred interactive stations optical illusions, brain puzzles, even a bed of nails you’re encouraged to experiment, not just observe. The standout attractions include a state‑of‑the‑art digital planetarium, a VR simulator, and the thrilling Sky Trail® ropes course. MOSI also hosts engaging rotating exhibits recently “Grossology” (all things bodily) and “Wooden Wonders of the World” to keep repeat visits fresh . The Mission: Moonbase lunar colony is a NASA-backed immersive draw, especially for aspiring space fans. Some visitors note the museum feels more like an interactive play zone for younger kids rather than a traditional science center . That said, the drone‑flying and planetarium shows remain popular highlights for all ages. In about three hours, you can dive into STEM, climb, explore butterflies, and even play SciLinx mini‑golf. For families, MOSI offers a fun, stimulating outing especially if you skip the ‘look but don’t touch’ museums.

MOSI made for the perfect afternoon for my 4 and 6 year olds. We were there for 4 hours and experienced every activity, plus took a quick break for a BBQ lunch. There was plenty of free parking and the activities (indoor and outdoor) provided plenty of options for all ages up to 12 yo. We'll definitely be back!

This was a nice park with an impressive boardwalk. I don't think I've seen a boardwalk this long anywhere else. Peaceful and serene views of the water, lots of animals to be seen. Birds, gators, fish, turtles, are all over the place. Saw a pretty good sized gator with her babies. The cypress trees are amazing there too. There were a few I would have expected to see blocked off due to size and probable age but surprisingly they weren't. The tower is not too high, yet enough to get great views of the water. There are some nice, but short hiking trails, though you'll never forget you're in town cuz you can always hear the traffic from them, (but not while on the boardwalk, only the side trails). There are a few pavilions scattered around the park also that can be reserved. This is the 2nd Hillsborough county park I've been too recently and they are well maintained and cared for. You can rent canoes here also.

This was such a gorgeous park, especially for a picnic! The picnic shelters are all covered, secluded, and surrounded by palms and other trees. The boardwalk trail is very scenic and is great for birders, photographers, and general nature enthusiasts like myself!

We went here today, monday november 3rd at around 11am. it was very quiet and peaceful, we saw a few gators, squirrels and turtles. Very nice experience for $2!

Two of eight trails I hiked in the 10th Annual Hiking Spree. Amazing area overall. Nice nature viewing… alligators, spiders, and Yeti lol. Me and my daughters had a great time walking the trails here and working out on the amenities. Definitely will be back!

Beautiful park that is filled with lots of shaded walking trails. This place is great for an afternoon outing with your family and friends. It is also a kid and pet friendly. This park sits on the lake so it has beautiful scenery, and wildlife available.

Beautiful park, with access to a play ground, outdoor fitness equipment, picnic shelters and paddle boat/canoe rentals. However make no mistake, this park is a good example of wild Florida and offers a lot of paved and unpaved hiking as well as a boardwalk over wetlands with stellar plants and wild life to admire.

I’m not sure if I have already written a review for lettuce Lake but I feel like an updated review is needed due to all the changes. I haven’t seen any reviews that give updated information.Today is 8/31/2025. My husband and I decided to take a walk this morning at lettuce Lake because it’s probably one of our favorite walking places but it’s been a while since we have gone due to all the work being done on the boardwalk area. The last time we went, which was a few months ago part of the boardwalk was shut down for repairs after the storm last year. i’m excited to share,It is fully open now and beautiful! They did such a great job with the boardwalk. If you just go on the boardwalk, it’s alittle over a mile walk. That includes all directions on the boardwalk. some of which are dead ends. If you’re looking for beautiful nature, tranquil, peaceful walk, lettuce Lake is the best! Not only is there the boardwalk section, but there is also paved sidewalks that loop around Park.We ended up walking 3 miles, twice on the boardwalk section and also on the pave sidewalks but we have explored more then 5 miles during the cooler months at this park. There are bathrooms throughout. We also love the Welcome center, which is a room with information on just about everything you will see on the property,including taxidermy, animals, fun facts to read on and two snake exhibits with live snakes named Arya and popcorn. every time we go to lettuce lake we see A ton of wildlife, including so many different types of birds, rabbits, squirrels, and our favorite gators! This trip was no different and we saw A 4 foot gator, sitting under the boardwalk ( they love to hide there so keep eye out)and about five teeny baby gators we were so excited to spot! Is also a 3 to 4 story lookout tower that is fun to go to the top and spot gators in the distance. It’s just a two dollar entry and several different places to park. they have been working hard on redoing the park so we saw them working on some of the picnic pavilion huts that You can rent here. They do also have a canoe area where you can rent canoes and leave right from lettuce Lake. You would just tell the person taking your two dollar entry that you’re interested in renting canoes and they will give you more information. There are also several playground areas throughout this park. One of which is what we call adult playground because it’s for exercising, but I’m sure kids would have a blast. We happen to notice no biking signs for the boardwalk, but I’m unsure if bikes are allowed throughout the rest of the park. ( we have never seen bikers only rollerblading)When it’s nicer out, only a few months out of the year in Florida, we like to take the off-road trails. They wind in and out of trees and have a nice designated path,( unpaved) but we avoid the summertime due to wet grounds and or bugs. I would definitely suggest bug spray here around at this park because of how many trees there are. overall, this is definitely a must for anyone looking for a place to get some steps in and have a really peaceful enjoyable time, see some wildlife, and with the boardwalk being finished only a few weeks ago, we will definitely be back more often.

This is a really nice park. I wish I wouldn't have waited so long to visit it. The campground was clean with nice facilities. Laundry, dish washing sink, clean showers, vending machine for laundry soaps, electric and water hook ups. The sites are close together but each one is spacious. There are lots of nice trails to hike and walk along the river. The only downsides really were that 2 of the main trails were still closed from the hurricanes. Seems like it's been long enough that they would have them reopened by now. The two trails on the south side of the park, which could be connected by walk into a neighboring park to form a nice 6 mile loop, were opened. However, the connecting park and the adjoining road to it is also closed. So you end up doing two out and back hikes instead and never actually make it to the river. You can walk along the river in the north part of the park, but this is more of an easy public walking trail and it's not very long. Also they have a little store and you can rent kayaks and canoes, but unfortunately, not on Tuesday or Wednesday, as they are closed these days. Which seemed odd but I guess they are cutting costs and those are likely their slowest days(which is exactly why it a better to go on these days, but I guess the trade off is you won't be able to rent a canoe or kayak). So just a few minor issues but overall a beautiful park. Hopefully the trails will open up soon.

Beautiful park. One bridge along with a restroom and half of the playground but still very enjoyable. Love walking hikes along the river!

I had an amazing time visiting Hillsborough River State Park. The entire experience was refreshing and full of natural beauty. The trails were well-maintained and perfect for hiking, with just the right mix of challenge and ease. Walking through the park felt like stepping into another world, surrounded by tall trees, winding river paths, and the peaceful sounds of nature. The people we met along the way were incredibly kind and friendly. Everyone, from fellow hikers to park staff, had smiles on their faces and were always willing to help or say a warm hello. It made the whole atmosphere feel safe and welcoming. I went with Sunny, and we both had a great time exploring the park together. We saw so many interesting animals, birds, and even a few turtles near the water. It’s a perfect place for nature lovers or anyone who just wants to disconnect and enjoy the outdoors. The signboards were clear and helpful, and everything was very well organized. From the parking to the restrooms to the picnic spots, it felt like the park was designed with care and thought for visitors. Even though I’m usually in Noida, this park in Florida gave me an experience I won’t forget. It’s a beautiful spot with so much to offer, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone visiting the area. Whether you’re hiking, taking pictures, or just relaxing under the trees, Hillsborough River State Park is truly worth the visit.

I went for hiking on 09/14/25. As of then, both Baynard and Seminole trails are still not in use due to hurricane Milton from picture 2024. The bathrooms by the former pool are unusable, and taped off with caution tape. Both playgrounds have elements blocked with caution tape. I have grown up in this park: camping, hiking, birthday parties, etc. This is not the fault of the rangers, they are doing their best; but it's sad too see so much not in use nearly a year later. Hiking on the River Rapids trail was lovely though. This park is a piece of authentic old Florida and I hope it comes back fully.

Was a beautiful and relaxing place to hike and get some fresh air. Our dogs enjoyed walking the trails with us and the river was beautiful even saw a little gator and of course many birds. A ranger was even kind enough to lead us to the right area and give us a mini tour and interesting history lesson on the land and indigenous tribes that called this area home. He even shared a tip for a hidden gem along the path that we were happy to find. Would def be back with probably a pack lunch to enjoy 😉

We really enjoyed the trails at Hillsboro River State Park. The river Rapids Trail was nice. The suspension bridge trail was very cool. It was nice to take our little dog with us. We also were Glamping this weekend at Hillsboro River State Park

BEAUTIFUL trails at this park!!!! There was so much to stop and admire, like the rapids, the suspension bridge, the wonky trees, etc. My only complaint is that the trails could’ve been marked more clearly. I appreciated the gator sighting!!!

