Neither an island nor an incorporated city, Grand Island, Florida, makes up for the apparent deception in its name with myriad attractions for travelers. The area is surrounded on three sides by Lake Yale, Lake Eustis and Lake Griffin and provides plenty of Central Florida natural attractions, but the nearby city of Eustis, Florida, gives travelers some indoor options, too.
With countless miles of unspoiled nature surrounding it, Grand Island and its surrounding area unsurprisingly features several nature preserves that provide a glimpse into the wild side of Florida for visitors. Start with the Haynes Creek Preserve, a short drive west of Grand Island, in Leesburg, where you can fish, hike and try to find local birds, such as pileated woodpeckers and prothonotary warblers. Check out some Florida marshland at the Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area located nearby at Lake Griffin for seemingly endless interpretive hiking trails in this more than 7,000-acre area. On weekends from the third week in February until the end of May, you can drive down the 4.3-mile Wildlife Drive, but, outside of those times, you'll have to hoof it. Both areas are open to visitors all year during daylight hours.
Take a five-minute drive east from Grand Island to find the Trout Lake Nature Center. There, you can hike the nature trails and check out a 1,000-foot boardwalk that extends over the lake and ends with a pavilion on the water. Adventurous travelers will enjoy the Adventure Walk, a trail that includes a swinging bridge. When you're worn out from blazing the trails, take a break to learn about Florida's natural history at the Charles Newell Hall and Museum on the 230-acre facility grounds, or enjoy a picnic at the pavilion.
A brief drive south will bring you to the town of Eustis, which is where you'll find Marsh Park. The park offers a boat ramp and water access for a day of fishing, playgrounds and the chance to spot more than 100 species of native Florida wildflowers to visitors. Lake Idamere Park in nearby Tavares, Florida, offers plenty of water access for canoeing and kayaking, as well as a fishing pier and a 2-mile walking trail. You'll also find several outdoor grills and pavilions for a cookout and playgrounds for the kids.
If you grow tired of nature or just want to see something different on your trip, Eustis is a can't-miss location less than 4 miles from Grand Island. Learn about local history at the Eustis Historical Museum and Preservation Society, housed in the Clifford House in downtown Eustis -- built in 1910, the entire building is a historical place. Move on to the Lake Eustis Museum of Art to see exhibits from local artists. The museum has several permanent exhibits and regularly brings in new ones. To round out your day in Eustis, catch a show from the Bay Street Players at the Historic State Theatre. The theater, which, according to its website, is the "longest continual theatre program of its kind in Central Florida," holds a regular schedule of five plays per year.
