I gathered a list of old, mostly forgotten, Florida Roadside attractions — from marvelous incredible places to absolutely goofy places on the side of the road.
Robert Burr, Miami Pioneers and Natives of Dade Historical Society
Africa USA in Boca Raton was established in 1953 as one of the first non-caged exhibits of African animals. After it closed in 1961, another similar attraction opened nearby – Lion Country Safari.
Alligator Joe was the original tourist attraction in Miami. From about 1895, Warren B. Frazee fearlessly wrestled wild gators for the amusement of tourists. His gift shop sold small alligators to visitors at his swampy location outside the city limits on the east side of Wagner Creek. A large man with an odd mustache, he would wade out to engage his quarry with gregarious pleasure. His popularity grew and he took his show on the road to major cities around the country. When he returned home in 1911, his lease on the property was cancelled so he moved up the river to 14th Avenue.
American Police Museum and Hall of Fame in Titusville features a memorial hall, with the names of officers who have died in the line of duty carved in marble, police memorabilia, badges and hats, props from famous police films, a weapons exhibit, execution displays, including a gas chamber, electric chair, the stocks and pillory, the guillotine and the tramp chair.
Ancient America in Boca Raton opened in 1953, featuring many artifacts from an ancient Indian burial ground on the premises, located along the intercoastal waterway near Yamato Road. The attraction closed in 1958.
Ancient Spanish Monastery in North Miami was originally completed in 1141 in Segovia, Spain. William Randolph Hearst purchased it in 1925, disassembled in, crated the pieces and shipped it to a warehouse in New York. Purchased by investors in 1951, the monastery was re-assembled in North Miami where it attracted large crowds of tourists. It remains a church operated by the Episcopal Diocese.
Aquatarium in St. Petersburg was built in 1964, featuring a golden geodesic dome and porpoise shows. With visitors declining in the mid 1970s, the name was briefly changed to Shark World soon after the movie jaws was released.
Atomic Tunnel in Allendale, south of Daytona Beach was a bomb shelter turned tourist attraction in 1954 featuring Happy the Walking Fish.
Autorama in Hypoluxo was built in a huge mansion on the intercoastal waterway by James Melton to display his collection of antique cars.
Barefoot Mailman Statue in Hillsboro Beach honors those men that carried mail along the shoreline route of South Florida in the late 1880s. Perhaps most famous among these men was James “Ed” Hamilton, who disappeared in 1887 near Hillsboro Inlet.
Bat Tower in Sugarloaf Key was created by fishing lodge owner Richter Clyde Perky in 1929 to provide a home to thousands of bats that would feed on the abundant supply of local mosquitos near mile marker 17. The imported bats took up residence in the tower, but flew away the next day, never to return.
Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales (also know as the Singing Tower) was created by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Edward Bok in 1929 on the highest point in Florida. Close to Cypress Gardens, these two properties attracted more tourists than any others in Florida except Silver Springs.
Bubble Room, Captiva Island includes a fascinating collection of memorabilia from the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s.
Burr’s Berry Farm in Goulds offers fresh strawberries, ice cream and milkshakes as well as fresh produce. The Burr family were Florida pioneers and their old home, build in 1920, remains in it’s original location on Burr Road (SW 127th Avenue) (now gone, but not forgotten)
Busch Gardens began as a community relations project for the brewery in 1959, then blossomed into the first mega-attraction in the state. Expansion continued in the 70s and 80s in an effort to keep pace with Disney World. Eventually the brewery was closed, but the park continues to attract millions of visitors yearly.
Caribbean Gardens in Naples became a tourist attraction in 1959, but the property dates back to 1919 when scientist Henry Hehrling established an experimental garden which inspired David Fairchild to plan Fairchild Gardens in Coral Gables. After several decades of demise, the property was restored in 1954, featuring their famous Duck Vaudeville Show. In the early 70s “Jungle Larry” Tetzlaff and wife ‘Safari Jane” took over.
Cars Of Yesteryear in Sarasota was founded by brothers Herbert and Robert Horn in 1953 across from the Ringling Museum featuring their extensive collection of antique cars.
Casper’s Ostrich And Alligator Farm in St. Augustine began as a commercial alligator farm, turning into a tourist attraction in 1946. It evolved to include macaws, flamingos, an ostrich harness racing track and claimed the south’s largest air conditioned gift shop. Traffic on US1 was affected by the completion of I-95 and it closed in 1982.
Cauley Square Historic Village in Goulds, originally constructed in 1903, includes dozens of small shops and several restaurants in a beautiful shady wooded area.
Chimp Farm in Dania was established in 1946 as a research facility, opening its doors to tourists in 1946. In addition to breeding apes, their research into polio and other viruses lead to interaction with leading universities, hospitals and laboratories.
