The lagoon was the prefect Magic unraveling for Magic Kingdom. Ferry boat to Walt DISNEY in…read moreOrlando, Florida! The Seven Seas Lagoon was amazing. Seeing the Walt Disney Magic Kingdom unfold right before our eyes and my kid and baby sister FIRST TIME at Magic Kingdom the essence was absolutely amazing. We enjoyed the suspense and the unraveling of Magic Kingdom. And it's free!

Stay out of the damn lakes! Said by my favorite Disney podcaster and words to live by…read more You can rent boats for the lagoon, plus take one of the Disney boats from some of the hotels to the Magic Kingdom. You'll sometimes wait awhile for a boat but if you catch them at the right time, it's a speedy trip getting from one place to the next. At night you can catch the Electrical Water Pageant along the Seven Seas Lagoon. More on that in its own Yelp listing! Seven Seas Lagoon is a nice aspect to keep some of the natural landscape at Disney while maintaining the Disney production feel! Important to note that even though it feels natural, the entire lagoon is man made. Also important to note that even though it is manmade, fishes were put into the lakes when it was built in 1973 and it's now home to natural creatures like alligators, lizards, snakes, and turtles.

If I had turned around to do a 360 from the view in front of me of the incredibly peaceful Lake Ola…read more(beach) and taken a picture, you would have been able to see a gorgeous Victorian mansion that just so happened to be sitting directly on Lake Ola Beach. I thought better of taking a picture to protect the privacy of the residents of this fabulous-looking Victorian home, complete with wraparound porch and the Victorian look inspired by lacy, delicate, scalloped trim. I have always had a penchant for this type of architectural ornamentation. I found myself wondering if the inside is as ornate, then quickly turned my attention back to this peaceful lake. Besides Lake Ola Drive being a beautiful alternate route not only dotted with stately mansions, there are other good things you will see along the way on this drive: Farm Stands: There are several, and a couple of them were large enough to have a great selection of fruits and vegetables, as well as some landscaping plants and both potted and loose flowers. I didn't have time on this particular Sunday, but next time I'll be stopping to see what interests me. Lemon Groves: The lemons are big and are at their prime this time of year and are ready to be picked and enjoyed. The biggest harvest comes at this time in Florida. If you're ever in the area of Tangerine, Florida, and traversing on State Route 441 near Orange Blossom Trail, take the turnoff to Lake Ola Drive to see this beautiful area. I spent about ten minutes on Lake Ola Drive, then pressed forward to my destination. On another visit, I'll plan accordingly to stop at a few of the farm stands. *****FIVE FABULOUS STARS!!!!!*****

If someone in Lakeland tells you they are going to walk/ run/ rollerblade/ bike/ set up a hammock…read moreat "the lake", there's 0% chance they are talking about anywhere other than Hollingsworth! (okay, so maybe more like 2%, but you get what I'm saying). Hollingsworth is the lake. It's the place to go anytime you need to get out, need something to do, need to exercise or see some nature or are a bored college student. (especially the college student thing) It's a fantastic lake, and easily one of the largest in Lakeland. There's a lovely walking and running path that wraps around the lake, that adds up to being just shy of 3 miles total. It takes half an hour at a slow jog to get around the lake, or 45-60 minutes to walk. If you watch closely enough, you can spot a few gators, ducks, cranes, egrets, and even the occasional turtle or otter hanging out at Hollingsworth. It's not just a Lakeland local spot for people, it's the animals' choice too! Not to mention the walking paths also have markers indicating how far you've gone, at quarter mile intervals. So if you go here deciding you'll torture yourself with a run, you know how long you've lit your body on fire and how much longer you need to reach full battery drainage. It's really a lovely attribute. There is free parking and a decent amount of spots, but in the evenings it fills up quickly and many will park on the grass right along the path. Brb, I'm gonna go walk the lake!

Came to visit this place with my family and enjoyed the walk very much. I like the fact that the…read morepark offers different types of activities you can do with the family or on your own. If you like the outdoors and like nature walking, this could be a place for you. Come visit this place if you happen to be in Lakeland.

Jimmy Weaver Lake is a small lake located in Larry L. Schultz Park in Rockledge, Florida. While…read moresmall, I enjoyed walking on the walking path around the lake. This is a nice enough place to unwind for a bit.

Lake Wauburg is a cool lake that sits just south of Paynes Prairie and is located in Alachua…read moreCounty, Florida. It is a pleasant enough lake and while not big, it is a nice place to chill for a bit.

Beautiful lake offering an array of nature activities, including boating, canoeing, kayaking,…read moremountain biking, sailing, stand-up paddle-boarding, wake-boarding, water skiing, and more. Life jackets are available for wear and must be buckled. Different policies are authorized for each activity. Grills, pavilions, and picnic tables are also available for use. UF students, with a Gator 1 card, have the ability to sign out the following: Canoe (seats up to 3 persons) Kayak (seats up to 2 persons) Paddleboat (seats up to 2 or 4 persons) Rowboat (seats up to 3 to 5 persons) With the nature atmospheric feel, Lake Wauburg is certainly worth checking out, especially if you are a nature and outdoor lover.

Great place to spend the day and have fun!!We go on the weekends with friends by boat and it's…read morelot's of fun!

sure didn't look like the brochure. too many bugs, spring…read moredidn't look like the pictures. much smaller area. several outhouses in the parking lot no refunds once you pay even if it's 5 minutes later

Overall, this is a pleasant park in Lakeland, Florida. It has a welcoming ambiance and there are…read morequite a few restaurants around it. If you are in the area, I would definitely recommend checking this park out.

