Welcome to Hernando County! Maybe the road less traveled… but certainly worth the trip

From its early days of rock mining, blossoming Tangerine orchards, to the swimming “mermaids” of the iconic Weeki Wachee Springs, Hernando County has witnessed the ebb and flow in its economy like many small American towns. Yet the diversity of its communities continues to allure visitors and unsuspecting potential residents to explore the uniqueness of its landscape. From the rolling countryside of Ridge Manor, to the historic county seat of Brooksville, and the extensive growth in Spring Hill, then onward to the Gulf, each community is distinctive yet unified in providing a pleasant alternative to the more populated tourist havens in the state.

Diversity in Lifestyles

There’s no place like home, especially when your home is Hernando County.  Nature’s playground waits just out your backdoor at Hernando Beach, Aripeka, Bayport and Pine Island, where boat lovers enjoy living gulf side or having the ease of waterfront canal homes leading to the Gulf of Mexico.

Brooksville offers a variety of many lifestyles, including historical homes situated on brick paved streets, private communities with all the amenities, and acres of majestic oak and pine trees where horses and cattle find relief from hot summer days.

Residents of Ridge Manor and Ridge Manor West can escape into the bordering lush and untamed Withlacoochee State Forest or gain quick access to travel on I-75. Outlying towns like Istachatta, Nobleton, Masaryktown, and Lake Lindsey provide small community living with untouched natural beauty.

Several golf courses and gated communities attract newcomers to Spring Hill. This community has the largest population in the county with 93,000 residents where neighborhoods of all shapes and sizes offer a variety for those who enjoy suburban living. Conversely, the City of Weeki Wachee holds claim to the Smallest City in Florida, 1.01 square miles, home to twelve residents.

Hernando County offers the benefits of small town affordable living coupled with the efficiency of the Suncoast Parkway connecting to the nearby cities of Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg for work or pleasure making the little hamlets of Hernando a desirable place to call home.

Dining, Shopping & the Arts

From sports to fashion, home décor to home improvement, Hernando has it all close to home. The signs of familiar retailers draw shoppers out of the sun and into the cool interiors of the many  shopping plazas bordering the major roadways: Nature Coast Commons, Suncoast Crossings, Coastal Landing, Coastal Way, and Mariner Square. Locally owned specialty shops and antique stores provide unique shopping with local flair.

When dining out, you can choose from familiar chain restaurants or savor the dishes of local restaurants from Greek, Italian, Thai, Chinese or American. If you are looking for a place to gather, neighborhood sports bars & grills, coffee shops and ice cream parlors are usually just around the corner.

Need a little culture or just want to be entertained? Stage West Community Playhouse offers a full range of productions – musicals, comedies, and tragedies – for you to participate in or just sit back and enjoy.

The Hernando Symphony delights audiences at the Hernando Performing Arts Center and Springstead Theatre. The Symphony is comprised of 70 individuals who volunteer their time to share their love of music.

Audiences are entertained at the Spring Hill Community Association’s Lake House property by the musical stylings of the St. Petersburg Times Concert Series.

• Hernando County Fine Arts – 352.754.4788
• Hernando Performing Arts Center – 352.799.5577
• Hernando Symphony Orchestra – 352.597.9555
• Spring Hill Art League – 352.683.5452
• Springstead Theater – 352.797.7010 Ext221
• Stage West Community Playhouse – 352.683.5113
• St. Petersburg Times Concert Series – 352.666.4746

 Fun in the Sun & on the Water

If you enjoy the great out of doors, you’re in the right place. Not only is Hernando County home to “The City of Live Mermaids” at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, which has been drawing visitors since 1947, but nature lovers embrace all the natural beauty the extensive parks system has to offer.

Parks for sporting events, bicycling, tennis, handball, basketball, picnics, river parks, parks on the gulf, and even a park for your pooch – Hernando County has over 20 developed parks on 340 acres. With 945 acres of open space, there is lots of room to play.

Three multi-functional sports complex parks are available in the county: Anderson Snow Sports Complex, Ernie Wever Youth Park, and Veterans Memorial Park. Each park is equipped with ball fields, picnic areas, and playgrounds.

Bicyclists enjoy connecting to regional bicycle networks via the Suncoast Bike Trail, which borders Anderson Snow Park.

In Spring Hill, Delta Woods offers many shaded picnic areas including a gazebo. Complete with shuffleboard, tennis, handball, basketball, volleyball, bocce ball, playground, horseshoes and a long paved trail, Delta Woods is a great park for family gatherings and great outdoor fun.

Stewy’s Skate Park near Pioneer Park is Hernando County’s only skate park. It offers a variety of ramps and rails to challenge skateboard enthusiasts.

Spend a day at the beach at Alfred McKethan – Pine Island Park located on the Gulf of Mexico, where covered picnic areas, playground, sand volleyball and snack bar compliment sun, sand, and sea.

Rogers Park offers a fresh water beach on the shores of the Weeki Wachee River, where you can swim, canoe, fish, launch a boat, or maybe even spot a manatee! Bring family or friends to spend the day. The park has picnic tables, shelter, barbecue grills, playground, and a volleyball court.

Rotary Centennial Doggie Park encompasses 8-acres with three runs for large, small and service dogs. Additional amenities to include picnic shelters, pavilion, basketball court, volleyball court, playground and walking trail.

