Florida is known for its popular tourist destinations, but it’s also home to some hidden gems that offer unique experiences. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at 12 of these hidden places, including their top attractions, things to do, eateries/cafes, how to get there, and reviews/ratings. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, these off-the-beaten-path locations are worth exploring.

There are beautiful parks and attractions in Florida. You can also get crystal clear springs in various areas such as Devil’s Den and historic mansions like the Howey Mansion among others within the state. Go to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park where you can see them in person, or visit Cayo Costa Island on the ferry! Come and discover Florida’s fantastic natural outdoors!

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Exploring Natural Wonders and Cultural Gems, Top 28 Hidden Places in Florida

Florida is more than just its famous theme parks and bustling cities. It’s also a state brimming with natural beauty and cultural treasures. Let’s embark on a journey to some of Florida’s hidden gems, from pristine state parks to historic mansions and captivating wildlife centers.

1. Honeymoon Island State Park

Located near Clearwater and St. Petersburg, Honeymoon Island is a hidden gem with stunning white sand beaches, hiking trails, and clear waters for swimming and kayaking.

• Location: Near Clearwater and St. Petersburg
• Things to do: Enjoy stunning white sand beaches, hike the trails, swim, and kayak in the clear waters.
• Cost: $8 per vehicle for up to 8 people, $4 for single-occupant vehicle or motorcycle.

2. Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

This park is home to over 100 species of native Florida wildlife, including manatees, Florida panthers, black bears, and alligators. Visitors can see the animals up close during educational programs and ranger-led tours.

• Location: Homosassa
• Things to do: See over 100 species of native Florida wildlife, including manatees, Florida panthers, black bears, and alligators. Join educational programs and ranger-led tours.
• Cost: $13 for adults, $5 for children (6-12), free for children under 6.

3. Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring

This crystal-clear spring is one of the deepest in Florida and is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Visitors can also explore the underwater cave system.

• Location: Williston
• Things to do: Swim, snorkel, and scuba dive in the crystal-clear spring. Explore the underwater cave system.
• Cost: $15 per person for snorkeling, $38 per person for scuba diving (includes equipment).

4. Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park

This park is home to a series of natural springs with crystal-clear blue water. Visitors can swim, kayak, canoe, and fish in the springs.

• Location: High Springs
• Things to do: Swim, kayak, canoe, and fish in the series of natural springs with crystal-clear blue water.
• Cost: $6 per vehicle (2-8 people), $4 for single-occupant vehicle or motorcycle.

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5. 30A and Alys Beach

This stretch of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico is home to secluded beaches, charming coastal towns, and luxury resorts.

• Location: Along the Gulf of Mexico
• Things to do: Relax on secluded beaches, explore charming coastal towns, and enjoy luxury resorts.

6. The Howey Mansion

This historic mansion is located on the shores of Lake Harris and offers guided tours, special events, and overnight accommodations.

• Location: Howey-in-the-Hills
• Things to do: Take guided tours, attend special events, or book overnight accommodations in this historic mansion on the shores of Lake Harris.
• Cost: Guided tours start at $25 per person.

7. Rock Springs Kelly Park

This park is home to a natural spring that flows into a crystal-clear swimming hole. Visitors can also swim, kayak, and canoe on the Wekiva River.

• Location: Apopka
• Things to do: Swim in the natural spring, float down the Wekiva River, and enjoy kayaking and canoeing.
• Cost: $3-$5 per vehicle (2-8 people).

8. Bok Tower Gardens

These gardens are home to a variety of plants and flowers, as well as a 205-foot-tall singing bell tower. Visitors can take a guided tour of the gardens or enjoy a picnic lunch.

• Location: Lake Wales
• Things to do: Take a guided tour of the gardens, enjoy a picnic lunch, and listen to the 205-foot-tall singing bell tower.
• Cost: $15 per adult, $5 per child (5-12), free for children under 5.

9. Fort de Soto State Park

This park is located on five interconnected islands and offers a variety of activities, including swimming, fishing, hiking, and birdwatching. Visitors can also explore the historic fort.

• Location: Tierra Verde
• Things to do: Swim, fish, hike, and birdwatch on the five interconnected islands. Explore the historic fort.
• Cost: $5 per vehicle.

10. Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

This museum is home to a collection of over 6,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. Visitors can also explore the museum’s gardens, which feature a variety of plants and flowers.

