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Exploring Florida’s Adventure Coast, Brooksville – Weeki Wachee in 2024

Last Updated on February 22, 2024

Have you ever visited Florida’s Adventure Coast? Whether you have or have not, put it on your bucket list!

Weeki Wachee Mermaid in 2023
Source: Weeki Wachee Springs State Park on Facebook

Ask yourself a few questions: Do you ever dream of a mystical, magical place where mermaids swim in sparkling, bubbly springs flowing into crystal-clear rivers?

Weeki Wachee manatee taken by Mermaid Brittany
Source: Mermaid Brittany from Weeki Wachee

What about colorful birds perched in the trees while manatees graze on billowing seagrass below?

You may be surprised that your vision is a reality — and it’s all part of Florida’s Adventure Coast.

Welcome to Florida’s Adventure Coast

Hernando County map

Situated an hour west of Orlando, Hernando County (a.k.a. Florida’s Adventure Coast) is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the west and the Withlacoochee River to the east.

Brooksville Water Tower

In the center lies Brooksville, the county seat, a charming small town filled with glimpses of Florida’s past and many places to create lifelong memories today.

Photo of a jumping platform into the water

You’ll find plenty to do and see wherever you travel on the Adventure Coast. The area embodies everything Florida – from kitsch to the natural outdoors.

With beautiful mermaids, endearing manatees, emerald green rolling hills dotted by farms, an unforgettable citrus attraction, and rural living, you can’t help but fall in love with this destination.

Downtown Brooksville restaurant

It’s full of Florida’s fascinating history and is home to an emerging group of entrepreneurs who share their Florida dream.

They chase their dream through business ventures in agriculture, craft breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and more.

Photo of  Civilian Conservation Corps bathhouse, Chinsegut Hill Retreat
Civilian Conservation Corps bathhouse, Chinsegut Hill Retreat

With so much to see on Florida’s Adventure Coast, consider these three paths to cover it all: Water Adventures, Historical Adventures, and a third path, Farm, Spirits, and Culinary Adventures.

Water Adventures

Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaid Shows

Photo of Weeki Wachee Mermaid
Weeki Wachee Mermaid [source: John Athanason]

Let’s start with the fantasy world of mermaids. Since 1947, Weeki Wachee Springs has captivated families and children with underwater mermaid shows.

Weeki Wachee lagoon

A first-magnitude spring bubbles up from the Florida Aquifer, providing a fishbowl stage. Guests are entertained in a glass theatre with synchronized underwater ballet shows.

Weeki Wachee Mermaid Theatre

Former Navy man Newton Perry created this 1940s roadside attraction that later became part of the Florida State Parks system.

Weeki Wachee mermaid postcard from 1949

Perry’s concept of beautiful mermaids performing underwater while intermittently taking breaths through slim air tubes became an instant hit for audiences of all ages.

People watching a show at Weeki Wachee

Rigorous training, elaborate (fish-tailed) costumes, and a choreographed ballet are set to music against the backdrop of clear natural spring waters.

This old Florida attraction also remains one of the best bargains in Florida. In addition to the mermaid show, there is a riverboat cruise, animal show, and a water park with swimming in the clear and cool 72-degree water.

Weeki Wachee 75th Anniversary centerpiece

Weeki Wachee celebrated its 75th Anniversary on October 13, 2022.

Due to Hurricane Ian, the special event was rescheduled to the beginning of 2023.

In January 2023, they launched a new Destination Mermaid Tale Trail at a special 75th Weeki Wachee Anniversary celebration.

This event was where they unveiled life-sized mermaid statues prior to distributing them throughout Hernando County.

Weeki Wachee River Paddle Adventure

Photo of kayakers on Weeki Wachee River
Weeki Wachee River

The Weeki Wachee River flows seven miles from the springs to the Gulf of Mexico. The translucent water and shallow sandy bottom create a dazzling experience on one of Florida’s best rivers.

A slow, easy, five-mile, three-hour kayak paddle downstream is an ideal day on the water.

Paddling Adventures, located adjacent to the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, provides equipment and tips for an enjoyable ride.

Photo of a kayak in Weeki Wachee

You’ll paddle under a shady natural canopy of cypress and oak trees while enjoying plenty of wildlife.

You may want to stop and swing from one of the ropes hanging from tree branches along the way.

Paddling Adventures also provides transportation back to the park, making it an easy one-way, downstream paddle.

Historical Adventures

Photo of 1913 Brooksville Old Courthouse
1913 Brooksville Old Courthouse

In addition to the area’s beauty, there is also history to discover. Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto discovered the region in 1539, and the county was named after him.