Hernando Parks – 352.754.4027

• Alfred McKethan/Pine Island – 10800 Pine Island Drive, Spring Hill
• Anderson Snow Park – 1360 Anderson Snow Road, Spring Hill
• Bayport Park – 4140 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill
• Delta Woods Park – 3400 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill
• Rotary Centennial Doggie Park – 10375 Sandlor Street, Spring Hill
• Ernie Wever Youth Park – 19473 Youth Drive, Brooksville
• Hernando Beach Park – 6400 Shoal Line Blvd., Hernando Beach
• Hill N’ Dale Park -6460 Boxwood Street, Brooksville
• Jenkins Creek Park – 6401 Shoal Line Blvd., Hernando Beach
• Linda Pedersen Park – 6300 Shoal Line Blvd., Hernando Beach
• Ridge Manor Community Park – 34030 Ridge Manor Blvd., Ridge Manor
• Rogers Park – 7244 Shoal Line Blvd., Hernando Beach
• Veterans Memorial Park – 12254 Spring Hill Drive, Spring HillFlorida State Parks – 352.754.6896
• Chassahowitzka Park
• Croom Lake State Park
• McKethan Lake State Park
• Weeki Wachee Springs State Park – 352.592.5656
• Weeki Wachee Preserve State Park
• Withlacoochee State Forest

GOLF COURSES

(*Chamber Members)

Calendar of Events

Annual events in Hernando County draw locals and visitors to experience the unique festivals, shows, and signature events. Additionally there are many ongoing and monthly events including the arts, local market days, and much more. Mark your calendar for the annual events and be sure to check out ongoing events sure to please everyone.

JANUARY

• Brooksville Raid – Sand Hill Scout Reservation
• Red Mule Runners Tri 5K Challenge – McKeathan Lake Park
• Florida Classic Clusters AKC All-Breed Dog Show – Florida Classic ParkFEBRUARY
• Annual Southeast Area Motorcoach Rally – Hernando County Airport
• Heritage Days – Historical MuseumMARCH
• Weeki Wachee Swamp Festival – Linda Pederson Park at Jenkins Creek
• Florida Old Time Music Championship – Sertoma Youth Ranch
• The Will McLean Music Festival – Sertoma Youth RanchAPRIL
• Hernando County Fair – Hernando County Fairgrounds
• Hernando Marketplace Live Shop Play hosted by the Chamber of Commerce
• Blessing of the Fleet – Hernando Beach Yacht Club
• Birding and Wildlife Festival – Chinsegut Nature Center
• Reggae Sunfest – Linda Pederson Park at Jenkins Creek
• Stringbreak Music Festival – Sertoma Youth RanchMAY
• Victorian Mother’s Day Tea – Heritage Museum
• Memorial Day Weekend Bluegrass Festival – Sertoma Youth Ranch
• Art, Craft & Music Festival in The Park – Hernando County Fine Arts Council, Tom Varn Park
• Blueberry Festival – Downtown Brooksville
• Hurricane Expo – Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
• The Spring Lake 5-K (Florida’s Toughest 5-K) is held the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend
• Sunflower Maze – Sweetfields Farm
• Blazin’ Butts n’ Brisket BBQ CompetitionJUNE
• Red Mule Runners Tri 5 K Challenge – McKeathan Lake Park
• Hurricane Expo – Weeki Wachee State ParkAUGUST
• Red Mule Runners 5 K – McKeathan Lake ParkSEPTEMBER
• Bluesapalooza! Music Festivall – Linda Pederson Park at Jenkins Creek
• Labor Day Bluegrass Festival – Sertoma Youth Ranch
• Papa Joe’s All You Can Eat Spaghetti Day – Charity Fundraiser
• Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch – Sweetfields FarmOCTOBER
• Fishing Tournament – Hernando Beach
• Halloween Haunted House – Heritage Museum
• Second Annual Brooksville Cycling Classic – Brooksville
• 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
• Founder’s Week Celebration – Brooksville
• Quilts in the Garden – Nature Coast Botanical Garden
• Spooks n’ Scoots Motorcycle EventNOVEMBER
• Pioneer Day -Chinsegut Nature Center
• Thanksgiving Bluegrass Festival – Sertoma Youth Ranch
• Annual Fall Harvest of Art Show hosted by Spring Hill Art League – Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
• Riverhawk Music Festival – Sertoma Youth Ranch
• Annual Nature Coast Pet Expo – Tom Varn ParkDECEMBER
• Annual Christmas in Hernando – 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
• Withlacoochee Rockhound Gems – Mineral & Jewelry Show

Monthly

Market on Main Street – Every 3rd Saturday except June, July & August

Summer Nights – Downtown Brooksville – 3rd Saturday in June, July & August

All You Can Eat Fish Fry & Music Night – Istachatta – Every Friday night

Haunted Heritage at Heritage Museum – Brooksville - Every Friday & Saturday Night

The Tampa Bay Times Concert Series at the Lake House – Continuing Series

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 - www.hernandochamber.com

Hernando County Extension Service Programs – Homeowners, horticulture, landscaping, FYN, small farms, family consumer sciences and 4H – www.hernandocounty.us/county_extension

Hernando County Fair Grounds – Varied events all year long – www.hernandocountyfair.com

Please note: Events Dates and Locations are subject to change.

For updates on events Contact Hernando County Tourism 800.601.4580  www.naturallyhernando.org