The Shields Painting Difference: Perfection with Every Brush Stroke
Many painting companies in Florida rely on flashy marketing and big promises to try and attract new clients. But when it comes time to work, they fall short of their promises. This is often due to a lack of experience, qualified painters, and a drive to overachieve. At Shields Painting, we do things a little differently than other painting companies in Citrus County. We believe that a professional paint job should be as close to perfect as possible. Our goal is to leave you 100% satisfied, whether we're touching up an old residential paint job or performing a complex commercial project. It might sound simple, but we achieve that goal through honesty, hard work, beautiful results, and reasonable pricing.
As a family-owned and operated painting company in North Weeki Wachee, FL, we strive to provide personalized, professional, and friendly service. Shields Painting has been in business since 1968 for a good reason. Whenever possible, we go the extra mile to make sure our customers are happy. Unlike some of our competition, we want to know all about your house or business painting project: your vision, your preferences, your challenges, and your goals. When we understand your needs, we can present you with a fantastic final product - one that you're proud to show off to friends and neighbors.
At Shields Painting, we combine our extensive experience with time-tested, meticulous painting processes, resulting in the highest quality painting results around. As a painting contractor in Citrus County, we can take on a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial projects in Florida.
A few of our most popular painting services include:
- Interior Painting
- Exterior Painting
- Residential Painting
- Commercial Painting
- Cabinet Painting
- Ceiling Painting
- Fence Painting
- Sign Painting
- MUCH More!
Our commercial, industrial, and residential painting contractors take the proper steps to protect your property and belongings while we work. Our team will clean up after ourselves, so your property is left clean and free of debris when we're done. After all, we think there's only one way to do a job, and that's the right way.
Painting Services
Eco-friendly & clean work area.
PDCA Certified Member.
Your Go-To House Painting Company in North Weeki Wachee, FL
Your home is a haven of relaxation and solitude. It is uniquely you - a place where you can express who you are through style and design. Whether you need interior touch-ups for your crown molding or a new exterior coat of paint, hiring a reliable painting contractor is the best way to get quality results.
At Shields Painting, we know how important it is to have a home that highlights your tastes and personality. That's why we offer an extensive array of residential painting services in Citrus County. As tempting as it might be to try a DIY paint job, without the proper skills and experience, there is a good chance that the results will turn out less than satisfactory.
High-quality painting requires skill, experience, and patience. If you're a homeowner who needs residential painting services but doesn't have the time, patience, or skills to handle the job, look no further than Shields Painting. We offer accuracy, precision, and longevity with each paint job we perform. Our customers choose Shields Painting for their home because they receive:
- Free Quotes with Detailed Project Breakdowns
- Affordable Pricing
- Expert Painting Contractors
- High-Quality Paint Products
- Combo of Traditional and Modern Techniques
- Well-Maintained Tools
- Unmatched Craftsmanship
- Friendly, Personalized Service
- Good Old-Fashioned Hard Work!
The majority of our house painting services come in two forms: interior and exterior.
Interior Residential Painting
As an interior painting contractor with decades of experience, our expert technicians have developed an interior painting process that maximizes quality and emphasizes customer satisfaction. We understand that interior painting goes beyond aesthetics. It protects your ceilings and walls and helps you sustain a healthier place to live for your family. When only the finest craftsmanship will do inside your home, Shields Painting is here for you.
Our seasoned team of painting experts and craftsmen is dedicated to respecting your space and providing you with the look and feel you're craving inside your home. Whether you bought a new house and want to make it your own or need minor touch-ups but have no time, Shields Painting is ready to tackle the job, no matter how small or large.
Unlike some painting companies, our interior house painters take the time to get the details right, every time. For instance, color is only one aspect of your interior paint job. The paint sheen or finish is just as important. Certain finishes are better for living rooms and bedrooms than in kitchens and bathrooms. We'll help you find the right finish and paint colors for your home, so you don't have to worry about touch-ups or repainting.
Some of our most popular interior house painting services include:
- Ceiling Painting
- Popcorn Ceiling Removal
- Living Room Painting
- Bathroom Painting
- Basement Painting
- Color Consultations
- More
Cabinet Painting
Citrus County cabinet painting deserves its own section on this page because it requires more time, skill, and quality paint than most sections of your home. If your home's cabinets are built into its woodwork, replacing them can be obnoxiously expensive. Compared to the cost of installing new cabinets, painting your kitchen cabinets is much more affordable.