Chimp Farm in Tarpon Springs was created by Mae and Bob Noell, who originally operated Noell’s Ark traveling animal act, featuring wrestling and boxing with apes.
Circus Hall Of Fame in Sarasota was constructed near the Ringling Museum in 1956, featuring daily circus acts, memorabilia, a hall of fame and displays until it closed in 1980.
Coppinger’s Pirate’s Cove in Miami started as Coppinger’s Tropical Paradise in 1914, featuring plants and flowers from all over the globe along the Miami River at 19th Avenue. Sons George and Henry, Jr. gained a reputation as the “Alligator Boys” far and wide, wrestling the creatures to the amusement of tourists. The attraction included a Seminole Indian Village and a gift shop selling baby alligators before it closed in 1969.
Coral Castle near Homestead remains one the classic Florida roadside attractions to this day. The strange obsession of a strange little man, Ed Leedskalnin, a Latvian immigrant who single-handedly and mysteriously excavated, carved, and erected over 2.2 million pounds of coral rock to build this place, even though he stood only five feet tall and weighed a mere 100 pounds. Located on US1 at SW 286 Street.
Cypress Gardens near Winter Haven is one of Florida’s oldest and most loved attractions, featuring their world famous waterski shows and southern belles, tropical gardens and canals. Dick Pope and wife Julie were brilliant promoters who succeeded at making sure nearly every visitor traveling through Florida stopped to enjoy their attraction. The water ski shows began in 1943 by mistake when a publicity photo for the park showed a waterskier. Tourists assumed this was part of the show, and management quickly integrated ski shows as a mainstay of the performances.
Cypress Knee Museum near Palmdale in the Fisheating Creek swamp was one of the most unusual attractions in Florida. Tom Gaskins would wander through the bogs looking for unique cypress knees to display in his gift shop. Among the notables were Josef Stalin, Flipper and a “lady hippo wearing a Carmen Miranda hat.” Their unique signs along US27 containing short rhymes garnered a lot of attention.
Deer Ranch at Silver Springs opened in 1954 by Tommy Bartlett, featuring more than 200 tame deer that could be fed by tourists. It closed in 1975.
Dogland was established in Chiefland in 1960, featuring all 113 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club by Kentucky breeder D. Shetterly and Lexington Kennel Club president C.J. Wade. Each dog was displayed in their own house, complete with plaque describing the breed and the breeder/owner. It closed in 1974.
Don Garlits’ Museum of Drag Racing near Ocala features memorabilia and exhibits based on the career of Don “Big Daddy” Garlits, one of the most accomplished drag racing champions. It still attracts large crowds.
Drive-in Christian Church in Daytona is a converted, drive-in movie theater. People park their cars and listen to the sermons which are delivered from a balcony.
Dupree Gardens in Tampa opened in 1940 on the palatial estate of J. Williams Dupree featuring elaborate gardens of tropical foliage, splendid rose gardens, rustic bridges and wandering waterways. Classical music played along the pathways until it closed in 1954.
Eagle’s Nest in Belleaire (Clearwater) began as the estate of the exclusive Harbor Oaks developer Dean Alvord with gardens designed by Fumio Hykowa of Tokyo. The name was derived from a pair of eagles that nested in a tall pine. Also referred to as Japanese Gardens at Eagle’s Nest, it opened to the public in 1935. After it closed in 1962, the property was integrated into a golf course.
Everglades Alligator Farm south of Florida City is a well operated wildlife attraction for the whole family featuring snakes, alligators, birds and other animals. Airboat rides are available.
Everglades Outpost near Florida City opened in 1993. A unique wildlife refuge operated by Bob Freer and Barbara Tansey has been providing shelter and care at this location to Florida wildlife and exotic species since 1993. The operation is sustained by memberships, but visitors can experience the sanctuary for a small fee which goes toward the maintenance and care of the animals.
Everglades Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs was established in 1937 by Lester and Wilford Piper featuring native birds, reptiles and plants and 2,000 species of wildlife, including alligators, crocodiles, otters, bears, panthers, and wild hogs. The bear named Tom played the role of Slewfoot in the movie The Yearling.
Flipper’s Grave in Grassy Key at Mile Marker 59 (58901 Overseas Highway) is at the Dolphin Research Center, once known as Santini’s Porpoise School, where Mitzi, the female dolphin that played movie and tv star Flipper was laid to rest. The famous tail dancing scenes used another dolphin named Mr. Gipper.
Floating Islands (also known as Floating Bird Island Sanctuary) in Orange Lake was established by naturalist Don McKay in 1936. Large groups of water hyacinth are intertwined to form floating islands, populated by water birds which could be observed on boat tours. The attraction closed in 1974.