It's a very beautiful place. The water is very, very, very cold. It's so natural, but it feels so good.We'll go again

📍Perfect spot for swimming Rainbow river is a beautiful spot to go and spend the day with your family. There is an area designated for swimming, perfect for kids and adults. There is a kayak rental and you go around the river. There is also a space for picnics and a small food stand.

Nice peaceful float trip!! Water is crystal clear & cool & clean!!! I probably wouldn’t want to come in super busy season but we went the week after school went back & it was perfect!

Nestled in Florida's heart, Rainbow River enchants visitors with its crystalline waters and vibrant ecosystem. Fed by natural springs, its clarity astounds, revealing a kaleidoscope of colors dancing beneath the surface. Home to diverse aquatic life, from playful manatees to darting fish, the river teems with vitality. Kayakers and canoeists glide along its gentle currents, immersing themselves in the tranquility of the surrounding forest. Snorkelers and divers explore the underwater wonderland, where submerged caves and limestone formations add intrigue to the landscape. Above the waterline, towering cypress trees and swaying palms provide shade, while birdsong fills the air, creating a symphony of nature's melodies. Along the riverbanks, picnic spots beckon, inviting visitors to relax and soak in the serene ambiance. For those seeking adventure, tubing down the river offers a thrilling ride, as the current carries you through bends and twists, revealing new vistas around every corner. Whether you seek solace in nature's embrace or crave excitement on the water, Rainbow River promises an unforgettable experience for all who venture to its shores. In every ripple and glimmer, Rainbow River whispers tales of wonder and beauty, inviting exploration and leaving a lasting impression on all who encounter its magic.

It's a very beautiful place. There's tons of free parking available and the entrance only costs $1 per person during the summer. We went kayaking on the river. The water was crystal clear and very refreshing. On the trip we saw lots of fish, birds and turtles. There's also a little designated area to swim but you aren't able to stand there in the water because it's so deep. Definitely recommend bringing a noodle if you just want to swim in this pool! You also swim in the river while on your kayaking trip which was so refreshing 😊

Absolutely stunning! We rented a pontoon boat for a few hours and went up the whole Rainbow River. The water was clear as glass, you could see all the way to the bottom even in the deep parts. Tons of wildlife, we saw fish, giant turtles, and even river otters. I put on my wetsuit and jumped off the boat in a few spots, it was amazing for snorkeling and freediving. We even had scuba divers diving next to us which was really cool to see. There are a few resturants along the river you can stop and eat at too. Seems like a good place for kayaking as well!

Beautiful place to spend the day. River is large, deep, and has quite the current. Great for whatever you’re into; scuba diving, snorkeling, paddling, tubing, or just swimming. Lots of wildlife and gorgeous views to take in. Many spots to stop for a break including the state park, KP hole, and swampys. Clear water, but it does get murky by the afternoon due to all the motor boats on the water so get in early if you’re going underwater.

What a beautiful state park with so much to do. We stayed 4 nights in sight 34 with full hookups, and we're extremely pleased. Site was clean, large enough for our 33' travel trailer plus F350, and the water pressure was just fine. We hiked some of the trails, walked down by the beach, and stopped in at the camp & rental store. ALL the staff was friendly and helpful. When we come back to visit family, this is definitely where we'll be staying.

Absolutely incredible park from the lakes to the trails to the campgrounds to the kayaks! My friends and I went glamping for the weekend, and I'm so glad we chose this park to do so. The tent - 200 sqft, air conditioned, and furnished - was perfect for the three of us. The grounds were well-maintained, the instructors and staff were knowledgeable, and the bathrooms were always clean and stocked. At the Camper Canteen, Ashe was so kind, fun, and helpful to us as inexperienced campers. She was always happy to explain the rules, show us hidden spots and places we might have missed, and give us tips to make the most of our time here. She made our getaway special! Overall, this is a park worth visiting whether you're a local or a visitor. With miles of hiking trails, spots for dogs and horses, a quiet beachfront, beautiful sights, and loads of activities, there truly is something for everyone at Lake Louisa. I can't wait to go back!

My family and I love being outdoors on trails and on bikes and have never seemed to make it to this state park. Today was our first time and I really liked the park. The hiking trails are great. Some of the signs and markers are in desperate need of some TLC. New numbers and a light cleaning. If you are hiking, get a map and take a pen so you can mark where you turn. It is easy to get lost on the over 20 miles of trails. We drove my the horse area and I will be excited to return and try that experience soon. You can rent kayaks, bikes and more up near the campground area. So if you want to get out on the water, you can do so easily. The campground is extremely open. There are very few sites that have any shade. I’m not sure if I want to spend any time in the campground in a tent as the sites are extremely small and open. The primitive sights are gorgeous though. As long as you don’t mind not having a fire at night. The cabins are large and I am going to see about renting one of these very soon. Plenty of places to hike, fish and even go swimming in the lake. Just be careful of the alligators. This is all nature.

Incredible horseback riding. I call the ladies that are responsible for your well being, the T & T Connection. Tracy and Tina. They are amazing with their knowledge of the park, the plants, the trees, animals, the Indians that lived there and the medicinal purposes of the plants, trees and berries. VERY EDUCATIONAL along with being a fun ride. You can't bring a back pack... whatever you bring it has to be able to tie around your waist.

An oh man One of the better campgrounds we have visited.grrat facilities clean rest rooms.laundy and showers were also great. So much to do .kayak, hike,canoe,horseback riding,on a great lake w docks and piers. Trails omg really great and tons of them..great place .pull through as well as back in All spots are very large,with partial hook ups.water and electric.with a convenient and clean dump station..

Beautiful Park!! Lots of different trails, some with a few hills. Hiking, camping, fishing, and horseback riding are available to enjoy here.

Had an amazing experience at Lake Louisa State Park! Plenty of nature trails, and primitive camping spots! Would be a wonderful spot for photography during a sunset! I unfortunately could not stay that late.

We enjoyed our visit. The waterfalls and walking trails are beautiful. All concrete walkways, extremely well maintained. Gorgeous foliage! Thick, and lush with lots of geckos, and butterflies. Well organized and managed. Friendly volunteer workers. Modern, clean restrooms too! There's also an air-conditioned visitor center where you can buy souvenirs, pool noodles, hats, etc. There's a small cafe on site with covered eating area too. We plan to return in October with kayaks and spend the day on the gorgeous water.

Rainbow Springs State Park is absolutely breathtaking! The water is crystal clear with the most stunning shades of blue and green it really feels like you’ve stepped into a tropical paradise. The swimming area is refreshing and perfect for cooling off on a hot Florida day. The walking trails are peaceful, full of lush greenery, waterfalls, and wildlife, making it a great place to explore and relax. The park is very clean, well-kept, and the staff is friendly and welcoming. Whether you want to swim, kayak, or just enjoy nature, this park has it all. Definitely one of Florida’s hidden gems and worth every visit!

It was my first time here at rainbow Springs State Park. I have to say I will definitely be back. I really enjoyed the spaciousness of the river for kayaking/canoeing. It is a two hour long river however it takes twice as long to get back, we rented a kayak For one hour went down the river 20 minutes and went back up 40 minutes. The weather was incredible. We got to see turtles, a variety of birds, ducks, and even some otters which was so cool. The staff is very friendly, kind and helpful. The swimming pool was spacious enough for people to swim and some even had some Floaties. I would definitely recommend bringing a pool noodle to help float in the swimming pool as the water is deep and you cannot touch the floor. The views are incredible. The water is clear and there are three different walking trails to enjoy. I didn’t see any showers however they do have clean restrooms. I would recommend bringing a blanket, picnic basket and your own food and water to enjoy there at the park. They have several trees that you can get some shade under or you can lay out on the lawn and get some sun.

This was such an amazing experience to go to the water does feel cold if you touch it but once you jump in, it is perfect! Definitely bring items to help you swim, if you’re not a great swimmer since you can’t touch the bottom. They also sell pool noodles, but they are very thin. And don’t bring a flotation device that’s too big like a circle floaty. I had to bring mine back to the car. They do have a section of the state park where you can go tubing, but you have to drive there and I would definitely call ahead to see if there is tubing that day. I also recommend goggles so you can see in the water! They also have paddle boarding and kayaking, a water fountain, but it’s not cold hiking trails bathrooms, food options, and a gift store

Really torn about how to rate this park. We went on a Tuesday so no line to get in, parking was easy. But it was beastly hot, a longish walk to bathroom area and then another very steep longish walk to swimming area where there were some benches to sit on. BE AWARE that there are NO steps or ramps to enter the swimming area (the only options are to go down the ladders or to jump or dive in). That being said, this is probably the cleanest clearest water I have ever gone swimming in and I have been swimming all over the world. It was VERY difficult for me to get out of the water because it was so pleasurable being in it!! Just incredibly delightful! I could see to the deep bottom sandy floor with no chance of touching it unless I dove under. You can watch fish happily swimming around way below you. I think I was there the hottest day of 2025 so the water was perfectly refreshing.