At Shields Painting, we specialize in transforming old cabinets into new, gorgeous features that are just as usable as they are beautiful. Each step of our cabinet painting process is meticulous and thorough. And we'll take care of the entire job, from cleaning, prep, and sanding to priming, painting, and reassembly. This unique service lets you enjoy a brand-new look in your kitchen without having to go into debt by replacing your cabinets.
Whether your cabinets are new, but you want to change their color or you'd like to transition wood cabinets to a painted finish, Shields Painting has the expertise and experience to give you a new look you'll love.
Exterior Residential Painting
Your home - it's a place that not only keeps your belongings safe. It protects your family and loved ones, too. It's one of your largest investments, and like anything else of value, it should be protected. However, Florida weather can take a toll on your home's structure and paint, lowering your home's value and even putting your family at risk.
While it's true that a beautiful exterior affects your house's value, it shouldn't take thousands of remodeling dollars to make a positive change to your home. There's a fine line between reasonable pricing and top-quality painting, and that sweet spot is what Shields Painting aims for. If you want to transform how your friends and neighbors see your home, never underestimate the power of a professional paint job.
Our exterior residential painting services are designed to boost curb appeal, give your home a fresh look, and help it stand up to Florida's unique weather. But we provide more than that. When you hire Shields Painting for your outdoor painting project, you will enjoy peace of mind in knowing that your home is in truly capable hands. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and help bring out the best in your property, whether you need to re-stain your deck or remove old, peeling paint from your siding.
If you're on the hunt for the very best exterior painting contractor in North Weeki Wachee, FL, look no further than Shields Painting.
Some of our most popular exterior house painting services include:
- Vinyl Siding Painting
- Deck Painting and Staining
- Stucco Exterior Painting
- Wood Exterior Painting
- Porch Painting and Staining
- Soffit Painting
- Fascia Painting
- Window Painting
- Front Door Painting
- Thorough Painting Prep
- More
The Premier Commercial Painting Company in North Weeki Wachee, FL
When it comes to first impressions, your businesses' appearance plays an important role. Your commercial property's paint job factors into its overall aesthetics. A great-looking, well-maintained paint job can mean the difference between a customer walking in your storefront and passing by. Conversely, an old, worn-out commercial paint job can send the wrong message to prospective customers. If you can't take the time to keep up your property's appearance, why would a customer spend their hard-earned money on your products?
The same goes for your businesses' interior paint. Would you want to do business with a company that has peeling paint or unsightly crown molding? At Shield's Painting, our goal is to create a beautiful environment that your customers and employees will love inside and out. When you work with our business painters, you can rest easy knowing we treat your business like it were our own. We always clean up after ourselves and know that operations cannot come to a halt just because we're painting. As such, we'll work with your busy schedule to ensure the job gets done right the first time without disrupting your day-to-day commitments.
With decades of commercial painting experience, we know the demands of a commercial painting project necessitate a disciplined and focused approach from the start. Our team of business painters is committed to delivering quality, on-time results on every project, every time - no excuses
We offer professional business painting services to a variety of building types, including:
01
Industrial Painting
A high level of care and finesse are required to effectively paint an industrial property. At Shields Painting, we know that industrial paint jobs involve much more than aesthetics. That's why our industrial services are customized to your specifications, using industrial-grade materials that stand up to heavy-duty operations.
02
Retail Store Painting
Our commercial painters apply effective, yet appealing interior and exterior paint that stand up to the daily rigors of busy retail environments.
03
Small Business Painting
Do you own a restaurant franchise? Have a small "mom and pop" location that needs a fresh coat of paint? Shields Painting has the resources and reliability to efficiently get the job done the first time. That way, you can focus on serving your customers, not having your business repainted.
04
Healthcare Location Painting
From walk-in clinics to long-term care facilities, Shields Painting is sensitive to your patients' needs. We know you must protect your patient's privacy while maintaining productivity. Our approach to healthcare location painting centers around your schedule to avoid disruptions in care.
05
Apartment Complex Painting
Erase signs of wear and make your apartment complex or multi-family building a more desirable place to live with a stunning, professional paint job.
Florida's Most Trusted Painting Contractor
Shields Painting has been in the business since 1968. In a world where so much has changed, we are proud to uphold the ideals that make us successful: hard, honest work, getting the job done right, and excellent customer service. Providing you with trustworthy, quality work will always take priority over rushing through a project to serve the next customer. That is just not the way we choose to do business.
As professionals dedicated to perfection, we strive to provide a unique painting experience for every customer - one that focuses on their needs and desires instead of our own. Whether you need residential painting for your home or commercial painting for your business, we encourage you to reach out today to speak with our customer service team. Whether you have big ideas about a new paint project or need our expertise and guidance, we look forward to hearing from you soon.
