Homosassa Springs, Florida - Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park

Former roadside attraction in Citrus County, Florida turned state wildlife park. Just minutes up the road from Weeki Wachee and well worth the trip. In the '60s and 70s they featured exotic wildlife and even filmed the TV show "Gentle Ben" there. Today the only exotics are abundant flamingos and "Lu" the 6-ton, 50 year old hippo, himself a veteran of many films and TV shows. Great place to see Florida Panther, Manatee, Whopping Crane and other endangered species up close. Giant Fish Bowl attraction, built right over the mouth of the spring allows for great views of fish and other aquatic life.

Display in welcome center chronicles history of the park. Restaurant in park is not bad for state-run operated eatery. [Rick Kilby, 01/28/2009]

A classic pre-Disney attraction taken over by the State of Florida and added to the State Park system. While now primarily a zoo of native Florida fauna, there's still a holdover hippopotamus from its days as an independent attraction, kept on by local outcry when all the other foreign critters were divvied up to other zoos. Much of the park remains as it was in the '60s and '70s -- wonderfully nostalgic for an old Cracker like me. [Dave Mitchell, 09/17/2007]

[RA: At one time Homosassa Springs featured a jumping gator show and a monkey performance. Tips we receive these days make claims such as "a great place to view the endangered Manatee."]

This large manatee replica sits outside the Homosassa Visitors Center. She was named in a local contest. Real manatees can be viewed in the nearby Homosassa State Wildlife Park. [Laura, 10/23/2006]

Homosassa Springs is a garden and fresh water animal attraction. This attraction, located off of Highway 19 in Citrus County, features the "Fish Bowl," an underwater room with windows to view hundreds of fresh water fish. The last time I was there, they also had flamingos, hippos and alligators. [Michael S. Creamer, 06/13/2003]