Planning a trip to Florida?

If all you’re planning is hanging out by the beach, you’ll miss out on some of the best things the Sunshine State has to offer. Sure, the sun and the sand are wonderful. But the Unique Places to visit in Florida can bring a whole other dimension of excitement to your vacation.

Florida has seen record numbers of tourists in recent years. If you’ll be one of them soon, make sure you get the most out of the trip by learning about the must-see places in Florida. Keep reading before you book your visit!

1. Skunk Ape Research Headquarters

The Skunk Ape Research Headquarters in Ochopee will bring a naturalist’s sense of adventure to your vacation.

Oh, did we say naturalist? We meant cryptozoologist. The “skunk ape” is basically the Sasquatch of Florida. The rumored big, hairy, two-legged mammal is said to be recognizable by its stench as much as anything else. According to myth, it makes its home in the Florida Everglades.

That’s why the Skunk Ape Research Headquarters is located where it is – right by the skunk ape’s supposed natural habitat. Sure, you might never spot one for yourself, but you can at least pick up a gift shop souvenir with a picture of one at the gift shop.

2. Coral Castle

Head over to Homestead next for another site that’s named quite literally. The Coral Castle is, you guessed it, a castle built of coral.

In 1918, a man named Edward Leedskalnin decided to male his home in Florida. But he didn’t make just any home – he used more than 1,100 tons of coral to build a two-story castle.

He wasn’t a big, burly man. He was just over 5 feet tall and weight about 100 pounds. But he quarried all the coral, hauled it, and carved it into building materials on his own.

Working alone, he’d finally finished the castle after 28 years of labor. It features a solar-heated bathtub, a real sundial, and a table that weighs three tons.

However, Leedskalnin never told anyone how he accomplished the building feat by himself. He worked in secret, and today, many theories abound regarding how he did it. Visit the castle for yourself to come up with your own theories.

3. Presidents Hall of Fame

Florida isn’t really known for being a hotbed of U.S. history. But make your way to Clermont to learn all about this country’s former leaders.

You’ll be amazed at what the museum has to offer, including a replica of the White House at a one-twelfth scale. The collection of first ladies’ gowns shows off presidential fashions through the ages, and the collection of Christmas cards and ornaments shows the holiday styles of each president.

In fact, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a larger collection of presidential memorabilia anywhere else in the States. Don’t miss a photo opp with the mini Mount Rushmore or the wax version of the 44th president, Barack Obama.

4. The Sponge Docks

Tarpon Springs was home to Greek immigrants as early as 1905. There, they brought a knowledge of sponge diving and a cultural influence that’s still felt to this day.

Sponge diving, the oldest known form of recreational diving, is used to retrieve sponges from the ocean for various uses. Today, sponge diving isn’t the only thing to do in Tarpon Springs. Check out the Greek shops, cafes, and restaurants in the area, and don’t forget the Spongeorama Museum. This is as close as you can get to Greece without crossing the Atlantic!

5. Warm Mineral Springs

Florida’s only warm, natural mineral spring is found here, in North Port. It’s also the largest mineral spring in the world.

This spring has more mineral content than any other U.S. spring, and the third-greatest mineral content of springs worldwide. These minerals do a body good: the springs contain more than 50 minerals, which help with inflammation, joint issues, arthritis, skin issues, and more.

The temperature is 87 degrees year-round, and you can visit the springs every day from 9 to 5.

6. Winter Strawberry Captial of the United States

This title needs almost no explanation. In Plant City, farmers produce over 75 percent of the U.S.’s winter strawberries. More than 11,000 acres get harvest by the Florida Strawberry Growers Association alone, resulting in 20 million berry flats.

Visit the local markets for the fresh, juicy berries in all different forms. If you go in late February or early March, you’ll be just in time for the Strawberry Festival to celebrate the harvest.

7. Manatee Swimming

Visit the coasts of Crystal River, Florida, where the biggest population of manatees on the west coast of Florida live.

Although manatees weight as much as 1,200 pounds, these gentle giants won’t hurt you. Take a guided river tour complete with a snorkel, mask, and wetsuit for an up close and personal experience.

8. Jules’ Undersea Lodge

Key Largo sports plenty of recreational activities, but if you’re in the area, this is one thing you won’t want to miss.

This is the world’s very first underwater hotel, built in the ’70s. It got its start as a marine research facility, but has since been converted into a lagoon hotel.

Staying overnight isn’t cheap, and getting there requires you to be a certified scuba diver. However, you can take the lodge’s scuba diving certification if you need one.

9. Lake Okeechobee

Finally, make a reservation in one of the Okeechobee RV parks to check out the U.S.’s tenth-largest natural freshwater lake.

This lake covers about half the area that Rhode Island does, but it’s remarkably shallow for how large it is. The average depth is just nine feet! This is one of Florida’s most unique geological formations, unlike anything else in the state.

Ready to Try These Unique Places to Visit in Florida?

Florida has more than just surf and sand. With these unique places to visit in Florida, you’ll really make the most out of your time. Start planning your trip today!

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