Featuring the state’s finest cold springs, Touring the Springs of Florida features full-color photos of each site and in-depth descriptions of the springs and surrounding areas. Whether you’re tubing, paddling, hiking, diving, or sightseeing, detailed maps, GPS coordinates, and thorough driving directions lead you every step of the way.

A colorful look at a forgotten era of Florida tourism Filled with rare photographs, vintage postcards and advertisements, and fascinating writing from over 100 years ago, Florida's Healing Waters spotlights a little-known time in Florida history when tourists poured into the state in search of good health. Rick Kilby explores the Victorian belief that water caused healing and rehabilitation, tracing the history of "taking the waters" from its origins in the era of Enlightenment. Nineteenth-century Americans traveled from afar to bathe in the outdoors and soak up the warm climate of Florida. Here, with more than 1,000 freshwater springs, 1,300 miles of coastline, and 30,000 lakes, water was an abundant resource. Through the wealth of images in this book, Kilby shows how Florida's natural wonders were promoted and developed as restorative destinations for America's emerging upper class. The rapid growth in tourism infrastructure that began during the Gilded Age lasted well into the twentieth century, and Kilby explains how these now-lost resorts helped boost the economy of modern Florida. Today, these splendid health spas and elaborate bathing facilities have been lost, replaced by recreational amenities for a culture more about sun and fun than physical renewal. In this book, Kilby emphasizes the value of honoring and preserving the natural features of the state in the face of continual development. He reminds us that Florida's water is still a life-giving treasure.

"Dive into the colorful past of Florida's natural wonders! In this visual tour of the state's five largest springs, collector-extraordinaire Tim Hollis brings together postcards, advertisements, brochures, signs, flyers, and souvenirs from the early days of these popular roadside attractions. Since tourists first started visiting the Sunshine State, they were drawn to these liquid gems: Silver Springs, Wakulla Springs, Rainbow Springs, Weeki Wachee Spring, and Homosassa Springs. Today the springs are protected as state parks and continue to lure tourists and nature lovers alike. Sit back and enjoy the eye-catching scenes of the mermaids, alligators, underwater mountains, and glass bottom and submarine boats that helped these unique parts of the natural landscape become must-see destinations"--

A veteran ecotripper shares her intimate knowledge of Florida's wild side in a comprehensive collection of the thirty best undisturbed places to explore across the state, providing descriptions of wildlife and recreational opportunities, places to stay, and more. Original.

Discusses the many paddling opportunities available in Florida, including the Florida Ciurcumnavigational Paddling Trail with information about the areas the trails go through and maps of the trails.

Offers maps, descriptions of wildlife and scenery in Florida, a guide to fishing spots, and a list of rental services for novice and experienced paddlers.