Here Are 13 Underrated But Must-See Places In Florida For Out-Of-Towners
Think you’ve already seen everything Florida has to offer? That is exactly what most people believe right before they discover the places nobody told them about.
Beyond the theme parks and crowded shorelines, there is another side of the Sunshine State quietly waiting for curious explorers. The kind of spots you do not stumble on unless someone lets you in on the secret.
Ever heard of caves hiding beneath Florida ground or structures so unusual you would swear they belonged in a storybook instead of real life?
These are the places that change how you see the state. They feel unexpected, original, and just a little unbelievable at first glance.
One turn leads to something strange. The next leads to something beautiful.
And suddenly your trip feels less like sightseeing and more like discovery.
If you are ready to go beyond the obvious, Florida has a way of rewarding curiosity. The real adventure starts where the guidebooks usually stop.
1. Falling Waters State Park
Picture this: Florida’s tallest waterfall plunging 73 feet into a mysterious cylindrical sinkhole that seems to swallow the water whole. Falling Waters State Park offers something you’d never expect in the flattest state around.
The park sits in the Panhandle where rolling hills replace the typical Florida landscape. Walking trails wind through hardwood forests where you can spot butterflies, wildflowers, and maybe even a deer or two if you’re lucky.
The waterfall itself looks like something from a fantasy movie, especially after heavy rains when the flow becomes more dramatic. Geologists still debate where exactly the water goes after disappearing into that limestone pit.
Pack a picnic and claim one of the shaded tables near the falls. The sound of rushing water creates the perfect soundtrack for lunch, and the cool mist feels amazing on hot summer days.
Camping facilities let you extend your visit overnight, with sites nestled among towering pines. This northwestern corner of Florida feels more like Georgia or Alabama, which makes it refreshingly different from typical Florida scenery.
Address: 1130 State Park Rd, Chipley, FL 32428
2. Florida Caverns State Park
Who knew Florida had caves? Most people associate caverns with Kentucky or New Mexico, but Florida Caverns State Park proves the Sunshine State has underground wonders too.
Guided tours lead you through air-filled chambers decorated with limestone formations that took thousands of years to create. Stalactites hang from ceilings like rocky icicles while stalagmites rise from the floor to meet them.
The temperature underground stays around 65 degrees year-round, making this the perfect escape from summer’s brutal heat. You’ll walk through rooms with names like the Cathedral Room and the Wedding Room, each showcasing different geological features.
Above ground, the park offers hiking trails, canoeing on the Chipola River, and even a natural swimming hole. The Blue Hole spring maintains crystal-clear water that stays refreshingly cool no matter the season.
Rangers share fascinating facts about how these caves formed and the creatures that call them home, including several bat species. Wear sturdy shoes because cave floors can be slippery, and bring a light jacket since it’s surprisingly chilly down there.
Address:3345 Caverns Rd, Marianna, FL 32446
3. Bok Tower Gardens
A 205-foot tall singing tower rises from one of Florida’s highest points, creating a scene that belongs in a European fairy tale rather than Central Florida. Edward Bok built this masterpiece in the 1920s as a thank-you gift to America for the opportunities it gave him.
The carillon inside contains 60 bronze bells that ring out concerts daily, filling the gardens with music that echoes across the landscape. Standing near the tower while the bells play feels almost magical, especially during sunset.
Surrounding the tower, 50 acres of gardens showcase azaleas, camellias, magnolias, and countless other plants arranged in stunning designs. Winding paths lead past tranquil ponds where you might spot turtles sunbathing or herons hunting for fish.
The Mediterranean-style architecture features intricate tile work and carvings that reward close inspection. Art deco details cover the tower’s exterior, telling stories through sculptural reliefs.
Visit during blooming season (late winter through spring) when the gardens explode with color. This peaceful sanctuary offers a complete contrast to Florida’s busier tourist traps, letting you actually relax and appreciate beauty without fighting crowds.
Address: 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853
4. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
Forget everything you think you know about Florida beaches. Washington Oaks features a shoreline covered in coquina rock formations that look like something from another planet.
These ancient limestone outcroppings create tide pools, natural sculptures, and a coastline unlike any other in the state. Waves crash against the rocks creating dramatic spray, while hermit crabs scuttle through shallow pools left by the receding tide.
Inland from the beach, formal gardens display roses, azaleas, and native plants in carefully designed beds. Massive oak trees draped with Spanish moss create shady canopies perfect for leisurely strolls.
The park sits between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River, giving you two completely different water experiences in one location. Kayakers love paddling the calm river waters while beachcombers explore the rocky shore.
Photographers go crazy here because the coquina rocks create endless composition possibilities, especially during golden hour. The gardens bloom best in spring, but the unusual beach formations make this place worth visiting any time of year.
Bring water shoes because those rocks can be sharp on bare feet.
Address:6400 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Palm Coast, FL 32137
5. Solomon’s Castle
An artist named Howard Solomon built an actual castle in the middle of nowhere Florida, and it’s as wonderfully weird as that sounds. The structure’s exterior consists entirely of aluminum printing plates that shimmer in the sunlight like dragon scales.