Spring head is great to swim in. You cannot touch. Its 20ft in some spots and no where you can stand in the water. So bring a noodle or Buy them for $3 in the giftshop. Plenty of tables and picnic grassy area. Take the historic waterfall walk. So beautiful

One of the best state parks I’ve been. There is parking and rest rooms! Hiking trails are paved and d non paved. Swimming in the lake kayaking that you could rent or bring your own. There are waterfalls that are made but looks so natural. Restaurant in for Burgers etc.

Beautiful hilltop winery. We attended the outdoor concert/ food under the trees. There were plenty of large picnic tables under the pavilion and also out in the open. The trees covered all of the grounds where the concert was held, so no worries about sun exposure. Many people brought chairs and blankets to lay out. The food was alright, not such a variety. About 4 items to choose from that came with either salad,rice, or fries. At a price of $20 a plate, i didn't find it worth it. Next time, we'll eat somewhere else then go just for the music. The store was beautifully set with many different varieties of wine and cheese. They also have a few souvenirs. If you check the website, you could see the days and times of the winery tours, which I highly recommend

Review for Luisa – Lake Ridge Winery, Clermont FL Yesterday I made an unplanned stop at Lake Ridge Winery after my original Sunday plans fell through. I was driving back to Orlando feeling a little disappointed when I saw the winery sign and decided to make the best of the day. From the moment I walked in, everyone was kind and welcoming, but Luisa behind the bar truly made the experience unforgettable. Luisa went far beyond normal customer service. She greeted me with a warm smile, asked how I was doing, and even noticed that I was visiting alone. Instead of keeping things surface-level, she started a genuine conversation, offered recommendations, and even took time to show me around the winery between serving guests. Her kindness and attentiveness quickly made me feel comfortable and cared for, and before I knew it, I no longer felt alone. What began as a day of canceled plans turned into a beautiful memory because of Louisa’s loving personality and professional grace. She is the kind of employee who not only represents the winery well but also changes a guest’s entire mood with her presence. Management should know what an asset she is. I will absolutely return and recommend Lake Ridge Winery to friends and family because of the way Luisa made me feel. Highly recommend!!!!!

Celebrating my 31st birthday, we had lots of festivities set up but honestly, this one was my favorite and surprisingly the cheapest😂 $5 ticket, they start you in a room where they show you a little intro video telling you a bit about the winery. Then you have your tour guide that walks you throughout the winery giving fun facts and you can ask questions (I love learning). Then We were brought to a large bar too area with a list of the tastings we would be sampling and he would tell us about each one. I’m struggling to remember his name right now but you see him in the pictures and he was incredibly nice and knowledgeable. Would 10/10 recommend this experience to anyone and honestly can’t wait to do it again and bring my best friend.

We booked the private vip wine tasting experience and it was totally worth it! Thomas was a great host as well! This place is beautiful and the wine is tasty!! If I could suggest one thing. To make the tasting longer so we didn’t have to basically chug the wine. It would have been nice to sit and talk and enjoy the sips.

We always enjoy the fun and friendly atmosphere! The shop.had some new and interesting items. We especially like the mulled wine....yum!!

My wife and I jennifer, loved it! I came here about 30 years ago and love the southern red. Thank you Patrick for a great tour of the Winery and Vineyard!

This is a local gem. I have brought friends and family who come from all over the country to experience this place. Check out the free wine tour on the weekends before trying a glass. I absolutely love both of their sweetest wines, Southern White and Southern Red. Try the wine slushies outside during the hotter months. I recommend coming before 2 to have ample time before the outside stops serving at 4pm.

This place is historic. Every artifact is genuine to its time and place. Worn racing attire, actual dragsters driven, real engines, trophies, endless amounts of photos. Every step taken in this wonderful museum tells a story. There is so much to see and learn here and Don Garlits has given everyone the opportunity if they just take time to listen. 11 out of 10 recommend this fantastic experience. Thank you, Don Garlits and your great museum staff members.

This place is amazing. I couldnt believe how many drag cars were on display plus the vintage automotive museum. Both were out of this world.. Thank you Don Garlitz for your service to the racing community and giving everyone the opportunity to recognise your fantastic achievements.

I have beenn3 times now. This last trip was the ultimate. November 1st was the date for the Mopars at the Museum show. Awseome show with dozens of beautiful Mopars. After the show, Big Daddy hosted a tour of the museum. To hear him tell the stories about the cars sitting there and the people that built and drove them is simply amazing. He hosts tours of the museum throughout the year. I highly recommend taking one.

This place was awesome! So much history and so much to see. Well worth the admission fee. This place brought back so many memories. If you love Drag Racing this is a must see place. The antique car museum next door (included with admission to Drag Racing museum) had so much nostalgia not car related and was great as well. All the stories behind each vehicle was a treat to read.

I was born in the 60’s. I remember a lot of these events and vehicles. Definitely wore very penny and hour I spent there. I’ll be glad to visit again the future. This place was so clean. I didn’t see any dust on the cars, eccentric the black ones.i left in amazement!

An absolutely underrated place. So much history and cool stuff for kids and adults. You could spend hours in there if you don’t have small children. Lots of reading to do and videos to watch. Some cool interactive things to do as well. We almost met Don Garlit, but he came and went without us, knowing. He seems like a great guy and wow, has he achieved a lot. Super grateful for him putting this together for the younger generation to experience.

I had seen this museum from I-75 so many times, I finally got to stop in. There's SO many cars! Lots of history, stories, feats and memorabilia. Stop and visit! Support this great museum!

Very nice place to visit and experience the great Gypsy Gold Horses. They have 2 tours. The short one is good with little kids and it’s about an hour long. If you are really interested in knowing the history then other longer tour is good which last around 2.5 hours. The location is beautiful and staff is super friendly. They will feel you like you are home. Do visit if you are near Ocala.

Spending some time in Ocala all the way from Australia. This tour was such a fun morning, my husband and enjoyed it so so much! I could listen to Dennis’ stories forever ! The history behind it all is sooo very intriguing, you can truly tell Dennis is a very wonderful man that has such passion for what he does. I would recommend this to all! Bring along some carrots and apples and the horses will love ya! The donkeys and birds are an added bonus as well. Again, love your work yall, keep it up ❤️

We really enjoyed the history that started the Gypsy Vanner's journey to the US. Eileen shared her love of these majestic horses during the tour. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the farm. It was a pleasure to meet the owners and see their beautiful farm.

The two hour history and farm tour was a highlight of my trip in this area. The beauty of the Gypsy Vanners is magnificent! The owner’s passion for his horses, their cultural history and helping others is so genuine. I loved meeting the special donkeys he has as well. It was a unique and heartwarming experience.

Gypsy Gold is a treasure. Dennis is so passionate about his life's work. The places he has been and his travels were amazing to hear. I truly hinged on his every word. I hope this treasure of a place continues forever. It is his labor of loved and should be honored. He is a tue visionary. His sister inlaw gave us a tour and she is just as passionate about these magnificent horses. I can't wait to visit again.

Karen and Shannon took great care of us on our tour today. We had VIP tickets that included meeting a Clydesdale foal. Our tour included all kinds of great information about what the Cobbs do with their horses, how they breed the horses, how they pick individuals for jobs, and how they spearheaded competitions for their horses in Florida. The horses we met were sweet and curious. It was a treat to meet your gentle giants and learn about the job that these amazing horses do. Thank you for sharing your horses with us!

We had a great time learning all about the horse breed and the people who own the farm. The horses were beautiful. I also enjoyed the other great animals ( mules, donkeys, macaws). I would recommend this to anyone that loves horses.

I'm local and go here almost everyday I love it it's well kept and peaceful... It has a great restaurant called ski Beach, plenty of parking, full of wildlife, great bass fishing, an awesome playground with a zip line for the kiddos, picnic tables and grills for birthdays, plenty of shaded benches which are perfect for dates I definitely recommend this place for multiple reasons and occasions.

Gorgeous walkways and bridges with a breathtaking view of Lake Harris. A wonderful place to relax or get some exercise in. We saw a small alligator swimming and lots of ducks. We didn't try the lakefront restaurant, Ski Beach, but we hope to next time.

Great park for kids and walking/jogging paths around the entire park. Plenty of picnic areas to hang out in yhe shade

First time going and it was a blast! Gorgeous place...its just spectacular! The scenery,landscapes,wildlife...it's all there! Itsa heaven for photographers...I'll be back but really early in the morning...everything is been taking care of...it's big and clean...lots of wood bridges to make the landscapes even more beautiful! Birds,alligators, squirrels everywere...definitely 100% recommended!✌️😎💪📷🐦🐿🦅🐊🦎🐸🦆🪿🌹🪻🌻🌺🥀⚘️

We let the kids play and then we took a walk around the ponds that are right next to the lake. We went to just see what animals we could see and how big the baby's all got.