Florida Citrus Tower in Clermont was built in 1956, originally surrounded by orange groves, now surrounded by housing developments and strip malls.
Florida Pioneer Museum in Florida City was established in 1978 by Bob Jensen and other local history enthusiasts, featuring many household items from the late 1800s and early 1900s in an old railroad station building. They’re open Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Florida Reptile Institute in Silver Springs was established by Ross Allen in 1936. A great showman, conservationist and promoter, Ross Allen also facilitated the making of more than 100 films and television shows. He sold the attraction to the owners of Silver Springs in 1975.
Florida Wild Animal and Reptile Ranch in St. Petersburg was established in 1937 by S.W. Thomason, featuring trained animal acts, a rattlesnake pit, elephant rides and a monkey village.
Fort Dodge in Brooksville was a western theme attraction lasting only four years after it opened in 1962.
Foxbower Wildlife Museum in Brooksville featured a large collection of stuffed animals, as well as a variety of live birds, fish and reptiles. The attraction, marked by a large pink dinosaur, closed in 1980.
Fruit And Spice Park in Redland was established in 1944, featuring a notable collection of rare and exotics fruits, spices, vegetables and herbs. The gift shop is well stocked with all kinds of fruity treats, books, seeds and drinks. The annual Strawberry Folk Festival and the Asian Food Festival are held there.
Gatorama in Palmdale was the creation of Cecil Clemons, located near Fisheating Creek, that claimed to be the world’s largest alligator farm.
Gatorland in Kissimmee features a large alligator mouth at the entrance to the facility. Billing itself as the Alligator Capital Of The World, this 110-acre alligator theme park and wildlife preserve features a display of huge alligators and crocodiles, a train ride, an aviary, a breeding marsh and bird sanctuary, petting zoo, nature walk and a gift shop.
Gerbings Gardens in Fernandia Beach was the largest tourist attraction in Northeast Florida soon after it opened in 1933, featuring more than 100,000 azalea and camellia plants in full bloom from December through April. It closed in 1959.
Giant Head of Beethoven in Ft. Myers guards the entrance to the New University Pyramid Village, a community of futuristic tent-like condos built by a bunch of Austrians as a vacation resort.
Giant Lobster on the side of the road near Treasure Village in Islamorada is a magnet for tourists. Stop and take your picture with the huge lobster.
Gibsonton is a town of retired circus freaks and carnival performers near Tampa, including Melvin Burkhart, a performer and magician who could hammer nails into his nostrils, Jeanie “The Half Girl” Tomaini, a mere 2 foot 6 inches tall and her late husband, Al “The Giant” Tomaini who stood more than 8 feet 4 inches, Percilla the Monkey girl, the Anatomical Wonder, the Lobster Boy and the Siamese twin Hilton sisters.
Gold Coast Railroad Museum at the Richmond Naval Air Station near South Miami opened in 1957, featuring a collection of engines and rail cars.
Goofy Golf in Panama City, established in 1959, was one of the first miniature golf attractions, complete with large wonders of the world, goofy monsters and space age icons at each hole.
Great Masterpiece in Lake Wales (also known as Masterpiece Gardens) opened in 1951 featuring a spectacular mosaic of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper, later evolving to include Bill Phelps’ Birds of Prey show, a skyride, petting zoo, miniature golf, waterfalls and a court of flags. It became a religious retreat in 1978.
Hollow Earth Utopia State Park in Estero represents the remains of a town founded by a cult named the Koreshan Unity that followed the unusual teachings of Cyrus Teed who believed that we live on the inside of the earth. The building is located at 8661 Corkscrew Rd.
John Gorrie Museum State Park in Apalachicola celebrates the invention of the ice maker by Dr. John Gorrie, this small museum is located on 6th Street, one block east off U.S. 98 in Apalachicola. Concern for his yellow fever patients motivated Gorrie to invent a method for cooling their rooms. He became a pioneer in the field of air conditioning and refrigeration by inventing a machine that made ice, and received the first U.S. Patent for mechanical refrigeration in 1851.
Jules Undersea Lodge, located in a lagoon in Key Largo, offers adventurers the opportunity to spend the night in an underwater hotel room.
Knaus Berry Farm on Silver Palm Drive, established in 1951 by a group of German Baptists, offers delightful baked goods and fresh produce. You can pick your own strawberries and tomatoes in season.
Lewis Plantation and Turpentine Still in Brooksville became a tourist attraction in 1936 during the depression years, depicting an old south plantation complete with negro slaves. It closed in 1960.
Liberty Bell Memorial Museum in Melbourne features an exact replica of the famous Liberty Bell in Philadelphia.
