As the VISIT FLORIDA Family Insider, my family and I have the opportunity to travel throughout the state to experience family-friendly destinations.

This past weekend, we took a short drive over to Homasassa, Florida – home to the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park, where visitors can see wild manatees, flamingos, deer, bobcats, black bears and more.

We also had the opportunity to visit Homasassa Butterfly, an educational center featuring thousands of butterflies.  Maggie and Molly were in awe entering the butterfly greenhouse – we were surrounded by beautiful butterflies. One little butterfly actually sat on Maggie’s hand – I’m so sad I didn’t get a picture of it.  What a great moment!

It was really a great getaway for us – just an hour north of Tampa on the Gulf Coast of Florida.   We really loved showing our girls a hands-on look at some beautiful animals and experience a town that was new to all of us.   It’s definitely a place we’ll be visiting again.

Have you been to Homasassa Springs, Florida before?   Or a wild manatee?

Tell me what you saw this weekend…