13 Enchanting Spots In Florida You Never Knew Existed
There are tons of popular tourist spots in Florida vying for your attention, but some of our lesser-known attractions are truly our greatest. Visit these little-known gems and hidden parks in Florida for a tour of the state that is less commercial, equally enchanting, and perfect for the whole family.
1. Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area, Flagler Beach
This campsite at Flagler Beach is a gorgeous stretch of beach that is adored by campers with both tents and RVs. You can stay right on the beach and watch the sunrise over the ocean. When it comes to hidden parks in Florida where you can camp, it doesn't get much better than Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area.
Nestled away in the woods near FSU is a time capsule in the form of an English Tudor cottage that looks more at home in a storybook than in Florida. Lichgate on High Road, as the creator called it, was the passion project of a woman named Laura Jepsen, an English professor at the university who wanted her home to be a gateway to the eras she loved so much in her favorite literature. Learn more about the fascinating story of Lichgate on High Road.
This European-inspired estate was the winter property of agricultural industrialist John Deering. Today, it is a museum full of art and antiques and a National Historic Landmark. It also has 10 acres of beautiful gardens on the Biscayne Bay. This beautiful destination in Florida is like something straight out of a fairytale.
One of the loveliest hidden parks in Florida, Ravine Gardens can be described as part manicured perfection and part wild natural beauty. Learn more about the stunning Ravine Gardens in Palatka.
The first in the country and the largest butterfly house in the world, this enchanted enclosure will delight the whole family with 80 different types of butterflies. Wouldn't you want to visit the largest butterfly park in the world?
This 55-room Beaux-Arts-style mansion was built by oil tycoon Henry Flagler. This jaw-dropping historic home is full of stunning artwork and antique furniture. Learn more about the history of the Flagler Museum.
A local favorite, this park near Sarasota has a river and two lakes, so water-related opportunities are plentiful. It's home to many diverse environments, so there's something for everyone. And while you're visiting one of the best hidden parks in Florida, don't forget to walk the treetop canopy!
This 12th-century Spanish monastery was purchased in the 1920s by newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst, whose plans of moving it to California were sidetracked by shipping complications. It ended up in storage for decades until it was purchased again in the '60s and moved piece by piece to North Miami Beach. Truly, the ancient Spanish Monastery must be seen to be believed.
Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales in Central Florida is right out of a fairytale. The 205-foot tower is not only a work of art, it holds some of the world's finest carillon bells. The surrounding gardens are lush and expansive. This is one of the most relaxing and romantic places in Florida.
This park preserves the seven Dry Tortugas islands about 70 miles west of Key West. Located in the park is the hauntingly beautiful Fort Jefferson. Learn more about the iconic Dry Tortugas National Park.
This park in Dunnellon has been drawing visitors for decades with its crystal blue waters. It's hard to find natural waterfalls in Florida, but the man-made ones at this park are a lovely substitute. Rainbow Springs is a perfect spot to hike or swim. While you're there, be sure to hike the Rainbow Springs Trail.
The Venetian Pool in Coral Gables is the country's largest freshwater swimming pool and the only swimming pool on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in the '20s in a coral rock quarry in the style of Venice, Italy. This one-of-a-kind swimming hole in Florida is a must-see.
13. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, Palm Coast
Washington Oaks Gardens is a true hidden gem, with gorgeous formal gardens and shorelines decorated with coquina formations, not to mention the incredible live oaks. Washington Oaks Gardens might just be one of the most beautiful hidden parks in Florida.
Have you visited any of these enchanting places or hidden parks in Florida? What are your favorite lesser-known places in Florida? Please share your comments with us below!
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Address: Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area At Flagler Beach, 3100 S Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL 32136, USA
Address: Lichgate on High Road, 1401 High Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32304, USA
Address: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, 3251 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33129, USA
Address: Ravine Gardens State Park, 1600 Twigg St, Palatka, FL 32177, USA
Address: Tradewinds Park, 3600 W Sample Rd, Coconut Creek, FL 33073, USA
Address: Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, 1 Whitehall Way, Palm Beach, FL 33480, USA
Address: Myakka River State Park, 13208 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL 34241, USA
Address: The Ancient Spanish Monastery, 16711 W Dixie Hwy, North Miami Beach, FL 33160, USA
Address: Bok Tower Road, Bok Tower Rd, Lake Wales, FL 33853, USA
Address: Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida, USA
Address: Rainbow Springs State Park, SW 81st Pl Rd, Dunnellon, FL, USA
Address: Venetian Pool, 2701 De Soto Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134, USA
Address: Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, 6400 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Palm Coast, FL 32137, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
hidden parks in Florida
July 28, 2021
Beth C.
Is there a secret beach in Florida I can visit?
Florida is the land of beaches, and you'll be delighted to hear that some of them are relatively undiscovered. One prime example is Lovers Key State Park, which can be found near Fort Myers Beach. This secret beach in Florida covers over 1,500 acres and is made up of four different barrier islands. The beach is accessible via a short tram ride or a boardwalk. Visiting this beautiful Florida destination, you can look forward to white sandy beaches, seashells, trails, and an abundance of wildlife. There aren't many facilities there, so it's vital that visitors leave no trace on this beautiful beach (except footprints in the sand!) Learn more about the hidden beach at Lovers Key State Park.
What are some fairy tale places in Florida?
There are so many stunning destinations in the Sunshine State that look as though they came straight out of a storybook. The following is a list of fairy tale places in Florida you'll want to visit: the Castle Ottis in St. Augustine, Rainbow Springs State Park, Winter Haven, Seacrest Wolf Preserve in Chipley, Don CeSar in St. Petersburg, the Florida Caverns in Marianna, Weeki Wachee, and the Venetian Pool in Coral Gables. How many of these magical destinations in Florida have you visited?
Is there a secret garden in Florida?
Visit the Goblin Market in the hidden-away town of Mount Dora and you'll be delighted to discover your very own secret garden. Just outside of the quaint bistro awaits the most magical landscape of tea lights, colorful hanging flowers, climbing vines, and more. In fact, it's even more magical at night. Can you imagine sipping a cocktail at this secret garden in Florida?
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