The Mermaid Tale Trail
Celebrating 75 years of ‘Mermaids and Magic’
The New Statue Trail Makes for a Mer-Mazing Road Trip
In collaboration with the Hernando County Fine Arts Council, Brooksville Main Street and local artists, Florida’s Adventure Coast Visitors Bureau unveiled The Mermaid Tale Trail on the 75th anniversary of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park – home of the world-famous mermaids!
Since 1947, the park has been attracting mermaid enthusiasts from around the world. Today, visitors can still see the live mermaid show in a 400-seat submerged theater built into the side of a first-magnitude spring.
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and its mermaids are icons of Florida, and their legacy will live on for years to come. As former mermaids say, “Once a mermaid, always a mermaid.”
A mermaid sculpture trail was created as a legacy to the history of Weeki Wachee Springs, a hallmark of what makes Florida the wonderful state that it is. It’s a celebration of the people and memories there, as well as a love for Florida itself.
The statues are larger-than-life at seven feet tall and include the face cast of a popular Weeki Wachee Mermaid – Kristy, who performed at the park for seven years. The statues were then hand-painted by local artists, their paint strokes telling a unique tale for each of the mermaids.
Some are traditional and hark back to the ‘old school’, with nautical themes, wildlife and references to Weeki Wachee, while others are full of imagination, and quite literally out of this world!
What is The Mermaid Tale Trail?
Consisting of 27 mermaid statues, The Mermaid Tale Trail is located throughout Hernando County, spanning from historic Brooksville to Weeki Wachee, Hernando Beach and beyond. The mermaids can be spotted at various parks and points of interest, offering a treasure trove of fun for the whole family to enjoy. Whether you choose to try spotting as many as you can in a daytrip, a weekend or discover them at a slower pace, you’re guaranteed to enjoy some beautiful sights and discover some hidden gems along the way.
How Many Mermaids Can You Find on Florida’s Adventure Coast?
If you’d like to reward yourself for finding different mermaid statues on the trail, you’re in luck! You can earn exclusive prizes with our Mermaid Tale Trail Passport, a treasure trove of fun for the whole family. The free passport can be sent to your phone via text or email, with no app to download. See which mermaid statues are closest to you, and simply check-in at a location to start earning prizes.
Show Us Your Shell-fies!
Our mermaids love taking selfies, especially with their fans! Share your photos on the trail by using #MermaidTaleTrail, and you will have a chance to be featured on our website and social media channels.
View the Map Itinerary
Not sure where to start? The Mermaid Tale Trail Passport can help. We’ve also compiled an itinerary with a suggested route for finding all twenty-seven statues, beginning at our Welcome Center in historic downtown Brooksville.
Win Prizes While Exploring the Trail!
How Your Digital Passport Works
Step 1
Dive into the adventure by signing up for your free Mermaid Digital Passport. It'll land instantly on your mobile device, with no download fuss!
Step 2
Embark on a mermaid quest! Visit enchanting sites and, with your location services turned on, simply hit "check-in" on your smartphone to gather those shiny points.
Step 3
Watch your points soar and transform into golden opportunities! Exchange them for exciting prizes, elevating your mermaid journey to legendary status.
The Mermaid Tale Trail on Instagram
Share your adventure with us on social media using the hashtag #MermaidTaleTrail.
