Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 386-985-4212;
www.floridastateparks.org/deleonsprings
; 601 Ponce de Leon Blvd, De Leon
Springs; car/bike $6/2; 8am-sunset)
Fifteen minutes north of town, these natural springs flow into the 28-sq-mile Lake Wood-
ruff National Wildlife Refuge and were used by Native Americans 6000 years ago. Today
they're a popular developed swimming area, great for kids. Water-equipment rentals and
boat tours are available: enquire at the Park Office. Experienced hikers can attack the ro-
bust, blue-blaze 4.2-mile Wild Persimmon Trail, meandering through oak hammocks,
floodplains and open fields.
Deland Hospital Museum
MUSEUM
( 386-740-5800;
www.delandhouse.com/hospital
; 230 N Stone St; 9am-3pm Mon-Sat)
Lovers of things unusual will appreciate this quirky museum, housed in a former hospital.
Its eight galleries and exhibits range from a somewhat unsettling 1920s operating room to
the Hawtense Conrad Elephant Fantasyland - a collection of more than 1000 elephants.
Skydive DeLand
SKYDIVING
( 386-738-3539;
www.skydivedeland.com
; 1600 Flightline Blvd; tandem jumps $179, freefall training
& 1st jump $351)
If plummeting toward earth at speeds of 120mph sounds like a whiz-bang time, you're in
the right place. A short briefing and a seasoned professional strapped to your back is all it
takes to experience the least-boring two minutes of your life above some glorious coun-
tryside with Skydive DeLand. Experienced skydivers can jump solo or advance their skills
at this first-rate facility. It also offers freefall training so you can learn to jump on your
own.
Sleeping & Eating
Most of the cheap hotels are along Hwy 17 (Woodland Blvd), north of New York Ave.
There's camping nearby in Ocala National Forest.
DeLand Country Inn
B&B
(
386-736-4244;
www.delandcountryinn.com
;
228 West Howrie Ave; r incl breakfast $89-119;
)