352-212-1533Free Consultation
Latest News in North Weeki Wachee, FL
I went to Florida’s west coast looking for mermaids – here’s what I discovered
Tracey Davieshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/north-america/united-states/florida/i-went-to-floridas-west-coast-looking-for-mermaids/
Legs encased in shiny blue Lycra and powered by a monofin, I dipped and dived through the warm spring waters like a dolphin. Here in Florida, I couldn’t help but picture myself as something from The Little Mermaid. Admittedly, at 51 I’m more akin to Ursula the Sea Witch than youthful Ariel, but to quote Sebastian, the film’s crooning crustacean: “We got no troubles, life is...
Legs encased in shiny blue Lycra and powered by a monofin, I dipped and dived through the warm spring waters like a dolphin. Here in Florida, I couldn’t help but picture myself as something from The Little Mermaid. Admittedly, at 51 I’m more akin to Ursula the Sea Witch than youthful Ariel, but to quote Sebastian, the film’s crooning crustacean: “We got no troubles, life is the bubbles, under the sea.”
Disney’s new live-action remake of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale will no doubt inspire a new wave of wannabe sirens. But I harbour nostalgia of my own for the genre: a child of the Splash! era, I longed to be Darryl Hannah, falling head over fin in love with Tom Hanks.
The Mermaid Camp at Weeki Wachee Springs, on Florida’s Gulf coast, might be the closest I’ll ever get. Decades before Disney moved in, the mermaids here were the state’s original theme park attraction. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park – which incorporates Buccaneer Bay waterpark and a river cruise – sings with retro Floridian charm, from the candy-hued mermaid theatre and crumbling stone statues to the pirate-themed snack shacks.
The mermaid show – which takes place here 365 days a year – celebrated its 75th anniversary last year (although celebrations were pushed in 2023 due to hurricanes), marking three-quarters of a century since the first show in 1947. The idea came from Newton Perry, a former US Navy officer who invented a unique way of breathing underwater using compressed oxygen, inhaled through free-flowing pipes. Newt, as he was known, cleared the spring of rubbish and carved an auditorium out of limestone. The stage was set for his pod of mermaids, who would perform shows in the water, aided by discreet puffs from the oxygen pipes.
Still using the same technique today, the mermaids perform three 45-minute shows a day. One weekend a month, the park hosts the Sirens of the Deep Mermaid Camp, led by the Formers, a group of mermaids who performed between the 1950s and the 1980s.
Florida
Weeki Wachee Springs
State Park
Hernando Bay
FLORIDA
Gulf of Mexico
Tampa
30 miles
“I was 17 when I first became a mermaid,” said Vicki Smith, a sprightly 83-year old who ruled the Weeki waves between 1957 and 1962. “Being underwater is so quiet and serene. It’s like heaven for me. Our motto was “once a mermaid, always a mermaid”.”
Vicki and her pod of mermaids – Becky, Cheryl, Bev, Rita and Mirt – giggle away as they show our group of eight novice “guppies” the ropes. I’m relieved to hear we’re not allowed to breathe from the air pipes – it takes weeks of training and a scuba diving qualification – instead, we spend 30 minutes at a time in the water in our tails learning the basic underwater ballet moves, including spins, backward flips and, most importantly, how to smile underwater. It’s basic stuff, but the professionals would perform complicated underwater tricks like eating a banana or drinking a bottle of pop. “Back then I could hold my breath for three and a half minutes,” said Becky.
The natural spring is a constant 23C, and the mermaids share their underwater stage with various sea creatures, including turtles and garfish, with the odd sharp-toothed predator known to make an appearance. “We had a special hand signal if an alligator swam into the spring,” grinned Vicki. A fact I’d rather not know.
My camp is a mix of best friends, mothers and daughters, and single women from all over the country. “My parents came here in 1969 and I’ve always dreamed of coming,” said Tracy, an artist from Gainesville, Florida. “I’m recently divorced, so now I can do whatever I like. And I want to be a mermaid!”
For an authentic taste of Old Florida, Weeki Wachee is pretty hard to beat. Although only a 45-minute drive north of busy, cosmopolitan Tampa, this corner of Florida is all about the whimsy. Aside from frolicking with mermaids, you can swim with manatees (nature’s mermaids) in Crystal River, visit Spongeorama in Tarpon Springs, the sponge diving capital of the world or join the locals scalloping in Kings Bay.
I stayed in Neptune’s Grotto (rooms from £71), a kitsch former motel on the banks of a river, which has mermaid-themed rooms. It’s a short drive from Hernando Beach, where there’s a handful of lively bars, including Lazy Lizard (00 1 352-293-3307), which promises pumping reggae and beakers of “fat and juicy” cocktails.
