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 A haven for outdoor adventurers Hernando County is the nature lover’s
playground. Weeki Wachee Springs “The City of Live Mermaids” has
been entertaining visitors since 1947. This year marks 61 years of
this unique Florida attraction. Weeki Wachee Springs is one of Florida’s
first magnitude springs with crystal clear water and the worlds only
underwater spring theater. Riverboat tours will introduce you to
the wildlife in and around the river. The adjoining Buccaneer Bay
water park brings summer alive with swimming, waterslides, kiddie
pool, and playground. Special events happen regularly in the park
and nearby. Equipment for scuba diving and canoeing are available
on the premises.
Take on the 6,000 acre tract of the Weeki Wachee Preserve for a day
of hiking, biking, canoeing or kayaking. The Preserve includes miles
of the Weeki Wachee River, portions of the Mud River and seven rock
quarries for fresh and salt water fishing.
Florida is noted for its pink, purple and golden sunsets setting
into the Gulf of Mexico. Join the sunset aficionados at Bayport Park
pier and Pine Island beach. A day at any of our parks is always a
great outlet for family fun. Host a family reunion, a child’s
birthday party or even a wedding in McKethan Lake Park. This park
has three covered pavilions that can accommodate up to 50 guests.
Hernando County offers an impressive park system, with more than
20 developed parks on 340 acres and 945 acres of open space. The
various, well-maintained county parks support a wide array of recreational
activities, from passive casual strolling to active sports such as
baseball, soccer, skateboarding, boating, and swimming. When planning
your next outing, consider stopping by one of these local parks.
Anderson Snow Sports Complex, Ernie Wever Youth Park, and Veterans
Memorial Park are all multi-functional sports complexes that offer
ball fields, picnic areas, and playgrounds. From Anderson Snow Park,
you can link up to the regional bicycle network at the Suncoast Bike
Trail. Delta Woods Park is a large community park, which offers tennis,
handball, basketball, shuffleboard, bocce ball, playground, picnic
shelters, gazebos, volley ball and horse shoes. If a day at the beach
is more your speed then stop by Alfred McKethan/Pine Island Park
located on the Gulf of Mexico or Rogers Park located on the Weeki
Wachee River. Into roller blading or skate boarding? Check out Stewy’s
Skate Park located at Pioneer Park. Hernando County’s only
skate park offers many different ramps and rails. This park also
offers basketball courts, barbeque grills, volleyball, and a playground.
 In Spring Hill the Nature Coast Botanical Gardens includes several
different gardens to walk through and a miniature train exhibit to
enjoy. You may even walk into a wedding in progress at the gazebo.
Anyone for golf? Many beautiful golf courses are available including
public, semi-private and private courses. For
a list of Golf Courses in Hernando County, please visit this page.
Dining, Shopping and Entertainment
As a growing community, Hernando continues to add new venues for
entertainment, recreation and fun. A variety of franchised and
several family owned and operated restaurants provide options for
family dining and sociable outlets. From Mexican, Cuban and Thai
to Greek, Italian, and Chinese even American there’s sure
to be something to satisfy your craving. Neighborhood sports bar & grills,
local coffee shops and ice cream parlors provide a casual place
to socialize in the afternoon or evening. Bowling lanes and movie
theaters can be found in town as well.
Department store shopping is located on Cortez Boulevard, SR 50,
with an array of new stores. Customers can shop for accessories,
new fashions, seasonal gifts and electronics.
Or perhaps catch the latest movie.
 Along
U.S. 19 you’ll find franchise stores for grocery and
appliance shopping and a host of small businesses. JCPenney opened
in March of 2008 as the primary anchor in the new Nature Coast Commons
Shopping Center on Commercial Way, also the future site of Office
Depot and Best Buy. Additional major stores are expected to open
this year.
The new Suncoast Crossings Shopping Center on Spring Hill Drive just
off the Suncoast Parkway exit hosts a Kohl’s. Target is expected
to open in 2009. A sporting goods store, book store, electronics
retailer, grocery chain, furniture outlet and pet store are among
the businesses looking to open in the future.
More and more people are moving to Hernando because it’s close
enough to enjoy city opportunities and entertainment without the
crowded rush or expense of city living. Tampa is only 45 minutes
from here...bringing nightlife excitement and sporting events close
to home. Clearwater Beach is just south of Hernando with its aquamarine
waters and downtown district. Two hours east, Orlando is home to
Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World and Islands of Adventure,
other places for family fun and excitement.
Enrichment Centers for Seniors
For seniors there are two “Enrichment Centers” offering
plenty of opportunities for socialization and inspiration. Activities
to keep you active include exercise, Yoga, Tai Chi, clogging, line
dancing and tap. Seniors play a variety of table games such as Mah
Jong, pinochle, duplicate bridge and rummy. There are clubs for camera
lovers, orchid and violet enthusiasts.
Or if you just want someone to listen, join one of the ongoing support
groups; Parkinson’s, Diabetic, Alzheimer’s, Ostomy, Well
Spouse, Nurse’s and Breast Cancer.
The Department of Veteran Services of Hernando County visits the
Brooksville Center once a week. Driving classes are also offered
and someone to answer questions about Medicare, Meals on Wheels and
Congregate Meals.
For more information contact the Spring Hill Enrichment Center 352.597.6331
or the Brooksville Enrichment Center 352.544.5900.
The ARTS
As culture, art, dance, stage performances and music add more than
a splash of color, organizations for the arts are becoming more
active and visible in Hernando County.
John Leggio’s Center for the Performing Arts offers a host
of dance  instruction classes. New comedies, tragedies and musicals
are performed on stage each month at Stage West Community Playhouse.