Breathtaking, beautiful park. So nice to spend the morning there!!

Beautiful place to walk. Lovely bridges, water, people fishing.

We stayed here while in Tavares area for a Labor Day weekend with all our naughty friends. Our lake view room was large! Could have used full length mirror in the room. Pool was great. Rooftop bar was awesome. 10% off coffees and other places as they own some of the shops and restaurants at the bottom of their other two buildings. Great price. They are in the process of making some upgrades, so it’ll get even better. We’ll stay there again!

The location and view were great, beautiful pool and lots of restaurants to choose from! They quickly addressed an issue with loud neighbors, much appreciated . I can’t speak for all the rooms, but we were in building 2 and our room smelled musty, was in dire need of updating, and wasn’t the cleanest I’ve ever stayed in. No cleaning service unless you asked the day before you wanted it. Very cheap little soaps and hair products, no coffee maker or phone. Elevator looked as though it hadn’t been cleaned in a month. Not really worth the price

So I recently stayed at this hotel for my wedding weekend this week. I booked the block more than a year in advance with notice that they would be done renovating by the Summer. My disappointment to hear all of our guests that stayed at this hotel had various complaints about the conditions of the room (mold, sealed holes in the wall, smell from the AC), We even had 2 family members request their money back to stay at another hotel because of the accommodations. I booked the 2bd suite which was 1,100 dollars for 3 nights and was disappointed that within an hour of arrival, I had to call the front desk to have them change a curtain that had a blood stain on it and to clean the balcony that was unkept and killed 3 spiders on the door to access it. To be charged this amount of money for a semi renovated room, I could have stayed in a Airbnb for a week. Now another thing that threw me off was the way I was treated initially when I contacted the hotel about early check in. I called because my bachelorette party was that day and asked if I can come an hour early because I was busy for my wedding to be told I had to pay 30 dollars to check in early. Now that’s fine, but to find out my friends who checked in the day before in the morning were not charged this same fee made me upset because it needs to be even across the board and we were the ones that brought those guests to the hotel. Regardless, when I went down about the things that needed to be changed in the room, I was met with some annoyance and told to make a list since I was leaving. Besides this, the area was beautiful and convenient. I have photos of the sheets in one of the rooms were there were holes and I didn’t know until we saw it, it also had dried blood. I would think they would check the rooms to make sure it was ready to go. I would not recommend anyone book blocks for a wedding as their hotel is not ready to handle this, and the price was not worth it in the end. For reference it was myself and at least 6 other rooms in different buildings that had issues. I also would have appreciated transparency that the hotel was still not done with renovations. Thank you.

Great place to stay for the evening!! My boyfriend and I came into town for the first time and we picked The Citrus for their rooftop bar and other amenities surrounding the hotel complex. Our room was in building 3 and we were pleased with how clean it was and how well our AC unit worked. They did not disappoint there, but the rather disappointing part was our experience on the rooftop. If you want to pay cash, better make sure they don’t run your card and pocket your money. We understand it’s mandatory to have a card on file for an open tab to secure payment, but my boyfriend told the bartender he would pay the bill with cash. The bartender wouldn’t take any cash at the time he asked for the card, so we thought we were good to go. Before we leave, our bartender asked another coworker to close us out. They ran the card on file AFTER my boyfriend paid for the bill in cash. It’s been a week and still no update.

LOUD LOUD LOUD. Don't stay here unless you're bar hopping and don't plan on sleeping. So disappointed. Was looking for a nice boutique experience and a full night's rest for months. Turns out, I would've gotten better sleep staying home with my 8 month old. Also, room smelled like cigarettes, floor was sticky and dirty, and the lake view is of a busy parking lot with the lake in the distance :(

Parking is survival of the fittest. They give you a parking permit that is useless and it’s just good luck Literally said good luck….The best part was you get a metal cut key for your door Which is a little dated. But nothing compares to booking your room in advance and then giving your room to somebody else and you getting a key to go into the room that somebody is already occupied with all their stuff out. That is the citrus on the lake. They had no solution and just made me sit there - also didn’t believe me when I told them the room was occupied. I had to get a hotel an hour away.

What a great find. Nice hotel with a beautiful view of the lake and awesome nightlife in a walkable area if you stay in the hotel. 7 minutes from downtown Mount Dora.. perfect for a little weekend getaway at a Great price! Large roomy room with a balcony that was perfectly perfect for the sunset. This will be our go to when visiting Mount Dora from now on.

One of the largest and most diverse flea markets I've experienced, largely because it's like 3 markets in 1. The outdoor table area has your $1 toys and vacuum cleaners, but then down the hill are rows of small buildings with vendors selling flowers and bird houses and leather belts. Then the large, unassuming building at the bottom of the hill houses some high-end antiques with jewelry and furniture out of my price range! My wife deals in vintage jewelry, and she was overwhelmed. You would need 2 solid days just to see everything here. It was amazing.

Love this place!! If you have not been here it's a must! The best place to shop and eat. And if you have not tried the small Italian food truck there you are definitely missing out. When I find great food I love to share. The Sausage and peppers, Chicken parm and cheese steak sandwiches are absofknlutley delicious!! The fresh homemade sauce oh my!

Went here for 2024 antique extravaganza, our first time. Took about 10 mins total to drive through entrance and park. Took about 10 mins or so to get through gate 4 to get a wristband - $6 each. But man, walking around on a gorgeous Saturday morning was pretty epic. A lot of cigarette smokers but all good. Tons of vendors, tons of awesome stuff to see. Port a potties set up in various spots plus a few restroom buildings. The food area was incredible. Definitely an awesome event !

Over 800 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, vintage, and more. The show is outdoors, under open air buildings, tents and includes the Indoor Antiques Center and the Street of Shops at the Antiques Center. Renninger’s Flea Market is Flea Market which runs Saturdays and Sundays 8 – 4! Located on 117 acres of scenic, rolling land in beautiful Lake County, the heart of Central Florida; amid spreading oaks, garlands of Spanish moss waving gently from their branches, you will find Renninger’s Twin Markets in Mt. Dora. Two large buildings and a number of open-air shopping areas house a wide variety of dealers from produce stands, clothing shops, and oddity vendors, to high-quality antiques and collectibles. Renninger’s Twin Markets are also home to a large number of special events including antique fairs and extravaganzas, Cars and Guitars shows and swap meets, vintage garden shows, and much, much more. One of my favourite weekend places to frequent with family and friends plus my pet chi too!

I love flea markets and antique stores so much!! This place was crazy though. Very Very expensive and packed. Some of the stuff is really bad and over priced. It has too many people in there. Not all of the vendors take cards only cash -just FYI. We left early and went home. Not fun. 😞

Easy parking, lots of friendly people and endless vendors: from fruit and veggies to health insurance! We enjoyed the food choices as well.as the variety of beverages. We were impressed with the BBQ turkey legs and the choices at the Wine Shack. We purchased several healthy plants from the many vendors. The bathrooms were plentiful.and clean throughout the venue. We will return!

Cool place! Best flea market in the area for sure.

My wife and I were able to return to Silver Springs State Park and take one of the glass bottom boat tours this time. We definitely recommend taking the 90 minute tour as opposed to the 30 minute one. Our captain and guide, T.C., did an excellent job telling us about the history of the park and the details of the springs. He also pointed out the wildlife and gave us details about the ecosystem. We were fortunate to see a number of the animals that inhabit the river including manatees, alligators, monkeys, and numerous wading birds. After the boat ride, we had lunch at the cafe and were impressed with the food quality and prices. This is a great place to spend the day.

My mother-in-law was in town and we took a troop up there to rent a canoe and see wildlife. The water was beautiful, as a spring is always are, we saw alligator, turtles, tons of birds and fish! The water is absolutely clear. We did our own little thing in a canoe with three of us... And my service dog. We had an absolutely wonderful time and will definitely go back. I would suggest doing a tour because we caught a few tours that were giving some pretty cool information and we will definitely try that next time. After we were done we went hiking a little bit. We ran into a gentleman who was liking along the trail and he warned us that there are bear there. So next time I will definitely take some mace with us just in case. But the paths are well marked and it's beautiful. Lots of hiking to be had. It's pretty flat but very sandy.

