What an amazing experience! Lived in Florida for six years and this has been by-far one of the best…read moreexperiences in Central Florida. We made an inquiry online and same day, Beki called us and helped us make a reservation online for the next day. The ranch was easy to find and very beautiful when you arrive. We were greeted by Hannah who was also our tour guide. She thoroughly explained how to properly ride the horse, gave us an agenda beforehand and made sure we were safe throughout the trail. She took some awesome photos of us too. Any question I asked, she answered. Hannah was very informative, kind and patient with us. Her passion for horses illuminated the tour. So glad she was our leader! The horses, May, Marigold and Willow - wonderful. They were professional and well taken care of. The horses on the ranch are super healthy and didn't give anyone problems. They are just as happy as us guests. Can't wait to come back.

Hidden Palms Ranch was truly an amazing experience. I had to change the date of our ride, and the…read moreperson who helped me over the phone was incredibly kind and accommodating. From the moment we arrived, we felt genuinely cared for and were guided through important equestrian etiquette, which made everything feel safe and welcoming. The ranch itself is simple and beautiful, letting the landscape speak for itself. The staff was wonderful in helping us get comfortable with our horses. who were so gentle and sweet. Riding at golden hour was magical; the light over the reservation was breathtaking, and our guide shared thoughtful insights about the area along the way. We celebrated our anniversary here and couldn't have chosen a more memorable setting. I would absolutely visit again and can't recommend this place enough

Amazing hike for the whole family! It was challenging for our younger kids and adults alike, but…read moredoable terrain and so worth it! We saw two families of hogs close to the trail, several alligators, tons of birds, and squirrels. I agree with other reviewers-- going right so you do the harder terrain first and have the flatter land when you're more worn out was perfect. One huge tip-- even with bug spray, we were SWARMED with mosquitoes the second it started getting dark-- absolutely attacked. Get out before dusk!

This is a pretty nice trail. It's a 7 mile trail with plenty of things to see like the St John's…read moreRiver. I recommend coming early in the morning to avoid the Florida heat. You'll definitely feel the mugginess in the afternoon. Though it is a popular place to hike. It was actually quiet and peaceful. It's an easy trail but I wanted to challenge myself so I did it with a weighted vest on my back. In fact, I passed a few other hikers with weights on too . so if you're training for something, this place is it.

We took our 4 month old daughter to the zoo for a fun afternoon to see the animals! This zoo is the…read moreperfect size for small children and families as you can stay for a few hours and still feel like you have seen everything! It was HOT the day we decided to go so we only stayed for a couple of hours. I do wish there was more shade on pathways, and fans and/or covered spaces to take a break from the Florida heat. We thankfully found a spot by the black bear exhibit that was air conditioned and had only two chairs, so I could feed our daughter. There were MANY other moms that came in looking to also feed their kids and it turned into a waiting game as we had to take turns using the two chairs in that building to sit and feed our babies. The animals were neat to see, because it was so hot a lot of the animals weren't out or were in shady places within their enclosure. I liked that there were zoo workers and volunteers near many of the exhibits that were available to answer questions and provide more information about the specific animals there. Overall we had a great time with our daughter and look forward to bringing her back again in the future.

PAVEMENT / WALKWAYS: 4.5 STARS Some of these zoos /…read moregardens dump one off onto rutted dirt paths, not here, one could roll wheeled devices with relative ease everywhere. STAFF: 4.5 STARS Everyone was pleasant and helpful if you wanted them to be. ANIMAL VARIETY: 4 STARS Not all antelope like some places. SIZE OF ZOO: 4 STARS I had expected it to be smaller based on the reviews, it is not tiny, a pleasant size without being exhausting. VALUE: 4.5 STARS Good price for 2 or 3 hours of beastly entertainment. GIFT SHOP: 2 STARS The ghastly high prices did not bother me, as one is supporting a worthy cause, but the tee shirt selection was sparse, and none with the handsome cheetah face on them. SUMMARY: 4 STARS Please support non corporate theme park Florida attractions ( Gator Farm, Tampa Zoo, Cedar Gardens Williston, Silver Springs, Weikee Wachee etc), and this is a good one.

Spring Hammock is a 1,500 acre preserve on the shore of Lake Jesup. The ecosystem contains hydric…read morehammocks, floodplain forests, pine flatwoods, and upland mixed hardwoods. Two thirds of the preserve is swamp but it also has ancient bald cypress trees, rare cuplet ferns and the largest stand of tulip poplars in Florida. Unfortunately many of these natural wonders are no longer reachable by hiking. The boardwalks in the preserve were built by the School Board for use by the Environmental Studies Center. As they fell into disrepair, the trails were closed off for safety. You used to be able to hike for three miles in the preserve. There is currently no way through it now. Since 2018 The Natural Lands Program has had plans to rebuild the Cypress Boardwalk and a pavilion and add a new rain shelter and wayfinding signage. Here it is 2025 and the boardwalk is still closed although there are signs saying the new trail is coming. According to videos on the internet, ground was broken on the project 8 months ago in cooperation with the county and federal government. The new boardwalk is being paid with a voter approved one penny sales tax addition. While the new boardwalk is being completed there is still one large cypress tree that is still reachable. You can find Lady Liberty in the Big Tree Park portion of Spring Hammock Preserve where there is a short boardwalk to reach the tree.

