The Sunshine State has much more to offer with many other great choices, including that Florida is home to the best killer key lime pie on the whole Planet! Click here to find out more about this Florida hidden gem. Add a touch of culture to your next trip to Florida! Hi Terri, yes the Ringling Circus is an amazing place and I am so glad you enjoyed this article. ACCOMMODATION: Plantation on Crystal River, Ascend Hotel Collection is a beautiful 232-acre Crystal River resort featuring a golf course and 4 on-site restaurants, located only 1.1 miles to the Three Sisters Spring. Cool off later with a dip at the Blue Hole Spring, or go for a hike. The museum also has stunning gardens that you have to explore. The spring is a gorgeous place to visit year-round and is free to the public. Another alternative to the ferry or kayak is exploring Caladesi Island by walking north on Clearwater Beach. However, near the boat launch is the quietest location. A horse-pulled wagon ride brings you near to the rear of the property that houses the wildlife sanctuary and petting farm. TripAdvisor Cindy R. While Florida might not have too many waterfalls worth checking out, Steinhatchee Falls is a hidden gem that outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy. Jacksonville is the ideal place to try something new and one of the best things to do in Florida. It is a great location to visit and a must-do experience if you are nearby to this area during your visit. Park rangers are along the loop to ensure the safety of visitors. What are the most unique things to do in Florida? Sixteen acres of Japanese gardens are Delray Beach's best hidden gem. At its core, the attractions in Florida are a huge draw for visitors. Bring your sunblock and prepare for a whole day of fun in the sun! It is rich with detail and has buildings designed after locations in the movies, such as Gringotts Wizarding Bank and Diagon Alley. A curious structure built by an even more curious man, the craftsmanship is so detailed and the setup of the estate really is a marvel for one man to achieve on his own. It features stunning white sandy beaches and is a great place to go to enjoy a relaxing afternoon. Come visit to see if you can figure out how he managed to move these tons of rock, or simply to enjoy the curious features of the property: a sundial, stone furniture, obelisk and fountain. Located about an hour south of Gainesville, the small town of Cedar Key is a quaint throwback to old fashioned times. Show up early and stay late to enjoy all that the park offers. If you are a gardener or anyone who enjoys the beauty of nature, Harry P. Leu Gardens should be at the top of your list when you visit Florida. Home Travel Guides United States Florida (FL) 30 Amazing Hidden Gems in Florida. One of those happens to be a tarantula. Thank you! It is a wonderful spot for visitors because it is not a high-traffic tourist area. Because of its location, there are a lot of fun things to do in Gainesville, including visiting multiple sinkholes. Green Springs is a popular location for locals in Volusia County, Florida. One such site is the natural springs dotted around Crystal River. Watching them dive for fish and swallow their live meals is not for everyone, but it is an experience you do not see every day. Check out their amusement rides and farmers market as well, or catch a film on one of the largest drive-in movie theatres in the state! 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. Miami Beach Cinematheque. They are so amazing and docile, I love manatees and they are one of my favorite animals ever. The airboats are extremely loud. Besides selling a diverse selection of quilts hand-stitched on . The ideal place to be is on the top deck of the ship, where they have one of several bars and offer rum buckets and a full bar. Popular are shrimp, oysters, clams, lobster rolls and fish tacos. Boondocking / Dry Camping Off the Beaten Path Series. ACCOMMODATION: Waterfront Beach Home is a wonderful 3 bedroom and 2 bathroom house on the water. You can then take your drink to the upper or lower deck and enjoy the sunshine again, as it is cold inside the casino part of the ship. There are so many of these little treasures that youll never be bored. I was relieved that I was not selected to volunteer and that the poor woman near us did not throw the spider as I would have done. He lived in the second story of the castle tower and gave private tours until his death, never disclosing his construction techniques. It is incredibly informative and ADA accessible. . Folly Beach is one of the best hidden gem vacation spots on the East Coast. Off-The-Beaten-Path Florida for Nature Lovers, 6. I love discovering off-the-beaten path destinations, especially when theyre recommended by a local. To put it plainly, Florida is known for Florida attractions. Hidden Gem 2.0 (GC1QB1Y) was created by Colenixbone on 4/19/2009. Home to the only air-filled caves open to the public in Florida, be sure to explore and take a cave tour to see the stunning limestone formations, soda straws and draperies. On land, there are often birds and forms of wildlife to observe. The Gold Coast Railroad Museum is certainly not one of Miami's most popular but that doesn't mean it's not worth visiting. 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. With this unique blog, my goal is to inspire you to find a life balance betweenActive Travel & a HealthyLifestyle! The BBQ is delectable and very convenient after an exhilarating airboat ride. Visit to see the wildlife or to rent a boat and enjoy the ocean. It is ideal to bring an extra set of clothes and towels if you plan on exploring more or dining at Boggy Bottom BBQ. Hurricanes, age, neglect, and other factors destroyed most of the structures but there are still some to see. While you are here, be sure to check out the local farmers market, or explore the waterways on a scenic boat tour. The most remote South Florida hidden gem is the Florida Trail, one of only 11 National Scenic Trails. For the best conditions, head to either spot in the winter. (function() { Have a relaxing picnic here surrounded by nature, or go jogging, hiking or biking along the gardens to cover more ground. The Everglades National Park offers some of the most unique experiences in Florida. If they offer Dramamine, you will likely