Feeling the pressure of training with the legendary mermaids of Weeki Wachee, I booked myself a pre-camp mermaid lesson in Crystal River, a 30-minute drive north of Weeki Wachee. A charming coastal town fed by the region’s 70 freshwater springs, Crystal River Watersports offers SSI certification in mermaiding (sessions from $55/£44). At Hunter Springs public beach, qualified mermaid instructor Lauren Brady taught me how to swim with a tail, duck, dive and blow mermaid kisses underwater.
Crystal River is also home to The Mertailor, the world’s first tailor for merfolk, which has recently expanded into a full aquarium with daily mermaid shows. Owner Eric Ducharme is celebrating 20 years of making mermaid-inspired attire and proudly cites Lady Gaga and Ru Paul as clients. “When I was a little boy, I fell in love with the mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs. I started making tails and throwing myself in a pool and before I knew it, I was performing at Weeki Wachee Springs and making their tails, ”he said.
But mermaids are far from the only draw here. Manatees flock to the warm springs of Crystal River each winter, earning it the nickname the ‘manatee capital of the world’. Centuries ago, these gentle giants were often mistaken for mermaids by tired seamen. After witnessing a trio of manatees surface off the coast of Haiti in 1493, Christopher Columbus wrote in his journal that “[mermaids] were not as beautiful as they were painted”.
An emblem of Florida, these charming, whiskered sea cows are protected by state and federal law and Crystal River is the only place in Florida where it’s legal to swim with manatees. However, it’s not a free-for-all, and it’s important to choose a sustainable tour, such as Salty Sirens (from $79). After a lunch of alligator mac ‘n’ cheese from the Seafood Seller bar and diner, I headed down for a three-hour boat trip, where Captain Jess explained how to behave in their habitat – watch from a safe distance, adopt the freeze-and-float position and don’t touch. However, once in the water, the inquisitive, friendly beasts had other ideas, brushing up whisker-close to say hello.
Perhaps the Formers’ mantra of “once a mermaid, always a mermaid” still rings true.
How to get there?
Tracey was a guest of Visit Florida, Florida’s Adventure Coast and Discover Crystal River.
Sirens of the Deep Mermaid Camp offers weekend camps from £455 (US$575).
British Airways flies direct from London Gatwick to Tampa, with return fares from £402.
A seven-night fly-drive holiday to the Gulf Coast with British Airways Holidays starts from £624pp, including return flights to Tampa from London Gatwick and car hire.
Weeki Wachee advocates say the central Florida river is being loved to death
Steve Newbornhttps://news.wfsu.org/state-news/2023-05-11/weeki-wachee-advocates-say-the-central-florida-river-is-being-loved-to-death
The Weeki Wachee River is where the Florida of the past flows headfirst into the Florida of the present. It has mermaids and manatees with propeller scars.Water the color of emeralds rumbles under a crush of boats, pontoons and kayakers. On its south banks, bald cypress, palms and oaks tower over a wildlife management area. To the north, homes with protruding docks bear signs advertising vacation rentals.The Weeki Wachee, many local residents say, is being loved to death....
The Weeki Wachee River is where the Florida of the past flows headfirst into the Florida of the present. It has mermaids and manatees with propeller scars.
Water the color of emeralds rumbles under a crush of boats, pontoons and kayakers. On its south banks, bald cypress, palms and oaks tower over a wildlife management area. To the north, homes with protruding docks bear signs advertising vacation rentals.
The Weeki Wachee, many local residents say, is being loved to death.
George Foster drives about a mile through pristine forest, then gets out of his pickup to walk over a fallen tree. The sound of music from partying boaters hits you first, before you can see the crush of boaters on a Sunday afternoon.
Foster, who owns an environmental consulting firm in Brooksville, co-owns a large, undeveloped lot on the north shore of the Weeki Wachee.
"I've lived here all my life," Foster said. "And this river is a mere shadow of its former self. It's nothing like it was when I was a kid. Nothing."
It's just another weekend when he walks to the riverbank and points to boaters moored on a sandbar that’s getting bigger as the shoreline erodes at the foot of his property.
"The edge of the river went out at least 20 feet — maybe 25 feet — beyond where it goes today, just five years ago," Foster said. "Now, everybody just crashes their boats into the banks, canoes, kayaks, whatever, party here, crawl out ... you know, just abuse the hell out of it."
Foster points to a pair of men’s underwear hanging from a tree branch on his property.