Solomon created this three-story masterpiece himself, filling it with his sculptures, stained glass, and artwork made from repurposed materials. Every room contains surprises, from furniture that doubles as art to windows crafted from discarded items transformed into beauty.
The castle sits on 60 acres of rural Hardee County, surrounded by palmetto scrub and pine trees. Getting there feels like a treasure hunt since it’s genuinely off the beaten path.
Tours led by Solomon’s family share stories about the castle’s construction and the eccentric genius behind it. You’ll hear how he collected materials, designed impossible features, and basically made up castle-building techniques as he went along.
The on-site restaurant called the Boat in the Moat serves lunch inside a full-sized replica of a Spanish galleon. This place proves that one person’s crazy dream can become everyone else’s amazing adventure, and it celebrates creativity in its purest form.
Address:4533 Solomon Rd, Ona, FL 33865
6. Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring
Swimming inside an ancient underground spring sounds like something from an adventure novel, but Devil’s Den makes it reality. This prehistoric spring sits inside a dry cave where sunlight streams through an opening in the ceiling, illuminating crystal-clear water below.
The name comes from the steam that rises from the opening on cold mornings, which early settlers thought looked like smoke from the underworld. In reality, the water maintains a comfortable 72 degrees year-round, making it perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving.
Descending the wooden stairs into the cavern feels like entering another world. Ferns grow from cracks in the limestone walls, and the sound of dripping water echoes throughout the space.
Snorkelers can see ancient fossils embedded in the rock walls and explore underwater caves that extend into the aquifer. Scuba divers love this spot for training because the conditions stay consistently calm and clear.
The property offers camping, so you can wake up and dive first thing in the morning when the water is most pristine. Bring an underwater camera because the light beams cutting through the water create absolutely stunning photo opportunities you won’t find anywhere else.
Address:5390 NE 180th Ave, Williston, FL 32696
7. Rainbow Springs State Park
Rainbow Springs pumps out 400 million gallons of crystal-clear water daily, creating a river so transparent you can count pebbles on the bottom from your kayak. The spring earned its name from the way sunlight refracts through the water, creating rainbow-like effects.
Tubing down the Rainbow River ranks among Florida’s most relaxing activities. The gentle current carries you past overhanging trees, aquatic plants, and fish so visible they look computer-generated.
The main spring area features waterfalls cascading over limestone ledges into pools where you can swim and cool off. Gardens throughout the park showcase native plants and create picture-perfect spots for picnics.
Kayakers and canoers paddle upstream from the state park, exploring the river’s headwaters and observing wildlife along the banks. Turtles sunbathe on logs, otters play in the shallows, and countless bird species hunt for fish.
The water stays around 72 degrees all year, which feels cold in summer but heavenly after hiking the nature trails. Weekends get crowded, so visit on weekdays if possible.
The park’s natural beauty has attracted visitors since the 1930s, and modern improvements make it even better while preserving its wild character.
Address:19158 SW 81st Pl Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432
8. The Dalí Museum
St. Petersburg houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of Salvador Dalí’s works outside of Spain, and the building itself looks like something the surrealist master might have dreamed up. A massive glass structure called the Enigma wraps around part of the museum, creating a bubble-like effect that defies conventional architecture.
Inside, you’ll find paintings, sculptures, and works spanning Dalí’s entire career from his early impressionist pieces to his famous melting clocks. The collection includes masterworks like “The Hallucinogenic Toreador” and “The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus.”
Interactive exhibits help visitors understand Dalí’s techniques and the symbolism hidden throughout his art. Even people who think they don’t like modern art find themselves fascinated by his technical skill and wild imagination.
The museum offers guided tours, but wandering on your own lets you spend extra time with pieces that speak to you personally. Special exhibitions rotate throughout the year, bringing in works from other collections.
The waterfront location provides beautiful views of Tampa Bay, and the surrounding downtown area offers restaurants and shops within walking distance. This museum proves that world-class art experiences aren’t limited to New York or Los Angeles.
Address:1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
9. Tarpon Springs
Greek culture thrives in this small Florida town where sponge divers settled over a century ago and created a community that still celebrates its heritage. Walking through the historic district feels like visiting a Mediterranean village transplanted to the Gulf Coast.
The famous sponge docks line the waterfront where boats still bring in natural sponges harvested from the Gulf of Mexico. Shops sell these sponges alongside Greek imports, jewelry, and souvenirs you won’t find in typical tourist traps.
Authentic Greek restaurants serve saganaki (flaming cheese), fresh seafood, and pastries that rival anything you’d find in Athens. Many establishments have been family-owned for generations, passing down recipes and traditions.
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral stands as a architectural masterpiece, featuring Byzantine-style design and beautiful iconography. The annual Epiphany celebration draws thousands of visitors who watch teenage boys dive for a cross thrown into the Spring Bayou.
