Four must-see Hernando County attractions: Weeki Wachee, Pine Island, Tom Varn, Touchstar

For nearly 60 years, tourists have come to Weeki Wachee Springs' underwater theater to watch the mermaids perform a variety of underwater feats, discretely breathing through air hoses placed strategically in the scenery. That longevity anchors the county’s tourism profile even as local supporters press to preserve the site and its surrounding recreation offerings.

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park remains the headline attraction. Visitors and guides list mermaid shows, Buccaneer Bay waterpark, river paddling, wildlife viewing and kayak access. Promotional descriptions call the site a unique Old-Florida attraction and a spring full of faux mermaids, and point to an on-site waterpark variously named Buccaneer Bay waterpark and Weeki Wachee Springs Water Park. Local materials state that the site is "Operated by the City of Weeki Wachee, population nine, and owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District." Those materials also say the "vintage attraction is showing its age and struggling to survive," and add that "Led by the tiny town's mayor, mermaid Robyn Anderson, supporters have initiated a 'Save Our Tails' campaign to keep the doors open."

The park’s mix of staged shows and river-based recreation has practical implications for Hernando County. Kayak rentals and river paddling draw day visitors and support small businesses that provide boats, gear and shuttle services. If the attraction’s operational model changes, those downstream vendors and the county’s tourism revenues could be affected. Residents who use the Weeki Wachee River for recreation also have an interest in stewardship and access managed by whatever public or private entity oversees the spring.

Beyond Weeki Wachee, Hernando’s outdoor network and neighborhood venues round out visitor options. Alfred A McKethan Pine Island Park, Tom Varn Park, Jenkins Creek Park, Linda Pedersen Park and Roger's Park appear on local attraction lists, as do mapped trailheads such as The Good Neighbor Trailhead, the Withlacoochee State Trail and a Memorial Garden Tree with beautiful wind chimes. Smaller draws include the Citrus Attraction at Boyette Groves, Rogers Christmas House, local antique shops and mainstream entertainment at Touchstar Cinemas - Spring Hill 8. The Croom Wildlife Management Area is also listed as a regional draw.

County context reinforces why these sites matter. Hernando County covers 312,000 acres bordered on the west by the Gulf of Mexico and the Withlacoochee River on the east; materials describe the county as "only 45 minutes to the Tampa -Airport" and position it as a gateway for regional visitors. For residents, that geography underpins a mix of boating, fishing, trail and equestrian recreation as well as the small-town character of Brooksville, the county seat.

Practical next steps for residents: the Hernando County Tourist Development Council can be reached at 1-800-601-4580 and the council is listed as a source for a current calendar of events. Policymakers and civic leaders will need to clarify ownership and operating arrangements at Weeki Wachee, assess fiscal and regulatory responsibilities tied to river and park access, and consider how county promotion and infrastructure can support both preservation campaigns and everyday recreational use. Community engagement in those decisions will shape whether these four must-see attractions remain year-round assets for Hernando County.