What a beautiful place. We went to the park and rode the 90 minutes Glass bottom boat for the very reasonable senior discounted price of $25 a person. Captain Luke was knowledgeable and funny. It was a really nice boat ride. We saw anhingas, turtles, alligators, monkeys and several other birds. What a beautiful place. I'm glad that it is a state park. We are lucky to have such a nice place

My friend came to visit so we played tourists for the day and drove to the spring for the glass bottom boat ride and brunch. We had such a lovely visit in the park. The park is beautiful, we'll maintained, lovely local vegetation and wildlife from birds to reptiles. We strolled the pathway for a while taking it all in. The glass boat ride did not disappoint with one exception no Manatee but we saw the wonderous and famous springs, turtles, alligator and tons of birds. The Captain was entertaining and knowledgeable about the history of the springs. Then we enjoyed brunch at the café on sight. We lingered there for a while enjoying sangria, coffee drinks and of course delicious entrees of eggs Benny and chicken and waffles. After brunch we enjoyed checking out the shops and the water fountain. All in all a great park for a visit. I look forward to returning for some kayaking

Wow.. what an amazing way to spend a few hours! We rented the glass bottom kayaks which were very easy to control after about a minute in them. They are made to not tip very easy and one person on the tour with us went from sitting to kneeling and moving to the front to get a picture with no issues at all. Alyssa, our guide, was very knowledgeable, kind and beautiful. Our time in the water was 2 hours and every minute we were finding something to see. Manatees, turtles, alligators, they have monkeys but were not around on this day, fish etc. A very peaceful experience and perfect for most anyone that can get into a kayak and paddle. You will not be disappointed with the site for sure. There is some places to eat etc on site as well.

This is a must-see experience if you do the 90 minute glass bottom boat tour. The Springs are incredibly beautiful. We got to see lots of manatees, alligators, turtles, and birds. Sadly, we did not see any monkeys. I highly recommend! Male a reservation in advance to guarantee you get on one of the boats.

Great boat ride. Beautiful area and lots of wildlife. Had a great time. The only not so great was the restaurant. We ordered cheese sticks and cheese bread. Way too greasy. Try the ice cream instead.

The day we went was cold and they opened exhibition at 1 pm. While we were waiting we walked around and it was pretty cool. After we went to see butterflies. I have never seen some such a big butterflies and different colours

This is one of my favorite museums in the entire state. The butterfly collection is gorgeous and their breeding program is amazing. We especially love the button quail, that clean up the floor in the aviary. It's a must do every time we're in gainesville.

Butterfly Rainforest had a nice large enclosed patio area full of beautiful butterflies and Luscious Landscaping. It was also a little bigger then I thought it would be. I didn't realize it had a full Museum inside until we arrived and I saw the sign for the museum. The museum was great it had a lot of different displays and was very informative. This is a great place for young & older children alike. Heck, I'm middle-aged and love it!!..

We had an amazing experience here at the butterfly garden! Seriously can't say enough good. We got a couple dollar discount on admission because of being FL residents.The indoor portion was very informative and educational. Also very well laid out and organized. The outdoor area, actual rainforest garden, was beautiful! Water fountains, birds, butterflies and beautiful plants. We enjoyed walking and taking it all in. Can easily spend a couple hours here. We enjoyed being able to observe all the nature up close in a safe weather proof environment. The Florida museum is right next door. We did not visit that today, but it was quite large and looked to be a full day. Parking was $4 and in a lot right next to museum. Restrooms available and a nice fair prices gift shop and penny machine at entrance.

From the outside, I wasn't overly impressed or enticed; it doesn't look like much. Furthermore, the external signage for this experience was almost non-existent .. Also, for the very good natural history museum. But, it's a hidden gem! Go there.

100% worth the drive and the admission. Great for recharging and relaxation. Between the sounds of the waterfalls and the birds and the multitudes of butterfly species it was a sensory overload. Combine this attraction with the natural history museum and the art museum next door (both free admission) and you've got your morning or afternoon fully covered.

Absolutely wonderful place to visit! The garden with the butterflies also has turtles, fish, and several birds. The facility is clean and well-maintained. There were students from the university throughout the museum speaking with guests, which was a nice touch.

What a hidden gem! This free museum was well worth the 1.5-hour drive from where we live. We brought four teens (ages 13–17), and they actually enjoyed it — they even stayed off their electronics, which says a lot! It’s a great day trip for all ages. We especially loved the butterfly experience — the atrium is absolutely gorgeous!

We visited with my nephew and grandson to the Florida Museum in Gaineville and it did not disappoint. Was very well played out, educational and interactive. The children had a very fun day. Definitely recommend worth the travel.

The Florida Museum of Natural History is a charming science museum that’s perfect for a day out with family or friends. It’s not huge, but it’s packed with engaging exhibits that make learning fun and accessible. My favorite part is the Butterfly Rainforest; it’s absolutely beautiful and peaceful, a must-see for all ages. I always walk away having learned something new. A great spot to explore and appreciate the wonders of nature!

Great for kids 3 to 12 I would say. Lots of learning experiences and knowledge about geography and animal science. My child loved their butterfly exhibit a lot.

We had a great day exploring the museum. The butterfly exhibit is the main attraction but there is a lot more neat exhibits inside as well. We spent a good 3 hours and probably could have spent a little more time . The kids ages ranged from 3 to 11 and they all had a great time . All the workers were extremely nice and helpful. Turned out to be a great day and well worth the drive from Ocala.

This is a wonderful museum on UF campus! After 3:30pm on weekdays and on weekends, the large parking lot lifts and is free. The museum has free entry and some exhibits are paid, such as the butterfly garden. There is something for everyone, some areas having activities for kids. The butterfly garden is the best part, I could go back over and over! Hundreds of species of butterflies and many birds walk around.

Pretty nice place to spend the day! Be prepared to walk, is big!

Loved this spring unlike other springs in the area this one wasn't as busy, and was far less expensive. For a family of 4 it was about $40 for the day. There is plenty of shade, picnic tables, restrooms are also onsite right as you enter. They have grills (first come basis) alot of people brought their own grills, canopy tents, coolers, and chairs. The water is a bit chilly which is expected but there are other springs that are far colder. The kids loved it, and didn't complain. Great place to snorkel lots of big fish, and blue crabs. There are several cave type areas where the spring water comes up. Just be aware of fearless little ones attempting things they shouldn't. The steps going down to the water, as well as the rocks in the spring are extremely slippery. Walk slow, or bring water shoes.

The Salt Springs campground offers great convenience for travelers. We appreciated the paved roads not only throughout the main area, but also right into the campsites, making for easy setup. The facilities were excellent, with clean bathrooms and shower stalls. Best of all, the beautiful spring itself is right there to enjoy. It's a wonderful, convenient spot if you're passing through the area.

This is the perfect place to relax! The recreational area is well-organized and kept clean. The staff is friendly and very capable. I even captured a bear on my night-vision camera! Just remember to follow all the rules and store food properly, and everything will be fine. The springs are lovely, and you can dive into three different caves. It's not crowded at all, and the area is super clean. It's beautiful, and we will definitely come back!

I spent a weekend camping near a large natural spring. The spring has only one entrance, and it is completely surrounded by a metal fence. The area is well maintained, with several picnic tables and many oak trees providing shade. The water is clear and cold, and the surroundings create a peaceful atmosphere. During the day, I walked around the area and enjoyed the calm environment. At night, the temperature dropped

Nice park, spacious picnic area. We got a free 'Visitor pass' valid for 15 min to look around and take some pictures. We will come back and stay longer.

Nice, very clean park, we are staying 2 weeks and so far its not been real busy. Camping sites are big and roomy, not piled on top of each other like a parking lot. Staff are friendly and helpful.

Awesome campsite. Full hookups and well maintained. Quiet respectful campers. Only downsides is the proximity to the highway. You can hear road noise throughout the day/night. I was at full hook up site 42, a little closer to the highway, so maybe on the other side of the campground it's not so bad. Overall though, I found it very peaceful. We camped at Jeanie springs and it was party town, this was a way much nicer atmosphere. Quiet and peaceful. The springs were clear, and in the winter time, only a couple swimmers. Pretty water. Lots of fish, and a good ammount of blue crabs to look at.

Our tour was incredible! Mia was very knowledgeable and fun. It was a thrill to be able to be so close to the animals. Their Habitats are very large and clean. You can tell the animals are content and well cared for. Highly, highly recommend.

The Saturday tours are a fantastic experience. Worth every penny plus a donation. They work to, as much as possible, get you great views of the animals up close. Have you ever heard a tiger crunch bones? While 6 feet from you? This place will spoil you on zoos. These are large enclosures, no concrete, well loved animals. Many are rescues, many are part of endangered breeding programs. The staff are knowledgeable and can answer any questions. The tour is with several folks, including the owner of the place. I have visited several times for open houses, but the tour was a huge step up in terms of experience and learning. I was also very impressed at the many additions since my last visit a few years ago. So many new animals and enclosures! Personally, the Saturday tour was 10x the experience of an open house and that was already one of my most favorite events in Alachua county. My kids: 2, 8 and 11 had a good time and all had new favorite animal! Bring drinks and a snack for the kids. It is sunny, wear sunscreen.

