Dames and Peace Caves - Unique Florida

As we all know, there are many different day-trips to choose from in our area. Our area offers everything from beaches, springs, hiking, biking and really and natural wonder that you can think of for our state! One unique day-trip that we HIGHLY recommend here in Citrus County would have to be the Dames and Peace Caves which in the Withlacoochee State Forest!

Trail 22 Location and Information

Located just 30 minutes South of the Villages of Citrus Hills gates, this trail-head can be somewhat hard to find if you don’t know exactly where to look. If you’re looking for the correct trail, it’s called Trail 22, off of S. Lecanto Hwy (491).

There are no signs or parking area to let you know you’ve reached your destination, but there is a small peace sign spray painted at the trail-head to indicate you’ve reached it. You’ll usually see a few cars parked on the side of the road as well.

The Dames Caves Trail is an easy 1.2 mile out-and-back trail that brings you right back to the road where your car is parked. Since the trail is only elevated a total of 45 feet, the only climbing you’ll have to do is if you actually want to get in or out of some of the caves. This mild elevation makes for a nice day-hike for any age groups!

Vandal Cave

Two of the most popular caves on this trail are called “Vandal Cave” and “Peace Cave.” Vandal Cave is located if you follow the main trail-head East, and you will stumble across it right in front of you. It may look like a giant hole in the ground at first, as this cave had a roof collapse many ages ago. You are able to look directly down into Vandal Cave and see the bottom!

If you walk around the side of Vandal Cave, you’ll find a smaller cave that grants access into the heart of the beast. After a short climb, you get to experience all the natural beauty of Vandal Cave. At this point, you will also notice why it is called “Vandal Cave” with much of the walls covered in graffiti.

Peace Cave

Peace Cave is located on a sub-trail connected to Trail 22. It’s a short walk from Vandal Cave, and you can make it there in just minutes. You’ll know you’ve reached the cave when you see a giant tree with a peace sign spray painted at the base of the tree. The opening to this cave is more of a squeeze to reach the inside, but it is still very-doable. You’ll also need a flashlight for this one, as there won’t be any light to guide you in this time, like in Vandal Cave!

Once you reach the inside of these underground caves, you’ll instantly feel the temperature drop. If you’re quiet, you can hear the underground waterways passing by. There’s just no place like it.

Visiting Dinosaur World in Tampa

Many benefits come with living just north of a city like Tampa, and one such benefit is that residents of the Villages of Citrus Hills never have to worry about finding fun and exciting activities to keep visiting children occupied. Whether we are talking about kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, or just good friends, one of the coolest places to take any visiting children is Dinosaur World.

This awe-inspiring 20-acre facility is located just east of Tampa in Plant City, which is also known for hosting the Florida Strawberry Festival each and every March. Here you will find more than 200 life-sized dinosaur models, as well as an overwhelming amount of educational information on all things prehistoric.

Getting to Dinosaur World

The fastest way to get to Dinosaur world is to take US-41 south towards Tampa and then use US-98 to connect to I-75 and continue heading south. As I-75 makes its way down towards the city, you will exit onto I-4 heading east towards Plant City. 

Dinosaur World is located just off of exit 17, shortly before Plant City.

The Dinosaur World Experience

Children absolutely love Dinosaur World, and a big reason for that is that the facility offers an astounding number of activities to keep them occupied throughout their time at the park.

But before heading to those activities, you might want to take them through the Prehistoric Museum. Here they can see things like dinosaur eggs and raptor claws, as well as a number of other unique artifacts. The Prehistoric Museum also includes the Animatronics Exhibit, where visitors can see life-sized dinosaurs that come to life with sounds and movements.

The Exploration Cave is another educational adventure where children get to interact with a real-life paleontologist who will act as their tour guide as they move through a massive cave, dig site, and workstation. Then, when the kids are ready to get their hands dirty, they can participate in activities like the Fossil Dig, Dino Gem Excavation, and the Bone Yard!

With ticket prices of $16.95 for adults, $14.95 for seniors, and $11.95 for kids, it's actually hard not to get your money's worth with all of the great things to see and do at Dinosaur World.

http://dinosaurworld.com/florida/

Dining Near Dinosaur World - Fred's Southern Kitchen

Dinosaur World encourages visitors to bring coolers packed with their own preferences for food and snacks, but if you are looking for a great restaurant located nearby, just about everyone will enjoy a meal from Fred's Southern Kitchen. Actually, a trip to Fred's for some "Slow Food, Fast" might be worth the drive even if you aren't heading to Dinosaur World!

The buffet-style menu here always contains Jack Black Oak Smoked Pork Ribs, Golden Fried Chicken, Crispy Catfish, Grilled Tilapia, Fresh Vegetables & Casseroles, and Skillet Cornbread. On top of that, there is a rotating list of Daily Entree Specials, as well as a Salad Table and a Dessert Table. And don't forget that all kids 10 and under eat for free on Mondays and Tuesdays!

Since Dinosaur World is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, you could plan your trip on any Monday or Tuesday and include a free meal for the kids at Fred's Southern Kitchen. But even if those days don't work with your schedule, both places are always going to deliver a fantastic experience that is perfect for the whole family!