Centuries later, during the Civil War, Confederate and Union troops fought a significant battle in Brooksville. Today this is where the annual Brooksville Raid reenactment is held.

The two different historical venues are worth a stop to take a step back in time. One has 176 years of history, and the other focuses on the Florida citrus industry.

Chinsegut Hill Retreat, Brooksville

Photo of Brooksville's Chinsegut Manor House
Brooksville’s Chinsegut Manor House

Pronounced “Chin-see-gut,” this historic Manor House retreat, 144 acres of land northeast of Brooksville, is perched on the highest hill and open to the public.

Locals claim sunsets are some of the best you can find anywhere in the state.

The property is steeped in richly layered Florida history, but its true splendor is the white wooden home surrounded by a majestic green lawn, towering oak trees, and colorful azaleas.

The property was homesteaded in 1847 by Colonel Bird Pearson. He built a home and plantation to farm cotton, tobacco, sugarcane, corn, and citrus.

Photo of  Chinsegut Hill Retreat, surrounded by moss-draped oak trees
Chinsegut Hill Retreat, surrounded by moss-draped oak trees

The next owner was Francis Ederington, who built the Manor House and expanded the plantation. Through the years, the property has had many owners who added historical intrigue to its legacy.

With financial assistance from his sister, Elizabeth, Raymond Robins purchased the property in 1904. Raymond called it Chinsegut Hill, an Inuit Indian name meaning “spirit of things lost and regained.”

Chinsegut Hill Historic sign

The name fits as the plantation had fallen into disrepair. However, Robins and Margaret Dreier planned to bring back the beauty of Chinesgut Hill.

The couple was well-known in social and political circles and hosted many famous guests at “The Hill.” Thomas Edison, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Helen Keller, and J.C. Penny were all guests.

When they died, the home and property were given to the state.

The Friends of Chinsegut Hill now manages the property and is on the National Historic Register.

Of particular note are the cabins also available to individuals or groups for rent (at a bargain price).

Chinsegut Hill Retreat Address: 22495 Chinsegut Hill Rd., Brooksville, FL 34601

Boyett’s Citrus Attraction, Brooksville

Photo of Boyett's Citrus Attraction
Boyett’s Citrus Attraction

Florida’s highways and byways were filled with homespun tourist attractions by the mid-twentieth century.

Photo of a box of oranges in the grove
Boyett’s Grove Citrus and Attraction, photo courtesy NatureCoaster.com

Major amusement parks have replaced most, but a unique oldie on Spring Lake Highway still exists, and a visit should be on everyone’s must-visit list.

Boyett's Grove Brooksville
Brooksville’s classic old Florida attraction

Boyett’s Citrus Attraction, a popular tourist stop in Hernando County, is perched on a hill surrounded by pastureland and orange groves.

Home to the Boyett family, who farmed citrus here since the 1960s, it is now operated by daughter Kathy Oleson and her husband, Jim.

They have created a classic old Florida roadside amusement park with a gift shop and a citrus packing operation.

Boyett's Grove sign that says WIld Monkee Beach

They also have amusement activities for kids, a real zoo, aviary. miniature golf, a museum, an ice cream fountain, and an art shop –– all under one roof.

Boyett’s Citrus Attraction Address: 4355 Spring Lake Hwy., Brooksville, FL 34601

You can read more about this hidden gem in A Day Trip to Florida’s Kitschy Adventure Coast.

Florida Mermaid Trail

Florida Mermaid Trail Map

The Florida Mermaid Trail opened in January 2020 in downtown Brooksville.

The walking trail consists of two routes (1.1 miles and also 2.2 miles). The routes include Main St., Liberty St., Brooksville Ave., Good Neighbor Trail, Jefferson St., Saxon Ave., Broad St., and Ft. Dade Ave.

Bronze mermaid statue on the Florida Mermaid Trail

Walkers search for 21 bronze mermaid statues mounted on buildings along the trail.

It’s a great family-friendly opportunity to exercise while exploring the lovely historic city of Brooksville, which has great restaurants and shops.

Walkers can use the free Florida Adventure Coast phone app via Google Play or the Apple Store. They can also pick up a full-color paper map at the Brooksville Visitor Center (located at 205 E. Fort Dade Ave.).

Learn more about the Florida Mermaid Trail and where to start hunting for the 21 hidden mermaids!

The Mermaid Tale Trail

Woman with orange bird.

As mentioned above, the Mermaid Tale Trail was launched in January 2023 as part of Weeki Wachee’s 75th-anniversary celebration.

The Mermaid Tale Trail map

The Mermaid Tale Trail consists of 27 larger-than-life mermaid statues hidden throughout Hernando County.

