20 Most Unusual Attractions in Florida

1. Coral Castle, Homestead

Every city has that one attraction that all school kids visit on a field trip. Growing up in Miami, that attraction was Coral Castle.

The stone structure is commonly believed to be a tribute to a 16 year old Latvian girl who spurned Edward Leedskalnin’s love in their native country. He came to America in 1923 and spent the rest of his life, 28 years, constructing Coral Castle with virtually no known tools. To this day, no one really knows how he was able to carve the more than 1100 structures contained within the property.

Visitors to Coral Castle are treated to walls that use no mortar to hold the stones in place, furniture, an accurate sundial, a Polaris telescope, a well, a fountain, an obelisk, and numerous carvings of celestial bodies. When asked how he was able to carve and move stones weighing tons, Leedskalnin would say he understood the laws of weight and leverage and that he had discovered the secrets of the Pyramids.

Next time you’re in Miami, go see Coral Castle for yourself and see if you agree with Leedskalnin. If you have time, check out another unique attraction in Miami – Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, an early 20th century mansion right on the water.

2. Mermaids at Weeki Wachee, Spring Hill

Weeki Wachee, the spring, has been around for thousands of years. The name Weeki Wachee means “little spring” or “winding river” to the Seminole, and this is what the river, spring, state park and attraction have always been called. The spring is so deep that the bottom of it has yet to be explored.

In 1947, a Navy diver built the attraction, trained pretty girls to swim and eat underwater using inconspicuous air hoses to breathe, and began what would become one of the nation’s most popular attractions in the 1950’s and 1960’s – a city of mermaids.

Today, the attraction is Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. The mermaid shows continue to awe guests. People cool off in the spring, and canoe and kayak rentals enable paddlers to explore the river. From life-giving river to attraction to natural treasure, Weeki Wachee is definitely one of the most unique attractions in Florida.

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3. Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp

Founded in 1894 between modern-day Orlando and Daytona, the location was reportedly found by George Colby who was led there by his spiritual guide, “Seneca”. After 120 years bringing spiritualist and mediums together, Cassadaga is often called the “Psychic Capital of the World”.

The Camp features the Cassadaga Hotel which is said to be haunted, welcome center, temple, auditorium, healing center, library, and bookstore. Visitors can take historical and spirit tours and learn about the camp’s religion, spiritualism.

4. Solomon’s Castle, Ona

Tucked away in central Florida’s rural countryside lies an aluminum castle. Constructed entirely by hand by world-renowned artist Howard Solomon, Solomon’s Castle is his dream come true. Housed within the castle is his artwork, most made from recycled items.

When Solomon was alive, he gave the tours of the castle himself, delighting guests with stories about his life and artwork. Since his death, his family has continued this tradition. Visitors are welcome for tours of the castle, to walk the nature trails, and for lunch at the Boat in the Moat Restaurant. Yes, it’s actually a boat in the moat around the castle.

Solomon’s Castle makes an easy and unusual road trip from Tampa, Sarasota, or Venice. It only takes a few hours to tour the property, giving visitors plenty of time to enjoy the drive through Florida’s cow country.

5. Jules Undersea Lodge, Key Largo

Part hotel and part attraction, Jules Undersea Lodge made headlines years ago as the nation’s first undersea hotel. Though it only has two rooms, the lodge offers a variety of attractions and is known among dive professionals as a place to train young divers or try out new gear. You can snorkel or dive the site if you don’t want to sleep here.

You can, of course, spend the night. The nightly stay comes with your choice of pizza, delivered right to your undersea room. But if spending the night under water is a little too adventurous for you, there are lots of nearby hotels on land to book.

6. Gatorland

Called the “Alligator Capital of the World”, Gatorland first opened in 1949 as a 110 acre amusement park and wildlife preserve. Over the years, the attraction has been home to thousands of gators, crocodiles, snakes, and birds and has evolved into one of the most popular attractions around Orlando, if you’re looking for something to do that besides the regular theme parks.

Today, visitors to Gatorland can walk through the breeding marsh on a boardwalk, zip line 1200 feet over a pond filled with gators, watch a number of shows, view the beauty of the park’s birds in its aviary, join an educational programs, watch alligator wrestling or feeding, or cozy up to one of the animals in the petting zoo. Orlando may be known for wild rides and water parks, but Gatorland shows that Florida’s first attractions were those of a natural variety.

7. Dry Tortugas National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park is perhaps one of the most remote places in Florida. Located 70 miles west of Key West, this collection of seven islands is only accessible by boat or aircraft. Visitors can get there on their own boat or charter a float plane flight or take the ferry to get to Garden Island.

On Garden Island, tour Fort Jefferson, snorkel, or sunbathe. A campground is available for overnight guests. Loggerhead Key is the site of the lighthouse and nesting sea turtles while divers enjoy the nearby wreck of the 19th century schooner, Windjammer. Bush Key is popular for birdwatchers as it’s where many marine birds nest.