• Location: Jacksonville
• Things to do: Explore the collection of over 6,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. Visit the museum’s gardens.
• Cost: $10 per adult, $6 per child (5-12), free for children under 5.

11. The Kampong

This botanical garden is home to a variety of tropical plants and flowers. Visitors can take a guided tour of the gardens or enjoy a picnic lunch.

• Location: Coconut Grove
• Things to do: Take a guided tour of the botanical garden, which is home to a variety of tropical plants and flowers.
• Cost: $20 per adult, $10 per child (4-12), free for children under 4.

12. The Black Hammock

This nature preserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including alligators, snakes, and birds. Visitors can hike or bike through the preserve or take a guided tour.

• Location: Oviedo
• Things to do: Hike or bike through the nature preserve, home to alligators, snakes, and birds. Take a guided tour.
• Cost: Guided tours start at $15 per person.

13. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

This museum is home to a collection of over 12,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. Visitors can also see the museum’s collection of Tiffany glass.

• Location: Winter Park
• Things to do: See the collection of over 12,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. Visit the museum’s Tiffany glass collection.
• Cost: $6 per adult, $1 per child (12-18), free for children under 12.

14. Harry P. Leu Gardens

These gardens are home to a variety of plants and flowers, as well as a butterfly house, a rose garden, and a Japanese garden. Visitors can take a guided tour of the gardens or enjoy a picnic lunch.

• Location: Orlando
• Things to do: Take a guided tour of the gardens, which are home to a variety of plants and flowers, a butterfly house, a rose garden, and a Japanese garden.
• Cost: $10 per adult, $5 per child (4-17), free for children under 4.

15. Blowing Rocks Preserve

This park is home to a series of limestone cliffs that spray seawater into the air when the wind blows in the right direction. Visitors can also hike through the park’s trails to enjoy the views.

• Location: Jupiter Island
• Things to do: Hike through the park’s trails and witness the limestone cliffs spraying seawater into the air when the wind blows in the right direction.
• Cost: $2 per person.

16. Wakulla Springs State Park

This park is home to the largest and deepest spring in Florida. Visitors can take a glass-bottom boat tour of the spring, swim, snorkel, and dive in the spring, or visit the park’s museum and aquarium.

• Location: Wakulla Springs
• Things to do: Take a glass-bottom boat tour of the largest and deepest spring in Florida, swim, snorkel, and dive in the spring, or visit the park’s museum and aquarium.
• Cost: $6 per vehicle (2-8 people), $4 for single-occupant vehicle or motorcycle, $8 per adult for the boat tour, $5 per child (3-12) for the boat tour.

17. Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge

This refuge is home to a population of West Indian manatees. Visitors can take a guided tour of the refuge to learn about the manatees and see them up close.

• Location: Crystal River
• Things to do: Take a guided tour of the refuge to see the West Indian manatees up close and learn about them.
• Cost: Guided tours start at $20 per person.

18. Silver Springs State Park

This park is home to the Silver River, a spring-fed river with crystal-clear water. Visitors can take a glass-bottom boat tour of the river, swim, snorkel, and dive in the river, or visit the park’s museum and aquarium.

• Location: Ocala
• Things to do: Take a glass-bottom boat tour of the spring-fed Silver River, swim, snorkel, and dive in the river, or visit the park’s museum and aquarium.
• Cost: $8 per vehicle (2-8 people), $4 for single-occupant vehicle or motorcycle, $11 per adult for the boat tour, $8 per child (6-12) for the boat tour.

19. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

This park is home to the Weeki Wachee River, a spring-fed river with crystal-clear water and live mermaids. Visitors can watch the mermaids perform underwater shows, swim in the river, or take a boat tour of the river.

• Location: Weeki Wachee
• Things to do: Watch the live mermaid shows, swim in the spring-fed Weeki Wachee River, or take a boat tour of the river.
• Cost: $13 per adult, $8 per child (6-12), free for children under 6.

20. Falling Waters State Park

This park is home to Chipola Falls, a 20-foot waterfall on the Chipola River. Visitors can swim in the pool at the bottom of the falls, hike through the park’s trails, or picnic in the park.

