Homosassa

On Florida's Gulf Coast, near the southern end of Florida's Big Bend, Homosassa is a natural wonder where manatee watching, paddling, scalloping and fishing are the star attractions.

It's home to state parks that include Homosassa's Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park, showcasing remnants of a steam-driven mill that processed sugarcane into syrup, molasses and rum, and revealing a complex tapestry of slavery and a country in turmoil. 

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is a must-do attraction, with a small zoo and an underwater observatory that invites visitors to "walk underwater" beneath the spring's surface to see manatees, fish, and otters frolic in the crystal-clear waters. You can check out the live Homosassa River cam for a glimpse of what's happening now.