50 Offbeat Florida Attractions
February 6th, 2010 | 
Author: 50 Offbeat Florida Attractions
An ancient Spanish monastery spiritualist camp castle made entirely of coral undersea lodge bat tower seven mile bridge Navy SEAL museum and other unique curiosities can all be found in the Sunshine State for those travelers who like to stray off the beaten path. Below are 50 of the most offbeat attractions in Florida:
African Queen Key Largo Florida
The marina at the Holiday Inn Key Largo Mile Marker 100 is home to the original boat used in the classic 1951 movie The African Queen which was directed by legendary director John Huston and starred Humphrey Bogart Katherine Huston and Robert Morley.
Ancient Spanish Monastery North Miami Beach Florida
Built in Segovia Spain in 1141 the Spanish Monastery is the oldest building in the Western Hemisphere. Newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst had the entire monastery dismantled and sent to the United States in the 1920s where it serves today as St. Bernard de Clairvaux Episcopal Church.
Big Cat Rescue Tampa Florida
The world’s largest big cat rescue and sanctuary Big Cat Rescue is home to lions tigers cougars leopards bobcats ocelots servals lynx caracals and other exotic cats. Guided educational tours of Big Cat Rescue are available.
Blue Hole Big Pine Key Florida
The largest body of fresh water in the Florida Keys the Blue Hole is an old rock quarry created during the construction of the Florida East Coast Railway according to legend. Today the Blue Hole is home to alligators turtles fish ducks and a variety of wading birds. The Blue Hole is located at Mile Marker 30.5 bayside.
Burt Reynolds Friends Museum Jupiter Florida
A monument to actor Burt Reynolds’ massive ego the Burt Reynolds Friends Museum contains a collection of awards and memorabilia from his movie and TV career.
Butterfly World Coconut Creek Florida
One of South Florida’s top tourist destinations Butterfly World is the world’s largest butterfly aviary home to more than 80 butterfly species and 5000 butterflies.
Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Cassadaga Florida
A Historic Spiritualist Camp founded in 1894 Cassadaga is the oldest active religious community in the Southeastern United States and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Christ of the Deep Key Largo Florida
The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park “America’s First Undersea Park” is home to the famous ninefoottall bronze “Christ of the Deep” statue which lies 25 feet beneath the ocean in the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary.
Citrus Tower Clermont Florida
Although these days you will definitely view more subdivisions than citrus trees you can still ride the elevator to an observation deck 226 feet above the rolling hills of Clermont for a spectacular glimpse of the surrounding area.
Coral Castle Homestead Florida
How did one individual endeavor to procure and sculpt more than 1100 tons of coral rock into a fantasy world carved out of stone using only homemade tools? The secrets still lie within Coral Castle “America’s Stonehenge” the bizarre masterpiece of obsessive genius Ed Leedskalnin which was built over a 28year period.
Creations Pop Culture Museum Delray Beach Florida
A variety of incredible exhibits await you at Creations Pop Culture Museum which features tons of Hollywood movie and TV memorabilia.
Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park Gainesville Florida
A National Natural Landmark Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park boasts a 120footdeep sinkhole that is accessible from a stairway leading to a lush “miniature rain forest.” The premises include a visitors center and hiking trails.
Dinosaur World Plant City Florida
A unique outdoor museum Dinosaur World is billed as the “world’s largest dinosaur attraction.” Highlights include lifesize dinosaur replicas caves handson activities fossil dig area educational exhibits gift shop and more.
Dry Tortugas National Park Key West Florida
About 70 miles West of Key West lies Dry Tortugas National Park which is home to historic Fort Jefferson. Dry Tortugas National Park is accessible only by boat ferry or seaplane.
Flipper’s Grave Grassy Key Florida
Grassy Key in the Florida Keys is home to the Dolphin Research Center which also serves as the final resting place for the original “Flipper” real name: Mitzi the most famous dolphin in film and TV history. Mitzi is buried in the Center’s courtyard.
Gatorland Orlando Florida
Billed as the “Alligator Capital of the World” Gatorland features such lively shows as the worldfamous Gator Jumparoo Jungle Crocs of the World Gator Wrestlin’ Show and Up Close Animal Encounters as well as the Gator Gully Splash Park petting zoo aviary train ride and more.
