The Sunshine State has a long history as a tourist destination, and thanks to that distinction, there are also many weird roadside attractions in Florida. This is probably because we’ve had so much time to create some of the weirdest attention-seeking landmarks and offbeat attractions in Florida. From awesome photo opportunities to day-trip-worthy adventures, you’ll want to add these weird Florida attractions to your must-visit list. Check out these weird attractions in Florida that are sure to make any road trip special.
- Swampy, World’s Largest Alligator, Christmas
Flickr/Jared Where else would you expect to find the world’s largest alligator? This 200-foot alligator welcomes visitors to Jungle Adventures, a park full of gators and other exotic animals, in the tiny town of Christmas. Christmas, FL 32709, USA
- Skunk Ape Research Headquarters, Ochopee
Flickr/Lonny Paul This attraction started as the office of Jack Shealy’s Trail Lakes campground, until his brother, Dave, took up the search for an elusive Florida version of Bigfoot called the Skunk Ape. Fun exhibits and a petting zoo make this a must-see even for the non-believers.
Address: 40904 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, FL 34141
Skunk Ape Headquarters, 40904 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, FL 34141, USA
- Spook Hill, Lake Wales
Flickr/Richard Elzey Legend has it that a giant gator used to torment the Native Americans on this land, until a huge battle took it down. Since then, strange things have happened at Spook Hill, and if you park your car at the bottom of the hill, it will supposedly roll up the hill. Spook Hill, Lake Wales, FL 33853, USA
- Coral Castle, Homestead
Flickr/Daniel Wilson Coral Castle is another castle in Florida built by a single man. In this case, a lovelorn Latvian, Edward Leedskalnin, sourced every stone himself, and built his own complex complete with stone chairs, tables, throne, a tub, and his own home, where he lived and gave tours until he died. This is a definite must-see if you’re ever near the southern tip of Florida.
Address: 28655 S Dixie Hwy, Homestead, FL 33033
Coral Castle, 28655 S Dixie Hwy, Homestead, FL 33033, USA
- World’s Smallest Post Office, Ochopee
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM This farm shed was turned into an emergency post office when the official one burned down in 1953, and the town just kept it that way. It’s not even big enough for a bathroom, but you can buy novelty postcards from the post office and have them sent for you at the same time. United States Postal Service, 38000 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, FL 34141, USA
- Monkey Island, Homosassa
Flickr/Carol Vinzant Monkey Island came into being when a man developing what would later become Homosassa Wildlife State Park needed a place to keep his misbehaving monkeys where guests could watch them from a safe distance. The tiny place is still attracting curious visitors today. Monkey Island, Homosassa, FL 34448, USA
- World’s Smallest Police Station, Carrabelle
Flickr/Chuck Coker Back in the day, this small town was so small it didn’t even have a police station. Officers would park near the center of town and receive calls through a phone booth. Thus, it became the world’s smallest police station. These days, phone booths are pretty obsolete, but the town has held on to this monument and the original phone booth, which can be seen in City Hall.
Address: 102 Ave A N, Carrabelle, FL 32322
World’s Smallest Police Station, 102 Ave A N, Carrabelle, FL 32322, USA
- Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Flickr/Rain0975 Mermaid performers have been captivating audiences in Weeki Wachee Springs since 1947. Visitors can also enjoy its water park and boat rides.
Address: 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606
Weeki Wachee Spring, Florida 34606, USA
- Monument of States, Kissimmee
Flickr/Rain0975 This 50-foot tower in downtown Kissimmee proudly displays a rock from every state in the continental U.S. It was created during WWII as a quirky yet patriotic symbol of the unity of the states.
Address: 6300 E Monument Ave, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Monument of States, 300 E Monument Ave, Kissimmee, FL 34741, USA
- Betsy the Lobster, Islamorada
Flickr/sandwich This roadside sculpture welcomes visitors to the Rain Barrel Artisan Village in Islamorada. The 35-foot-long crustacean is possibly the largest lobster in the world.
Address: 86700 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Rain Barrel Village, 86700 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, USA
- Solomon’s Castle, Ona
Flickr/Sam Howzit Artist Howard Solomon wasn’t great in school, but he knew he was meant to work with his hands. He built this entire aluminum covered castle by himself as a home for his family and his art, and it’s become a classic Florida roadside attraction. Like you would expect a castle to be, they’re old school, so bring cash not cards.