He says there's not a blade of eelgrass that manatees feed on left in this stretch of the river.
Foster supports Hernando County's proposal to ban boaters from anchoring or leaving their watercraft. The ban would cover roughly two miles between the boundary of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park — where mermaids have frolicked in the water for75 years — to the popular Rogers Park boat ramp.
Not so fast, the state said. Instead, it wants to make 20 sandbars in that stretch off-limits to mooring.
"If you ban the people from the point bars, they're not going to go home, they're just going to move their party down the river, up the river, to a place that's legal, and destroy that part of the river," Foster said. "So it's just stupid to think that you can limit activity to certain areas on the river. The whole river's got to have the same protection."
John Allocco, chairman of the Hernando County Commission, has been pushing for a plan that would do just that.
"There is nobody who can honestly look at this plan that's been given forth after ours was denied — and Florida Fish and Wildlife modified it — there's nobody that can look at this and think that it's enforceable or that it will actually do anything to protect the springs," said Allocco.
The Hernando County study says the river is getting so much use that shorelines are eroding, as people get out of their boats and trample sand bars. The sand is flowing into the middle of the river, making it too shallow in places for manatees to glide. And trees are falling into the river because of the erosion.
When asked for comment, officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission referred to their proposal. There, they acknowledged that prohibiting mooring at the 20 sandbars could cause people to moor outside that zone — meaning they might have to "revisit" the rule in the future.
Allocco said they're stating the obvious.
"So there's a sign that says you can't moor on this point bar," Allocco said. "So what are you going to do? You're going moor adjacent to it and walk on to the point bar. So you're just destroying it."
The county is working with state officials in other ways to protect the river. Allocco says millions are being spent to hook up thousands of homes with septic tanks in the river basin to a central sewage system. This would reduce the amount of nutrients flowing into the river in an effort to reduce algae blooms that darken the otherwise gin-clear springs.
"There's so many other things that we're spending money on to protect this river. And what's the point of spending all this money to protect the river if you're not going to actually protect the river?" Allocco said.
John Prout says he’s been enjoying the river for over 20 years. Recently, he says he's seen a lot more manatees here than in decades past — even though the seagrasses they feed on are being trampled by feet and smothered by algae.
A short visit to the river yielded views of three manatees — a mother and her baby, and another one bearing propeller scars.
Prout is hanging out on the dock of the residence he shares with other renters. Behind him and his friend William Vislocky, there’s a sign on the dock dubbing it the No Tell River Hotel. Behind are signs saying "nude beach" and "manatee spear rentals."
Prout says he wants as many people as possible to enjoy the river — just like he has for decades.
"A lot of these people that have been here for a long time. They were used to it being more peaceful and not as many people out here, not as much chaos," Prout said. "And that's great and all, but things change. And now there's more people here. And they want an excuse to get rid of them. They don't want the people here. They want it all to themselves."
Allocco says the county’s plan doesn’t restrict people from enjoying the river; it protects it for future generations. If the state moves forward with its proposal at Thursday’s meeting, he says he’ll appeal to state lawmakers.
Copyright 2023 WUSF 89.7. To see more, visit WUSF 89.7.
Weeki Wachee Springs Is Hiring Mermaids To Carry On A Florida Tradition
Bill Bortzfieldhttps://news.wjct.org/first-coast/2019-04-15/weeki-wachee-springs-is-hiring-mermaids-to-carry-on-a-florida-tradition
Here’s a job opportunity that doesn’t come along every day.Weeki Wachee Springs State Park will be holding mermaid auditions.The mystical creatures have been a star attraction at the park for more than 70 years.Locate...
Here’s a job opportunity that doesn’t come along every day.
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park will be holding mermaid auditions.
The mystical creatures have been a star attraction at the park for more than 70 years.
Located north of Tampa, the Weeki Wachee Springs is one of those old-time Florida attractions that is a throwback to a simpler time. It was one of the nation’s most popular tourist stops in the 1950s and included a submerged theater, below the water's surface, that was built into the limestone.
Although it started out as a privately-owned attraction, it became a state park in 2008.
Park spokesman John Athanason said the last time the park held auditions for would-be mermaids more than 50 applicants showed up but about 60% of them didn’t pass the endurance test. Of the ones that made it through, approximately three were hired.
He said the biggest thing the park looks for in a perspective mermaid is underwater endurance. “The audition process on Friday will begin with an endurance test, where we have the girls swim 400 yards – timed. They must complete it within, I believe, it's around 15 minutes.”
The mermaids perform in one of the park’s springs. “The water is cold at 72 degrees year round. And directly beneath them is the opening from the aquifer where 117 million gallons of water comes out on a daily basis,” said Athanason.
