People sometimes misunderstand Florida. Most people think it’s just theme parks, crowded beaches, and tourist spots. But I’ve explored Florida quite a bit, and I can say for sure that there’s so much more here.
There are natural springs whose water is even cleaner than a swimming pool, and in Miami there are beautiful European-style gardens hidden from view. Florida surprises me with something new every time.
Here are some of my favorite unique spots in Florida that most people don’t know about.
My 5 Best Things to do in Florida
🚶‍♀️ Hunt for Shark Teeth at Caspersen Beach in Venice
🚶‍♀️ Take the Ferry to Pigeon Key in the Florida Keys
🚶‍♀️ Swim at Fanning Springs State Park
🚶‍♀️ Visit the Society of the Four Arts Garden in Palm Beach — It’s Free
🚶‍♀️ Pick Wildflowers at Hunsader Farms in Bradenton
Snorkel Under the Blue Heron Bridge in Palm Beach County
Most people pass by here without paying any attention. But under the Blue Heron Bridge in Palm Beach County, there’s a spot that many consider the best shore dive and snorkel spot in the entire country.
Just park your car at Phil Foster Park—it’s completely free—and head straight into the water. There you’ll find a snorkel trail under the water with artificial reefs and small shipwrecks.
Just remember one important thing: plan your visit for high tide. If high tide is at 2 p.m., get in the water between 1 and 3 p.m. Outside of that time, the water isn’t as clear, and it’s not as much fun.
No need for a dive boat, a tour guide, or expensive equipment rental. Just park your car and jump in the water.
Read: Things to Do in Pensacola
Explore the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami
Most people know Miami for its nightlife and crowded beaches, but Vizcaya is that beautiful part of the city that many people miss. This old Gilded Age mansion dates back to around 1915, and to be honest, it feels like you’ve stepped into somewhere in Italy or Spain.
First, go inside the mansion and don’t rush. The stained glass panels alone are so beautiful that you could easily spend 20 minutes just looking at them.
After that, head to the swimming pool, because surprisingly many people skip this part. Then make your way to the gardens. The water’s edge walk leads you to a beautiful green gazebo surrounded on all sides by water — this was my favorite spot on the entire property.
The private gardens at the back are very large and take quite some time to explore at your leisure. If you want to fully enjoy this place, be sure to set aside at least three hours.
Hike to Big Shoals for Florida’s Only Whitewater Rapids
If someone told you that Florida has Class 3 rapids, you’d probably laugh. I didn’t believe it at first either. But Big Shoals State Park, near White Springs about an hour north of Gainesville, is truly an amazing place.
Just pay the entrance fee, then follow the yellow trail markers along the Suwannee River and begin the roughly 2.5-mile round-trip walk. As the river’s current picks up, you’ll know you’re getting close.
Along the way, there are several viewing platforms where you can get a great view of the whitewater. The river’s water is very deep, almost tea-colored, because it’s a blackwater river. Its color comes from tannins released by decaying plants.
Hunt for Shark Teeth at Caspersen Beach in Venice
Venice calls itself the shark tooth capital of the world, and Caspersen Beach really lives up to that. The road to the beach was damaged by a hurricane and still hasn’t been rebuilt. So drive as far as you can, park at South Broward Park, then walk the rest of the way.
When you get to the beach, take a close look at the piles of shells along the water’s edge. I’m not very good at finding shark teeth myself, but here I managed to get a pretty good collection in just 30 minutes.
Spend a Day in Micanopy, Florida’s Oldest Inland Town
Micanopy is a small town located about 20 minutes south of Gainesville, and it has existed since 1821. The place feels very peaceful, slow-paced, and incredibly beautiful in its simplicity.
The most special thing here is antiquing. On both sides of the streets, there are old historic buildings, and most of them house antique shops where you can find very interesting and vintage items.
For food, I’d recommend the Coffee and Cream Cafe and the Old Florida Cafe—both are really good. Don’t forget to visit the historical museum, then head a little further to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park.
Climb the observation tower there and look for wild horses and bison. During my visit I actually saw wild horses, which I didn’t expect at all.
On the way back through town, be sure to stop at Pearls for barbecue. And if you’re planning to spend the night there, Herlong Mansion is a very charming place.