The lake (or really nice giant pond) is pretty. It is the backdrop for Hollis Gardens and is easy…read moreto walk around. There are several types of birds and ducks. We saw several nests while taking pictures. The lake has steps but there was so much trash and debris in and around the water that I would not want to sit there. There is an art museum, fire department, the Joinery (with restaurants and bathrooms) and stores nearby. Parking is free.

In 1991, these 200 acres of wetlands between the Brevard Zoo and the St. Johns River floodplain…read morewere established by the Brevard County Government as a stormwater treatment system for the adjacent South Central Regional Water Reclamation Facility. The treatment wetlands are divided into four cells of approximately 35 acres each, surrounding a central lake. Each cell was designed to maintain a different water depth, creating a variety of wetland habitats. These stormwater treatment wetlands play an important role in protecting the environment by capturing and retaining stormwater runoff, reducing the risk of flooding in surrounding areas. They also filter and store stormwater, helping recharge the aquifer. Wetland plants naturally remove pollutants from the water, improving its quality before it returns to the environment. Without treatment, stormwater runoff can contribute to algal blooms, muck accumulation, fish kills, and other ecological problems. In addition to their environmental benefits, the wetlands provide valuable habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, including many of Florida's wading birds, while offering visitors an opportunity for wildlife viewing and recreation. In December 2007, the wetlands were renamed the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands in honor of Ritch Grissom, a longtime Brevard County employee who worked at the adjacent South Central Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. The memorial recognizes his 16 years of service and his love for wildlife and the nature. In 2008, the Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands were added to the East Section of the Great Florida Birding Trail. It was extremely hot on the day I visited, so I recommend planning your visit during the cooler months of the year for the most enjoyment. Even in the heat, I enjoyed exploring the trails. I spotted numerous ospreys, red-winged blackbirds, an alligator, and even a raccoon on the move that I followed for a while. Unfortunately, I didn't notice until I looked down that my legs were covered in mosquitoes, so be sure to bring insect repellent, sunscreen, and water. If you enjoy nature and wildlife off the beaten path you can easily spend hours here. The wetlands are open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Follow the wetlands' Facebook page for the latest updates and photos of recently spotted wildlife.

This is a rather large Park easy to get to from i-95. Just exit viera and head West to your dead…read moreend at the park. This is a large Park with lots of walking trails around different wetland areas. It seems like it's a man-made Park with Wells constantly feeling lakes and pumps pumping water from one lake to the next lake. There are areas we can ride your bike for bike riding/mountain bike trails and lots of walking trails as well as there's docks you can walk out and look out on benches you can sit on and a few towers you can go up to get a bird's eye view. For wildlife I saw lots of different species of birds and a lot of alligators. These alligators did not seem friendly like the ones at gatorland. I also saw a lot of bunny rabbits and the rabbits were used to people unless you're pretty close to that.

The name Lake Okeechobee was first documented by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. Okeechobee…read moremeans "big water" in the Hitchiti Seminole Indian language. With a surface area of 730 square miles, it is the largest lake in the southeastern United States but relatively shallow at only 10 to 12 feet deep. The primary source of water for the lake is the Kissimmee River located just to the north of the lake. Before European settlers arrived, the lake was home to Native Americans including the Calusa and Seminole tribes. The late 19th century saw the arrival of European settlers who farmed and raised cattle which became an important industry in the region. The fertile land around Lake Okeechobee attracted many farmers for its agricultural potential. The Hurricane of 1928 caused the lake's dike to fail, resulting in catastrophic flooding and the loss of as many as 3,000 people who were in the area to pick crops. There are several mass burial sites of hurricane victims in the area. In the 1930's the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the Herbert Hoover Dike to prevent future flooding disasters. The dike was completed in the 1960's and serves to protect the surrounding communities from lake overflow. The Okeechobee Waterway, a canal system connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, was completed in the mid-20th century. This waterway included the Caloosahatchee River and the St. Lucie Canal, providing a navigable route across the state of Florida. While the canal system facilitated the transportation of goods and contributed to the agricultural development of the region, it negatively impacted the health of Lake Okeechobee with agriculture runoff. Current efforts are focused on restoring the water quality and health of the lake while still meeting the agriculture needs of the surrounding farms. Lake Okeechobee is one of those Florida landmarks you have to experience at least once. Surrounding the lake is the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, a mostly paved 109 mile trail that sits on top of the Herbert Hoover Dike. Along the trail are parks with amenities like picnic areas and restrooms. The trail is ideal for bikers, bird watchers, and anyone who wants a scenic views of the lake. Some of my favorite stops around the lake are the John Stretch Memorial Park, Lakeside Ranch Stormwater Treatment Area, and the Lake Okeechobee North Pier. The lake is known for bass, crappie also known as speckled perch, and bluegill fishing and there are number of fishing camps and places that offer fishing and boating excursions on the lake. Charming small towns like Clewiston, Belle Glade, and Okeechobee also surround the lake and are places where you can see buildings and places of historical interest and grab a meal. One of my favorite Okeechobee festivals is the Speckled Perch festival which celebrates the fishing heritage of the area and where you can see an authentic cattle drive. Lake Okeechobee is a a great place to explore and experience the more natural side of Florida.

Great day for the family to experience some Florida wildlife! Airboat rides and bass fishing!read more