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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Fantastic Orlando Natural Landmarks to Visit

By Helen Gerogette


When travelers think about Orlando in Florida, the first thing that naturally comes to mind are the plentiful amusement parks in the Orlando area, and the shopping opportunities in the central part of the city. Nonetheless many travellers forget that Orlando, situated on the north part of the Florida Everglades, is also base for a just as many natural attractions. For those wanting to discover the wilder side of the the city of Orlando, there are a lot of natural landmarks in Orlando that shouldn't be missed.

Big Tree Park

Found in nearby Longwood, the aptly-named Big Tree Park is home to one of the oldest trees in the world. Named the Senator, the tree rises to an amazing height of 125 feet and is ranked as the fifth oldest tree in the world. The Senator is roughly 3,500 years of age. The Senator is also the tallest tree in the United States east of the Mississippi stream. Another tree in the park, Woman Liberty, stands at 89 feet and is just about as old.

Harry P. Leu Gardens

While touring Orlando natural landmarks, why not stop and smell the roses? The Harry P. Leu gardens feature the biggest rose garden in all of the state of Florida, with over 215 variations to appreciate. The Harry P. Leu Gardens feature among other attractions, a sizeable collection of Camellias, a stunning butterfly garden, and three acres of educational demonstration gardens. Attempt to visit on the first Monday of the month, when admission is free.

The Nature Conservancy's Disney Wilderness Preserve

For those who feel like they can't leave Orlando without seeing the something Disneyland, why not visit the biggest Disney park of all? This 12,000 acre nature preserve was created especially to protect and study ecosystems found at the head of the Everglades. The park is refered to officially as the The Nature Conservancy's Disney Wilderness Park. It is home to several rare species, including the red-cockaded woodpecker, a colony of the southeastern big-eared bat and bald eagles. Some projects at Disney Wilderness Preserve are at the leading edge of wildlife preservation.

Rock Springs Run State Reserve

Situated forty-five minutes north of Orlando, this sprawling state park covers 14,000 acres, including 17 miles of nature trails. The park offers fishing, hunting and camping, along with kayaking, tubing, and horseback rides. For the venturesome, some of the campsites are only accessible by canoe. Call ahead to reserve a campsite.

Bok Tower Gardens

The historic Bok Tower Gardens dates back to the 1920s, where they were established as a botanical garden and bird refuge. Bok Tower Gardens are a must see for those touring Orlando natural landmarks. Found on one of the highest points in peninsular Florida, the Gardens centerpiece is the DecoNeogothic Singing Tower, featuring a carillon of 60 bells. Its woodlands are home to over a hundred bird species and also features a nature trail and museum.




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