Our 2nd grade field trip to Carson Springs Wildlife Sanctuary was absolutely amazing! The staff were so knowledgeable and passionate about the animals, and they did a wonderful job teaching our students in such an engaging way. The kids were blown away by how close they were able to get to the animals — it was truly a one-of-a-kind experience! We’re so thankful for the warm welcome and can’t wait to visit again next year. Highly recommend for any school group! 🐾💚

I was so impressed with the efforts and care that owners Christine and Barry are giving these beautiful creatures. Supported by a handful of volunteers, private and commercial sponsors of some of the animals and male-female pairs, and limited donations has kept Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation (a non-profit organization) alive for over 20 years. It’s immediately clear when you arrive and drive through two electric perimeter gates permitting access through the 8’-10’ fences that safety and security is paramount. The animals appear well cared for simply by the way the animals are so active on such a warm summer day. The golf-cart ride through their 70 acre, Non-profit Conservation area was both educating and inspirational. I left with the feeling of wanting to become a volunteer and help with their efforts of the animals. The many breeding pairs and babies shows the success of this organization. Our favorite was Desmond (the Giraffe). The kitty stretched up on the fence while eating weighs over 650lbs. Check out our photos!

Such a cool place to visit! The staff is so knowledgeable, the animals so well taken care of, and the facility is simply beautiful. It was very hot out being late July, but the employees passed out umbrellas to help shield us from the heat, they were so considerate. All proceeds from gift shop go to the animals as well. I included the one photo I managed to get of Bagy the tortoise, he was unimpressed by his visitors and quickly made his way back to a shaded spot. Can’t wait to come back and bring my family!

Our 3 and 5 year old girls loved this tour. The close proximity and interaction with the animals was amazing. The tour was also very informative for the adults.

An amazing place for people of all ages!! Our tour guide, Mia, was great to have on our Valentine’s Day tour! You can tell they genuinely care for the animals there. Along with the conservation of these magnificent creatures. I would recommend everyone to tour here at least one, and maybe consider sponsoring some animals or donating!

Lovely nature walk with so much to see! Clean bathrooms. Staff were friendly. Ample parking. Really want to make it back when the azaleas are in bloom (late Jan to march) and picnic on the natural amphitheater

Came back after 5 years and it’s just as beautiful, peaceful, and quiet as I remembered. They have a paved trail and nature trail through the ravine. The paved loop is about 1.8 miles, easy for walking, strollers, or even a short drive. Along the way you’ll find a small playground, a fitness area, and several spots where you can park and head down to the ravine for a more natural hiking trail. It’s a great place to spend a couple of hours, whether for a picnic, a peaceful walk, or taking photos in the middle of the nature.

This park is like no other I have been to in Florida. The trails have elevation, root, and great views. 2 beautiful bridges connect trails and it is a great hike.

Wonderful nature area with historic stone staircases down into a deep ravine with lush Florida flora and fauna. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. The safest trails are well marked. Children should be supervised on the trails. This is a very natural environment including dense wooded areas on steep slopes of the ravine. Fortunately there are flat walkable areas traversing the lowest trail which border scenic streams. There is a narrow one way road that is a perimeter loop overlooking the ravine. The road is well maintained but includes steeper inclines as well as some flat areas. Anyone with a stroller, a wheelchair user, or someone with mobility issues should call the park or ask the Ranger at the entrance to recommend accessible areas. All of the overlook platforms I saw had short ramps that would accommodate a wheelchair or stroller. Getting to those platforms generally requires negotiating the road, hills and all. There are ample restrooms throughout the park. It is a great place for photographers and artists who enjoy nature. There are plenty of caution signs to advise people of the rustic natural stone staircases leading into the ravine interior. Assess your capability to balance and walk up or down a staircase that has no railing. A hiker’s walking stick would be advisable. Cell coverage was 1-bar but I consulted an image of the park map and my iphone compass several times when I walked a rugged trail.

This is another one of Florida’s great state parks and is best in spring because of all the azaleas blooming, but it’s a great place to walk and explore and they also have event spaces available for Weddings and festivals

Definitely worth checking out! I did think the area would have more springs or water nearby, but the park was interesting. The Azalea trail is not ideal for small dogs, but the Ravine outer loop is a great alternative.

Beautiful and absolutely worth a visit. Going during a weekday or with a chance of rain will allow you have the expansive park largely to yourself.

We drove the Ormond Scenic Loop Trail just to take in the sights, but honestly, it wasn’t much different from the rest of the Florida scenery. Considering we went out of our way to see it, it felt a bit underwhelming. That said, if you're looking for a peaceful spot to bike, jog, or get outdoors away from the city, this would be a nice option. Probably better experienced on foot or by bike rather than just driving through.

Beautiful park. Sometimes you can catch a view of the dolphins in the water. Love that it has camping, boating and kayaking available for visitors. It’s $4 to get into the park itself. It’s called Tamoca

Cool spot for pictures. ALSO, very important tiny crabs 🦀. Didn't see any gators, though

Such a pretty relaxing drive!! I made my bf take my pics<3

This is a great motorcycle loop that offers different routes and alternatives. You can add as many bridges as you want. Picking up time of the day is critical if you enjoy cooler weather and less crowds.

This is such a peaceful place, I hope they never keep it from being protected land. My daughter and I go on drive on the loop, very healing. These pictures don’t do it justice. Went for a ride two Times today.

Such a great Drive make sure you stop at the oldest Florida Oak Tree

Very beautiful, extremely well kept. It was hot but there is plenty of shade and multiple restrooms. Stunning views of the intracoastal waterway and lovely roses. We paid $5 for everyone in our car and parking was plentiful. Really glad we decided to visit.

Beautiful place for a nice, quiet visit. The gardens were beautiful. The gift shop was closed unfortunately so we didn't get to visit there. You can buy plants there apparently but not the day we went. So pretty, lots of information to learn and beauty to look at.

My husband and I had our engagement photos done here over two years ago. Washington state park will always be special to us. It is such a beautiful place. The staff keep everything super clean and all the plants look very loved. They have a cute nursery you can purchase plants on certain days. I love the beach with all the coquina that is right there too. This is one of Floridas hidden gems! A must see in Flagler county. Great place to picnic and playground for kids. Adorable gift shop with locally made items. This is a great representation of old Florida with all the live oak hammocks. On the beach you can catch sites of dolphins, stingray, octopus, and manatee. It’s also a great place for shelling. Make sure you check the tide pools before going. There’s also a beautiful owl that lives in the live oaks.

Very nice park for a day tour. There are picnic areas inside with nice short trails. The gift shop has some snacks and ice creams. Parking is also nice and seemed plenty. Also the beach at the opposite side is beautiful and much quieter than other famous beaches. The park ticket covers the beach parking s well.

So incredibly beautiful. Flagler county does an excellent job maintaining their parks. I particularly love the rose garden and the sitting areas along the intracoastal. The mosquitos/yellow flies can be pretty brutal at certain times of the year so prepare accordingly during the warmer months.

Visit this July, the place is beautiful and peaceful. Walking the trails makes sure to apply mosquitoes repellent before, walking. Even so I still got bites from mosquitoes, it’s seems that the mosquitoes didn’t bother that I had repellent on me (other than that I enjoy my hiking trails). One trail was super sunny less shade than other trails. I had a wonderful experience walking around and seeing oaks trees, and the history of the place.

Beautiful location with friendly staff and clean restrooms—definitely a great spot for portraits, engagement shoots, and nature photography. Just a heads-up: sometimes other visitors might appear in the background of your shots (like a couple walking up the gondola steps during my session), so it’s helpful to be patient and respectful of everyone sharing the space. Overall, a wonderful place to capture special moments!

This place is literally on the beach and a stones throw from the Atlantic. The facility grounds are not what I expected. There aren't a lot of outdoor exhibits minus the dolphins. We took our two grandsons ages 8 and 11. They had a great time with the dolphin adventure. They participated in the dolphin artistry and were able to interact with the dolphins for quite a long time as well as get a really cool souvenir. We wish they had an all in one package for purchase.

A magical experience! From the very first call, the customer service team helped me book a last-minute birthday surprise for my son. The prices are very accessible compared to other places, and we’re even considering buying the annual pass. On top of that, the staff’s attention is excellent — so kind and attentive. And last but not least, the dolphins are so lovely, cute, and well-trained. This is a must-do experience for anyone in Florida who hasn’t swum with or encountered dolphins yet. Extremely, highly recommended!

Wow, what a great place to experience dolphins and other sea creatures in an up close and informative environment. The close proximity of this facility to the beach is simply fantastic. Our tour guide was extremely informative and passionate about the animals and all of the activities here. The entry fee was also affordable making it a budget-friendly experience as well. So grateful Marine Land is still open after all these years!

