Looking for places that are wonderfully weird?
Florida is home to 13 odd attractions that will leave you amazed and delighted!
1. Solomon’s Castle (Ona)
Nestled in the heart of Florida’s swampland, Solomon’s Castle is a testament to one man’s artistic vision and, let’s face it, his apparent disregard for traditional building materials.
Howard Solomon, the castle’s creator and namesake, decided that aluminum printing plates were the way to go when constructing his three-story, 12,000-square-foot masterpiece.
As you approach this shimmering oddity, you might think you’ve stumbled upon a medieval knight’s fever dream.
The castle’s exterior gleams in the Florida sun, its walls adorned with repurposed printing plates that Howard collected from a local newspaper.
It’s like someone took a medieval fortress and gave it a disco makeover.
Inside, you’ll find a treasure trove of Howard’s sculptures and artwork, most of which are crafted from found objects and scrap metal.
It’s as if a junkyard had a wild night out with an art gallery, and this is their love child.
Don’t miss the “Boat in the Moat,” a 60-foot replica of a Spanish galleon that serves as a restaurant.
Because nothing says “authentic medieval dining experience” quite like eating in a landlocked boat next to a castle made of printing plates in the middle of a Florida swamp.
2. Coral Castle (Homestead)
If you’ve ever thought, “I bet I could single-handedly build a castle out of coral rock,” then Ed Leedskalnin has you beat by about 28 years.
This Latvian immigrant spent nearly three decades secretly carving over 1,100 tons of coral rock into what is now known as the Coral Castle.
The real kicker?
Ed stood at a whopping 5 feet tall and weighed just 100 pounds.
Theories range from supernatural powers to alien technology, but my money’s on sheer stubbornness and a lot of free time.
The castle features massive stone gates that pivot with the touch of a finger, a 9-ton coral rock gate that moves with ease, and a 30-ton telescope that rivals Stonehenge in its precision.
It’s like Ed looked at the ancient wonders of the world and thought, “Hold my coral.”
3. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park (Spring Hill)
Imagine a place where mermaids are real, and they perform underwater ballets while sipping on bottled air.
No, this isn’t a fever dream induced by too much sun and saltwater – it’s Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.
Since 1947, this park has been home to a troupe of “mermaids” who perform elaborate underwater shows in the crystal-clear spring.
These aquatic acrobats battle 5-mph currents while gracefully twirling, dancing, and even eating and drinking underwater.
It’s like synchronized swimming met The Little Mermaid, and they decided to put on a show.
The park also features wildlife shows, river boat cruises, and a chance to kayak or paddleboard down the Weeki Wachee River.
But let’s be honest, you’re here for the mermaids.
Where else can you watch someone eat a banana underwater without drowning?
It’s a skill we never knew we needed to see until now.
4. The Dali Museum (St. Petersburg)
If you’ve ever wanted to step inside the mind of a surrealist genius, The Dali Museum is your chance.
Well, as close as you can get without some sort of sci-fi brain-melding device.
From the outside, the museum looks like a giant glass bubble is trying to escape from a concrete box.
It’s as if the building itself is having an identity crisis, much like many of Dali’s paintings.
Inside, you’ll find the largest collection of Salvador Dali’s works outside of Spain, including melting clocks, elongated elephants, and landscapes that make you question the very nature of reality.
The museum’s spiral staircase is a work of art in itself, resembling the inside of a nautilus shell.
And don’t miss the mustache masks in the gift shop – because nothing says “I appreciate surrealist art” quite like sporting a replica of Dali’s iconic facial hair.
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 in Tarpon Springs.
This place is the holy grail of all things sponge, and it’s way more exciting than it has any right to be.
Tarpon Springs, known as the “Sponge Capital of the World,” boasts a rich Greek heritage and a history steeped in sponge diving.
The Spongeorama offers a glimpse into this unique industry with its museum, which includes a free movie about sponge diving.
It’s like “The Little Mermaid” meets “How It’s Made,” but with more Greeks and fewer singing crustaceans.
