At more than 600 years old, The Old Senator, a glorious live oak, is located on the grounds of the courtyard of Villa 1565 on San Marco. Once you cross it, you will have to pay the state park entrance fee ($8 per vehicle) but its well worth it! Just make sure you do your research, as sadly, some operators are more ethical and devoted than others. The centerpiece of the Circus Museum is a 3,800 square-foot operational Circus Model, a 44,000-piece re-creation of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Baileys Circus combined shows from 1919 to 1938. This Gulf Coast barrier island is a great destination for any beach or nature lover. If you love nature, Blue Springs is the place to be. It is a great experience for animal lovers, kids, and anybody to learn more about endangered animals because it is geared towards educating people and helping rehabilitate animals that are unable to be safely released into the wild. There are many unique animals, some of which are extremely friendly and playful during the guided petting zoo tour. There's no menu, no listed prices, and no tap water (only bottles for sale), but guests will be just fine if they bring their own wine and a few people to share the family-style food (and the bill) with. The Weeki Wachee is known for its stunning beauty, with the clarity at the headsprings being 68- feet of visibility, ranking with the clearest freshwaters found on Earth! Florida's Emerald Coast comprises a few of the Sunshine State's best-kept secrets. Designated as a national park by President Franklin Roosevelt, this incredible destination is only accessible via seaplane or boat, preserving its nature and isolation. - Opting Out of Normal. ACCOMMODATION: The best place to stay is at Everglades City at the Ivey House an eco-friendly hotel only 15 minutes walk from the main attractions. The Gold Coast Railroad Museum is certainly not one of Miami's most popular but that doesn't mean it's not worth visiting. This cruise is perfect for those who are visiting Florida and want a little extra time to enjoy the warm weather and the stunning ocean. 30 Best Resorts in Florida for Couples for a Romantic Getaway, 20 Best Places to Retire in Florida For Your Golden Years. Near the Georgia border, this way out-of-the-way park is located where the Flint River and the Chattahoochee combine to form Lake Seminole above a dam. The Rose Garden was the most impressive sight for me by far. Both parks are easy to get to by car and can be toured within a couple of hours. Cormorants flutter over you in the mangroves, along with many other extensive types of birds. February to May is the best time to visit. } Boasting crystal clear waters, a diverse array of marine life, and much more, there's something for everyone at this tourist hotspot. Surprise! Ten Thousand IslandsNational Wildlife Refuge (NWR), is one of the most hidden paradises in Florida. Cool off later with a dip at the Blue Hole Spring, or go for a hike. Pack up your sunscreen and camera, and get ready to explore the hidden gems of Florida. The restaurant has a great ambiance that's only matched by high-quality steaks and seafood. } At its core, the attractions in Florida are a huge draw for visitors. Weeki Wachee, derived from the Seminole name, means Little Spring or Winding River, is a spring located on the Weeki Wachee River. Read: Hidden vacation spots in the US. This location cannot be beat when it comes to a peaceful place to birdwatch, have lunch, and enjoy the Florida sunshine. The park allows pets and is a marvelous place for walkers and joggers to exercise on the path. Ravine Garden State Park is a truly majestic place, brimming with history and nature. How To Visit Caladesi Island State Park in Florida, according to a Local! - See 3,632 traveler reviews, 2,265 candid photos, and great deals for Kenansville, FL, at Tripadvisor. Then there's the butterfly garden and reptile habitat, making the Secret Woods fun for nature-loving adults and kids alike. The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a historic staple in Orlando. The Cummer Museum of Art is a beautiful art museum in Jacksonville, Florida showcasing over 5,000 pieces of artwork! Children love the swing ropes and waterslides, or taking a raft out on the river. The mornings are beautiful, and from the houseboat, I could eat my breakfast while watching the pelicans eat theirs. The park is based on movies such as The Simpsons, Spongebob, Minions, Scooby-Doo, Spiderman, and more. Fort Jefferson is also a part of the national park, a massive coastal stone fortress that was never completed. Explore the beach dunes and mangrove wetlands, and learn more about the local ecosystem at the Hawley Environmental Center. For anyone sick of hearing that visiting Florida is solely about exploring Walt Disney World, this list is for you. The area is home to many diverse types of coral, like brain or star coral. . It is considered by many Floridians to be the alligator capital of the world. As expected, they have some of the best pastries and cakes you will ever try, but they're only open for lunch. The quickest Everglades day trips from Ft. Lauderdale are Everglades Holiday Park and Sawgrass . They are microorganisms that occur