Dreaming of stepping into a fairytale?
These 13 whimsical attractions in Florida promise magical experiences straight out of a storybook!
1. Solomon’s Castle (Ona)
Imagine if Monty Python decided to build a medieval castle in the middle of Florida’s swampland.
That’s Solomon’s Castle for you, folks!
This shimmering, aluminum-clad fortress is the brainchild of artist Howard Solomon, who apparently looked at a pile of old printing plates and thought, “You know what? I bet I could make a castle out of that.”
The result is a gleaming, 12,000-square-foot masterpiece that looks like it’s been teleported straight out of a fairytale – if that fairytale was written by a slightly unhinged recycling enthusiast.
Inside, you’ll find room after room filled with Solomon’s eccentric sculptures and artwork, most of which are crafted from repurposed materials.
It’s like walking through the fever dream of a very talented hoarder.
Don’t miss the “Boat in the Moat” restaurant, where you can dine in a replica of a 16th-century Portuguese galleon.
Because nothing says “authentic medieval experience” quite like eating a burger on a boat that’s perpetually docked in a Florida swamp.
2. Coral Castle (Homestead)
Ever been dumped and thought, “I’ll show them! I’ll build an entire castle by myself!”?
No? Well, Edward Leedskalnin did, and the result is the enigmatic Coral Castle.
This massive structure, composed of over 1,100 tons of coral rock, was single-handedly built by the 100-pound, 5-foot-tall Leedskalnin over 28 years.
Legend has it that Ed constructed this monument to lost love using only hand tools and “secret techniques” that allowed him to move and carve enormous blocks of coral with ease.
Some say he had supernatural powers, others claim he understood the secrets of the pyramids.
I say he probably just had a lot of free time and an impressive pain tolerance.
The castle features a 9-ton gate that moves with the touch of a finger, a Polaris telescope, and various pieces of furniture – all made from solid coral.
It’s like the world’s most uncomfortable IKEA showroom, but with 100% more mystery and heartbreak.
3. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park (Spring Hill)
If you’ve ever watched “The Little Mermaid” and thought, “You know what would make this better? If it was performed live in a natural spring by women in fish tails,” then boy, do I have the place for you!
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is home to the world-famous mermaid shows, where “mermaids” perform underwater ballets and reenact fairy tales while fighting against a 5-mph current.
It’s like synchronized swimming meets Cirque du Soleil, with a dash of “I can’t believe I’m holding my breath this long” thrown in for good measure.
The park also features wildlife shows, riverboat cruises, and a water park.
But let’s be honest, you’re here for the mermaids.
Where else can you see Ariel battling both Ursula and the laws of physics simultaneously?
4. The Dali Museum (St. Petersburg)
Salvador Dali once said, “I don’t do drugs. I am drugs.”
After visiting this museum, you might feel like you’ve inadvertently ingested whatever he was on.
The building itself looks like a giant glass bubble had a love child with a concrete box, which is probably exactly how Dali would have wanted it.
Inside, you’ll find the largest collection of Dali’s works outside of Spain.
From melting clocks to lobster telephones, it’s a smorgasbord of surrealism that’ll have you questioning reality faster than you can say “persistencia de la memoria.”
Don’t miss the Virtual Reality experience where you can step inside Dali’s paintings.
It’s like “The Magic School Bus” took a wrong turn and ended up in the subconscious of a mustachioed Spanish genius.
5. Spongeorama Sponge Factory (Tarpon Springs)
Ever wondered where sponges come from?
No? Well, you’re about to find out anyway at the Spongeorama Sponge Factory!
This attraction is exactly what it sounds like – a place dedicated entirely to those porous little wonders that make your shower time so much more enjoyable.
Located in the historic sponge docks of Tarpon Springs, Spongeorama offers a glimpse into the fascinating (their words, not mine) world of sponge diving and processing.
You can watch a film about sponge diving, peruse the sponge museum, and even buy a sponge or twenty in the gift shop.
Is it the most exciting attraction in Florida? Probably not.
But where else can you say you’ve seen a “sponge boat” or learned about the “sponge crisis of 1938”?
It’s the perfect place for soaking up (pun absolutely intended) some quirky Florida history.
6. Skunk Ape Research Headquarters (Ochopee)
Bigfoot’s smelly Florida cousin needs love too, and that’s where the Skunk Ape Research Headquarters comes in.
Located in the heart of the Everglades, this, um, “scientific” establishment is dedicated to proving the existence of Florida’s own cryptid, the Skunk Ape.
Run by Dave Shealy, the self-proclaimed “Jane Goodall of Skunk Apes,” this attraction features a small museum of “evidence,” including plaster casts of footprints and blurry photographs.
While you’re there, why not pick up a “Skunk Ape Research Team” T-shirt?
It’s the perfect attire for your next family reunion or job interview.
Who knows, you might even catch a whiff of the elusive creature itself – though that might just be the swamp gas talking.
7. American Space Museum (Titusville)
For those who’ve always dreamed of being an astronaut but can’t handle the g-forces (or the math), the American Space Museum in Titusville is the next best thing.
It’s a small, unassuming building that houses a treasure trove of space memorabilia and artifacts.