From the rural countryside near Brooksville to the coastal community of Hernando Beach, FL, these colorful six-foot statues have unique tales to tell.

The Mermaid Tale Traile mural

Each statue was hand-painted by an artist who calls Florida home. It also took a village of sponsors and venues to bring this driving tour to life.

Visitors are encouraged to take selfies with the mermaid statues and use #TheMermaidTaleTrail.

To learn more about the walking or driving mermaid tour, visit the official Florida Mermaid Trail website.

Also, check out: Making Mermaid Statues: Follow the Tails!

An Authentic Place to Stay

Mary’s Fish Camp, Bayport

Photo of Mary's Fish Camp
Mary’s Fish Camp

This authentic fish camp opened in 1946 when such camps were plentiful along Florida’s coasts. Getting a cabin, camping, or just pulling over to drop a line were commonplace activities.

Fish at the fish camp
Source: Mary’s Fish Camp

At this iconic Mud River fishing hole, there’s a reason crowds pack the seawall to fish. Fish are plentiful. Mullet, snapper, snook, and also redfish are there for the taking.

outside of fish camp.
Source: Mary’s Fish Camp

Cabins and RV hookups are also available. The camp has been updated by local entrepreneurs who want to preserve the lure of the camp’s fishing past.

Boat with the words Mary's Fish Camp
Source: Mary’s Fish Camp

Mary’s Fish Camp Address: 8092 Marys Fish Camp Rd, Spring Hill, FL 34607

Florida Farm, Spirits, and Culinary Adventures

Photo of Florida blueberries coming out of basket

After getting off the water, you may be ready to ramble through the countryside of Hernando County’s back roads. 

Here farmers and courageous entrepreneurs are also fulfilling their Florida dreams:

Sweetfields Farm, Masaryktown (Open Seasonally)

Photo of Sweetfields Farm
Sweetfields Farm

In Masaryktown, on Hernando County’s southern border, Sweetfields Farm is a celebration of down-home country fun. Owners Lisa and Ted Kessel transformed an old hayfield into an organic farm.

Sweetfields Farm
Source: Sweetfield’s Farm

In addition to producing regular vegetable crops, they host two signature annual events – a Fall celebration highlighted by a corn maze – and a Spring celebration featuring their stunning sunflower crop.

Blackberries
Source: Sweetfield’s Farm

Visitors wind through a maze of corn and/or sunflowers (depending on the season). They delight in the fun and discover a real farm experience.

Photo of Sweetfields Farm springtime sunflower maze
Sweetfields Farm springtime sunflower maze

It’s a great opportunity to peek into rural life while learning how healthy food is grown.

Visitors can experience some of the following:

  • old-fashioned hayrides
  • pig races
  • a homemade play area and tree house for climbing
  • a craft area
  • Florida tales told by a local storyteller are also part of the experience.

Don’t forget to take home some tasty memories by stopping by the farm’s fully stocked produce barn.

Sweetfields Farm Barn
Source: Sweetfield’s Farm

Sweetfields Farm Address: 17250 Benes Roush Rd, Brooksville, FL 34604

U Pick Farms

Photo of a woman and child picking blueberries

If you like U-Pick farms, here’s a place to grab your bucket and get busy. 

Logo of the 2022 Brooksville Blueberry Festival

Spring kicks off the blueberry season. The Florida Blueberry Festival also takes place in April.

Photo of a strawberry plant

But there’s plenty more to pick, including strawberries, blackberries, peaches, pears, corn, vegetables, melons, loquats, and (muscadine) grapes.

Address: Varies.

Learn more at the official Agritourism section of Florida’s Adventure Coast website.

Little Rock Cannery, Brooksville

Little Rock Community Cannery
Little Rock Community Cannery

Want to preserve your down-home Florida freshness? Little Rock Cannery north of Brooksville on US Hwy. 98 is a very special community effort.  

Canneries, once popular during World War II when Victory Gardens were common, are a rare find nowadays.

Manager Kathi Comandi demonstrates the canning process
Manager Kathi Comandi demonstrates the canning process

This old-fashioned cannery is housed in a building dating to 1941 when it served as a schoolhouse, and later as an orphanage and library.

The community came together and transformed the building into a cannery for public use.

A commercial kitchen with pressure cookers, equipment, and utensils provides all the essentials for those who want to preserve their food quickly and efficiently.

Canners call ahead to schedule their time, and arrive with a recipe in hand, bringing their own ingredients and jars.

Open to the public through a day pass ($10) or annual pass. Be sure to call ahead for reservations.