Address: 4533 Solomon Rd, Ona, FL 33865
Solomon’s Castle, 4533 Solomon Rd, Ona, FL 33865, USA
- Goofy Golf, Panama City
Flickr/Melinda Shelton This golf course is perfect for anyone who loves kitschy vintage fun. Goofy Golf’s creative owner built everything from giant monkeys to monsters and aliens, and they have remained mostly unchanged since their creation in 1959. It’s lots of fun for the whole family.
Address: 12206 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407
Goofy Golf, 12206 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407, USA
Have you seen all of these weird roadside attractions in Florida? While you’re cruising around looking for all the offbeat attractions in Florida, you’re likely to get hungry, so be sure to check out these 14 Awesomely Weird Florida Restaurants.
Flickr/Jared
Where else would you expect to find the world’s largest alligator? This 200-foot alligator welcomes visitors to Jungle Adventures, a park full of gators and other exotic animals, in the tiny town of Christmas.
Christmas, FL 32709, USA
Flickr/Lonny Paul
This attraction started as the office of Jack Shealy’s Trail Lakes campground, until his brother, Dave, took up the search for an elusive Florida version of Bigfoot called the Skunk Ape. Fun exhibits and a petting zoo make this a must-see even for the non-believers.
Address: 40904 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, FL 34141
Skunk Ape Headquarters, 40904 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, FL 34141, USA
Flickr/Richard Elzey
Legend has it that a giant gator used to torment the Native Americans on this land, until a huge battle took it down. Since then, strange things have happened at Spook Hill, and if you park your car at the bottom of the hill, it will supposedly roll up the hill.
Spook Hill, Lake Wales, FL 33853, USA
Flickr/Daniel Wilson
Coral Castle is another castle in Florida built by a single man. In this case, a lovelorn Latvian, Edward Leedskalnin, sourced every stone himself, and built his own complex complete with stone chairs, tables, throne, a tub, and his own home, where he lived and gave tours until he died. This is a definite must-see if you’re ever near the southern tip of Florida.
Address: 28655 S Dixie Hwy, Homestead, FL 33033
Coral Castle, 28655 S Dixie Hwy, Homestead, FL 33033, USA
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
This farm shed was turned into an emergency post office when the official one burned down in 1953, and the town just kept it that way. It’s not even big enough for a bathroom, but you can buy novelty postcards from the post office and have them sent for you at the same time.
United States Postal Service, 38000 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, FL 34141, USA
Flickr/Carol Vinzant
Monkey Island came into being when a man developing what would later become Homosassa Wildlife State Park needed a place to keep his misbehaving monkeys where guests could watch them from a safe distance. The tiny place is still attracting curious visitors today.
Monkey Island, Homosassa, FL 34448, USA
Flickr/Chuck Coker
Back in the day, this small town was so small it didn’t even have a police station. Officers would park near the center of town and receive calls through a phone booth. Thus, it became the world’s smallest police station. These days, phone booths are pretty obsolete, but the town has held on to this monument and the original phone booth, which can be seen in City Hall.
Address: 102 Ave A N, Carrabelle, FL 32322
World’s Smallest Police Station, 102 Ave A N, Carrabelle, FL 32322, USA
Flickr/Rain0975
Mermaid performers have been captivating audiences in Weeki Wachee Springs since 1947. Visitors can also enjoy its water park and boat rides.
Address: 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606
Weeki Wachee Spring, Florida 34606, USA
This 50-foot tower in downtown Kissimmee proudly displays a rock from every state in the continental U.S. It was created during WWII as a quirky yet patriotic symbol of the unity of the states.
Address: 6300 E Monument Ave, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Monument of States, 300 E Monument Ave, Kissimmee, FL 34741, USA
Flickr/sandwich
This roadside sculpture welcomes visitors to the Rain Barrel Artisan Village in Islamorada. The 35-foot-long crustacean is possibly the largest lobster in the world.