The spring creates a five mile-per-hour current, according to Athanason, but there are other challenges as well. “Then of course you have the native wildlife that might be surrounding them.”
Historic Mermaid Promotional Video From 1961
The job pays $12 an hour. Athanason said most applicants tend to be college students who typically stay with the park for several years.
Once hired, Athanason said the training takes four to six months before a mermaid ever swims in part of a show. “It takes about a full year to know all the parts of the show,” said Athanason.
If you’re a guy who’s always dreamed of becoming a merman, you’re out of luck, at least for now. “If down the road, if we ever develop a new show, that’s something I know that the park has discussed – you know – the possibility of having the first merman at Weeki Wachee,” said Athanason.
The park is currently undergoing scheduled renovations so the mermaid shows are temporarily suspended. Athanason said he expects the shows will resume by June 15, or perhaps a little sooner.
The park will be holding mermaid auditions on Friday, April 19 at 5 p.m. Women interested in applying can download a job application to fill out here. Applicants must be at least 18-years-old and submit their application in advance via this email address. Additional information is available on the park’s Facebook page.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
FLORIDA ROAD TRIPS ON EAST-WEST HIGHWAYS
Mike Millerhttps://www.florida-backroads-travel.com/florida-road-trips-east-west.html
In the old days before the interstates, federal, state and county highways were the only way to get across the state in an east-west direction.There was no I-10 or I-4 back then.Many of these historic routes are still very well maintained and are lesser traveled than the interstates. These highways take you through the places that are still Old Florida.The routes described in these web pages begin in north Florida and continue south starting with US-90 and ending with US-41 in the south.Click on one of these route...
In the old days before the interstates, federal, state and county highways were the only way to get across the state in an east-west direction.
There was no I-10 or I-4 back then.
Many of these historic routes are still very well maintained and are lesser traveled than the interstates. These highways take you through the places that are still Old Florida.
The routes described in these web pages begin in north Florida and continue south starting with US-90 and ending with US-41 in the south.
Click on one of these routes to go directly to its map:
For no particular reason, I always start with the west end of the trip and proceed east.
Needless to say, you can do it the other way around and have just as much fun unless it's late afternoon and you drive into the sunset.
Road Trip 1: US-90 Pensacola to Jacksonville Beach & Ocean: 377 Miles
US-90 is a well maintained Federal highway that crosses Florida in the northern regions and closely parallels Interstate 10. It continues on west through New Orleans and all the way to Texas.
In Florida, the east end of the highway is on the Atlantic Ocean at Jacksonville Beach and the west end is in Escambia County near Pensacola.
The first cross-Florida trip I ever made was in 1960 from Pensacola to Jacksonville Beach. I was being transferred from Naval Air Station Pensacola to Naval Air Station Mayport.
I drove through all these same old Florida towns you will enjoy today. Things have certainly changed, but not as much as elsewhere in the State. You will still get the feel for Old Florida and its Southern heritage.
Some of the towns along this route, from west to east, include:
The links take you to more information on this website about the town you will be passing through. Some pages have hotel and restaurant information.
This convenient link will show you these cities on a single page:
Road Trip 2: Florida SR-20 Niceville to Flagler Beach & Atlantic Ocean: 360 Miles
State Road 20 is signed as such along portions of this route, but it gets hidden sometimes by its other route signs as you drive along. In Tallahassee you will be on US-90 for a short stretch and then US-27 all the way down to Perry.
At Perry you will see the SR-20 signs again and take it all the way to High Springs where it becomes invisible again and follows US-441 into Gainesville.
The road out of Gainesville follows the same route as SR-100 and you can take it all the way to the ocean at Flagler Beach.
You will be immersed in Old Florida along this route, and won't get lost as long as you keep heading for the towns listed below that are on the route.
Niceville - Freeport - Ebro - Clarksville - Blountstown - Hosford - Tallahassee - Capps - Perry - Mayo - Branford - Fort White - High Springs - Alachua - Gainesville - Hawthorne - Interlachen - Palatka - San Mateo - Bunnell - Flagler Beach
The links take you to more information on this website. Some pages have motel and restaurant information and an occasional winery.
This page will show you all the towns: Old Florida Towns on SR-20
Road Trip 3: Florida SR-40 Yankeetown to Ormond Beach: 120 Miles
This trip begins in the little fishing village of Yankeetown on the Gulf just west of Inglis and proceeds through Old Florida on its way through Ocala and the Ocala National Forest to its end at Ormond Beach on the Atlantic Ocean.
