The Fairytale Road Trip That’ll Lead You To Some Of Florida’s Most Magical Places
Magic. Enchantment. Imagination. Florida is filled with so many wonderful fairytale-like places, we’ve decided to compile them all in one incredible trip. Florida itself is seemingly straight out of a fairytale, between the emerald green water shimmering like jewels, the enchanting forested landscapes, and of course, there are even a few caves, singing towers, and castles thrown into the mix. The entire Fairytale Road Trip in Florida will take just over 11 hours of drive-time to complete, but you’ll likely want to stop and explore every place, this can be perfect for a weekend adventure with the family. Check out a Google Map route to visit all of these magical places in Florida and plan your adventure!
We kick off this magical journey with a trip that might just make Little Red Riding Hood nervous. Just kidding — the wolves at Seacrest Wolf Preserve are anything but scary. Visitors to the preserve will be able to get up close with these gentle giants and learn all about why it’s important to protect and preserve wildlife in the state. This is quite a start to this road trip to fairytale places in Florida. To learn more, check out the Seacrest Wolf Preserve Facebook page.
Florida Caverns State Park is like something you would see in a Brothers Grimm story. The stalagmites and stalactites within this underground cave system are truly a marvel. Take a tour of the caverns and visit the dozen different underground rooms and learn all about the unique geological history of this otherworldly landscape.
Visit the Florida State Parks website to learn more about these caverns.
What would a fairytale road trip be without a visit to a castle, right? Castle Otttis in St. Augustine is well worth the visit, as it is one of the very few castles built within the state. What was constructed back in the 80s was built to replicate Irish castles built thousands of years ago. Visitors can come and check out this gigantic stone castle and learn all about the two men who took on the feat of architectural beauty. Visit the Castle Otttis website to learn more.
Ravine Gardens State Park is the type of place where you feel like you’re walking through the pages of a storybook. You can spend hours upon hours wandering the grounds of this park, whether it’s walking the steps through the forested landscape or enjoying the blossoming flowers. What’s even cooler about this park beyond just the beauty is that the tropical garden was once the site of ancient ravines! It's truly one of the most magical places in Florida. Visit the Florida State Parks website to learn more about this stop along our best road trip in Florida.
Speaking of gardens, Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven is about as majestic as you can get. This botanical garden has been around since the 1930s, but since has become part of the new Legoland Florida theme park. However, in 2011, the enchanting botanical garden, including the Banyan trees were preserved, allowing visitors to glimpse the natural otherworldly scene. Visit the Legoland website for more information on Cypress Gardens. You will absolutely love this stop along this Florida road trip.
6000 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven, FL 33884, USA
Can you just picture Rapunzel trapped up in the beautiful Bok Tower letting down her flowing hair? This garden and bird sanctuary is such a neat fairytale Florida place to visit, not just because of the 250-acre garden, but because of the 205-foot tall Singing Towner. Carillon bells will sound from the tower daily, which is a beautiful and unique experience. Visit the website for Bok Tower Gardens to learn more.
There are so many wonderfully magic aspects about Weeki Wachee Springs, it was a no-brainer to add this spot to the fairytale road trip. The live mermaids are enough of a reason to visit on this trip because nothing is more mesmerizing than a live mermaid show! But also the springs have a wonderful ethereal quality to them, which makes it a storybook ending to a perfect trip. Head to the Weeki Wachee Springs website to learn more about the last stop along our magical Florida road trip.
6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606, USA
What do you think about these magical places in Florida? Have you visited any of them in the past? Who would you take with you on this excursion? Are there any other destinations you would add to this route? Let us know in the comments section!
Address: 3345 Caverns Rd, Marianna, FL 32446, USA
Address: 103 3rd St, St. Augustine, FL 32084, USA
Address: 1600 Twigg St, Palatka, FL 32177, USA
Address: 6000 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven, FL 33884, USA
Address: 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853, USA
Address: 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606, USA
Address: 3449 Bonnett Pond Rd, Chipley, FL 32428, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Magical Places To Visit In Florida
December 20, 2020
Marisa Roman
What’s the most beautiful road trip in Florida?
For another beautiful road trip in Florida, check out this Hidden Beaches Road Trip in Florida that leads to a variety of beaches throughout the state, many of which remain hidden gems. Start with Little Talbot Island State Park near Jacksonville, Florida, and wind up all the way down by Calusa Beach near the Keys. Plus, there will be many stops in between that will provide stunning scenery and beachfront adventures. If there is one thing that is most beautiful about Florida, it’s the beaches.
What are the best little-known attractions in Florida?
Florida attractions like Disney World and South Beach tend to get all of the attention of new visitors. Rightly so, they both are beautiful and worthy of exploration. But what about those little-known attractions throughout the state? The hidden gems that often only locals know about are fascinating in their own right. Check out these 18 hidden gems in Florida, from beautiful gardens to quiet beaches.
What are the most highly-rated things to do in Florida?
Sometimes it’s fun to tackle the unique things to do in Florida and then other times it’s fun to visit the top-rated touristy spots. Even if you’re a resident, those highly-rated things to do in Florida are worth checking out. Explore places like Walt Disney World, Kennedy Space Center, and Everglades National Park. Then check out Universal Studios, Busch Gardens in Tampa, and the Daytona International Speedway. There is always something to see in Florida that comes highly recommended.
Address: 3345 Caverns Rd, Marianna, FL 32446, USA
Address: 103 3rd St, St. Augustine, FL 32084, USA
Address: 1600 Twigg St, Palatka, FL 32177, USA
Address: 6000 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven, FL 33884, USA
Address: 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853, USA
Address: 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606, USA
Address: 3449 Bonnett Pond Rd, Chipley, FL 32428, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
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A New Jersey native with over 15 years of writing experience, Marisa has studied at both New York University and Florida International University. She has lived all over the country, including a decade stint in South Florida. Marisa is well-versed in exploration as she travels a good majority of the year in her self-converted Sprinter van. Her articles have been featured in various notable publications over the years, she has a published collection of short stories, and three completed screenplays under her belt.
