Our boys simply could not believe that mermaids are real. So we took them to Weeki Wachee Springs where the mermaids perform underwater ballet. Back in the 1950s Weeki Wachee opened as a tourist attraction by an ex-Navy Frogman who had invented an underwater breathing device. His bright idea was to hold "mermaid" shows for traveling families coming down to sunny Florida.
Today the park is owned by the Florida State Park system and it is in the process of being upgraded. the key attraction is still the mermaid shows that take place a few times each day. We also took a river cruise where we could see all the fish and turtles swimming in the crystal clear water of the Weeki Wachee River. The water from the river is amazing as it is one of the clearest rivers in North America. We also spotted a bald eagle nesting and a rare shore bird called a limpit.
Finally we went to the animal show at the park where we got to see and learn about snakes, turtles and gators. The mermaid show itself is very tasteful and the actresses are basically modestly dressed. You see a lot more exposed at the beach or the checkout line at the grocery store. The show is not about that, but rather about the grace and agility of the performers.
Weeki Wachee is a bit run down but a unique stop, something you wont see in to many places across America. The state park system is working to get the park updated as well. It was actually kind of fun thta is still had a little of its feel from its heyday back in the 1960s.
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