On this one drive you can see the total variety that defines Florida:
A marshy coast on one end and white sand beaches on the other; rolling pastures with thoroughbred horses; majestic trees and shrubs of the forest and fish camps on the St. Johns River.
The links take you to more information on this website.
Road Trip 4: CR-42 Pedro to Crows Bluff: 48 Miles
This is one of the prettiest rural highways in Florida. It was formerly designated as State Road 42 and runs from a crossroads called Pedro (west of The Villages) to Crows Bluff on the west bank of the St. Johns River just west of DeLand.
The road is winding and hilly and defines the southern border of the Ocala National Forest.
Some of the places you will go through (including DeLand) are as follows:
Pedro - The Villages - Weirsdale - Altoona - Cassia - Paisley - Crows Bluff - DeLand (from Crows Bluff CR42 hooks up with SR-44 and crosses the St. Johns River and goes on into DeLand.
The links take you to more information on this website. Some pages have motel and restaurant information and an occasional winery.
Road Trip 5: Florida SR-44 Crystal River to New Smyrna Beach: 117 Miles
This one starts in Crystal River, home of manatee watching, and heads across the state through pretty country and small towns.
When you get past Leesburg, you can either stay on combined US-441/SR-44 or take a left and get on SR-44A. You will bypass some of the traffic you would otherwise encounter going through Tavares, Eustis and Mount Dora.
If you don't take the quiet route, you won't be sorry but the scenery isn't as good.
This convenient link will show you 8 of these cities on a single page: Old Florida Towns on State Road 44.
Road Trip 7: Florida SR-46 Mount Dora to Mims: 53 Miles
Mount Dora and Sanford are great towns for dining, shopping and antiques. This road that connects them is through rolling country with lots of open space and beautiful trees.
Until very recently State Road 46 was a quiet back road, but it is becoming busier with each year. The completion of a nearby beltway around Orlando is drawing increasing traffic.
The road becomes quiet again from Sanford east to Mims on the Indian River.
Geneva is an old historic town that's fun to visit and cruise around in.
Same thing with Mims, an old citrus town, that places you in Brevard County just north of Titusville. A good position for exploring the land adjacent to Kennedy Space Center.
Some towns along the way:
The links will give you more information about the towns.
Road Trip 8: Florida SR-50 Weeki Wachee to Titusville: 141 Miles
This route is largely rural except for the congested stretch as you pass through the metro Orlando area.
I still like to go the old way even though the traffic is pretty heavy from Clermont through Orlando to Union Park. This trip brings back memories for me of the days before Walt Disney World came to town.
Weeki Wachee - Spring Hill - Brooksville - Tarrytown - Linden - Mabel - Mascotte - Groveland - Clermont - Winter Garden - Ocoee - Orlando - Union Park - Bithlo - Christmas - Titusville
Road Trip 9: Florida SR-52 Bayonet Point to Dade City: 33 Miles
Once you leave the heavy traffic on US-19 south of Hudson, your trip east will take you through some very quiet countryside.
You should stop in St. Leo and visit the beautiful campus of St. Leo University.
Bayonet Point (Hudson) - San Antonio - St. Leo - Dade City
Road Trip 10: Florida SR-60 Clearwater Beach to Vero Beach: 163 Miles
This route is very congested until you get east of the Tampa metro area just east of Brandon. From there to Vero Beach you will see millions of acres of ranch land, groves and small towns worth stopping in and visiting.
Road Trip 11: Florida SR-70 Bradenton to Fort Pierce: 148 Miles
Patrick Smith wrote a classic Florida novel titled "A Land Remembered".
He was writing about the ranchers that still operate along this route through Florida cattle country. You will see miles of cattle land and some real cowboy towns.
This convenient link will show you 10 of these cities on a single page:
Road Trip 12: Florida Cracker Trail Bradenton to Fort Pierce
The Florida Cracker Trail is a historic route that early pioneers used for driving cattle from range lands in the interior of the state to salt water ports for shipment to other destinations. These days you can follow the route by car or horse.
Road Trip 13: Florida SR-80 Fort Myers to Palm Beach: 123 Miles
This route takes you through vast acreages of citrus groves and the eastern half is reclaimed land south of Lake Okeechobee that produces much of the world's sugar cane.
Fort Myers - Alva - LaBelle - Clewiston - Belle Glade - Wellington - Royal Palm Beach - West Palm Beach - Palm Beach
Road Trip 14: US-41 Naples to Miami: 113 Miles
US-41 is a federal highway that runs from Brickell Avenue in Miami all the way north to Copper Harbor in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
The portion of this highway from Naples to Miami runs east-west and is called the Tamiami Trail.
