Wellington Environmental Preserve, Wellington

Gorgeous and serene. A true hidden gem. I took a 3 mile walk and saw at least a dozen different species of bird without even trying. Gators grunted at each other from the marsh and a brown bunny hopped along the sidewalk. There are plenty of benches for you to stop, close your eyes, and take in all of nature's sounds. There was not much pedestrian traffic when I went and, from previous reviews, I suspect that not enough people know about this gorgeous plot of land. You almost forget where you are, though the sound of dogs barking from nearby homes and helicopters flying in the distance keep you grounded. The observation tower is worth the jaunt but the boardwalks were the best part. Look over the edge to find turtles, a wide variety of fish, and perhaps spot a young gator. There are some bathrooms which are better-than-average port-o-lets. The one near the observation tower had no working lock and no hand sanitizer when I went. This preserve is among the very best in the area. I highly recommend it!

Peaceful area. Nice for a walk, bike ride, or horse back riding. Plenty of nature to be seen. At the end of one of the trails is a tower to bird watch over the preserves