Beyond the tourist areas, residential streets showcase beautiful historic homes and tree-lined neighborhoods worth exploring. The slower pace and genuine cultural atmosphere make Tarpon Springs feel refreshingly real compared to Florida’s more manufactured attractions.
Plan to spend a full day eating, shopping, and soaking up the unique ambiance.
Address:324 E Pine St, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
10. Myakka River State Park
One of Florida’s oldest and largest state parks, Myakka preserves 58 square miles of wild Florida exactly as it looked centuries ago. This massive wilderness area lets you experience the real Florida that existed before development changed everything.
The park’s famous canopy walkway suspends visitors 25 feet above the ground, providing a bird’s-eye view of the forest ecosystem. From the 76-foot observation tower, you can see for miles across wetlands, prairies, and hammocks.
Alligators sun themselves along the riverbanks in such numbers that seeing them becomes routine rather than exciting. The Upper Myakka Lake attracts wading birds, including herons, egrets, and roseate spoonbills that create a photographer’s paradise.
Hiking and biking trails wind through different habitats, from shady oak hammocks to open prairies where deer graze. Kayakers and canoers can paddle for miles through pristine waterways that feel completely remote.
The park offers camping, including some backcountry sites for people seeking true wilderness experiences. Wildlife viewing opportunities are exceptional year-round, but winter brings the best conditions with lower water levels concentrating animals around remaining pools.
This place shows you the Florida that most tourists never discover.
Address:13207 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241
11. Venetian Pool
Carved from a coral rock quarry in 1923, this historic pool looks more like a Mediterranean lagoon than a public swimming facility. Venetian Pool ranks among the most beautiful pools in the world, featuring caves, waterfalls, and bridges that create an otherworldly swimming experience.
The pool holds 820,000 gallons of spring water that gets completely drained and refilled daily from an underground aquifer. This means you’re always swimming in fresh, chemical-free water that stays naturally cool.
Coral rock formations create the pool’s irregular shape and provide platforms for jumping and diving. Waterfalls cascade from grottos, and palm trees sway overhead, completing the tropical paradise atmosphere.
The facility strictly limits capacity, so arriving early ensures you get in, especially during summer. Once inside, you can spend the whole day swimming, sunbathing on the grassy areas, or exploring the pool’s various sections.
Historic photos show celebrities like Johnny Weissmuller and Esther Williams swimming here during Hollywood’s golden age. The Mediterranean Revival architecture surrounding the pool reflects Coral Gables’ commitment to beautiful design.
Admission costs more than typical pools, but the unique experience justifies every penny you’ll spend enjoying this one-of-a-kind attraction.
Address:2701 De Soto Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134
12. The Ancient Spanish Monastery
A genuine 12th-century Spanish monastery stands in South Florida, and its journey here might be crazier than the building itself. William Randolph Hearst purchased the structure in 1925, had it disassembled stone by stone, and shipped it to America in 11,000 crates.
Customs officials suspected the packing hay contained hoof-and-mouth disease, so they unpacked everything and burned the hay along with the labels identifying which stones went where. The monastery sat in a Brooklyn warehouse for 26 years until someone finally reassembled it in Florida.
Walking through the cloisters feels like stepping back to medieval Europe. Ancient stone columns surround peaceful courtyards where fountains bubble and gardens bloom.
The craftsmanship visible in every archway and carving demonstrates the incredible skill of medieval stonemasons.
The monastery now serves as an Episcopal church and popular wedding venue, but visitors can tour the grounds daily. Peacocks roam freely, adding unexpected splashes of color and occasional loud calls that echo through the ancient halls.
Photography enthusiasts love this location because every corner offers another stunning composition. The combination of authentic history and tropical Florida setting creates a surreal contrast that shouldn’t work but absolutely does, making this one of South Florida’s most unusual treasures.
Address:16711 W Dixie Hwy, North Miami Beach, FL 33160
13. Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas National Park
Reaching this massive 19th-century fort requires a seaplane ride or ferry trip 70 miles west of Key West, but the journey rewards you with one of America’s most impressive historical sites. Fort Jefferson occupies almost all of Garden Key, a tiny island surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise water.
The fort’s six-sided walls rise from the sand, built with over 16 million bricks that workers transported by ship. Construction began in 1846 but never finished, leaving the fortress incomplete despite decades of work.
The fort served as a Union military prison during the Civil War, most famously holding Dr. Samuel Mudd who treated John Wilkes Booth’s broken leg. Today, visitors can explore the massive structure, walking through corridors, climbing to ramparts, and imagining life for soldiers stationed in this isolated location.
Beyond the fort, the surrounding waters offer world-class snorkeling and diving. Coral reefs teem with tropical fish, sea turtles glide past, and the visibility often exceeds 100 feet.
The white sand beaches look like something from a travel magazine.
Camping is available for people wanting to experience the incredible star-filled nights when zero light pollution reveals the Milky Way. This remote national park combines history, natural beauty, and adventure in ways few other places can match.
Address:- Dry Tortugas National Park, Fort Jefferson, Key West, FL 33040