Canning at Little Rock Cannery
Source: Little Rock Cannery

Little Rock Cannery Address: 15487 Citrus Way, Brooksville, FL 34614

Marker 48 Brewery, Weeki Wachee

Photo of Marker 48 Brewery, Weeki Wachee
Marker 48 Brewery, Weeki Wachee

Florida natives Christina and Maurice Ryman launched a craft brewery in Weeki Wachee named Marker 48 in 2015.

They skillfully repurposed an old transmission shop and garage into a brewery using recycled wood and corrugated metal roofing.

Quadruple IPA at Marker 48
Source: Marker 48 Brewing

Huge garage doors slide above, leading out to a beer garden and food truck, wood tables stretch across the room amidst a tasting bar, brewery, and also stainless steel tanks.

The look may be rustic, but the brewing is state-of-the-art.

After extensive research and visiting 200 breweries across the country, this passionate craft beer couple created a brewery with sixteen beer styles available.

Marker 48 Brewing Hops
Source: Marker 48 Brewing

They were all made with pure Weeki Wachee spring water, blended with malt, yeast, and hops.

You might want to try the signature core brews such as Mermaid’s Milk Stout, the Pine Island IPA, or even the Sand Hill Brown.

Marker 48 varieties
Source: Marker 48 Brewing

Marker 48 Brewery Address: 12147 Cortez Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34613

NJoy Spirits, Weeki Wachee

Photo of  Wild Buck Whiskey Distillery
Wild Buck Whiskey Distillery

In 2002, Natalie and Kevin Goff purchased 80 acres of wild Florida land in Hernando County’s Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area.

This property was nestled within the palmettos, pines, cypress trees, and among bears, wild bucks, and rattlesnakes, once used as a hunting camp and equestrians stop.

But this comment by Natalie’s visiting Irish dad, Donald McCracken, prompted the Goff’s future business: “This would be a great place to make whiskey.”

From that day, McCracken, an experienced moonshiner, became their source of inspiration.

Wild Buck Whiskey
Source: NJoy Spirits

With dad’s old journal of recipes, and plenty of research into the distillery business, laws, and regulations, Natalie and Kevin brought their dream to life.

Kevin, a pool contractor, built a modest home, a barn, and also a distillery (inside the barn).

Natalie handled the issues with alcohol regulations and marketing. They focused their attention on every detail of the whiskey-making business.

This included Kevin’s design and development of the equipment. It became their 100-proof labor of love. It became their 100-proof labor of love.

They have been making small batches, using all-natural ingredients, including filtered rainwater for mashing, local farm-grown rye, and then aging the whiskey 10-15 months in charred American oak barrels.

In the process, they have created an award-winning, hand-processed, hand-labeled, sought-after fine rye whiskey.

Ice Punch cocktails with lemon lime - vintage filter
Source: NJoy Spirits

Do you want to try it? Visit NJoy Spirits to locate a store outlet.

NJoy Spirits Distillery Address: 7237 Wild Buck Rd., Spring Hill, FL 34613

Florida Makers Mercantile, Brooksville

Photo of the Florida Makers Mercantile
Source: Florida Makers Mercantile/Facebook

Florida Makers Mercantile is a one-stop location to shop and support many local makers.

There are upwards of 30 Florida artisans, many from Hernando County, in a shared retail space, all selling homemade and locally sourced goods and products.

Florida Makers Mercantile

Most of the vendors are successful on Esty and now have a local storefront to feature their unique merchandise.

Florida Makers Mercantile Address: 823 S Broad St., Brooksville, FL 34601

Two Authentic Florida Restaurants

Photo of Florida Cracker Kitchen truck
Florida Cracker Kitchen for the classics

For good home cooking, try these two authentic Florida favorites located in Brooksville;

Florida Cracker Kitchen

Jambalaya at Florida Cracker Kitchen

The Florida Cracker Kitchen, owned by brothers Blair and Ethan Hensley, serves up the classics like Brooksville blueberry pancakes, the Cracker omelet, smoked mullet dip, and also Okeechobee gumbo.

Florida Cracker Kitchen Address: 966 E Jefferson St., Brooksville, FL 34601

Mallie Kyla’s Cafe

Mallie Kylas Cafe Cake
Source: Mallie Kylas Cafe

Their mother, Larie DeWitt Hensley, owns another nearby favorite, Mallie Kyla’s Café, a southern-style restaurant where locals go to lunch, especially for the homemade cakes and pies.

Mallie Kyla’s Cafe Address: 510 E Liberty St., Brooksville, FL 34601

Nature’s Place to Play

So, when you are ready for adventure, a little magic, some authentic history, and lots of good food and spirits, try Florida’s Adventure Coast, Nature’s Place to Play.

This authentic jewel sparkles with real Florida fun and special folks to make your visit a delightful one.

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