Not a bad little hiking trail! About 30 minutes out from Orlando, there is a paved biking trail and…read morethen a shaded walking trail through the woods with a small creek running alongside for part of the trail. The walking trail does not loop so you walk to the end and then back, its about 2.3 miles altogether. It is nicely shaded for a majority of the walk but I would recommend a bottle of water and some bug spray on a hot Florida day! Probably not a place I would go out of my way again to visit given there are some other great trails near Orlando but at least its open during the current shut down if you're feeling stir crazy!

Secret Lake Park is one of our favorite parks in Casselberry. My twins always have fun. The…read moreplaygrounds are spacious and fun. They have separate play areas for older and younger kids. The walking trail around the lake is perfect for walks and watching the sunset. Perfect place for a picnic with family.

Secret Lake Park gets its name from the fact that is between Secret Lake, Triplet Lake, and North…read moreLake Triplet. Also nearby are Middle Lake and Lost Lake. This beautiful and well maintained park offers an array of recreational amenities. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate the basketball, softball, tennis, and racquetball courts along with a soccer on the multipurpose field. As a nature lover I enjoyed the many boardwalks with views of the lake and the sidewalk which meanders through the entire park. It is perfect for walking for exercise and I saw the cutest marsh rabbit as I made my way through the park. There are also two fishing piers. Kids will spend hours playing and on the two imaginative playgrounds. Secret Lake Park is also home to the recently renovated Casselberry Recreation Center which has a main room, ballroom, billiards room, computer room, outdoor deck area, activity room, and outdoor pavilions. The recreation center offers many programs from youth to senior. They include exercise, yoga, Tai Chi, Zumba, and dance classes. The park is also the host of several beloved Casselberry traditions like the HOWL-O-WEEN Dog Walk-a-Thon and Canine Costume Contest, Art & Music in the Park & Food Truck Bazaar, and the Casselberry Easter Egg Hunt. I really enjoyed my visit to Secret Lake Park. It is the perfect outdoor recreation destination for families, fitness seekers, and sports lovers. You can go for peaceful stroll, play basketball, or watch the kids play safely. The scenic lakeside views, comprehensive recreational programs, and variety of amenities add to the charm and versatility of this park.

Pedal Driven is the place to go for any bike hobbyist in Orlando. Ben was very kind and…read moreknowledgeable, he helped me pick out all the gear I needed for my first bike packing trip! The store is clean, organized, and well stocked and welcoming for all cyclists from beginner to advanced. Can't recommend it enough!

A friendly staff and knowledgeable. Service was great. Price was fair. Would definitely bring my…read morebike here for service and repairs.

Escape Artists in Sanford is a really solid spot if you're into escape rooms. They have several…read moredifferent rooms with varying levels of difficulty, which makes it fun whether you're new to escape rooms or you've done a bunch before. I've actually done all of their rooms, and I've genuinely liked every single one. Each room feels a little different, the puzzles are well thought out, and they're challenging without feeling impossible. It's clear a lot of effort went into the design and flow of the rooms. The staff has always been friendly and helpful as well, which makes the experience even better. Overall it's a great local place for escape rooms and definitely somewhere I'd recommend if you're looking for a fun group activity in Sanford

This is a solid escape room set and we have been to this location before. My group started with…read moreCarter's Haberdashery which we haven't done. I liked how it felt immersive and had clear story telling. It was adventure themed and very fun. Then, we played Secret Society on whim and I would say that experience was 3/5. It was their oldest game and it showed. It was old school with a few key locks and a couple cool elements thrown in, so it was immersive but pretty easy for experienced players (we are now 2nd on the leader board having escaped with 30:13 minutes remaining) leaving you feeling a little unfulfilled. I am interested in playing their newest game, Operation: Ringfall, which opened last year.

Bear Creek Trail was a fun discovery on a recent trip to Winter Springs. There is a small parking…read morearea at the trailhead. From the parking area the trail radiates in both directions through a small hammock area with ancient cypress, oaks, and cabbage palms. The natural area serves as a floodplain buffer between two neighborhoods in the Tuscawilla community. The trail is maintained by the City of Winter Springs. Bear Creek Nature Trail is narrow and sandy. It runs parallel to Bear Creek. There are changes in elevation which makes it more interesting and you cross two small bridges. When you are high above the creek you have to be cognizant of your footing so that you don't accidentally step off the trail and fall. There are also picnic tables available. The length of the trail is .9 of a mile. Bear Creek Nature Trail was an easy and fun hike and I enjoyed the view of the creek. It also had the added bonus of being mostly shaded and bug free!

awful do not recommend. I couldn't even stand up from over five seconds straight before freaking…read moredirt slid out from underneath me and I fell into like 20 different rivers only like a mile we ended up like 5 miles away from where we started and I was drenched in water for how many times I fell in the creek bro. I've probably got one or 23 amoeba's in my dick right now, dude if I get sick, I'm suing the creek

This is a small park that is mainly a children's playground and a small pavilion. Still, it is a…read morepleasant enough park. All in all, it is a pleasant neighborhood park, but nothing to go out of your way for.