Address: 86700 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
Rain Barrel Village, 86700 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036, USA
Flickr/Sam Howzit
Artist Howard Solomon wasn’t great in school, but he knew he was meant to work with his hands. He built this entire aluminum covered castle by himself as a home for his family and his art, and it’s become a classic Florida roadside attraction. Like you would expect a castle to be, they’re old school, so bring cash not cards.
Address: 4533 Solomon Rd, Ona, FL 33865
Solomon’s Castle, 4533 Solomon Rd, Ona, FL 33865, USA
Flickr/Melinda Shelton
This golf course is perfect for anyone who loves kitschy vintage fun. Goofy Golf’s creative owner built everything from giant monkeys to monsters and aliens, and they have remained mostly unchanged since their creation in 1959. It’s lots of fun for the whole family.
Address: 12206 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407
Goofy Golf, 12206 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Roadside Attractions In Florida February 17, 2020 Marisa Roman What are the best road trips to take through Florida? Florida has some pretty awesome road trip opportunities, not just because the state is so large. Taking a road trip through Florida can mean a lot of different things, whether it’s traveling along the beautiful coastline or heading inland for some weird and wacky fun. But sometimes the hardest part is knowing which road trip to take and why. If you’re stuck on the planning process, then here are 7 of the most unforgettable road trips to take in Florida. What bizarre trait is Florida known for? The truth of the matter is, as much as there are weird places in Florida, there’re also a ton of weird things to do and weird people as well. The running joke in the news is the “Florida Man” headline, which tends to pop up often and usually with some bizarre story to follow. If you want to take a deep dive into those types of headlines, have at it! But if you also want to check out some of the weirdest places that Florida has to offer, click here. What are some unique things to do in Florida? While Florida does have some weird and wacky stuff, there are also other unique things to do in Florida that might be more your speed. For instance, you can visit the best beach in the world, known as Siesta Key on the west coast. Or, you can check out Coral Castle in Homestead, which was sourced and built single-handedly by one man. Check out this list of the most unique things you can do in Florida.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Roadside Attractions In Florida
February 17, 2020
Marisa Roman
What are the best road trips to take through Florida? Florida has some pretty awesome road trip opportunities, not just because the state is so large. Taking a road trip through Florida can mean a lot of different things, whether it’s traveling along the beautiful coastline or heading inland for some weird and wacky fun. But sometimes the hardest part is knowing which road trip to take and why. If you’re stuck on the planning process, then here are 7 of the most unforgettable road trips to take in Florida. What bizarre trait is Florida known for? The truth of the matter is, as much as there are weird places in Florida, there’re also a ton of weird things to do and weird people as well. The running joke in the news is the “Florida Man” headline, which tends to pop up often and usually with some bizarre story to follow. If you want to take a deep dive into those types of headlines, have at it! But if you also want to check out some of the weirdest places that Florida has to offer, click here. What are some unique things to do in Florida? While Florida does have some weird and wacky stuff, there are also other unique things to do in Florida that might be more your speed. For instance, you can visit the best beach in the world, known as Siesta Key on the west coast. Or, you can check out Coral Castle in Homestead, which was sourced and built single-handedly by one man. Check out this list of the most unique things you can do in Florida.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Florida has some pretty awesome road trip opportunities, not just because the state is so large. Taking a road trip through Florida can mean a lot of different things, whether it’s traveling along the beautiful coastline or heading inland for some weird and wacky fun. But sometimes the hardest part is knowing which road trip to take and why. If you’re stuck on the planning process, then here are 7 of the most unforgettable road trips to take in Florida.
What bizarre trait is Florida known for?
The truth of the matter is, as much as there are weird places in Florida, there’re also a ton of weird things to do and weird people as well. The running joke in the news is the “Florida Man” headline, which tends to pop up often and usually with some bizarre story to follow. If you want to take a deep dive into those types of headlines, have at it! But if you also want to check out some of the weirdest places that Florida has to offer, click here.
What are some unique things to do in Florida?
While Florida does have some weird and wacky stuff, there are also other unique things to do in Florida that might be more your speed. For instance, you can visit the best beach in the world, known as Siesta Key on the west coast. Or, you can check out Coral Castle in Homestead, which was sourced and built single-handedly by one man. Check out this list of the most unique things you can do in Florida.
