The Sea-sun for a Staycation

By Natalja Gontrum

Residing in sunny Florida allows for a plethora of near-by vacation attractions. The options are seemingly limitless for those who love to travel or just visit discover beautiful places. While everyone knows that Florida is the home of Disney, Universal and a multitude of beaches, there are more options for someone seeking a bit of adventure. Following are some recommended “stay-cation” sweet spots, all four hours or closer and relatively affordable.
*the distance to each location is from Allen D. Nease High School

Amelia Island- 1 hour trip
-13 miles of beaches
-Rated one of Florida’s top 10 beaches
-Historic location due to being the south’s deepest natural harbor
-Whale sitting in the winter for rare Atlantic whales
-Fort Clinch is rated #1 by Trip Advisor in the area, holding civil
war re-enactments the first weekend of every month, fort tours, a pier
and hiking areas.

Savannah, Georgia- 2 hours, 20 minute trip
-River Street, along the Savannah River, features shopping and
eateries of all sorts
-City market is the downtown portion of Savannah which has nightly
band performances
-Famous for its hanging Spanish Moss canopies
-Has numerous city squares and parks
-Savannah also offers ghost tours
-Very artsy city, home of SCAD and many art venues and shows, such as
the Tiffani Taylor Gallery
-Is home to historical Revolutionary and Civil war monuments
-Fun fact: This is where Forest Gump was filmed.

Springs-

Ginnie Springs in Gainsville
Devils Den- 2 hours 2 minutes
-Offers sccuba tours of the spring

Blue Springs
-Manatees are known to stay here during the winter months
-Tubing and swimming are offered here.

Crystal River Manatees- 2 hours, 40 minute trip
-In Kings Bay
-The only place where “passive observation” is allowed by Federal Government
-Snorkeling and diving options available
-Crystal River remains approximately 72 degrees all year long, so
manatees refugee there from cold gulf waters seasonally.

State Parks-
Cumberland Island
Florida Caverns State Park- 3 hours, 48 minutes
-only state park in Florida to offer public cavern tours
-The Chipola River and Blue Hole spring provide an area for boating or fishing
-Park was created under the New Deal to create jobs

Falling Waters State Park- 4 hours
-Boasts Florida’s highest waterfall
-The drop is 73 feet

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park- 45 minutes
-Offers beaches and several nature trails