Highly recommend! Beautiful oceanfront marine facility highlighting education, safety and protection of our oceans and marine life. Truly, a special treasure on the First Coast of Florida. We loved the interactions with the sting rays, sharks, turtles and dolphins 🐬 Please help support this magnificent place! Thank you - we will be back! ❤️

We absolutely loved our visit. It's a charming, old Florida park with top notch dolphin encounters. It feels intimate and real. All the employees seem to love their jobs and the dolphins look happy and well cared for. (Note: it's ocean water in the tanks so it's very natural.) Excellent customer service. Watch your timing if you go late in the day; you don't want to miss the tour, nor dolphin show.

My 5 year old and I did the dolphin encounter and it was great! It was pricey, 145 per, but I'm glad we did it. Especially since nobody knows what's going to happen when the place is sold. There wasn't a lot else to do, but the dolphin encounter was worth doing!

I really love marine land so going to give it a five star review. I do wish they did a little better on the upkeep of their tanks and replaced for their glass in viewing areas. I hope it stays open! Super fun.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and tour on August 16, 2025. Our guide Vince along with the other volunteers who came along with us was very knowledgeable and informative. A highlight was learning about the back story on each individual animal.The park is extremely organized and well run. The staff were all extremely friendly and helpful. It was a very hot day and the water bottles were greatly appreciated. We will definitely talk up the tour with our friends and neighbors. Thanks for a wonderful outing.

We attended the first Halloween party, Lions, Tigers and SCARES and REALLY enjoyed it! GREAT Experience. We called it an Adventure! Because we had a great time - as much as the weather allowed. The adventure was cut a little short due to a heavy downpour. But it was wonderful to see so many people in the community come out and support the event. It was obvious the turnout was way beyond what was expected. Organizers also faced huge unforeseen challenges before the event even took place... Everyone working at the event was super friendly. And organizers continually expressed their appreciation to everyone who turned out and did all they could to help ensure our experience was enjoyable. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and worked great with the children in our group.

This is a really cool place. Lots of big cats all with interesting stories from their rescue. Also has wolves and some other interesting animals. You have to take a tour to visit, but the animals are incredible. Unfortunately, no pictures. Apparently, people in the past have ruined tours trying to take pictures, so definitely a reasonable request.

It was very impressive to see all the animals up close that were saved by this place. I wasn’t expecting to see so many animals in such a neat and organized environment. The tour was very informative, and it truly made me think about how we can help protect wildlife from humans who seek to profit from them.

Vince, Shelly, Alex, and Margaret were all fantastic! The tour was incredibly informative and you could tell how much the animals love their care takers! I’m so happy there’s a place like this that can give those animals sanctuary. Watching Indigo chase the vultures and the playful lion was a hoot! The send off of the wolves howling was also amazing! These animals really get the best of the best and this place deserves nothing but five star reviews and as many donations as you can give! I will be telling everyone to come give you guys a visit! I really appreciate that they don’t allow photography because it allows a more genuine experience with the animals and you learn more! They offer a flash drive of beautiful images of all of the animals that you can purchase from them. I recommend getting a magnet or two as well. :)

Our group of 11 people from Palm Coast went for a tour of the Wild Reserve. A reservation was made over the telephone prior to the visit. Samantha (Sam) was our tour guide. She is most excellent. We all learned a lot about animals that we did not know. We also were informed about why these animals need to be rescued and cared for. The animals are well cared for and in large, well made containment structures. As a group, we look forward to adopting some of the big cats. Also we were "shepherded" along the tour path by 4 to 6 other staff members who kept us together and behind the safety zone barriers. One staff member drove a 6 passenger gold cart for the walking impaired. The accompanying staff members also took turns feeding the animals "snacks." The Wild Reserve is a hidden treasure in NE FL. We will visit again with friends and family, plus donate regularly.

Went for the Saturday 2pm tour and was totally blown away. Don't be put off by the dated website ( still references covid) or the overall dryness. The actual Wild Reserve is beautifully ran by a core group of staff, along with some great volunteers. You could tell that the animals were loved and well cared for. Enclosures are large and constantly being upgraded. All enclosures were clean, have freash clean water and plenty of enrichment items. I have been to zoos at major cities that dont do the job with their animals that these passionate people do. Will bring all future visitors here. Absolutely loved it!

It was a fun little tour of the Fort. Small but mighty. Nice boat ride over to the island. Park Rangers were definitely into what they do for a living, very energetic about giving the history of the fort! Free tour but the spots go fast.

Very interesting, loved the history lesson and had no idea a fort could be so small! Loved Ranger Linda and our Captain was great as well. The nature walk was also pretty awesome and loved learning that the live oaks grow away from the salt water!

Well kept, clean and fort. Short boat ride to the fort with a lot of history. Beautiful place. Bathroom and vending machine with drinks are available. A hiking area is also available.

Great place for a little family outing. They have lots of picnic tables, shade, public restrooms, trash bins and vending machines with cold drinks. The gentleman in the information office was very kind and friendly. He gave us maps and information on the area. The ferry was closed when we went so we did not get to pay the $2 and ferry over to the monument. The walking trails are nice but not recommended for anyone who may have a fear of spiders.

Great morning out, the boat and fort are free and take about 50 mins. Even on a quiet day it filled up so get there a bit before. There is also a lovely loop hike to do by carpark of about 20 mins.

Beautiful NPS site. There is a (free) ferry that takes you across the river to the actual fort, and that requires in person, first-come, first-serve tickets. Be mindful of Florida weather - storms and lightning that may cancel the time slot you have planned. Even with our cancellation, the rangers and volunteer were helpful and kind. The grounds are worth checking out - we saw a sea turtle, and many birds.

It's a fun free things to do. The fort is so small it only takes a few minutes to see but it's free. The ferry ride is maybe 50 yards but again free for everyone. There is a walking path through the hammock and beach access.

Best Distillery Experience in Florida! Yep another non-food review! What a blast! From the first sip to the last, this place knows how to deliver an experience. The rum, gin, and vodka samples were great — but the bourbon? Absolute favorite. And The Saint… wow. Hands-down the star of the show. Dominick was our guide and he crushed it — friendly, funny, and clearly loves what he does. He made the whole tour feel like we were hanging out with a friend who just happens to know everything about spirits. The classroom is gorgeous and super organized, which made learning as fun as the tasting. I’m already planning my next trip — certification, here I come! You're in the St Augustine area, stop by and as always, tell them we sent you!

This distillery is known for its famous bourbon. We stopped by and took a FREE self-guided tour which includes 4 cocktail samples. It took us about 45min-an hour to get thru with reading info provided. The staff were friendly and obviously love their jobs. They were fun to talk to about the history. After you done you could go for more tasting. The parking are on the side of the building sharing with the restaurant.

My son and I toured the distillery while traveling through Saint Augustine and had a fantastic time! The tour was extremely engaging and informative, we learned a lot, all the employees were extremely friendly in each room had a different tasting. It was a lot of fun. We actually wind up buying several pieces of merchandise in the shop before leaving. If you are in the area, it is a free tour and a lot of fun. Definitely add it to your list!

Awesome experience where we complete the self guided tour. I was surprised to find it was really free, including the free sample taste of 4 of their house made cocktails. These included a Florida Mule, Essential Tonic, Old Fashion, and Tropical Tiki Mix. These were all made with their own brand Vodka, Gin, Rum and Bourbon usiung thier very own, in house made, all natural Mixers respectively. At the end of the tour, I was surprised that the final taste station provides a taste of each spirit straight up. Also, you may choose to purchase a taste of their premier Bourbon Whiskey for $10. It's worth mentioning these are all 1/2 ounce serving but enough to help you make up your mind on your favorites.

I’ve been coming here since shortly after they opened in 2013 and somehow they manage to outdo themselves each time. Today, we did the bourbon tasting tour. Dominick was amazing! We learned a lot, tried some incredible bourbon, and had a great time.

Saint Augustine Distillery was such a fun time for our group! We loved trying the tasty cocktails and liquors—they were all delicious and unlike others we’ve had before in S Florida. The gift shop was also a blast, with lots of cool items to take home. Highly recommend stopping by!

This place does complimentary cocktail tastings with their spirits. Everything we tried was tasty. You work your way through the building on a self guided tour as you make stops at different tasting stations. The last tasting station is in the gift shop.

The Flagler College area is absolutely beautiful. The Spanish architecture is breathtaking. From the terracotta roofs to the red iron gaits and railings, this place is eye candy. Walked around and looked at the various hotels and other various buildings, all the same style and flair. When you tour the downtown Saint Augustine area, venture a little further down to see these sites.

Taking the free architectural tour at Flagler College was absolutely fascinating and beautiful! It was like time traveling back to the Gilded Age where conspicuous luxury and customized environs and decor knew no bounds. Learning the history of the visionary team behind the project and the short amount of time this hotel was completed yielded many surprises for us!