need it unless you are used to extremely rough waters. There are plenty of biking or hiking trails to keep you active, or you can also explore the waterways on a canoe. No one knows how he moved the stones, as he allowed no one to watch him work (there were rumors he had learned how to manipulate magnetic fields). Come spend the day in nature, under the Florida sunshine. If you love nature, Blue Springs is the place to be. In addition to the beautiful manatees, the park hosts a variety of other wildlife, including fish, birds, and other creatures. I consider Gatorland a must-see location for anybody who visits Florida. Come out here to get away from the crowds of Floridas urban cities and relax! It is located in the center of Orlando and is a popular attraction for many locals and tourists. Come out for a day trip of watersports and hiking, or bring your camping gear to spend a few days in this paradise. Chris Cook-Leitz has worked in the travel industry since 2008 and opened her own travel advisor company in 2015. hey Katy, OMG! Respect the environment and enjoy the proximity to the diverse sea life, like the eels, parrotfish, angelfish and nurse sharks, but do your part to continue preserving the environment by not touching the coral or compromising the ecosystem. Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures is the perfect place to get a great Florida feel. The seats in the front of the airboat will drench you with swampy water. Laura Liden has been a travel advisor since 2011 and, prior to that, she spent 15+ years working in various areas of the hospitality industry. You need to walk across the muddy lagoon and through some water to reach the beach, but it is so worth it. Coral Castle is a limestone structure located in Homestead, Florida. If youre planning a trip to Florida, the best time to visit Florida is between October and May. Victoria is a native Floridian and writer for OIYS. Easily one of the best islands in Florida, Sanibel island is without a doubt one of the best hidden gems to visit in the USA in spring.. It's a trip you'll be eager to make since Sanibel Island sits on the Gulf Coast of Fort Myers and is known for its . The park is located near an energy plant. 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. It is great place for adventurers, . What a hidden gem in Vero Beach! Most of the coral reefs in the Keys exhibit a large amount and variety of marine life due to protections in place, ACCOMMODATION: You will love the Almond Tree Inn is only 14-min from the beach and features an outdoor pool, hot tub, and continental breakfast. Be aware if you have small children or individuals sensitive to hearing. Kayak To See the Bioluminescent is an Off Beaten Path in Florida, 15. Crystal River not only has some of the clearest water in Florida, it is also the only place you can legally swim up close with endangered manatees. Get to know the locals while you enjoy a beer or two or some clam chowder, and stay at a house on stilts off the beautiful oceans to soak in the fresh ocean air. The most exciting part about the Shark Valley Loop Trail is traveling past the numerous alligators along the loop. The park offers many activities, including swan boat rentals, concerts, movies, and plays in the Amphitheater. It is a tiny hole-in-the-wall local secret that only has six tables in the dining room, where its Napolitano owners eagerly await their customers. Explore the Ten Thousand Island Wildlife Refugee, 7. Many come from far just to eat at the local restaurants in the Ten Thousand Islands area. TOP TIPS FOR EXPLORING WEEKI WACHEE RIVER. From kayaking in the natural springs to caves, waterfalls, reefs, and all in between. This is the smallest little organic farm but Susie runs a tight ship . San Jose's Original Mexican Restaurant: Hidden Gem - See 81 traveler reviews, 19 candid photos, and great deals for Leesburg, FL, at Tripadvisor. They are open year-round, but summer months are particularly hot so you wont see as much wildlife. Some of the caves are tall enough to stand in, with natural benches formed by the erosive power of the tides. For animal lovers and those who like to try new things, Obloy Ranch/Romelia Farms is a must-see destination. Grab a rope and get ready to plunge into the water and enjoy some good old-fashioned fun at this swimming hole. Once you cross it, you will have to pay the state park entrance fee ($8 per vehicle) but its well worth it! Gatorland is a park that houses thousands of animals, including birds, wild cats, snakes, tortoises, crocodiles, and of course, alligators. Also a major environmental protectionist, he worked to protect the key and preserve some of its natural state, such as the land of Bill Baggs State Park. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. You missed Butterfly Dans located in Kissimmee. The mornings are beautiful, and from the houseboat, I could eat my breakfast while watching the pelicans eat theirs. Overall, St. Augustine offers such an immense display of beauty and activity that has something for everyone. You can also spot some incredible wildlife and man-made (but still spectacular) waterfalls. Either take a passenger ferry or rent your own private boat from the dock at Honeymoon Island to reach this magical place. Try searching for a travel destination. The Everglades is one of the best scenic and wild adventures that you can go on while still having the opportunity to visit the park at your own pace. 4) Shop at a Local Farmer's Market. If you are not comfortable with camping, you can rent a cabin which is pretty affordable. After a few hours, youll also appreciate this little hidden gem. Go Kayak to Caladesi Island a real gem in Florida, 3. Florida is the most southeast state in the US, bordered on the east by the Atlantic and on the west by the Gulf of Mexico. Designed after locations in the winter do in Florida with swampy water something new and of. Old-Fashioned fun at this swimming Hole: Waterfront Beach home is a spot. And is a great location to visit year-round and is a wonderful spot for visitors 2015. hey Katy,!. Beach & # x27 ; s best hidden gem is the Florida Trail, of. Unique blog, my goal is to inspire you to find out about... Out more about this Florida hidden gem to enjoy all that the park offers some the... 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