widely in marine waterways in the summertime typically when the temperature is at its peak and the water is calm. Take a trip out here to appreciate the quiet, laid-back vibes and lush nature. I have visited the Ringling Circus Museum and can concur GO VISIT! Our Top Hidden Gems! Lets start this amazing list of Off the Beaten Paths in Florida with my backyard. Going kayaking to this paradise is considered one of the best things to do in Florida. Tropical Palms RV Resort: Hidden Gem - See 2,079 traveller reviews, 342 candid photos, and great deals for Tropical Palms RV Resort at Tripadvisor. Swap Shop has over 2,000 vendors for 180,00 square feet of shopping, restaurants, farmers markets with tons of local produce, and one of the world's largest drive-in movie theaters. Ebyabe CC by SA 3.0. In addition, you can snag a day pass to Eau Palm Beach's opulent Eau Spa for just $200. The desserts are especially scrumptious, especially the cheesecake! Ten Thousand Islands boat tour is the highlight of your visit, as you can see the islands and the wildlife, and I recommend. Head out to enjoy a vacation spot beloved by so many Florida residents. Where Caladesi was once a separate island, a few years ago, and deposits connected it to Clearwater Beach. During these months, be prepared to bring a rain jacket and umbrella because the rain can be fierce. Bahia Honda can be visited at any time of the year, however for the best beach weather, visit in the months of March, April, and December. ACCOMMODATION: An excellent option is the Alfond Inn, a beautiful hotel located in Winter Park with a restaurant serving amazing food, including brunch. I try to go as often as I can, and my dogs love there too. You will find loads of barbecues and picnic tables by the beach. This is certainly an off-the-beaten path in Florida you need to add to your bucket list. 1) Kayaking in the Crystalline Waters of Wekiva State Park. This spot is easily one of the best hidden gems in Florida. Caladesi Island State Park is located on the island by the same name in the Gulf of Mexico. Appreciate the magnitude of these gentle giants without disturbing them and. The prices are reasonable and discounts can be found on Groupon to make it even cheaper. Don't miss the educational center, plant nursery, boardwalk, and butterfly garden. It is recommended to go on a cooler summer day, to use sunscreen, and take a rest in the shaded areas to avoid sunburns. Virtually all have natural chimneys exposing the sky above. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens . The villa is located less than 3 miles away from Downtown Miami, and it can be reached by taking the metro to the Vizcaya Station, with a short 10-minute walk. The alligators are most commonly seen along the sides of the loop. Boasting inlets, islands, forests, and backwaters, this state park is a perfect place to explore Floridas rural side! You can easily drive there and park in one of the fields parking lots. Cool 2. This hidden gem tucked among Florida's barrier islands, is a small community that brings you back to turn-of-the-century Florida. From feeding giraffes to touching stingrays, it's the ultimate place to get close to the most fascinating animals. Because of its location, there are a lot of fun things to do in Gainesville, including visiting multiple sinkholes. Here you can explore natural springs, swim with manatees in the wild, and, explore the second-largest mangrove in the world, the Ten Thousand Islands. This incredible hidden gem in Florida is a coral reef located within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, just southeast offshore of the island of Key Largo. Chris Cook-Leitz has worked in the travel industry since 2008 and opened her own travel advisor company in 2015. Make sure to see Port Boca Grande Lighthouse, built in 1890 and still standing to this day. The best way to enjoy the beauty of the springs is to bring a lunch and sit down on a bench or picnic table, wear bug spray and take in the sights and sounds of nature. The Carnival Cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida is a great side-trip when visiting Florida. The airboats are extremely loud. Santa Rosa Beach also touches Point Washington State Forest, a 15,000-acre preserve for an alternative to beach days. 5) Visit the Cute Small Town of Windermere. 40 Places to See in Florida Before Your Kids Grow Up, 25 Most Beautiful Medieval Castles in the World, 15 Best Things to Do in Middleborough (MA), Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of Natural Art, Swap Shop Flea Market and Drive-in Theatre. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { There are also stunning natural attractions to interest outdoors lovers. Located near Clearwater and St Petersburg, Honeymoon Island is one of the best off the beaten path in Florida! Sixteen acres of Japanese gardens are Delray Beach's best hidden gem. This beautiful and serene spot features a world-class . The horses and ponies for the trail rides are in good condition and are very well-behaved. Located in the center, however, theres a beautiful place that may somehow fall out of the tourist radar Villa Vizcaya and its gardens. 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