From Shakespeare to Woody Allen, Stage West has a full range of stage
productions to participate in or just enjoy the show. Hernando Symphony
Orchestra is a 70 member volunteer orchestra that gives concerts
at the Hernando Performing Arts Center and at Springstead Theater.
New in town, the Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra plans to add to
Hernando County’s cultural growth with a variety of classical,
pop music and dance. The Hernando Broadway Series features professional
touring companies in Broadway musicals, plus student productions
at Springstead Theater. Once a month, the Band Shell Bash in downtown
Brooksville offers an evening of free outdoor concerts for everyone
to enjoy.
In Spring Hill, the St. Petersburg Times Concert Series entertains
audiences at a variety of venues. It is held the fourth Saturday
of the month at the Spring Hill Civic Center’s Lake House overlooking
Hunter Lake. Contact the Spring Hill Civic Association for further
information at 352.666.4746 or visit www.springhilllakehouse.org.
Artistic spirit blooms in Brooksville where colorful murals are
painted along the walls of the buildings. Also, exciting artwork
by local artists can be viewed at the Brooksville City Hall on Howell
Ave. The Spring Hill Art League and Hernando County Fine Arts Council
promote various forms of art in the county including cultural activities
and workshops for professional and amateur artists.
Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra, 352.429.4650
Hernando County Fine Arts, 352.754.4788
Hernando Performing Arts Center, 352.799.5577
Hernando Symphony Orchestra, 352.688.0427
John Leggio’s Center for the Performing Arts, 352.683.8395
Spring Hill Art League, 352.683.5452
Springstead Theater, 352.797.7010 Ext 221
Stage West Community Playhouse, 352.683.5113
St. Petersburg Times Concert Series, 352.666.4746
 HISTORIC Hernando County
The Old South comes to life through Historic Brooksville’s
brick-lined streets and plantation homes. The May Stringer Heritage
Museum, a Victorian Mansion built in 1856, displays over 11,000 original
southern artifacts. A visit to Rogers Christmas House Village is
a visit to Christmas all year round. There are five turn-of-the-century
houses filled with an array of gifts for any occasion. Just a few
blocks away is the Russell Street Train Depot. Built in 1885 it is
the original train station with a pre civil war dining car on view.
Driving thru town you will see the first in a series of five colorful
murals depicting the history of Brooksville.
Community EVENTS
MONTHLY
 Cruise-In, Every 2nd Saturday
Market on Main Street, Every 3rd Saturday
except July & August
Band Shell Bash, Every 2nd Saturday
All You Can Eat Fish Fry & Music Night,
Istachatta Every Friday
night
Haunted Heritage at Heritage Museum,
Brooksville Every Friday & Saturday
Night
The St. Petersburg Times, Concert Series at
the Lake House, 4th Saturday
of almost every month
ON GOING
Brooksville City Hall - Local Artists Highlighted, www.ci.brooksville.fl.us
Chinsegut Nature Center - Various Wildlife Programs, www.myfwc.com/chinsegut
Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce, For more information
visit website www.hernandochamber.com
Hernando County Extension Service Programs for homeowners, horticulture,
landscaping, FYN, small farms, family consumer sciences, 4H, www.hernandocounty.us/county_extension
Hernando County Fair Grounds Varied events all year long, www.hernandocountyfair.com
Hernando County Tourism, www.co.hernando.fl.us/visit/calendar.htm
Fletcher Music Studio, Weekly concerts, show tunes etc., 352.597.5658
Nature Coast Technical High School, Classic music all school year,
352.797.7088
Annual events
Brooksville Raid, Sand Hill Scout Reservation
Flatlanders Challenge 10K and 1/2 Mile Race, Brooksville
Red Mule Runners Tri 5K Challenge, McKeathen Lake Park
Florida Winter Classic Dog Show
Family Motor Coach Assoc. Southeast Rally,
Hernando County Airport
Heritage Days, Heritage Museum
Weeki Wachee Swamp Festival,
Linda Pederson Park at Jenkins Creek
Humane Society Pet Expo, Tom Varn Park
Hernando County Fair, Hernando County Fairgrounds
Old Time Music Festival, Sertoma Youth Ranch
Hernando Marketplace Live Shop Play
Anderson Snow Park
Victorian Mother’s Day Tea, Heritage Museum
Memorial Day Weekend Bluegrass Festival,
Sertoma Youth Ranch
Blessing of the Fleet, Hernando Beach
Art In The Park, Hernando County Fine Arts Council
Red Mule Runners Tri 5 K Challenge,
McKeathen Lake Park
Hurricane Expo
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
July 4th Weeki Wachee Springs, Celebrate America with fireworks at
9:15 PM
Intermezzo Opera Festival at Nature Coast Technical High School
Intermezzo Opera Festival at Nature Coast Technical High School
Red Mule Runners 5 K, McKethan Lake
Labor Day Weekend Bluegrass Festival
Sertoma Youth Ranch
Butterfly Workshop, Chinsegut Nature Center
Fishing Tournament, Hernando Beach
Halloween Haunted House, Heritage Museum
Wild & Wicked Nights,
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Beach Bash hosted by the
Chamber of Commerce
New Residents Reception hosted by the
Chamber of Commerce, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Wags for Wishes Dog Show
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Founder’s Week Celebration
Pioneer Day, Chinsegut Nature Center
Thanksgiving Weekend Bluegrass Festival,
Sertoma Youth Ranch
Fall Harvest of Art hosted by Spring Hill
Art League Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Rock Hounds Gem Show,
SNPJ Hall
Antiques & Handmade Craft Fair
Christmas Parade & Festival,
City of Brooksville
Christmas Tour of Yesteryear, Heritage Museum
Winter Wonderland Christmas Festival
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Angels On High, Spring Hill Community Association’s
Lake House
Holiday Golf Tournament hosted by the
Chamber of Commerce
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