Place to see: Weeki Wachee Springs, Weeki Wachee, Florida, United States

About this place:

Weeki Wachee Springs is a quaint little attraction about 1 hour's drive north of St. Petersburg, Florida. Located at the intersection of US Highway 19 and State Road 50. Here you can see "Live Mermaids" performing for audiences as they have been since 1947. They also feature Florida's only spring-fed water park "Buccaneer Bay", Animal Shows and a River Boat Cruise on the crystal blue waters of the Weeki Wachee River.

This is not a big budget theme park and those expecting a Sea World-type attraction will be seriously disappointed. But this park is a magnificent little slice of the real Florida from before the days of air conditioning and Disney World. (The parks buildings are now air-conditioned.) There is a restaurant and gift shop and you can see peacocks wandering in the gardens.

It isn't really on the way to or from anywhere big, but if you're in the neighborhood and you like nostalgia it is definitely worth the stop. You'll be in good company. Even Elvis Presley and Paris Hilton have made a visit!

P.S. Make sure you call to check the schedule. Some attractions are seasonal.