It's no coincidence that some of Florida's oldest theme parks lie in the center of the state, as this was once the primary route to Southern Florida from the north. Before Interstates, most visitors drove down Highway 27, which stretches from Georgia to Miami. But there was one attraction northeast of Ocala that pulled them slightly off the beaten path.

When I reach Silver Springs Nature Park, I find the water a blue hue unlike any natural color I've seen. I would think it had been dyed if n...