Once you leave Naples, you are in the Everglades.
You can take side trips south to Marco Island and Everglades City. At a spot called Monroe Junction you can also go south on Big Cypress Loop Road and visit an Everglades character named Lucky at his place.
Your stops along this route could be:
Click on the links for more information.
Where to See Manatees: 10 Day Trips from Jacksonville
Jacksonville Beach Momshttps://www.jacksonvillebeachmoms.com/where-to-see-manatees/
While the ocean waters may turn cold in the winter, our Florida springs maintain 72 degrees all year long. Because of the warm water, manatees from all over are attracted to the springs. If you’re wondering where to see manatees, there are several great spots that are just a short drive from Jacksonville and there are even ...
While the ocean waters may turn cold in the winter, our Florida springs maintain 72 degrees all year long. Because of the warm water, manatees from all over are attracted to the springs. If you’re wondering where to see manatees, there are several great spots that are just a short drive from Jacksonville and there are even springs where you can swim with manatees. These gentle giants are a sight to see, and in the winter they’re hard to miss as they flock to those warmer waters. If you’re looking to plan a trip, check out our manatee finding map to get you started on finding an area to visit.
Three Sisters Springs is the gem of Crystal River. This refuge includes a boardwalk with multiple areas to view manatees in a natural environment. As a result of the boardwalk, visitors can observe mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians common to a Florida spring ecosystem. Cold winter days bring hundreds of manatees seeking warm water refuge into the springs. Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 3 hours Address: 123 NW HWY 19, Crystal River, FL 34428
Blue Springs is a great state park to visit during the winter. As the air turns cold, hundreds of manatees seeks the warm spring waters. Often there are several hundred manatees visiting during the day. You can see a river full of sea cows and their babies while you stroll along the boardwalk. Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 2 hours Address: 2100 W French Avenue, Orange City, FL 32763
Wakulla Springs is home of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs. The stunning sapphire water boasts manatees, alligators and a host of diverse wildlife that can be viewed from a riverboat or the diving platform. Glass bottom boat tours are available when the water is clear. Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 3 hours Address: 465 Wakulla Park Drive, Wakulla Springs, FL 32327
Looking for a guaranteed manatee sighting?? Homosassa Springs is just the place. Located along Florida’s Nature Coast this state park is absolutely worth a visit. Homosassa Springs State Park serves as a rehabilitation and refuge center for injured manatees as well as other Florida wildlife. The wildlife walk at Homosassa Springs consists of elevated boardwalks that are accessible for visitors in wheelchairs or strollers. Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 3 hours Address: 4150 South Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa, FL 34446
Manatee Lagoon is located Palm Beach County and is a free educational attraction There is a dedicated area for viewing manatees up close. In addition to the viewing area, the lagoon is focused on education. There are engaging, hands-on exhibits for visitors to learn all about manatees. On winter days, the observation deck is a prime spot to view manatees. Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 4 hours Address: 6000 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33407
Manatee Springs has an 800-foot boardwalk runs through a majestic cypress forest overlooking one of Florida’s breathtaking first-magnitude springs. Manatees can be seen in the cooler months, as well as, birds, mammals and fish that are spotted year-round. If you’re looking for where to see manatees, this spring is a great choice. Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 2.5 hours Address: 11650 NW 115 Street, Chiefland, FL 32626
The Merritt Island Refuge waters are a safe harbor and feeding site for several manatees year round. The Manatee Observation Deck is a handicap accessible opportunity to view manatees in the wild. The Haulover Canal connects Mosquito Lagoon and the Indian River, and on the east side of the bridge is a manatee observation area. Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 2 hours Address: Courtenay Pkwy North, Mims, FL 32754
Silver Springs is just under two hours from Jacksonville and is the oldest commercial tourist attraction in Florida?. You can take a tour on their famous glass-bottom boat tours and you’re sure to see some manatees in the cooler months. Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 2 hours Address: 1425 NE 58th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34470
Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach has delivered reliable electricity to the community since 1970. Manatees gather in large numbers in the power station’s discharge canal, where saltwater flows back into the bay. The TECO Manatee Viewing Center is a guaranteed spot to see manatees during the winter. Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 3.5 hours Address: 6990 Dickman Road, Apollo Beach, FL 33572
Weeki Wachee Springs boasts a mermaid show and water park, but if you explore the springs area outside the main park you might be pleased to discover manatees and other wildlife. Rent kayaks or canoes for an experience you’re sure to enjoy. This park is notorious for filling up, so make plans to arrive early. Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 3 hours Address: 6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee, FL 34606