Best Places to Beat the Heat this Summer

 

At Owen Title Company, we believe it is of the utmost importance to love where you live and support your local community. As such, we make it a point to frequently highlight local places in Tallahassee that deserve your attention, along with new developments in our community.

July has crept up on us all – and with it, record-breaking heat that will have you melting at the first step out of your door. The hottest month of the year is not pulling any punches with temperatures in the high 90s and UV rays at 10! Needless to say, you’re going to need a way to beat the heat. Lucky for you, we’re sharing a few spots to cool off and around the Tallahassee area. Come along for a tour of escapes from the heat that will ensure a fun day in the water. 

Wakulla Springs: The Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park is home to one of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs, the sapphire water of Wakulla Springs boasts manatees, alligators, and a host of diverse wildlife that can be viewed from a riverboat or the diving platform. Wakulla Springs is a historical site that stretches back thousands of years, from early Native Americans who lived in shoreline villages to filmmakers who recognized the primeval quality of the park’s swamps and wildlife when they decided to film Tarzan’s Secret (1941) and Creature from the Black Lagoon (1945). Visit the coolest place around. Wakulla Springs at 465 Wakulla Park Dr. Crawfordville to swim where mastodons once roamed or take a guided boat tour where dugout canoes once glided across the cool waters. 

 

Shell Point Beach: Located in the community of Shell Point, Shell Point Beach is a beautiful white-sand beach with some pebbly portions, patches of grass, and a few trees. Shell Point Beach offers a plethora of amenities including restrooms, a pavilion, a volleyball court, a boat ramp, and multiple sun shelters. Interested in sailboarding? The Shell Point Yacht Club offers sailboarding lessons for beginners at the eastern end of the beach. And the best part is, getting to Shell Point Beach is easy –near 117 Beaty Taff Drive and is easily accessible from Wakulla County Road 365. Visit Shell Point Beach for a day of tanning, swimming, sports, and more in a quaint beach town.

 

Trousdell: The Randy Trousdell Aquatics Center is a public amusement center with a 50-meter pool that offers 14 swimming lanes to the public along with slides and a playground. This prized destination is perfect for families all around the city looking to beat the heat. While the center’s hours may differ for holidays, weekend hours are always the same with Saturday’s hours being 7 am to 5 pm and Sunday’s hours being from 10 am to 4 pm. Make your splash at Trousdell Aquatic Center at 298 John Knox Road! 

 

A bit farther but worth it: 

Madison Blue Spring State Park: 82 feet wide and 25 deep, the springs at Madison Blue Spring State Park twinkle inviting you in for a refreshing swim. It bubbles up into a limestone basin along the west bank of the Withlacoochee River. Along with the scenic woodlands of mixed hardwoods and pines create a picturesque setting for picnicking, paddling, and wildlife viewing. Visit this family favorite destination and No. 1 swimming hole in the country voted by USA Today at 8300 FL-6, Lee, Florida. 

 

 

Bear Paw: Located at 2100 Bear Paw Ln, Marianna Florida, Bear Paw Adventures is the destination for tubing, kayaking, and canoeing. Get ready for an adventure on the beautiful Chipola River. Bear Paw Adventures offers all kinds of fun on the river from full-service river float trips to canoeing all day long. They even offer a three to four hour tubing trip, which can easily make a day trip. Come visit this absolute watersports paradise with excursions for everyone, from the expert to the amateur! 

Ichetucknee State Park:

Imagine an underwater world, deep, cool, and inviting. The Ichetucknee State Park is exactly that, featuring the famous Blue Hole Spring, also known as the Jug Spring by the cave diving community. It is the only first-magnitude spring located within the park and is one of many springs that feed the magnificent Ichetucknee River. With water that remains a constant 72 degrees year-round, this spring is perfect for the hottest of summer days. Submerge into the deep cyan waters to discover another world, shared with many other species of turtles and fish. Visit Ichetucknee State Park at 12087 S.W. U.S. Highway 27 Fort White, FL 32038 for an experience you’ll never forget. 

We all need an escape from the heat and whether you love getting your tan on or being the largest “cannonball!”, there are plenty of places to make a splash. Check out our recommendations and let us know your favorite spots! 

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