DELAND: Centrally located between Orlando and Daytona Beach, St. Johns River Country encompasses 14 distinct communities along the St. Johns River, each thriving with historical, cultural and natural charm. Historic landmarks, cultural attractions and a variety of unique accommodations and eclectic restaurants make this a popular spot for visitors.

OTHER PLACES Boca Raton Bonita Springs Bradenton Brooksville Clearwater Captiva Island Charlotte Harbor Cocoa Beach Daytona Beach Daytona Beach Shores DeLand Destin Emerald Coast Everglades Ft Lauderdale Flagler Beach Fort Myers Fort Myers Beach Fort Pierce Fort Walton Beach Gainesville Gulf Islands Hollywood Jacksonville Key Largo Key West Kissimmee Lake Buena Vista Lake City Lakeland Marco Island Marianna Melbourne Miami Miami Beach Naples Ocala Orlando Ormond Beach Panama City Pensacola Plantation Pompano Beach Punta Gorda Sanibel Sarasota Sebring Siesta Key Space Coast South Walton Beaches St Augustine St Petersburg Tallahassee Tampa Titusville Vero Beach West Palm Beach

The area is known for its many unique vacation experiences, including houseboating excursions, skydiving, the southeast’s oldest active religious community, day trips to many area springs, and endless outdoor recreation on the St. Johns River. Each diverse community has its own small town character, and reveals a glimpse of its own piece in Florida’s fascinating history. DeLand, for instance, known as the ‘Athens of Florida', serves as the county’s epicenter of cultural, educational and historical treasures. It is home to Stetson University, the DeLand Museum of Art, Cultural Arts Center and the Volusia County Fairgrounds. The African-American Museum of Art and the 1920 DeLand Memorial Hospital Museum, which was a working hospital until 1948, are also popular stops. For some aviation history, the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum serves as a tribute to all military wars and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 1928 Volusia County Courthouse, with its marble rotunda, art glass dome and murals, and the 1921 Italian Renaissance-style Athens Theater are marvels to visitors as well. Main Street DeLand, a revitalized downtown district, offers many unique shops, art galleries and sidewalk cafes and restaurants. Deltona is one of the newest cities in the county and enjoys influences from many diverse cultures. It is home to the Deltona Arts & Historical Center that pays tribute to the area’s diverse history through art exhibitions, performing arts and cultural events. From the new to the old – Orange City was founded in 1874, and most noted for Blue Spring State Park and the hundreds of manatees that call this spring home in the winter months. The United States Postal Museum and the historic Alling House B&B are also located here. Anglers from around the world visit St. Johns River Country for its trophy black bass fishing. Abundant freshwater fish are found in the area’s lakes, springs, and, of course, in the mighty St. Johns River, including crappie, blue gill, shell cracker, catfish and the ever-popular bass. Several State Parks offer boat slips, and area marinas offer boat rentals, guided fishing trips and the necessities for a day’s excursion on the water with tackle, rods, reels and licenses available. DeBary, DeLand, Deltona and Orange City are home to some of the most pristine golf courses in Central Florida. Designed by golf’s finest architects, St. Johns River Country courses offer rolling hills, lush fairways and an abundance of trees, not to mention the pristine lakes that serve as water hazards. The St. Johns River, at 310 miles in length Florida’s longest river, feeds into Lake Beresford, Lake Dexter, Lake Monroe and many others, making it nature’s ideal playground. Dominated by a shady assortment of live oaks, magnolias, pine, and palmetto, the lush scenery provides an ideal home for native wildlife such as white-tailed deer, gray fox, manatees, alligators, gopher tortoise and more than 200 species of birds. Birding enthusiasts from around the world flock here to enjoy sightings of kingfishers, wood storks, warblers, terns, loons and ducks along the St. Johns waterfront. The wetlands at Lyonia Preserve are alive with wading birds and ducks and also serve as a great location to see endangered Florida Scrub-Jays and redheaded woodpeckers. Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, home to the second-largest nesting colony of the Southern bald eagle, is also the second-largest remigration roosting population of Swallow-tailed kites. Hontoon Island State Park sits on 1,650 acres and is only accessible by private boat or passenger ferry. The park includes a winding nature trail where explorers can spot Mayaca Indian mounds, evidence of the area’s first inhabitants. Primitive camping and cabins are also available. Blue Spring State Park, winter home to Florida’s endangered West Indian Manatee, or ‘sea cow,’ provides ample recreation opportunities with canoeing and swimming in the Spring Run as well as picnic and camping areas and cabin accommodations. DeLeon Springs State Park, one of Florida’s most popular springs, delivers 19 million gallons of water daily and offers visitors swimming, diving and hiking adventures with access via paddleboat, canoe or kayak to Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge. Like many parts of Florida first populated by Native American Indians, St. Johns River County was first settled by the Mayaca tribeand visitors can discover traces of these original inhabitants through historical sites, artifacts, plantation homes, sugar mills and much more. An eclectic mix of accommodations can be found across St. Johns River Country. DELAND DAYTONA BEACH DAYTONA BEACH SHORES

Getting there: Daytona Beach International Airport is located only 30 minutes east on US 17-92 in Daytona Beach. Orlando Sanford International Airport is 45 minutes away and Orlando International Airport is one-hour west off Interstate 4. Amtrak provides regularly scheduled service to DeLand’s historic train station in the heart of St. Johns River Country. St. Johns River Country is conveniently located between Orlando and Daytona Beach. From Interstate 95 South, take Interstate 4 westbound to exits 118 through 108. From Interstate 75 South, take Interstate 4 eastbound to exits 108 though 118..

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