Adventure Outdoors Magazine Summer 2018 | Page 119

The University of Florida puts on its own display of nature at the UF Bat Houses and Butterfly Rainforest . A few minutes after sunset , hundreds of thousands of bats emerge from the World ’ s largest occupied bat houses and fill the sky . It ’ s estimated more than 2,500 hundred pounds of insects are consumed each night . Located at the Florida Museum of Natural History , the Butterfly Rainforest features a walking trail through a lush tropical environment highlighted by 60-80 butterfly and moth species at any given time . You ’ ll also see birds , turtles , orchids , and hundreds of other flowering plants .
After so much activity outdoors , you won ’ t have to look far to recharge your batteries . A growing number of craft breweries and wineries like First Magnitude Brewing Company , Swamp Head Brewery , and Island Grove Winery will quench your thirst . The Great Outdoors Restaurant is a great place to grab great food in High Springs , while Pearl County Store is a BBQ destination located in Micanopy near Paynes Prairie .
Get outside and explore north central Florida !