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Here, you can see actual consoles used to launch Apollo missions, touch a moon rock (try not to lick it, please), and even sit in a real astronaut shuttle seat.
It’s like NASA’s attic if NASA’s attic was meticulously organized and open to the public.
The best part?
The museum is staffed by retired NASA workers who are more than happy to regale you with tales of the space program.
It’s like having your very own grandpa who, instead of fighting in the war, helped put people on the moon.
8. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! (St. Augustine)
In a state known for its oddities, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in St. Augustine still manages to stand out.
Housed in a building that looks like it’s slowly sinking into the ground (an optical illusion, or is it?), this “Odditorium” is a temple to the weird, the wacky, and the downright unbelievable.
Inside, you’ll find an eclectic collection of curiosities from around the world.
From shrunken heads to a genuine vampire killing kit, it’s like a garage sale at Dracula’s castle.
Don’t miss the car made entirely of matchsticks – because nothing says “I have way too much free time” quite like that.
Is everything in there 100% authentic? Who knows!
But in the spirit of Robert Ripley himself, sometimes it’s more fun to believe than to question.
Just don’t try to replicate any of the exhibits at home, especially the sword-swallowing one.
9. WonderWorks (Orlando)
Imagine if a mad scientist decided to build a hands-on science museum, but first, they turned the building upside down.
That’s WonderWorks for you – a topsy-turvy palace of interactive exhibits that’ll make you question gravity, physics, and possibly your sanity.
From the moment you step inside (through the “ceiling,” of course), you’re transported into a world where nothing is quite as it seems.
You can experience hurricane-force winds, lie on a bed of nails, or design and ride your own roller coaster.
It’s like Bill Nye the Science Guy went on a bender with Tim Burton and this was the result.
Don’t miss the Astronaut Training Challenge, where you can experience the disorientation of space without the pesky need for years of rigorous training or a PhD in astrophysics.
Just remember, what happens in the anti-gravity chamber, stays in the anti-gravity chamber.
10. Butterfly World (Coconut Creek)
If you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’re in a Disney movie where butterflies land on your finger and birds sing you awake, Butterfly World is your chance.
This magical enclosure is home to thousands of butterflies fluttering about, probably gossiping about the weird humans gawking at them.
As you walk through the aviaries, you’ll be surrounded by a kaleidoscope of colorful wings.
It’s like being inside a living, breathing rainbow – if rainbows occasionally landed on your nose.
Just try not to sneeze, or you might cause a butterfly tornado.
The park also features a bug zoo, because apparently beautiful things need to be balanced out with creepy crawlies.
Nothing says “circle of life” quite like admiring a delicate butterfly and then turning around to see a giant stick insect staring into your soul.
11. Ringling Museum of Art (Sarasota)
When you think “circus,” you probably imagine clowns, elephants, and questionable safety standards.
But John Ringling, of Ringling Bros. fame, had loftier aspirations.
The result is this palatial museum that houses an impressive collection of European art, because nothing says “I’ve made it in the circus biz” quite like owning a Rubens.
The museum itself is housed in a building that looks like it was teleported straight from Renaissance Italy.
It’s as if the Medicis decided to retire in Florida and brought their entire art collection with them.
Don’t miss Ca’ d’Zan, Ringling’s winter home, which is basically a Venice palace plopped down on Sarasota Bay.
But the real gem is the Circus Museum, where you can see miniature models of the greatest show on earth, vintage posters, and even the cannon that shot daredevils across the big top.
It’s a nostalgic trip back to a time when entertainment didn’t require Wi-Fi.
12. Monkey Jungle (Miami)
“Where humans are caged and monkeys run wild” isn’t just a tagline for the latest planet of the apes movie, it’s the actual slogan for Monkey Jungle.
This wildlife park flips the script on traditional zoos, letting you experience life as the exhibit while 30 species of primates swing freely around you.
As you walk through the park’s tunnels, you’ll have monkeys scampering above you, beside you, and occasionally trying to steal your sunglasses.
It’s like being in a real-life version of “Jumanji,” minus the board game and The Rock.
Don’t miss the daily wildlife shows, where you can see orangutans demonstrate their impressive problem-solving skills.
It’s humbling to watch a primate figure out a puzzle faster than you can open your bag of trail mix.
13. Legoland Florida (Winter Haven)
Last but not least, we have Legoland Florida – because why build with Legos at home when you can visit an entire theme park dedicated to those foot-destroying little bricks?
This 150-acre park is a technicolor wonderland that’ll have you reliving your childhood, only this time with more back pain.
From Lego recreations of famous landmarks to roller coasters made to look like they’re constructed from oversized Lego bricks, it’s like someone took your childhood toy box and supersized it.
Don’t miss Miniland USA, where you can see entire cities recreated in Lego form.
It’s like being Godzilla, but without the property damage lawsuits.
And there you have it, folks! Thirteen of Florida’s most wonderfully weird attractions.
Who needs reality when you can have mermaids, upside-down buildings, and monkeys running amok?
So next time someone tells you Florida is all about beaches and theme parks, you can smugly inform them about the state’s hidden treasures.
Just maybe leave out the part about the Skunk Ape.
That’s our little secret.