Holy Land Experience Orlando Florida
A “living biblical history museum” Holy Land Experience allows visitors to meet interesting biblical characters in authentic costumes view a fascinating collection of antiquities and expore the ancient architecture of biblical Jerusalem.
Jackie Gleason’s Mausoleum Miami Florida
An immense outdoor mauseoleum at the Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery in Miami serves as the final resting place for Jackie Gleason who will always be remembered for his role as Ralph Kramden in “The Honeymooners.” The only inscription on the mausoleum is Gleason’s signature parting lines: “And Away We Go.”
Jesus Film Project Orlando Florida
The twohour docudrama Jesus has been viewed by approximately 5 billion people around the world since making its debut in 1979. Learn all about the “most widely viewed film in history” at the Jesus Film Project’s master studio which is located at the World Headquarters of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Jules’ Undersea Lodge Key Largo Florida
The only underwater hotel in the United States Jules’ Undersea Lodge lies approximately 30 feet beneath the sea and guests have to scuba dive to reach the twobedroom habitat.
Jungle Adventures Christmas Florida
A 20acre wildlife sanctuary Jungle Adventures is home to alligators bears deer bobcats panthers crocodiles monkeys snakes and turtles. View alligator feedings and wildlife shows take a jungle cruise and visit a Native American Village.
Key West Cemetery Key West Florida
Opened in 1847 the historic Key West Cemetery is home to a monument for sailors who died during the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine in 1898 as well as a number of quirky inscriptions such as “I Told You I Was Sick” and “Devoted Fan of Julio Iglesias.”
Monkey Jungle Miami Florida
Visit Monkey Jungle “Where Humans are Caged and Monkeys Run Wild!” One of the few protected habitats for endangered primates in the country Monkey Jungle is home to more than 400 primates that run free on a 30acre reserve. A total of 30 primate species are represented here such as spider monkeys colobus gibbons and guenons.
Monument to the States Kissimmee Florida
Begun in 1942 the 50foottall Monument to the States lies in downtown Kissimmee and consists of more than 1500 fossils and rocks from every state as well as more than 20 countries.
Mulberry Phosphate Museum Mulberry Florida
Mulberry is known as the “Phosphate Capital of the World” and the Mulberry Phosphate Museum features an incredible colleciton of fossils and exhibits that document the town’s role in the phosphate industry.
National Key Deer Refuge Big Pine Key Florida
A 8542acre National Wildlife Refuge that lies on Big Pine Key and No Name Key in the Florida Keys the National Key Deer Refuge serves as the home of the endangered Key Deer as well as nearly two dozen other threatened and endangered plant and animal species.
Navy SEAL Museum Fort Pierce Florida
The Navy SEAL Museum is the world’s only museum dedicated exclusively to “the elite warriors of Naval Special Warfare.”
Old Jail St. Augustine Florida
The entire family will enjoy a guided tour through this 1891 jail which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse St. Augustine Florida
Built in the early 1700s and located near the famous St. Augustine City Gates the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse contains a variety of unique artifacts and displays.
Perky’s Bat Tower Sugarloaf Key Florida
Built in 1929 by Florida Keys entrepreneur Richter Perky as a way to attract mosquitoeating bats Perky’s Bat Tower never attracted any bats but today it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Potter’s Wax Museum St. Augustine Florida
Billed as “America’s first and finest wax museum” Potter’s wax museum is nestled in historic St. Augustine and features more than 160 wax figures of such celebrities and historical figures as Albert Einstein Julius Caesar Tiger Woods Princess Diana Michael Jordan Johnny Depp and even a bald Britney Spears!
Reptile World Serpentarium St. Cloud Florida
The Reptile World Serpentarium houses more than 50 species of snakes from all over the world such as the Australian taipan king cobra and East African green mamba. Venom shows take place twice daily.
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Orlando Florida
View such oddities as a Rolls Royce made from a million matchsticks twoheaded calf shrunken head foureyed man cannibal dinosaur Mona Lisa made out of toast Egyptian mummy Van Gogh portrait made from 3000 postcards and a piece of the Berlin Wall at the Orlando Odditorium which appears like it is being slowly devoured by an immense sinkhole!
