Weeki Wachee Springs is one of Florida’s original roadside attractions and its newest state park. Rich with history, nostalgia and a quirky but undeniable allure, it’s an ideal day trip for the traveler who wants to see classic Florida at its best.

The park is the brainchild of aquatic adventurer and entrepreneur, Newton Perry, an All-American swimmer who fell in love with the springs outside Spring Hill. Opened in October 1947, Weeki Wachee has a rich and interesting history, including visits from Elvis and Esther Williams and once being owned by ABC. In over six decades, the park has lost none of the charm that made it a household name worldwide.

Slip through the gate at Weeki Wachee Springs and, for the first few steps, it feels no different from any of the dozens of Florida theme parks. There’s a gift shop on the left, an endless winding sidewalk stretched in front of you and gleaming teal water slides in the distance to the right. But keep walking and you will find enchantment that will capture your eyes, your ears, and your heart.

The Mermaids.

Iconic figures of grace and beauty, world renown for their aquatic poise and acrobatics, these ladies are a panorama of wholesome athleticism, storybook whimsy, and tantalizing femininity. They are, at once, untouchable and magnetic. Every girl wants to be one and every boy is hopelessly smitten at first glance.

If you want to see the Mermaids, you’d better get to the theater early. A landmark in its own right, the Mermaid Theater is carved into the side of a spring that eventually descends 403 feet, making it the only one of its kind in the world. It also fills up fast, leaving many standing at the railing behind the seats. Early birds don’t mind the wait though. The cool air is a welcome respite from the famous Florida humidity, and the cool sounds of steel drums playing Jimmy Buffett and Carlos Santana keep you—and any little ones with you—feeling groovy.

The curtain rises and suddenly you’re bathed in shimmering, blue radiance as the sunlight filters through crystal clear water and translucent glass. The effortless grace of the Mermaids leaves you spellbound, and the songs they “sing” bring a grin to your face and a twinkle to your eye.

Weeki Wachee offers two completely distinct Mermaid shows with plenty of time in between to enjoy other park attractions. Get a picture with a Mermaid or scuba dive in the springs. Stop by the gift shop to find enough pirate and Mermaid memorabilia to satisfy even the most demanding souvenir hound. Take a trip down Tranquility Trail or, for those who love nature photography, head out on the River Cruise.

On the River Cruise, your captain and tour guide warmly welcomes you and suggests that you keep an eye out for those infamous Florida icebergs. He then advises that if the boat begins to sink, for this or any other reason, all you need do is reach under your seat, pull out your personal flotation device and walk to shore—the river is only about three feet deep.

As a final note, the Captain cautions to keep an eye out for that ubiquitous Florida reptile, the alligator. This type of tongue-in-cheek instruction underscores the friendly, laid-back atmosphere of a park that refuses to take itself too seriously. Everyone knows you came to see the Mermaids, so you can expect to be greeted with a communal wink and a conspiratorial grin.

Beauty, grace, peace, freedom and good, clean fun—the reasons many of us love the RV lifestyle—are all within easy reach at Weeki Wachee Springs, a place where the way it used to be is the way it still is.

And that’s no fish tail. BRV

For more information on Weeki Wachee, visit or contact them at:

weekiwachee.com
(p) 352.592.5656
6131 Commercial Way
Spring Hill, FL 34606-1121