The factory store is a veritable wonderland of sponges.
Who knew there were so many types?
From exfoliating body sponges to sponges for painting, it’s a sponge-tacular experience.
You’ll leave with more knowledge about sponges than you ever thought possible, and probably a bag full of souvenirs.
Because nothing says “I went to Florida” quite like a natural sea sponge.
6. Skunk Ape Research Headquarters (Ochopee)
If Bigfoot had a Florida cousin who enjoyed swamp life and citrus, it would be the Skunk Ape.
And where better to learn about this elusive, odiferous cryptid than at the Skunk Ape Research Headquarters in Ochopee?
Run by Dave Shealy, the self-proclaimed Skunk Ape expert, this place is part gift shop, part museum, and all Florida weirdness.
Dave claims to have spotted the Skunk Ape multiple times and has dedicated his life to proving its existence.
The headquarters features “evidence” of the Skunk Ape’s existence, including plaster casts of footprints and blurry photographs.
You can even buy Skunk Ape merchandise, because nothing says “I believe in unproven cryptids” like a t-shirt or a bumper sticker.
Whether you’re a true believer or just enjoy a good dose of quirky Floridiana, the Skunk Ape Research Headquarters is a must-visit.
7. American Space Museum (Titusville)
For those who’ve always dreamed of space but can’t quite afford that $250,000 Virgin Galactic ticket, the American Space Museum in Titusville is the next best thing.
This museum is a treasure trove of space memorabilia, featuring everything from actual consoles used in launch control to space suits worn by astronauts.
You can even see a piece of the moon – though it’s probably best not to lick it, no matter how tempting.
The museum’s location in Titusville, just a stone’s throw from Kennedy Space Center, means it’s staffed by former NASA employees and contractors.
It’s like having your own personal space encyclopedia, but with more dad jokes and fewer paper cuts.
Whether you’re a space buff or just someone who enjoys poking buttons and flipping switches (and really, who doesn’t?), the American Space Museum is out of this world.
8. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! (St. Augustine)
If you’ve ever wanted to see shrunken heads, a car made of matchsticks, and a two-headed calf all in one place, then Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in St. Augustine is your kind of weird.
Housed in a building that looks like it’s slowly sinking into the ground (an optical illusion, or is it?), this “Odditorium” is a monument to the strange and unusual.
Related: Relive Timeless Traditions with Your Family at this Hot Dog Joint, a Florida Culinary Landmark Since the ‘70s
Related: Step into this Cheese Heaven and Italian Market in Florida with Over 300 Varieties
Related: Savor the Best Cuban Sandwich in Tampa at this Little-Known Florida Deli
From the moment you step inside, you’re transported into a world where the bizarre is the norm.
Want to see a portrait of Einstein made entirely of toast?
They’ve got that.
How about a replica of the world’s tallest man?
Yep, that too.
It’s like someone took all the weird stuff from your great-aunt’s attic, multiplied it by a thousand, and put it on display.
The best part?
You can touch most of the exhibits.
So go ahead, run your hands over that statue made of car parts or measure yourself against the world’s tallest man.
Just maybe skip touching the shrunken heads.
Some things are better left untouched, believe it or not!
9. WonderWorks (Orlando)
Imagine if a mad scientist’s laboratory got picked up by a tornado and landed upside down.
That’s essentially what WonderWorks looks like from the outside.
This attraction takes the concept of “hands-on” to a whole new level – or should I say, turns it upside down?
As you enter through the upside-down lobby (don’t worry, gravity still works normally inside), you’re greeted by over 100 interactive exhibits.
Want to feel what it’s like to be in a 5.3 magnitude earthquake?
There’s a simulator for that.
Ever wondered what it would be like to lie on a bed of 3,500 nails?
They’ve got you covered (just don’t try this at home with your mom’s sewing kit).
From experiencing hurricane-force winds to designing and riding your own virtual roller coaster, WonderWorks is like a playground for your brain.
It’s the kind of place that makes science so fun, you might not even realize you’re learning.
And let’s be honest, where else can you play a giant piano with your feet and call it educational?
