Get Back to Nature in Seminole County, Florida

In the middle of our conservation about Seminole County, Fla., Sharon Sears, executive director of Seminole County CVB, mentions that from her office window she is watching an eagle dive down into the lake to catch a fish.

And in area, nature scenes like this are commonplace.

“We are a nature-based county,” she points out. “Nature is our greatest asset.”

Located a short drive from both the attractions of Orlando and the beaches of the Atlantic, she says in Seminole County, “you can getaway from it all, but still be close enough to everything.”

“You can still have the fun and excitement there, and then slow down here.”

But once you discover what all Seminole County has to offer, you realize there’s no   reason to get back into car to go anywhere else.

That said, what does the area have for nature-lovers, outdoor enthusiasts and those who want a different getaway?

A lot!

Sears suggests taking advantage of the over 60 miles of trails throughout the county. You can choose to walk/hike along the Florida National Scenic Trail, a 1,300-mile trail that runs from the panhandle to the Everglades. It cuts through the town of Lake Mary in Seminole County and meets up with both the Seminole Wekiva Trail and the  Cross Seminole Trail.

She adds that with well over 2,000 rivers and lakes in the county, water sports and water play are abundant.

According to Sears, the fishing is “unreal.” Be sure to schedule enough time to take a charter and fish; or just tour the lakes. You’ll also want to go on an airboat tour. There’s a really good chance you might spot an alligator or two.  If you just want to relax and take the scenery in, consider a lunch or dinner cruise down St. Johns River.

In addition to the trails mentioned above, another land adventure that should be on your itinerary is Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens (map) in Sanford. Over 70 years old (first established as Sanford Zoo), not only does the Zoo itself has an interesting history, but also it’s the first in the country to have a zip line. Yes, you can glide from tree to tree with ZOOm Air Adventure. Offering three different courses, there’s also a special one just for kids.

Just with a brief sampling of Seminole County has to offer, you can see it’s worth a visit.

“We want people to say after they’ve been here for a day or weekend, ‘wow, what a difference’,” says Sears.

Did You Know

• Lake Jesup in Sanford has the highest population of alligators than any other lake in North America.
• You can see “The Senator,” a 3,500-year old Bald Cypress at Big Tree Park (map) in Longwood.

If you are thinking about spending a weekend in Seminole County, you’ll find  a variety of accommodations, something for every taste and budget. Be sure to check out the Internet specials before you make a reservation.

photo credit: All photos courtesy of Seminole County CVB. (top left) alligator; (middle right) couple fishing; (middle left) zoo/elephant; (bottom right) kayaking Wekiva.