Visit the Society of the Four Arts Garden in Palm Beach — It’s Free
I have visited botanical gardens in many different countries around the world, but the Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach truly has its own distinct identity. The best part is that visiting here is completely free.
The garden is divided into several beautiful sections—some with dense foliage and flowers, some with stunning water views, and some peaceful corners where you can stroll at your leisure.
There’s also a Japanese garden and a sculpture garden here, and both are worth spending time in. As soon as you step through the entrance, the city noise and traffic seem to vanish completely. To be honest, I don’t understand why more people don’t talk about this beautiful place.
Swim Five Springs at Ginnie Springs Near Gainesville
If you want to see several springs in Florida but don’t want to spend the whole day driving from one place to another, Ginnie Springs is the best choice. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Gainesville, and the entrance fee is around $20 to $25 per person. The price may seem a bit high, but with that same ticket you get to see five different springs.
The most famous is Ginnie Spring, which is quite large and very popular. Then there’s the Devil’s Spring System, which includes Little Devil—it looks like a deep fissure in the earth. There’s also a beautiful spring run where you can swim, and Devil’s Eye feels very special because of its crystal-clear water.
Dogwood Spring often goes unnoticed, but its spring boil and water flow are truly beautiful. Twin Spring comes at the end of the tube run, while Deer Spring completes your day.
The best part is that all five springs are in the same park, so you don’t have to drive back and forth.
Walk Around Alys Beach in the Florida Panhandle
The Florida Panhandle is famous for its white-sand, clear-water beaches, but Alys Beach offers a completely different feel. This small planned community looks as if a piece of a Greek island has been lifted and placed on the Gulf Coast.
Everywhere you look, there are white stucco buildings, bougainvillea flowers, and peaceful streets. I grabbed a cold-pressed juice and just wandered around, enjoying the beautiful atmosphere.
You can easily bike over to nearby Rosemary Beach, which has a completely different European village feel, along with great shopping and dining options.
The beaches in both places are incredibly clean and beautiful, but to access them you have to stay overnight in one of the two towns.
Browse the Old Florida Bookshop in Fort Lauderdale
Florida’s heat can really be brutal. When a sudden thunderstorm hits or the heat becomes unbearable, the Old Florida Bookshop in Fort Lauderdale is a perfect place to spend some peaceful time.
From the outside, the place looks completely ordinary—like a small shop in a strip plaza. But the moment you open the door, the entire atmosphere changes.
Inside, there are floor-to-ceiling shelves packed with secondhand books, rolling ladders, and beautiful antiques nestled among the books. And the most interesting part? There’s a resident cat who will surely come over to you while you’re browsing.
See a Real Waterfall at Falling Creek Falls
There really is a waterfall in Florida. Falling Creek Falls is located about an hour north of Gainesville and an hour west of Jacksonville, and there’s no fee to visit.
A short, shaded boardwalk leads you straight to the waterfall. I had thought it would be really small—maybe just two feet tall, like it looks in the pictures—but when I got there I was surprised to find it’s over ten feet high.
The water is brown because it contains tannins, which is why it’s also called Root Beer Falls. This place doesn’t look at all like what you’d expect in Florida, and maybe that’s exactly why it’s really worth visiting.
Take the Ferry to Pigeon Key in the Florida Keys
Pigeon Key is located right in the middle of the Seven Mile Bridge, and getting there is an exciting experience in itself. If you wish, you can walk the roughly 4-mile round trip on the old bridge, or you can take the Pigeon Key Express ferry, which is quite a nice experience.
When you arrive on the island, your ticket also includes a historical tour. Since Pigeon Key is a National Historic Landmark, you get the chance to learn about its real history.
After the tour, you can also go snorkeling, especially around the dock behind the island. The underwater scenery here is truly worth seeing.
Kayak the Emerald Cut Near Apopka
Emerald Cut looks like it was made for a travel brochure, but it’s actually a real place. It’s located on a tropical river near Apopka where the water appears crystal-clear and emerald-green for a long stretch.
You can rent a canoe or kayak from King’s Landing, or if you have your own watercraft, you can bring that too. First, you paddle out through the brownwater canal, then as soon as you reach the river, turn right and keep going.