10. Butterfly World (Coconut Creek)
If you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’ve stepped into a Disney movie where butterflies flit around you in a magical dance, Butterfly World in Coconut Creek is your ticket to that fantasy.
Just try not to burst into song – the butterflies might get startled.
This tropical paradise is home to over 20,000 live butterflies from 50 different species.
As you wander through the aviaries, these delicate creatures flutter all around you, sometimes even landing on you if you’re lucky (or wearing particularly bright colors).
It’s like being in the world’s most beautiful screensaver, but in real life.
But it’s not just butterflies.
The park also features a Bug Zoo, where you can get up close and personal with some less delicate but equally fascinating insects.
There’s also a Lorikeet Encounter, where these colorful birds will happily use you as a perch in exchange for a bit of nectar.
It’s all the magic of nature, without the pesky mosquitoes and sunburn you’d get in the actual tropics.
11. Ringling Museum of Art (Sarasota)
When you think of circus magnates, “world-class art collector” might not be the first thing that comes to mind.
But John Ringling, of Ringling Bros. fame, was just that.
The Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota is his legacy, and it’s as grand and over-the-top as you’d expect from a man who made his fortune in the circus business.
The museum is housed in a pink palace that looks like it was plucked straight out of Renaissance Italy and plonked down in Florida.
Inside, you’ll find an impressive collection of European paintings, including works by Rubens, van Dyck, and Velázquez.
It’s like the Louvre, but with better weather and a distinct lack of French attitude.
But the real showstopper is Ca’ d’Zan, Ringling’s winter home.
This Venetian Gothic mansion is a testament to the idea that too much is never enough.
With its colorful tiles, intricate carvings, and waterfront location, it’s the kind of place that makes you wonder if you’ve accidentally stumbled onto a movie set.
Just remember: no matter how tempting it might be, swinging from the chandeliers is strictly prohibited.
12. Monkey Jungle (Miami)
Ever wondered what it would be like if monkeys ran the zoo and humans were the ones in cages?
Wonder no more!
At Monkey Jungle in Miami, you can experience just that.
Their slogan, “Where humans are caged and monkeys run wild,” is not just clever marketing – it’s the literal truth.
As you walk through the park’s tunnels, over 300 primates swing, leap, and chatter above and around you.
It’s like being in a real-life version of “Planet of the Apes,” minus the post-apocalyptic doom and gloom.
You’ll see everything from tiny squirrel monkeys to impressive gorillas, all going about their monkey business as if you weren’t there.
One of the highlights is the chance to watch monkeys dive for treats.
It’s like an aquatic circus act, but instead of trained performers, it’s monkeys being, well, monkeys.
Just remember, what happens in Monkey Jungle, stays in Monkey Jungle.
Especially if a monkey decides to relieve itself while swinging overhead.
13. LEGOLAND Florida (Winter Haven)
If you’ve ever stepped on a LEGO brick in the middle of the night and thought, “I wish there was more of this,” then LEGOLAND Florida is your plastic brick paradise.
This 150-acre interactive theme park is dedicated to all things LEGO, proving that these tiny bricks aren’t just for stepping on anymore.
From the moment you enter, you’re greeted by life-sized LEGO creations that make you feel like you’ve shrunk down to minifigure size.
The park features over 50 rides, shows, and attractions, all LEGO-themed.
You can battle fire-breathing LEGO dragons, race LEGO cars, and even learn the secret handshake of the LEGO Club (okay, I made that last one up, but it should be a thing).
One of the most impressive areas is Miniland USA, where you can see intricate LEGO recreations of famous American landmarks.
It’s like taking a cross-country road trip, but without the gas station bathrooms and questionable roadside diners.
Just resist the urge to Godzilla your way through the tiny cities – apparently, they frown upon that.
So there you have it, folks – 13 of Florida’s quirkiest, most imaginative attractions.
From upside-down buildings to monkey-run jungles, the Sunshine State proves it’s more than just beaches and theme parks.
Now get out there and embrace the weird!