Flights and the ferry sell out months in advance so planning is required if you want to add the Dry Tortugas to your vacation plans.

8. Monkey Jungle, Miami

“Where humans are caged and monkeys run wild.” That’s the tag line, and Monkey Jungle lives up to it. Though the monkeys are not exactly loose on the 30 acre wildlife preserve, they are not kept in cages either. People walk through caged tunnels around the exhibits while the monkeys enjoy a bit more freedom.

Established in 1935, Monkey Jungle is home to over 300 individual monkeys, most of whom roam free in the sub-tropical habitat of the preserve. About 90 of those monkeys are descendants of the original eight Java monkeys that were first released here in 1933. Monkey Jungle is one of the few protected areas in the US for endangered primates.

9. Haile Homestead, Gainesville

The Haile Homestead at Kanapaha Plantation was built in 1856 by more than 50 enslaved laborers for the Haile family from South Carolina. The property spread over 1500 acres as a cotton plantation. Though older homes like this are rather commonplace throughout Florida, Haile Homestead is unique for its very bizarre talking walls.

The walls of the 6200 square foot home are covered with more than 12,500 words written by the Haile family and their friends over the years, though no one really knows why they wrote on the walls of their home. Nearly every room and closet in the home has writing on the walls. Visitors can explore the grounds as well as take a trip through history by reading the joys and sorrows expressed on the home’s walls.

10. Ochopee Post Office

A post office? Seriously? Is it historic or haunted or … I don’t know, something spectacular? Yep. It’s the smallest post office in the United States. It even has its own historical marker. It was originally a shed for irrigation pipes but became the local post office in 1953 after a fire destroyed the previous one. It serves three counties, including the local Miccosukee and Seminole Indian populations

11. Monkey Island, Homosassa

Sometime after the 1960’s Monkey Island came into existence. What started as a pile of dangerous rocks in the middle of the Homosassa River eventually evolved into an island, then an island with plant life, and finally Monkey Island when a few spider monkeys were relocated here from a local wildlife rescue.

Today the island is visible from a river side restaurant. Or jump in your boat or kayak and get a closer look. The surrounding water discourages the monkeys from leaving the island. But seriously, why would a monkey want to leave an island with a treehouse, boat, and lighthouse to climb on?

It is illegal for people to approach or feed the monkeys or even get on the island, and signs indicate that it is under 24-hour surveillance. So when you go, look but don’t touch. And if you want to get up close and personal with the local wildlife (but not the monkeys), book this Manatee Encounter at nearby Crystal River.

12. Devil’s Den Spring, Williston

Devil’s Den is an underground spring which bubbles to the surface in a dry cave, giving visitors the ability to enjoy its views and waters from a wooden platform. It’s become a world-class attraction for snorkelers and scuba divers who are looking for an unusual place to swim and dive. The crystal clear waters of the spring, flowing forth at a constant 72 degrees, give visitors a view of the spring’s 54-foot depth.

With the discovery of many fossils dating back to the Pleistocene Epoch (11,700 to 2,500,000 years ago), Devil’s Den is truly a prehistoric spring. The fossils found in the spring are now on display in Gainesville at the University of Florida’s Museum of Natural History. The name for the spring, however, came from early settlers who saw steam (smoke-like) coming from the cave on cold winter mornings.

If you want to visit Devil’s Den, be sure to register in advance. Only scuba divers and snorkelers will be allowed to enter the cave spring and have to be registered before arrival. The grounds also include a gift shop and campground.

13. Herrmanns’ Royal Lipizzan Stallions, Myakka City

Are you traveling to Florida with a horse-crazy teen (or adult)? You may have considered a stop in Ocala to see the horse farms or World Equestrian Center, but there’s another, even more unique attraction in southwest Florida that will appeal to horse lovers of all ages.

Herrmanns’ Royal Lipizzan Stallions has their winter headquarters on a 25-acre farm close to Sarasota. The farm opens every Saturday morning to visitors who are treated to a training session. At these sessions, riders and trainers explain and demonstrate various training methods used as well as some of the history of Lipizzan horses.

After the training session, guests can walk around the farm to see the horses in their pastures or in the barn. Feed the stalled horses carrots and have photos taken with them. The riders and trainers also stick around to answer questions. A visit to the Lipizzaner farm lasts a morning and makes a wonderful morning for families, couples, and anyone who loves these majestic animals.

14. Dinosaur World, Plant City

Dinosaur World is the only attraction in central Florida dedicated solely to these prehistoric giants. Set in a natural setting, life-sized dinosaurs delight kids of all ages. Boardwalks and paved paths outdoors wind through exhibits. Indoors, a museum explores and educates about the importance of dinosaurs.

This unusual attraction in Florida has been recognized as “autism friendly” by The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) at the University of South Florida. Dinosaur World is also dog friendly and allows coolers so that families can bring their own food and drinks.

