Considered by the Florida Park Services to be the oldest attraction in Florida, glass bottom boat tours allow visitors a crystal-clear view into the hustling and bustling lives of the aquatic creatures below. Silver Springs, one of Florida's many clear blue oases, is famous for these boat tours and, as of recently, has added a dedicated wheelchair-accessible boat to its fleet of nine. Now more people than ever will be able to enjoy an array of flora, fauna, and even some artifacts highlighting the rich history and culture of Florida from the inside of a glass bottom boat. According to Silver Springs management, the new boat can accommodate up to 12 wheelchairs at a time. Silver Springs State Park, spanning 4,000 acres in Silver Springs near Ocala, offers 30-minute tours daily and extended 90-minute tours Friday through Monday at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. The 30-minute tour costs $12-13 per person and the 90-minute tour costs $20-25 per person with children under five years old riding for free on both tours. The Florida Park Service recommends booking your tour in advance. The Silver Springs State Park, currently open from 8am to sundown every day, first became a tourist attraction in the 1820s. Then, in the late 1870s, it became the birthplace of the glass bottom boat. This now world famous invention was created by a man named Phillip Morrell and his prototype was simply a piece of glass fixed into the bottom of a rowboat. In 1987 both the Silver River State Park and the Silver River Springs and Environmental Center opened to the public. In 2000, the entrance station became one of the first structures to be built on the Silver River. By October of 2013, the park had been renamed from Silver River State Park to Silver Springs State Park, and it had gained an additional 231 acres, an entrance station, cabins, a campground, a picnic area, a canoe and kayak launch, and its iconic glass bottom boats. The modern-day park also boasts hiking, biking, and equestrian trails; ample accommodations for events like weddings, a restaurant, and plenty of other amenities and experiences you can check out here. Those hoping to visit Silver Springs can learn more on their website here. Article by Ema Tibbetts
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