Ron Jon Surf Shop Cocoa Beach Florida
Open 24 hours a day Ron Jon Surf Shop is a massive 52000squarefoot multilevel specialty store that features surfboards clothing and surfrelated souvenirs as well as live music demonstrations and autograph sessions.
Salvador Dali Museum St. Petersburg Florida
Nestled in downtown St. Petersburg of all places! the Salvador Dali Museum boasts the most comprehensive collection of permanent works by the famous surrealist painter such as “The Hallucinogenic Toreador” and “The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus.”
Seven Mile Bridge Marathon Key Florida
A masterpiece of engineering the Seven Mile Bridge was constructed between 1979 and 1982 on the Overseas Highway and serves to connect the Middle Keys Marathon Key to the Lower Keys Little Duck Key. For the record the actual length of the Seven Mile Bridge is 6.79 miles.
Solomon’s Castle Ona Florida
Internationally known sculptor Howard Solomon created this unique medievalstyle fortress to house his extensive artwork. Guided tours of Solomon’s Castle are available. The premises also include the Boat in the Moat Restaurant.
Southernmost Point Key West Florida
A huge buoylike structure at the corner of Whitehead and South streets in Key West supposedly marks the “Southernmost Point in the United States” which is only 90 miles North of Cuba.
Spook Hill Lake Wales Florida
Park your car at the bottom of this “gravitydefying hill” in Lake Wales and it will appear to roll up the hill. Is it an optical illusion or some kind of mystical occurrence?
St. Augustine Alligator Farm St. Augustine Florida
View Maximo the Giant Crocodile 15 feet and 3 inches long 1250 pounds at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm which also features wildlife shows nature habitats albino alligators and much more.
Titanic: The Experience Orlando Florida
The world’s first permanent Titanic exhibition features a fullscale recreation of the Titanic’s Grand Staircase and incredible stories of the passengers and crew who survived the tragedy as well as more than 250 Titanic artifacts and memorabilia from the 1997 Oscarwinning movie Titanic.
Venetian Pool Coral Gables Florida
Surrounded by Venetianstyle architecture and listed on the National Register of Historic Places the Venetian Pool is a 820000gallon pool that was carved out of a coral rock quarry in 1923. It features a variety of waterfalls caves grottos and a diving platform.
Water Ski Hall of Fame Museum Polk City Florida
View the first pair of water skis and other rare artifacts and memorabilia that document the history of waterskiing at the Water Ski Hall of Fame Museum which also contains a resource center and audiovisual library.
Weeki Wachee Springs Weeki Wachee Florida
Established in 1947 Weeki Wachee Springs still features its everpopular live mermaid shows as well as a stateoftheart waterpark called Buccaneer Bay and sightseeing boat tours.
WonderWorks Orlando Florida
Experience an earthquake lie on a bed of nails design your own roller coaster and immerse yourself in virtual reality fun at WonderWorks “Orlando’s only upsidedown attraction!”
World Chess Hall of Fame Miami Florida
Learn about some of the most famous chess players in history such as Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky at the World Chess Hall of Fame which also features fascinating chess exhibits and artifacts.
World Erotic Art Museum Miami Beach Florida
The World Erotic Art Museum boasts an extensive collection of more than 4000 artifacts that comprehensively document the history of eroticism from 200 B.C. until today.
World’s Largest DriveIn Sunrise Florida
Open since 1963 the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop boasts the largest drivein movie theater and daily flea market in the world.
World’s Largest McDonald’s Orlando Florida
In addition to offering a unique menu that includes gourmet sandwiches and desserts this twostory McDonald’s offers a 25000squarefoot play area as well as more than 60 arcade games. It is located just off worldfamous International Drive.
World’s Smallest Police Station Carrabelle
Basically a phone booth the World’s Smallest Police Station was built in the early ’60s to accommodate the one police office in Carrabelle population 1800. It’s worth the photo opportunity if you ever find yourself driving aimlessly through Florida’s panhandle.
About the writer: Orlando Florida Guide the best guide to Orlando offers discount Disney World tickets discount Universal Orlando tickets and discount Sea World Orlando tickets as well as discount Orlando hotels and individually tailored Orlando vacation packages.
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