Silver Springs Nature Theme Park - Ocala, Florida - Family Theme and Nature Park

Silver Springs Nature Theme Park is a family-oriented amusement destination located in Ocala, Florida. It is billed as a destination capable of offering visitors a wide and varied experience that goes well beyond what you would expect from a typical theme park or nature-oriented destination. Attractions include but are not limited to a selection of thrill rides, a varied collection of wildlife exhibits, beautiful botanical gardens, and even the opportunity to take in a river cruise. The park also claims to provide guests with a taste of what life was like in the area over 10,000 years ago and cites the resident springs (which pump out close to 550 million gallons or water each day) as the highlight of the park.

The wildlife exhibits are probably the main draw for visitors to Silver Springs and provide an exciting and educational glimpse into the inhabitants of the local environment. Big Gator Lagoon, for instance, is the park's one-acre Florida swamp habitat, home to several dozen of the state's largest and most impressive alligators. Panther Prowl offers nature enthusiasts and photography buffs the chance to shoot and observe the great Western cougar. The World of Bears is considered to be the largest bear exhibit of its type in the world and consists of a two-acre outdoor habitat that is home to several species of bears including Kodiaks and North American black bears. Ross Allen Island is the place to go if you're interested in the native reptiles, spiders, otters, and other wildlife of the area. The Kritter Korral is the park's petting zoo where visitors of all ages can pet and feed animals such as goats, rabbits, donkeys, and turkeys.

The rides and interactive activities are also considered a park highlight by many visitors and guests. The Lighthouse Ride is described as a cross between a carousel and a gondola ride, offering riders a bird's eye view of the park from 80 feet up in the air. The Kids Ahoy Playland is the park's interactive play area and includes a Ferris wheel, miniature motorboats, crawl tubes, slides, and a carousel. There are also many opportunities to take in a wildlife show while you're within the park as well. Shows revolve around different wildlife themes such as venomous snakes, local avian life, and reptiles of the world.

Silver Springs is also well-known for the riverboat cruise excursions available to visitors. The glass bottom boats allow riders a unique and breathtaking view of the Silver River waters. Several species of fish can be observed, as can alligators, crawfish, shrimp, snails, and turtles. The Fort King River Cruise focuses on the 10,000 year history of the area and includes exhibits such as a working archeological dig site, the Fort King Army stockade dating back to the 1830's, and a riverboat dock and train depot. The Lost River Voyage is similar, but focuses more on the rich history of the wildlife in the area.

The Silver Springs botanical gardens round out the overall experience nicely and feature more the 138 varieties of both exotic plants and plants native to the area. Take a walk on a winding path just made for leisurely walks, photo opportunities, and nature-watching. The gardens are also a popular location for events like weddings and gatherings.