Gradually the water changes from brown to that distinctive emerald green. From there you kayak about a mile upstream, then float back with the current — it feels almost like a natural lazy river.
One thing to remember: after heavy rain the water can turn murky from tannins, so be sure to call King’s Landing before you go to check conditions.
Explore Cedar Key on Florida’s West Coast
Cedar Key is an old Florida beach town that feels like it runs at a completely different pace. It’s located on the west coast and is a very peaceful, authentic place full of character.
Second Street is the heart of the town. Here you’ll find handmade shops, a community garden you can wander through for free, and a sculpture garden hidden nearby.
For food, I often go to Prickly Palm and 1842 Daily Grind — especially their key lime pie on a stick is really delicious. It’s also a good idea to pick up a bag of locally roasted coffee there.
If you’re staying here, the Historic Island Hotel is an excellent choice. You can rent a kayak to get to Atsena Otie Key, an old ghost town right off the coast, or just take a leisurely stroll along the beach within the city. To end the day, Neptune Lounge is a local favorite.
Visit the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach — Also Free
I had been passing by this place for years but never stopped. When I finally went there, I couldn’t believe I had been missing it all that time.
The Loggerhead Marinelife Center is a sea turtle rehabilitation and conservation center located in Juno Beach, and admission is completely free.
You can see the various sea turtles here that are undergoing treatment. Each tank has a board indicating why the turtle is here, its rehabilitation plan, and whether it will be released back into the ocean.
Some turtles stay here permanently, but most are released back into the ocean once they’ve recovered. You can also see very small baby turtles here, which is truly a beautiful experience.
Snorkel the Sunken Ruins at Fort De Soto Park
Fort De Soto is located at the mouth of Tampa Bay, and this place made the list not just for its beaches but for several other reasons. The park stretches over seven miles of shoreline, so there’s plenty of open space and it feels less crowded.
In my view, the most special thing here is snorkeling in the water, especially around the submerged ruins known as Battery Bigelow. It was an old fort that is now underwater and has become part of the marine life.
This beach is also great for shelling, and its white sand stays clean and less crowded compared to nearby popular spots. There’s just a flat fee for parking, so you don’t have to worry about arriving early in the morning.
Swim at Fanning Springs State Park
Fanning Springs often doesn’t make the lists of Florida’s best springs, and I don’t understand why. It’s about a 50-minute drive from Gainesville, and the spring setup here is truly beautiful.
There’s a swimming platform here where you can easily enter the water. One section is shallow and sandy, where you can walk comfortably in the water, while another section is deeper, located above the spring boil.
The water temperature stays around 72°F year-round and it always looks crystal clear. This spring is hidden in a small cove, which makes the scenery very captivating both at the surface and underwater.
If you bring a snorkel, it’s quite easy to see wildlife here.
Tour the Florida Caverns in Marianna
Most people don’t know that there are caves in Florida that are easily accessible. The aquifer system here makes it quite unusual, and that’s why Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna is such a rare place.
Guided tours take you about 75 feet underground, where there’s a cavern system over a mile long. Each tour lasts about an hour, and geologists are still discovering new sections here.
The temperature inside stays around 65°F, but the humidity is very high—nearly 100%. So there’s no need to bring a jacket.
I’ve seen many famous cave systems in the United States, but this place really impressed me.
Wander the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach
The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens doesn’t get the credit it truly deserves. It’s tucked away in Delray Beach, and its gardens are designed in the styles of various periods of Japanese history. Each section has its own distinct look and feel.
The bonsai garden is my personal favorite spot—I can sit there for quite a while just enjoying the time. Small wooden bridges connect the different sections, and at almost every turn you see beautiful water features.
After the gardens, you can also explore the museum and view the exhibits. The gift shop is worth a stop, where you can find Japanese snacks, ceramics, and other interesting items.
This whole area is much larger than it looks on the map, so you shouldn’t plan on spending too little time here. I had three hours, and even that was not enough.
Spend a Day in Winter Park
Winter Park is located just outside Orlando, but when you arrive here, it feels like you’ve stepped into a completely different world. The main attraction here is the Winter Park Chain of Lakes—six lakes connected by canals that you can explore by kayak or on a scenic boat tour.
