Weeki Wachee Springs State Park | Where Mermaids Come To Life

Weeki Wachee is a gem in Hernando County, Florida. If you’ve ever wanted to imagine what it’s like to see a mermaid, this is the closest you’ll ever get! Visit Weeki Wachee and see the mermaids come to life before your very eyes.

This Florida state park is often missed because of a famous mouse that also lives in Florida. Because of this, it may be overlooked. But what many people don’t know is that this was one of the very first attractions that Florida ever had. Weeki Wachee has been open since 1947 and has a lot of historical value that people may not know about.

Our family was recently invited to check out what they have to offer and I was extremely impressed! I remember going as a child once, but as a child, I had no idea what a great park this is. I got a sense of nostalgia and a real sense of Florida’s authenticity. It was exciting to show our boys the real Florida. From natural springs, alligators, manatees, and outdoor activities, Weeki Wachee has it all.

When we visited on this day, I was super excited to see the new Mermaid show. They’ve been here all along, don’t get me wrong, but their new show is one not to miss! They did a great job in showcasing where they started, where they’ve been, and where they are now.

Mermaids

Weeki Wachee — The theater is indoors. However, any water activity/show is subject to the weather cooperating.

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One thing I found very interesting is how much these ladies train to become mermaids. Have you ever tried to hold your breath underwater? It’s hard. Yes, they have a tube to help them, but it’s hard seeing underwater, holding your breath, and looking beautifully graceful and happy all at the same time while performing! They explain some during the show how they do this.

The show we saw is a new show that they were under training. It started out with a ringleader and the movie tune “The Greatest Show” from the movie “The Greatest Showman.” It started off strong and ended strong. If you want a good seat, you don’t have to worry because the indoor theater is stadium seating and it really is not very big to where you won’t have a bad seat. What you do have to worry about is getting to the park early because it can get to capacity and they could close the park off to more visitors. Therefore, my suggestion is to get there as soon as the park is open like we did. You won’t want to miss the mermaid show because this is the most popular attraction!

Buccaneer Bay

Now that I’ve spoken about my favorite part (and most popular part) of Weeki Wachee, let’s not stop there. There is much more to do here! Weeki Wachee is situated on natural springs. This state park makes a great day to lounge, relax, and swim at Buccaneer Bay. Buccaneer Bay is an awesome swimming hole where water slides meet natural springs. The kids love this part of the park! It makes for a great way to cool off in the natural 72-74 degree water, especially on a hot Florida day! Beware though because when we went it was an overcast day and it started to rain and the water seemed A LOT colder than 72 degrees!

Lifeguards on duty!
Lockers available!
Fun slides!

Around The Park

Lunch

You are allowed to bring your own lunch & cooler, but there are a few restrictions so check the website for details before heading out. We brought our own lunch, but there are some great places to dine at if you don’t feel like packing food and bringing extra bags.

Wildlife

Since this is a state park, you will encounter some wildlife roaming freely about the park. The snake was an added bonus to our visit. I don’t do snakes, but my boys & husband enjoyed it.

Playground

If your children need a break from the water, there is a playground they can enjoy. This is a nice touch the park put in because they know many families come here.

Souvenirs & Gifts

I suggest you do this toward the end of your park visit, but don’t forget to take a memento for yourself or a souvenir for loved ones back home. Weeki Wachee has a great shop with many things that will help you remember the great day you had here!