This historical tour was fantastic! We did the last tour of the day with Kayla, the owner. She was…read moreextremely knowledgeable and shared so much information on the home and what's happened over the years. I'm going to have to take this tour again just to try to remember it all! Lovely maintained home with so much history. Who visited, who contributed to the building and maintenance of the home, the restoration efforts. It was fascinating. We happened to be there on a day when they received a gift of an original Edison grammaphone with the beeswax songs in paper wrappers! And it actually worked! Amazing. Also loved the Louis Comfort Tiffany windows - just gorgeous!

If you're planning a visit to nearby Blue Springs State Park, the Stetson Mansion is an absolutely…read moremust-visit stop. Yes - Stetson - as in the hats. I was just as surprised to learn that the famed hat-maker once called the small town of DeLand, FL home. I happened to be visiting during peak manatee season and so had the privilege of being able to still enjoy the mansion during its special holiday tour season. During the holiday tour, each room of the mansion has a unique theme to it that you get to learn all about from your helpful docent. Not only do you get to the enjoy the wonderful story of that room's decorations theme but the history of the home and family is wonderfully blended in. I'm told that obviously during the regular historical tour you dive deeper but I left learning waaaaay more about the Stetson family than I ever expected (or knew). The home is privately owned and you the love and passion the new owners have for the historic property is evident in every room. We even had the pleasure of meeting one of the owners (the super sweet and DeLand native, Kayla) I was surprised to learn she had even created many of the decorations herself that adorned the opulent rooms in the mansion. The Stetson Mansion is a great example of one of the many historical gems tucked away in Florida small towns that you can stumble upon when exploring the state. Whether you're doing the regular history tour or holiday tour, you're sure to have a fabulous visit to the Stetson Mansion.

Very interesting and unusual place to see but not worth the admission. All the handwritten notes on…read morethe displays are very small and faint, making them impossible to read with the dim lighting.

This place seems like you're driving to the middle of nowhere but we were pleasantly surprised and…read morehad a lot of fun!

Great little visitor Center in Deland. if you're coming to DeLand and want to see what all of…read moredowntown has to offer start here. They have walking tour maps of all the murals, a map of the wings, and all of the electrical boxes that are wrapped. They also have several brochures about places to eat and the historical sites, and can also give you information about plays at their theatrical theater. We had a nice lady help us today and gave us more information then I originally came for. We were able to look at several different things in the city that I was not expecting with the information she gave us! The outside building also has a mural on the outside. Easy to find. Definitely come here before you venture out into downtown DeLand.

From the owner: Centrally located between Orlando and Daytona Beach, the West Volusia County region encompasses 15…read moredistinct communities along the St. Johns River, each thriving with historical, cultural and natural charm. Historic landmarks, cultural attractions and a variety of unique accommodations and eclectic restaurants make this a popular spot for visitors and residents alike. Visitors will find maps, brochures and information about area attractions, restaurants, and lodging facilities. Accommodations: An eclectic mix of accommodations can be found. Whether guests choose a waterfront fish camp, charming B&B, flagship hotel or enjoy the comforts of their own RV, they will find themselves at home during their stay. Innkeepers and property managers alike bestow southern hospitality and down-home charm. Accessibility: Daytona Beach International Airport, Orlando Sanford Airport, and Orlando International Airport are all just a short drive away. Amtrak and car rentals are available nearby.

Such a beautiful place to spend a day with endless activities! You can walk the boardwalk, swim,…read moresnorkel, scuba, tube, kayak, or paddleboard down the spring. Fishing is permitted from the fishing dock on the St. Johns River. There is also camping, cabins for rent, hiking, and manatee viewing. You can even rent an all-terrain tracked wheelchair for accesible hiking! You can find a gift shop and a concession stand inside the park. Follow the Blue Spring State Park Facebook page to stay up to date on fun activities and events like Manatee Bingo, Meditate & Move with the Manatees, guided moonlight hikes, and the Junior Ranger Program. My favorite event of the year is Firefly Nights from around mid March to mid April. You get to walk the boardwalk after the park closes to see thousands of Florida fireflies! It is absolutely magical, and a little surreal. Weekdays are less crowded, but honestly if you can only go on a weekend it's worth braving the crowd. It's a separately-ticketed event, and it does sell out some nights so make sure to get your tickets in advance!

The Baseline: For a park/monument the site must be informative, have great attraction, and have a…read morepark rangers that are knowledgeable of one of the park we are visiting. Park: This was one of the cleanest and best organized state parks I have ever visited. The parking was easy and the access to the main attraction was easy to get to. The walkway trail along the spring was well taken care of and safe. There is no graffiti or vandalized buildings in the park. Thank you State of Florida and California you should take notes. Attraction: The Springs are the main attraction with options to swim, tube, snorkel, and scuba dive in the spring in the summer. When we visited that was all restricted because the manatees were here to nest in the winter. This was awesome and it was great to see these amazing creatures in their winter respite. This is a must if you are visiting the Orlando area in the winter. Cost: Six dollars to come into the park with up to 8 people in the vehicle. Great price for an unforgettable experience.

What an amazing experience! We discovered so much in Volusia County due to Erica Group's Murals,…read morewhich was the point! Erica sprinkled five more sets of wing murals throughout west Volusia County locations. Each unique set of wings represent something special about each location. So get out there and have a full, fun day of exploring like we did! You won't regret it! As of 2018, which is the most recent information I could find on her site, her Deland Wings murals had won three awards! Thank you Erica for bringing such sunshine and adventure into our lives.

I was excited when I found out there were wings to be found in Deland...woot! I love all of the art…read morethat can be found these days in towns and cities, but the wings are the best in my opinion! Did you know, these wings are lauded as one of the best tourist attractions in Deland? In 2018 this Deland Wings mural received 3 Best of the West awards. Moreover, it was such a success that the artist (Erica Group) painted 5 more wings murals around the West Volusia area. Yep...they are on my "to do" list! The talent these artists share on buildings, streets, etc. is amazing to me. I love the idea of putting art out there for everyone to enjoy! Plus, it's a great opportunity for kids and may inspire their artistic side. So, just don't walk by these wings...go ahead...take a pic! It's free! Please note...it's easy to find and a nice little walk down the alleyway. There is free street parking and free parking lots nearby as well. It's open 24/7 too!

This was a lot of fun, and completely on a whim! We were visiting my daughter and new grandson and…read moredecided to stay at a nearby resort. Looking for some activities, this came up in our search, so we made an afternoon of it. First off, the captain and crew was comical and they made the experience that much more memorable. We seen turtles, dolphins, and a few manatees! On top of that, we debarked on a small island along our tour, got out, stretched the legs, and took in some amazing views. The Mangroves were a sight to be seen. I can just imagine all the sea creature they give habitat to. We also seen some amazing boats, as well as, some interesting... uh... placement of sailboats. Great history of the local storms and the havoc they wreaked! Thank you for the fun experience for the Familia!! As always, enjoy and Happy sailing!

Dolphin and manatee boat tour was good. So was parasailing. All of the tour guides were awesome and…read morefun! Cute little waiting spot on the river for sightseeing while u wait.