Located in a great place I wonder if people really concentrate study as the city has lots of fun places and attractions. I Really enjoyed and recommend. Public Parking lot by the water and the old castle. $5 for 2 hours. Please click the Like icon if it is helpful

Very well kept grounds and amazing historical significance to this town! Walk their gardens and observe their Spanish inspired architecture. This review helped in anyway please give us a thumbs up 👍👍👍

We didn’t do the official tour but we would next time. We just wandered around for a bit. A really neat campus and interesting history. The architecture, wood work, stained glass and ceilings were beautiful.

What an awesome piece of historic architecture this place is! Loved the tour and the old world feel of this place. Further, it’s full of firsts for its time. I’ll not spoil it for you but if you’re a history buff as I am you can’t afford to miss a stop at this place!!

Visited for the afternoon historic tour. This facility is simply stunning. It’s very existence is pivotal to what we now know as modern day Florida. The tour was interesting and hosted by one of the attending college students. While she did get a bit “tour-guidey”, she had some great insight into the main building’s history. The tour itself is just over an hour and takes you into some rooms you wouldn’t be able to see otherwise. A small portion of the tour is outdoors, so weather could be a factor. Our tour guide did a fantastic job picking a nice, comfortable, shady spot for our outside stop. If you’re in the area, and looking for brief afternoon activity, then you can’t go wrong with a historic tour of this campus.

Loved our time here ! Lots of shops we went to and plenty of places to eat at and enjoy outdoor seating in such pretty garden settings. Definitely will go back.

Nice bustling street with a variety of stores and great architecture! Must visit when in St. Augustine!

This is a very scenic and historic district of St. Augustine! Plenty of shops and restaurants with anything you could want to eat and do. The buildings had great design and courtyards for sitting. It also hd trolley stops and plenty of restrooms. It’s very nice but beware of the crowds, it’s packed thick!

So cool, the shops , the restaurant's, the outside bars with live music the inside bars with live music. The food great. This place has it all for everyone. Tons of sweets for those who love all sweets, they have everything.

Love this street , St George St it feels like ( Krupòwki ) in Zakopane, you just walk and shop and eat and enjoy. I couldn’t pass by without stopping . I will be back 😂❤️ Every year we travel to FL I want to stop by

One of the most interesting streets in the city. Be sure to take a walk along it!

St. George Street is an absolute must-stop when visiting St. Augustine. It’s filled with shops, restaurants, and history around every corner, making it a great place to explore. The atmosphere is lively and there’s always something new to discover. That said, I’d recommend going during the week if possible, as weekends can get a little crowded. Overall, it’s one of the highlights of the city and definitely worth a visit.

The St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum is an absolute must-see! What a fascinating and fun museum to explore. The clever details in each area, the authentic artifacts, and the masterful use of lighting and shadows create a truly immersive experience. The interactive exhibits and the thrilling treasure hunt tie everything together, making it a blast for both kids and adults. This museum is a unique and entertaining experience that I highly recommend if you're in St. Augustine.

Five Stars! An Adventure for All Ages! ​This museum was an absolute hit with my family. I took my 7-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter, and they were both completely captivated from the moment we walked in. The St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum truly transports you back over 300 years to the Golden Age of Piracy in Port Royal, Jamaica. ​The experience manages to be both exciting and educational. For my 7-year-old, it was an inspiring deep dive into history, bringing the tales of pirates to life with real artifacts. My 4-year-old daughter was just as engaged, especially with the fantastic interactive exhibits that made sure she was part of the fun. The museum proves it's the perfect place for groups of all ages, keeping everyone entertained and learning simultaneously. ​We loved every minute of the experience. If you are looking for a unique family outing that will leave your kids feeling inspired to sail the seven seas, this museum is a must-see. We highly recommend it!

An absolutely amazing place! The atmosphere makes you feel like you’ve stepped onto a real pirate ship — fascinating exhibits, great interactive areas for kids, and so much excitement. Our children were thrilled, eyes full of wonder and joy. Pure happiness — highly recommend!

Of all the pure museums in St. Augustine, this one has the most interesting artifacts, including coin clusters, movie props, and even the last remaining pirate chest on earth. It's themed well, informative, and interactive, making it great for kids and adults alike. Last time I went, they had a scavenger hunt as well, and its not one of those hunts that are meant to prolong your experience to give the illusion that they have more than they do. If you are in the area and are looking for something fun to do, this would be a great pick.

This was our family’s first trip to St. Augustine and had to stop at the Pirates & Treasure museum. It was fun and interesting to see artifacts and even got to interact in a pirate hunt during the visit. The gift shop had pretty neat souvenirs to purchase and the kids really enjoyed it! We loved being able to see real silver and gold shipwreck treasure and a real pirates chest! Would recommend stopping in!☺️ Staff was really friendly!

A tourist trap and nothing more. I’d suggest to ONLY do the colonial tour next door in the future. Skip this self guided tour. It’s very basic and just a time filler. Not interactive and our kids couldn’t wait to get out. It was to be fair pretty boring.

I had a great time at the St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum! This place is a total gem for anyone into pirate history or just looking for a fun outing. The collection of over 800 authentic artifacts, like a real pirate treasure chest and a Jolly Roger flag, is seriously impressive. The interactive exhibits, like firing a cannon or exploring the replica pirate ship, make it feel like you’re stepping into the Golden Age of Piracy. The self-guided setup lets you go at your own pace, which I loved, and the info plaques are packed with cool facts about pirates like Blackbeard and Sir Francis Drake. My only gripe is that it can get a bit crowded, especially on weekends, wish it was a bit larger, and the gift shop prices are a little high. Still, it’s a super fun and educational spot that’s totally worth checking out .

Very cool fort with great views. It was an extremely hot day so I highly recommend bringing a bottle of water with you and maybe even a small towel. 🥵There were 2 main levels and you could self guide yourself through it although they had a guided tour option. There was zero shade when you’re up on the top but you were able to see where they had the old firing cannons which was super cool. As you walk through each room they had plenty of artifacts and information which was helpful to understand. I felt that it was very well maintained and full of rich history! They do offer bathrooms inside as well.

In the heart of St. Augustine, Florida, a city steeped in history, the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument rises as a beacon of the past. Completed in 1695 after 23 years of painstaking labor that began in 1672, this breathtaking structure stands as a testament to Spanish ingenuity and determination. Originally conceived as a fortress to safeguard their treasures and secrets, its immaculate architecture commands attention, overlooking one of St. Augustine's most picturesque vistas. Though tours offer an immersive experience within its walls, even a glimpse from the exterior reveals the monument's unparalleled grandeur. Constructed from unique Coquina stone, the walls exhibit a mesmerizing mosaic of tiny shells, a strategic choice that proved impervious to English sieges. Today, the Castillo stands resolute, each piece of Coquina holding echoes of the past, while the land upon which it rests cradles everlasting memories along the bay. As visitors approach, they are transported back in time, captivated by the stories etched into every stone. The Castillo de San Marcos not only stands as a physical structure but also as a living narrative, preserving the legacy of those who built and defended it. Its enduring presence ensures that the tales of courage, strategy, and cultural heritage will continue to captivate and inspire generations to come.

This was an amazing experience, I enjoyed visiting the Castillo de San Marcos. The history here is incredible — it really feels like stepping back in time. The fort itself is beautiful, and the views of the water are awesome. The cannons were definitely my favorite part. It’s just one of those places that makes you appreciate how much history St. Augustine has to offer. Highly recommend it, go during the day and at night.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An incredible piece of history! The Castillo de San Marcos is absolutely breathtaking. The views of St. Augustine Bay are stunning, and the old Spanish stone walls make you feel like you’re stepping back in time. The park rangers do a great job explaining the fort’s history, and the cannon firing demonstrations are a must-see. It’s very well preserved, clean, and easy to explore at your own pace. Highly recommend bringing water and comfortable shoes — and take a moment to just enjoy the ocean breeze from the top walls. A perfect stop for history lovers, families, or anyone visiting St. Augustine!

Very cool historic castle to tour! The top offers a great view of the water and surrounding area, plus old cannons you can check out. On the ground level there are multiple rooms to explore, each with interesting displays and information about the history of the fort. You can also see step-by-step demonstrations of how soldiers would load and fire the cannons as well as their muskets, which is really fascinating. The staff dressed in Spanish army costumes brought the place to life and made the whole experience feel even more authentic. Definitely worth visiting if you’re interested in history or just want to see something unique.

The Castillo de San Marcos is always well worth the visit. The structure alone clearly articulates its history and its various functions from the 17th through the 20th centuries The grounds are well-maintained by the NPS and are excellent for walking. This fort is one of the many treasures that makes Saint Augustine the beautiful city that it is. To see the ancient walls lit up at night is breathtaking.

Super cool experience, you can definitely spend a good amount of time touring this castle. They also have an informative video that plays every hour or so that is pretty cool. The view from the top is beautiful (we also saw dolphins). Such an interesting piece of history. I highly recommend but dress accordingly and wear sunscreen!