My husband and I are looking for quick little weekend getaways this summer that aren't too far from Tampa. Silver Springs looked like a fun little visit. Would it be too hot to enjoy all the shows and attractiosn Memorial Day weekend? Is it a park best left to the cooler months?

Any must sees at Silver Springs?

No it won't be too hot in May.

The glass bottom boat at Silver Springs park is interesting. However, I think the park is a little pricy, but worth going to.

MUST SEE...Take the drive and go to Tarpon Springs to see the sponges. It is a great fishing village with great Greek food. Fun to just walk around and see them bringi n the sponges.

Hi martikus. I haven't been to Silver Springs since I was little, although I drove through the park about 20 years ago. I'm not sure what attractions are there. Please give us a report when you return.

Tarpon Springs is a good recommendation for weekend getaways from Tampa. Not knowing where you've already gone, the others that I'd recommend are Cedar Key, Homosassa Springs, and Bok Tower. Sarasota is terrific, visit the Ringling Museum and the Marie Selby Gardens. Winter Park in Orlando is one of my favorites, lots of little shops and restaurants in the old town area, and the Morse Gallery of Tiffany art.

I think May gets a little steamy because you don't have those afternoon showers yet. Always take your sunscreen and bug repellent with you. Just in case.

have fun!

We took our kids (11 & 3) to Silver Springs 2 yrs ago and really enjoyed it. Relaxing park with several boat rides - lots of bird and alligator watching. Probably not a full day park, so you could go somewhere else also. I thought everyone else's suggestions were good.

I'm a bit confused about whether you live in Tampa or just happen to be there on weekends for those getaways. My thought was that if you live there, you wouldn't be asking questions about how hot it gets in central Florida, where Silver Springs is located.

If you don't live in Tampa, or even if you do, Busch Gardens in the north side of Tampa makes a fun getaway for half a day. If you like those crystal clear Florida springs, you might want to drive northwest from Ocala along US 27 and look for signs to several nice springs.

While in Ocala, you'll have lots of choices for motels where you can spend the night if you plan to. But for a really nice gourmet restaurant in Ocala, go to Felix's on Silver Springs Blvd (highway 40) just west of the old downtown area.

A short trip north of Ocala will take you to Cross Creek, where Marjorie Rawlings' old home (she of "Yearling" authorship) has now been made a museum. And there's a nice restaurant there named The Yearling that serves good Florida cracker food -- but it's not open every day of the week, so check before making firm plans to eat there because there's nothing else in the vicinity. Cross Creek has all the flavor of old Florida just as Marjorie described it.

Wayne and I agree on something. Stopping by Cross Creek for a little while is a step back in time. If you go, you may want to rent and watch the movie starring Mary Steenburgen before you go.

Seeing that little homestead makes one amazed that anyone EVER settled Florida!

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions. We do live in Tampa, but still getting used to Florida summers so that is why I ask about the climate for outdoor park.

Your other weekend suggestions sound terrific. We hope to fit in lots of day trips/short weekend trips this summer since we're hoping to be busy as new parents in 2006

We had only heard about Tarpon Springs and Ringling Museum so these are some other great ideas to try.

Thanks!