I took the Scenic Boat Tour and really enjoyed it. The canals here are the highlight—narrow, shaded, and completely peaceful. Traveling on the water makes the whole atmosphere feel very relaxing.
After the water tour, you can visit the Rollins Museum of Art, located on the Rollins College campus, and admission is free.
After that, head over to Park Avenue, where you’ll find plenty of spots for dinner or drinks. It’s a National Historic District filled with boutiques, restaurants, and towering oak trees.
A full day here flies by in no time.
Visit McKee Botanical Garden in Vero Beach
McKee Botanical Garden is located in Vero Beach and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it truly deserves that honor. The subtropical landscape here is so immersive that it’s hard to fully convey unless you’re walking through it yourself.
There’s a massive mushroom sculpture here that really makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a storybook world. There’s a palm tree walkway, small ponds, and a historic bridge—this bridge was hidden in Florida’s dense vegetation for decades and was rediscovered in the late 1990s.
The entire garden is designed for a leisurely stroll, so there’s no need to rush. If you have kids with you, there’s a large play area with a splash pad.
This place isn’t very well known, which is why every time you visit, it feels like discovering a hidden gem.
Walk Blowing Rocks Preserve North of Palm Beach
There are sea cliffs in Florida. It may sound strange, but the Blowing Rocks Preserve, located about 30 minutes north of Palm Beach, proves it—and admission is completely free.
The trail to the beach winds through seagrape trees that arch overhead to form a kind of tunnel—it’s truly a beautiful sight.
When you reach the beach, you’ll see Florida’s only sea cliffs. At high tide, the waves crash forcefully against the rocks, creating a very dramatic scene. At low tide, you can walk beneath them or snorkel around their base.
Just remember one thing: wear shoes here because the rocks are quite sharp.
Swim at Silver Glen Springs in Ocala National Forest
If I had to pick one spring in Florida for the most unreal water clarity, it would be Silver Glen Springs. The water here really looks like a swimming pool—so clear it’s hard to believe.
This spring releases about 65 million gallons of fresh water each day, and its temperature stays around 72°F year-round.
In the winter, manatees sometimes swim into the spring run. If you see them, keep your distance and do not touch them.
Boating is restricted to a specific section of the spring run, which keeps the swimming area calm and safe. The clarity here can truly only be appreciated in person.
Explore Kanapaha Botanical Gardens in Gainesville
I didn’t know much about Kanapaha Botanical Gardens before, but when I went there I realized I hadn’t planned enough time for it. The place is much larger than I expected.
You can start with the labyrinth near the entrance, then gradually make your way to the vine garden, rose garden, and herb garden—which is said to be the largest in the Southeast—and then head to the children’s garden.
Bridges, gazebos, and small waterfalls are scattered throughout the grounds. During my walk, I saw turtles and even spotted a small alligator.
There’s also a bamboo forest and a few sinkholes, which give the place a wild and unexpected feel. It really is a place you need to allow plenty of time to explore.
Make the Trip Out to Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park is located about 70 miles off the coast of Key West, and reaching it really requires proper planning. Both ferries and seaplanes book up in advance, so it’s essential to book early. It’s also one of Florida’s more expensive day trips.
But once you get there, it’s all worth it. The water around the islands is an unreal blue-green, the beaches are wide and nearly empty, and Fort Jefferson on the main island is a massive 19th-century military fort that’s truly amazing to explore inside.
You can snorkel near the coral reefs, join ranger-led tours, watch birds, or simply sit on the beach and enjoy the feeling of being on a remote island.
With proper preparation, overnight camping is also possible here. It’s truly a travel experience that stays with you.
Pick Wildflowers at Hunsader Farms in Bradenton
Hunsader Farms isn’t the kind of place people usually think of when planning a day out in Florida, but for me it has become one of the most relaxing and favorite experiences in the state. It’s located in Bradenton, and here you can pick wildflowers of your choice right from the open fields.
At the entrance you buy a cup—and really you’re not buying the cup but as many flowers as will fit in it. Then you follow the dirt road straight to the flower fields.
The variety of flowers here changes with the seasons, but when I went, I came home with a truly beautiful bouquet. The on-site market is also worth checking out, where you can find baked goods, local honey and jam, and fresh sunflowers for sale.
