Florida's Hidden Gems (Palm Bay, Largo, Sarasota: estate, house, company)

[Floridabound09]

I would like to see a list of "hidden" gems that are in Florida.

Not Disney, Busch, Sea World like, but more like Rainbow Springs, Sunken Gardens type places that not everyone goes to but is a hidden gem and a not to miss place to see that is not advertised etc.

For us there are several little gems we love to spend time at, one we always try to make time for and have a family picnic is at Sunset Beach Park. A little island near Tarpon Springs. Quiet small and beautiful, it is a hidden gem for sure.

[ChrisA70]

Well Cypress Gardens is one of them. I also like Vero Beach, They have great beaches there. The Sebastian inlet on e the East Coast between Palm Bay, and Vero Beach is a great picnic, swimming area, boating, etc. It's a family park, and free of cost...

[faithfulFrank]

What a great thread.....I look forward to learning some of these hidden gems......

Maybe Homosassas springs is one of them? Low cost, and you can get real close to the awesome manatees......

Frank D.

[sunrico90]

I believe that we have some type of attractions that will satisfy the entire family from young to senior, just a few:

Shipwreck Island Waterpark - Panama City Beach

Big Kahuna's - Destin (water park)

Camp Gordon Johnston Museum (Carrabelle, Florida) The Camp Gordon Johnston Association has undertaken the task of building a Museum to preserve the memory of the Amphibious soldiers who trained and served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

National Museum of Naval Aviation (Pcola) The National Museum of Naval Aviation is one of the largest and most beautiful air and space museums in the world. Share in the excitement of Naval Aviation's rich history. See over 140 beautifully restored aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Aviation.

[butrflyl]

Ichetucknee Springs - 6 miles of crystal clear water. Way better than Rainbow Springs

St. Augustine - you must go to the fort and go see the oldest school house. This little town is full of history.

Fort DeSoto Park - great secluded beach! was named North America's best beach

Bok Tower at the Bok Sancturary - haven't been there since I was 10 but I remember it being beautiful

Homasassa Springs - go swim with the Manatees

Key Largo - go snorkel at Pennekamp Park

Key West - take the Hemmingway Tour

Kennedy Space Center - not hidden but something you must see - pay the extra for the bus tour

Cedar Key - little artsy community and a must fly into airport for pilots

Someone posted Cypress Gardens - is it the same as it used to be. I thought it was sold???

[mg83]

I think there was a 6 page thread about this not too long ago... someone bump it!



Look at this... Dry Tortugas National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Probably kind of hard to get to... but I'm sure it would be WORTH IT.

[2bohemians]

We believe that our stretch of Scenic Highway 30A is still a hidden gem to many. Of course, there are many more folks that know about it today ... but still more people that don't.

We have 13.5 mile bike path that winds through all of the different beach communities that make up our Scenic Highway. You will discover long-leaf pine flatwoods, white dune landscapes contrasting with the emerald blue-green waters of the Gulf, pass by rare coastal dune lakes (only found here & in remote portions of Africa and Australia), you will go by wetlands and marshes, and through hammocks and coastal scrub oaks.

In addition to the bike path, there are endless nature & water related recreational activities. All of these wonderful places can be found along our little stretch of beaches: Deer Lake State Park, Point Washington State Forest, Eastern Lake Hike & Bike Trail, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Grayton Beach State Park.

All of our beaches are certified as Blue Wave Beaches. With the white sand and emerald blue green water, you will feel like you are in the Caribbean. It's not your stereotypical palm tree florida. Nothing wrong with palm trees, they just aren't native to our area.

Check out Eden Gardens with centuries old live oaks just 5 minutes North of us on the Choctawhatchee Bay.

Wish we could continue this conversation / post but the sun is out and it's going to be 74 degrees today, so we are going to get outside and enjoy the day!

[2bohemians]

Originally Posted by 2bohemians

We believe that our stretch of Scenic Highway 30A is still a hidden gem to many. Of course, there are many more folks that know about it today ... but still more people that don't.

We have 13.5 mile bike path that winds through all of the different beach communities that make up our Scenic Highway. You will discover long-leaf pine flatwoods, white dune landscapes contrasting with the emerald blue-green waters of the Gulf, pass by rare coastal dune lakes (only found here & in remote portions of Africa and Australia), you will go by wetlands and marshes, and through hammocks and coastal scrub oaks.

In addition to the bike path, there are endless nature & water related recreational activities. All of these wonderful places can be found along our little stretch of beaches: Deer Lake State Park, Point Washington State Forest, Eastern Lake Hike & Bike Trail, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Grayton Beach State Park.

All of our beaches are certified as Blue Wave Beaches. With the white sand and emerald blue green water, you will feel like you are in the Caribbean. It's not your stereotypical palm tree florida. Nothing wrong with palm trees, they just aren't native to our area.

Check out Eden Gardens with centuries old live oaks just 5 minutes North of us on the Choctawhatchee Bay.

Wish we could continue this conversation / post but the sun is out and it's going to be 74 degrees today, so we are going to get outside and enjoy the day!

Wanted to add this before we get out of here:

30A now designated by state as ‘Scenic 30A’

[SoFLGal]

Here's my list of cool things to do in Florida. I'm going to Babcock Wilderness Adventures this afternoon. It should be a great time-83 and sunny

Arcadia Historic District

Arcadia Rodeo

Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary


Aviary & Zoo of Naples

Babcock Wilderness Adventures

Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum (broken link)
Big "M" Casino Boat

Big Cat Rescue

Big Cypress Gallery

Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum (broken link)

Broadway Palm Dinner Theater Butterfly World

Cabbage Key

Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium

Cars & Music of Yesterday Museum

Collier County Museum

Cypress Gardens

Edison-Ford Winter Estates

Everglades Day Safari

Everglades Wonder Gardens

Fisherman's Village

Flamingo Island Flea Market

Fleamasters Fleamarket

Fish Cove Adventure Golf

Florida Railroad Museum

Florida Sports Park-Swamp Buggy Races


Gamble Mansion

Gatorland

GWIZ

Historic Boca Grande

Historic Spanish Point

Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida

Imaginarium Museum

Kennedy Space Center

Key West Express

Kidstar Fun Park, Port Charlotte

Lion Country Safari

Lowry Park Zoo

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

MOSI-Museum of Science and Industry

Mote Marine

Naples Botanical Garden

Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens

Orange Blossom Balloon Rides

Ostego Bay Marine Science Center

Punta Gorda Trolley Tour

Ringling Museum

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Museum

Sarasota Jungle Gardens

Seminole Gaming Palace

Silver Springs

Solomon’s Castle

South Florida & Bishop Planetarium

Sunken Gardens

The Shell Factory & Nature Park

Warm Mineral Springs

[Floridabound09]

Exactly what I was hoping for. Thanks!

Please don't forget to add the city where you gems are located so people who dont know about it will see where it is located.

The last thread similar to this was more of a buying a ticket type attraction thread.

I am more interested in the hidden gems that are either free, low cost or more importantly hidden from the large crowds.

Otherwords, something that no one should ever miss!