Planning a vacation is hard even when you have lived at your desired destination for a short time. My best friend and I want to get away and have decided to drive to Florida to stay with my grandmother for a week in Kissimmee. As this is a spur of the moment trip, we are hoping to explore more state parks than go to theme parks on limited budgets. Do you have any suggestions of places in Central Florida to go with a camera?
In 2014, I did the College Experience Internship with SeaWorld Orlando and lived with my grandmother in Kissimmee for 6 months.During this time I explored Central Florida and found several spots that I loved to go and just play with my camera. Florida is such a great place to go and watch many different wildlife, I was in heaven. I also had my fair share of theme park exploration. It was during these 6 months that I purchased my Nikon.
SeaWorld was somewhere I frequently visited on my days off. I loved going and watching the various species play and interact with their trainers. Though there are many different opinions around right now surrounding this park, I am grateful for what they do. SeaWorld is a very important rescue and rehabilitation facility for marine animals, and park admissions help support these efforts. They also contribute to a lot of the scientific research on the various species they have under their care.
Gatorland is another park that was fairly close to where I was living. This park was entertaining because it was focused on alligators, reptiles, and alligator wrestling. Though it did not take an entire day to walk through the entire park, it was well worth the half day.
Lake Toho in Kissimmee has some of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. My grandmother found a side road that was lined with cattle fields and led to a small airboat dock.
We would go down multiple times a week just in time for sunset, and end the day with an ice cream from Twistee Treat on the way home. There was a huge bald eagle nest in one of the cattle fields, and we felt extra lucky on the nights that the we would see these magnificent birds. 
A female gator was also a regular site as she protected her nest along the edge of the water. We learned from one of the airboat guides that she nests in this area almost every year.
This past summer, my grandmother and I stayed at St. Pete’s Beach for a few days. There was a colony of Black Skimmers there that had several chicks. It was very cool to watch the adults interact with other birds, and people, to protect these fledglings.
I have also lived in Dunedin, FL in 2015 for a month while I was a student with the Coastal Marine Education and Research Academy doing shark and ray research in the Gulf of Mexico. Afternoons after getting off the boat, or on my days off, I would sit in my backyard at the edge of a retention pool and photograph all the birds that would come by.
While living on the West Coast of Central Florida I learned of the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs. I am hoping to have time to stop over there while down next month.
Rodeos are a big part of the South. I was lucky enough to attend two different rodeos during my two stays in the Sunshine State. I have to say I found that I love attending events like this. The closest I have been to one back home was horse shows, but rodeos are much more action packed as you can imagine.
One place Jackie and I plan on visiting is the Tampa Manatee Viewing Center. I went back in 2014 and saw over 20 manatees that are attracted to the warm outflow from the power plant during the cool winter months. It was sad to see how many had white scars from interactions with boats.
We also want to go to Crystal River and swim with manatees. This is one of the only places you can swim, in a guided tour, with these protected marine mammals.
Blue Springs State Park is another spot on our to do list. I have heard such great things about this park, and I am excited to go for the first time. My grandmother visited the park last winter and sent me photos. The water looks crystal clear and is surprised by bright green plush foliage. Definitely not what you picture for winter if you are from New England.
Here are a few more of my favorites from various Florida trips.
Though I have lived in Florida off and on, I still don’t know many places to go. I have my favorites, and am hoping to venture to new places during this trip. We are looking for a few other fun things to do on a budget in Central Florida. Do you have a favorite place to go or any suggestions for us? We would greatly appreciate some ideas!
Courtney Callahan Photography 