15. Neptune Memorial Reef, Miami

When looking for a free, unique thing to do in Florida, Neptune Memorial Reef is one of the most unique. The reef is transforming 16 acres of barren ocean floor 3.25 miles off shore from Miami while simultaneously providing a memorial site for ocean lovers, a dive site for divers, and a research site for researchers and marine biologists.

Conceived as a recreation of the mythical Atlantis, Neptune Memorial Reef grew from zero fish and marine life to thousands in its first two years. It is the largest man-made reef ever conceived and meets all environmental guidelines set by the EPA, DERM, NOAA, Florida Fish and Wildlife and the Army Corps of Engineers. Most uniquely, it’s Green Burial certified.

Families of deceased ocean lovers can choose from several memorial plans to provide a unique burial while supporting the growth and conservation of marine life. Additionally, they can visit the reef at any time to see their loved ones. The reef has become the most popular dive site in Miami with divers, snorkelers, students, scientists, and boaters visiting the site.

16. Stiltsville, Miami

Heading from Biscayne Bay to the Atlantic Ocean, just off-shore from Key Biscayne, a small collection of buildings sits on stilts, their bright colors an iconic beacon to the area’s boaters. This is Stiltsville. Now owned by the federal government and part of Biscayne National Park, Stiltsville has a unique and colorful history.

The first houses here were built in the 1930s. Soon the number grew to 27, and they were known as party places. From the 1930s to the Stiltsville’s heyday in the 1960s, these buildings were the place to see and be seen when visiting the opulent resorts of Miami Beach. Many of the buildings were eventually destroyed by storms, fire, and the harsh conditions from salty sea and air.

In the early 1980’s when we moved back to Miami, I remember seeing families at a few of the homes. In 1985, however, the State of Florida gave the sea bottom beneath the homes to the US government. Hurricane Andrews in 1992 reduced the number of buildings further, to only seven. Today, the Stiltsville Trust manages the buildings and is working to conserve and restore those which remain.

17. Skunk Ape Headquarters, Ochopee

Skunk Ape Headquarters tickles my fancy for a couple of reasons. First, the whole skunk ape legend which is Florida’s version of Bigfoot. The second? Who would have guessed that a town as tiny as Ochopee would have not one but two of Florida’s most unusual attractions.

The Skunk Ape Headquarters is located within the Trail Lakes Campground. It includes animal exhibits (snakes, alligators, and turtles), tours of the Everglades, and a gift shop. Despite the name, this attraction in southwest Florida thrives on its campground and tours.

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18. Carrabelle Police Station, Carrabelle

First a post office and now a police station on the list? Yes, Florida is home to the country’s smallest police station. And not only is this the smallest police station in the US, it’s the smallest police station in the world.

The station came about when the town’s police phone was used too many times by tourists to make illegal calls. A townsman obtained an old phone booth and placed the police phone in it. Today it’s a popular attraction with a copyrighted logo that appears on t-shirts, hats, postcards, and calendars.

19. Venetian Pool, Coral Gables

When we first moved back to Miami, we visited Venetian Pool almost immediately. First opened in 1923, the pool has been enjoyed by families from all over the world and is well known for its amazing water and exotic grounds.

An underground spring and aquifer fills Venetian Pool every day with 820,000 gallons of clean, clear water. The buildings are styled in a Mediterranean fashion and the pool is surrounded by cave-like grottos which encourage swimmers to explore and enjoy. Two waterfalls also delight visitors to the pool. Palms shade loungers set on sand and let Miami’s blue skies peak through the sunbathers below.

If you’re looking for a place to transport you back in time, Venetian Pool is the spot. The only pool with an historic designation from National Register of Historic Places, Venetian Pool holds a special place in the history and hearts of Coral Gables.

20. Whimzeyland, Safety Harbor

Safety Harbor. IYKYK. It’s an adorable, quaint town that embraces artists in every form. For those who know the town and everything there is to do in Safety Harbor, this isn’t a surprise. Whimzeyland, aka The Bowling Ball House, and many others on 3rd Street North contribute to this artist-friendly environment. When one drives down the street, it’s easy to see why these homes draw thousands to stop in awe and wonder and take photos.

Whimzeyland began to take shape more than 20 years ago when the owners started decorating the exterior of the home with different materials – plexiglass, metal, bottle trees, recycled materials. The name “Bowling Ball House” came from dozens of free bowling balls they picked up at a flea market and incorporated into the landscape. The name stuck and the home became a local landmark.

Today, the home across the street is equally whimsical and one down the street has a sculpture of a giant dog gracing the front yard. Visitors can take a 90-minute guided tour of the Bowling Ball House, SHAMc, and other whimsical properties around Safety Harbor.

Closing: Unusual Attractions in Florida

Florida is a weird and wonderful place to visit and live in, and it’s equally filled with weird and wonderful things to do. From unique castles to undersea attractions to walls that talk, the unusual attractions in Florida add to the state’s unique character. Next time you plan a visit to the Sunshine State, be sure to add or two of to your itinerary.