Discover all-things citrus at The Showcase of Citrus

Citrus fruits, especially oranges, are a major part of Florida’s economy so what would be more Floridian than a fruity celebration at The Showcase of Citrus, just 15 minutes away from the Disney parks?

An integral part of Florida’s identity, orange and citrus-growing are at the heart of the state’s economy. Second only to Brazil in orange-juice production and the world’s leading grower of grapefruit, there are around 74 million citrus trees in Florida, in some 569,000 acres of citrus grove which provide a home to more than 159 native species of wildlife.

If you want to discover all-things citrus, a visit to the family-owned The Showcase of Citrus is a must for your holiday itinerary! Be prepared for a whole day of adventure at this 2500 acre estate, which is located some 15 minutes west of the Disney parks, along the US27 in Clermont. Here you can pick juicy fresh fruit straight from the branches, mine for gems, visit the farm animals, take a monster truck ride, sample some wines or enjoy a picnic – there’s plenty to keep you occupied if you are looking for something to do away from the theme parks!

Take a stroll through the citrus groves to enjoy the smell of fragrant orange blossom, which is also the state flower of Florida! To enter the grove, guests need to pay a small fee - $1 for children (aged 4-12) or $2 for adults (aged 13+). With 50+ varieties of citrus grown here, there is plenty of delicious fruit available to try; just grab a bag in the shop and start picking! Make sure you visit between November and May to experience the best selection; the estate provides a handy map with a chart of the fruits which will be in season at any time so check it out before you go! If you are in a bit of a rush, you don’t have to pick your own to enjoy fresh local produce – fortunately you can pop into the market to choose from a range of pre-picked fruits.

While in the Old Time Country Store, check out the other local offerings available! From small-batch handmade jams, jellies, sauces and honey to Florida wines, beers and alligator meat – not to mention a range of Showcase souvenirs, or the famous 100% Natural Orange Juice Slushy and Creamsicle – there is something to tempt everyone! With plenty to sample why not try before you buy?

See if you can taste the difference between the four varieties of farm-fresh honey, made with the produce of the different hives on the estate – Orange Blossom, Saw Palmetto, Wild Flower and Gallberry Honey! If you are keen on wine-making and are looking for an interesting bottle of country vino, then there is an extensive range available – how about sampling the Cocoa Beach, which combines Florida orange juice with chocolate, or the Sparkling Mango – a bubbly mango wine? You can even pick up some wine-based smoothies!

After you have perused the store, head out to feed the farm animals, which include chickens, pigs, goats, a miniature horse, kangaroo and a donkey, or make your way to the Gem Mine to unearth some natural treasures. Choose from 3lb, ($8) 5lb ($12) or 10lb ($29) bags of ore and sift through them in search of fossils, arrowheads, emeralds, amethyst, shark teeth, shells, crystals and more! With a guaranteed strike in every bag, take home these educational treasures as a memento of your trip. You even get cards to help identify your finds!

To get a different view of the estate, embark on a fun tour onboard one of three massive 4x4 Monster Trucks - each 14ft wide, 16ft tall and 40ft long! As you head out on your adventure, learn some interesting facts about Florida and the history of the estate, all whilst perched 12ft above the ground! This fun tour lasts around an hour travelling through areas of woodland, pasture, groves and swampland. Look out for the wildlife onsite; zebra, water buffalo, Watusi cattle, gators and snakes are amongst some of the animals you might see on your trip! The 4x4 adventure is suitable for guests of all ages and if you have a disabled member in your party there is a ramp that leads up to the trucks to make access easier. Although there are several tours departing daily, it’s highly recommended that you book ahead to ensure your place on the tour. Book online at least 24 hours in advance or call 352-394-4377 for same-day or future reservations.

Tour times daily: 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm† (in cases of extreme weather, tour departure times may be delayed).

Prices: Adults (aged 13+) $25.00, Children (aged 4-12) $15.00, Toddlers (0-3yrs) free

(Sales tax not included in prices)

For a day out with the family, a visit to The World Showcase of Citrus is certainly a cheap alternative to the theme parks. If you are heading here, don’t forget to wear suitable clothing appropriate to an outdoors venue and ideally closed-toe shoes. There are often Groupon codes available offering savings and the World Showcase website also has a link to some discount codes you can use – check them out to see if they are applicable††!

Let us know if you have been to The World Showcase of Citrus before or if you are planning on visiting on your next trip to the Sunshine State – we’d love to hear from you!

Address: 5010 US Highway 27 Clermont, FL 34714

www.showcaseofcitrus.com

†6pm tour is only during the summer months.

††Discounts and offers subject to change by Groupon and The Showcase of Citrus