• Location: Chipley
• Things to do: Swim in the pool at the bottom of the 20-foot waterfall, hike through the park’s trails, or have a picnic.
• Cost: $5 per vehicle (2-8 people), $4 for single-occupant vehicle or motorcycle.

21. Jonathan Dickinson State Park

This park is home to a variety of ecosystems, including mangrove forests, pine forests, and freshwater marshes. Visitors can hike, bike, and camp in the park.

• Location: Hobe Sound
• Things to do: Hike, bike, and camp in the park, which is home to a variety of ecosystems, including mangrove forests, pine forests, and freshwater marshes.
• Cost: $4 per vehicle (2-8 people).

22. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

This park is home to a variety of wildlife, including bison, wild horses, and alligators. Visitors can drive through the park on a scenic road, hike through the park’s trails, or visit the park’s museum.

• Location: 100 Savannah Blvd, Micanopy, FL 32667, USA
• Things to do: Drive through the park on a scenic road, hike through the park’s trails, visit the park’s museum, observe wildlife such as bison, wild horses, and alligators.
• Cost: $6 per vehicle (2-8 people), $4 for a single-occupant vehicle, $2 for pedestrians, bicyclists, and extra passengers.

23. Big Talbot Island State Park

This park is home to a variety of ecosystems, including beaches, dunes, and maritime forests. Visitors can swim, sunbathe, fish, and hike in the park.

• Location: 12157 Heckscher Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32226, USA
• Things to do: Swim, sunbathe, fish, and hike in the park, explore various ecosystems including beaches, dunes, and maritime forests.
• Cost: $5 per vehicle (2-8 people), $4 for a single-occupant vehicle, $2 for pedestrians, bicyclists, and extra passengers.

24. Cayo Costa State Park

This park is a barrier island located off the coast of Punta Gorda. Visitors can take a ferry to the island and enjoy its secluded beaches, hiking trails, and fishing spots.

• Location: 880 Belcher Rd S, Largo, FL 33771, USA
• Things to do: Take a ferry to the island, enjoy secluded beaches, hiking trails, and fishing spots.
• Cost: $2 per person for the ferry ride, $4 per vehicle (2-8 people), $2 for pedestrians, bicyclists, and extra passengers.

25. Loggerhead Marinelife Center

This center is a sea turtle hospital and rehabilitation center. Visitors can learn about sea turtles, see sea turtles up close, and take a guided tour of the center

• Location: 14200 US-1, Juno Beach, FL 33408, USA
• Things to do: Learn about sea turtles, see sea turtles up close, take a guided tour of the center.
• Cost: Free, but donations are encouraged.

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26. Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

This aquarium is home to a variety of marine life, including sharks, dolphins, and sea turtles. Visitors can learn about marine life, see marine animals up close, and take a guided tour of the aquarium.

• Location: 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
• Things to do: Learn about marine life, see marine animals up close, take a guided tour of the aquarium.
• Cost: $26.75 for adults, $21.75 for children (ages 3-12), free for children under 3.

27. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

This marine sanctuary is home to a variety of marine life, including coral reefs, dolphins, and manatees. Visitors can snorkel, dive, fish, and boat in the sanctuary.

• Location: Florida Keys, USA
• Things to do: Snorkel, dive, fish, and boat in the sanctuary, observe marine life including coral reefs, dolphins, and manatees.
• Cost: Varies depending on the activity and service provider.

28. Dry Tortugas National Park

This park is a group of seven islands located off the coast of Key West. Visitors can take a ferry to the park and explore its fort, beaches, and snorkeling spots.

• Location: Florida Keys, USA
• Things to do: Take a ferry to the park, explore its fort, beaches, and snorkeling spots.
• Cost: $15 for the ferry ride (one way), $10 entrance fee to the park, additional fees for camping and guided tours.

Florida is a state of endless exploration, with natural wonders and cultural gems waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re interested in outdoor adventures, wildlife encounters, or a dose of history and art, Florida has something for everyone. So, pack your bags and set out on an unforgettable journey through the Sunshine State!

Conclusion

Florida has much more to offer than its famous theme parks and beaches. These 12 hidden gems provide a glimpse into the state’s diverse and exciting attractions. Whether you’re a foodie, nature lover, or history enthusiast, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in these off-the-beaten-path locations. So, the next time you’re planning a trip to Florida, consider adding these hidden gems to your itinerary for a truly unique experience.