By: Brianna Pearson
Spring break is coming up, and you need to start planning how you want to spend it. We have many ideas for you for this upcoming week!
Located in Williston, Florida, Devil’s Den Spring is a great way to stay cool. Approximately an hour and a half away from Saint Leo, Devil’s Den has become a trendy destination to Floridians and tourists. Known as “Central Florida’s prehistoric swimming hole,” the spring is located 60 feet underground. For this spring you must be able to snorkel or be SCUBA certified because general swimming is prohibited, but there are many other springs/rivers where general swimming is encouraged.
Devil’s Den is 200 feet deep. @clingmusic
A great river for swimming, tubing and rope swinging is Rainbow River. Rainbow River is a Florida State Park visited by thousands every year. Located in Dunnellon, Florida, which is about an hour and a half away as well, Rainbow River offers tubing and kayaking. If you decide only to swim, the fee is $2 and children six and under swim free. They have tubes for renting, but you can bring your own if you wish. Many people bring a kiddie pool and put their cooler in it so it will float and go down the river with them.
Rainbow River is 5.7 miles long. @rainbowriverfun
Weeki Wachee Springs, located in Weeki Wachee, Florida, is a great place to hang out, cool down and see some mermaids. Like Rainbow River, Weeki Wachee is also a State Park. Until March 15, prices are discounted, so an adult ticket is only $8. This ticket covers access to Buccaneer Bay Waterpark, the mermaid show, the wildlife shows and a riverboat ride. This is one of my personal favorite places. They have recently renovated the entire park, but the park has been there since 1947. The water is “home to Mermaids, turtles, manatees and bubbles.” The mermaid shows are held in an underground theater. While being underground, there is a large glass wall that’s separating you and the spring. The beautiful mermaids swim in the spring and do tricks for the audience like eating an apple underwater and drinking a whole coke underwater. Sometimes little friends like turtles join the mermaids in their shows.
If you are not into water, the Universal Citywalk is a great place to visit. Located in Orlando, Citywalk is home to many restaurants, stores and nightlife. VooDoo Donuts is a now-famous donut shop that is loved by many. They have crazy donut toppings like Fruit Loops, Grape dust, Captain Crunch, Bubble gum and mini M&Ms. VooDoo also offers a vegan menu of donuts as well. They have something for everyone. Citywalk also offers the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium which is a restaurant, bar and confectionary. They serve dishes like steak, seafood and even brunch. The dessert menu includes amazing shakes with flavors such as Brownie Bark, Bacon Brittle and Salted Caramel Flan.
If you are looking to get away for the weekend, I recommend taking a road trip down to Miami. The air is warm, the beaches are cool and the nightlife is fantastic. South Beach is known for its art deco architecture and beaches. There are many clubs for students 18 and older and bars for students 21 and older. Many celebrity-owned eateries are located in Miami as well. Miami is a further destination, approximately four hours from Saint Leo, but well worth the drive.
Another far, but worth the drive would be to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Gatlinburg is a quaint town that is full of things to do. One of these things is called Anakeesta. Anakeesta is a sky ride/ski lift up in the mountains. When you get to the other side, they have a shopping area full of cute souvenirs, and many bear knick-knacks. Gatlinburg does have black bears, but it is incredible to see them down below when you are on the ski lift. This town has many different shops to go to as well. When I went, I got my caricature done and then went out for ice cream. For dinner, I thoroughly recommend Calhoun’s. This restaurant has such a variety of southern comfort foods that are scrumptious. At night, there are clubs and bars, but also an arcade that stays open all night long.
