Silver Springs, Florida

We spend today at Silver Springs with Christon, Harrison, Shelby and Reagan. The other grandparents Donnie and Emily and aunt Emmy. It was the first time for the Smith Family to visit Silver Springs. We all enjoyed it.

Silver Springs is a 350 acre nature theme park that surrounds the headwaters of the beautiful Silver River, the largest artesian spring formation in the world. Located 90 miles north of Orlando, just east of Ocala, Florida.

We rode the Glass Bottom Boats that offers passengers an unparalleled view of underwater life in the 99.8% pure waters of the Silver River. The boats, with U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains, will take you on an enchanting tour of the seven major spring formations at the headwaters. One spring, Fish Reception Hall, is home to dozens of species of fish as well as alligators, clams, crawfish, shrimp, snails and six different kinds of turtles, all amidst the backdrop of tiny fossilized shells from 70 million years ago. Peer through the glass and crystal clear water for views that only a scuba diver could have. You’ll be comfortably seated, and covered from the sun and weather.

At the Wildlife Exhibit You can look into the eyes of a Mysterious White Alligator! See not one, but two of the rarest reptiles in the world. Known as the "Swamp Ghost", these eerie and fascinating creatures are natural phenomenons that have to be seen to be believed!

Big Gator Lagoon is a one-acre cypress swamp habitat featuring more than three dozen of Florida’s largest alligators, most 11 to 13 feet in length! Guests observe these large reptiles from the safety of an elevated boardwalk. Be on the lookout for Sobek, believed to be the world’s largest American crocodile in the care of man. He’s 16 feet long and weighs 2,000 pounds. His name, Sobek, refers to an ancient Egyptian god that had the head of a crocodile and the body of a man.

Panther Prowl is an extraordinary opportunity to photograph the Western cougar, a close cousin of the rare and endangered Florida panther—North America’s largest and most majestic wild cat.

World of Bears is the largest bear exhibit of its kind in the world. Two acres of outdoor habitats showcase a variety of rare and endangered bear species including North American black bears, and Kodiaks (the only brown bears on exhibit in Florida). Kritter Korral features a variety of farm animals like sheep, rabbits, donkeys, turkeys, and goats that park guests can pet and hand feed. They’re popular with the younger set and love the attention they get! We fed everything from the fish to the alligator and even the two Giraffe. Like Shelby said "it was a Gorgeous Day!"