Blue Spring, DeLand & Hontoon Island

The largest spring on the St. Johns River — 104 million gallons of 73°F water per day, clear enough to see the bottom at 30 feet. From April through mid-November, kayak rentals are available from Blue Spring Adventures on site and the spring run can be paddled; snorkeling in the spring basin is excellent year-round. From November 15 through March, the run closes to vessels to protect the manatees that pour in from the river — sometimes 400-500 animals — but the boardwalk gives you front-row views of them resting in the warm water from just a few feet away. Plan your activity accordingly: the kayak days and the manatee days are different experiences, both worth it.

A well-regarded craft brewery in DeLand's historic downtown, 10 minutes from Blue Spring — the Spring Run IPA is the house standout, and the food menu (smash burgers, smoked wings, pretzels) is the right post-swim lunch. The outdoor courtyard fills up on weekends; arrive by noon to get a table.

A 1,650-acre island in the St. Johns River accessible only by water — the free passenger ferry runs continuously from the dock on Hontoon Road and takes about two minutes. The island has 1.5 miles of trail through subtropical hammock and pine flatwoods, ending at a replica 35-foot owl totem based on an original carved by the Timucua people who lived here for thousands of years (the original is preserved at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach). The shell mounds on the island's north end are among the best-preserved pre-Columbian earthworks in Florida. Bring water; there are no services on the island.

Locally-sourced comfort food celebrating regional flavors and heritage recipes.