Lion Country Safari opened in West Palm Beach in 1967, allowing visitors to drive their cars through an African environment with lions, zebras, giraffes, rhinos, chimps and more.
Lion Farm in Dania (also known as Clyde Beatty’s Jungle Farm and Zoo) opened in 1933, then became part of the Clyde Beatty Circus. It closed in 1942.
Lost Lake And Coral Caverns in South Miami was one of the great natural attractions of Florida and one of the most popular before WW11, featuring limestone caverns around a a crystal clear lake filled with fish. Glass bottom boat tours, a duck show, a rock garden and a tropical arboretum with 200 species of fruit trees were featured.
Marineland, the original oceanarium tourist attraction created in 1937, is located south of Cocoa Beach on the ocean. It was a great success from the day it opened in 1938, attracting large crowds to the Florida coastline. Later known as Marineland, they pioneered the training of porpoises and dolphins, a staple of Florida attractions.
Maytag Repairman statue in Fort Walton Beach on Racetrack Road stands approximately 13 feet tall.
McKee Jungle Gardens in Vero Beach opened in 1932, as one of Florida’s original commercial roadside attractions, designed by famed landscape designer William Lyman Phillips, featuring a bird aviary, small animal displays, a large collection of water lilies, a Seminole Indian Village and several hundred monkeys. It served as a site for WW11 jungle training. The property closed in 1976.
Miami Serpentarium was located South of Miami on US1, with a large cobra snake marking the entrance. Bill Haast opened the attraction in 1948 and was famous for milking the poisonous snakes in full view of his visitors. His large collection of snakes from around the world was impressive. Haast was said to have be bitten more than 140 times by poisonous snakes. A boy fell into the alligator pit and was killed in 1977. The Serpentarium closed in 1984 and Haast moved to Utah to continue his snake venom research with the University of Utah.
Midget City in Sanford opened in 1947 with a complete village built in miniature with amazing detail. It closed in 1956.
Monkey Jungle is world famous for it’s thick hammock environment where “The Humans Are Caged And The Animals Run Free.” Originally started by Joseph DuMond in 1933, third generation owners Sharon and Frank DuMond maintain this home for more than 30 species, more than 400 primates, just west of SW 147th Avenue on SW 216 Street.
Musa Isle Seminole Village on the Miami River opened in 1919 just east of SW 27th Avenue, featuring a half dozen chickees inhabited by Seminoles. Tourists enjoyed the scenes of typical Indian life, bought arts and crafts and enjoyed Indian wedding ceremonies. Alligators were wrestled and snakes were handled. It later became known as Willie Willie’s Seminole Indian Village and remained in operation until 1964.
Museum Of Speed in South Daytona Beach opened in 1954 featuring race cars and racing memorabilia, including the Bluebird, the car that held the world land speed record.
Nature’s Giant Fishbowl at Homosassa Springs was opened in 1940 by David Newel, editor of Field And Stream Magazine. The clear spring features an abundance of fish. It was later named Homosassa Springs, featuring a floating observatory, nature trails and a deer park. The state took it over in 1988 and made it Homosassa Springs State Park.
North Miami Zoological Gardens, also known as the Opa Locka Zoo, opened in 1934 as the winter home of the Bryan Brothers Animal Circus, featuring giant Galapagos Tortoises. It closed in 1961.
Ocean World opened in Ft. Lauderdale in 1965 adjacent to the 17th Street Causeway bridge. Founded by C.T. Robertson, it featured a porpoise show, shark tank, alligator pit, a sky ride and numerous aquariums. After animal activists protested conditions, the site closed in 1994.
Orchid Jungle was founded near Homestead in 1923 by the Fennell family with thousands of native and foreign orchids growing in oak trees. Every female visitor received a free orchid. After damage from Hurricane Andrew, Thomas Fennell won 6.7 million in the Florida lottery and closed the attraction in 1994.
Oriental Gardens in Jacksonville was the most popular attraction in that city after it opened in 1937 on the private estate of George Clark on the St. John’s River. The sunken garden had several small lakes, tropical plants, streams and bridges, fountains and a concert of chimes on the hour.
Ormond Tropical Gardens in Ormand Beach opened to the public in 1930 by horticulturist Henry Stockmans, featuring many water lilly ponds and lilacs. The gardens closed after the war in 1946.
Ostrich And Alligator Farm in Lantana opened in 1923 in Riviera Beach, featuring many dozens of ostriches and hundreds of alligators. It closed in 1942.
Paradise Park in Silver Springs opened in 1949. It was billed as “Silver Springs For Colored People.”
Parrot Jungle Island is now located on Watson Island in Biscayne Bay. Originally established in Pinecrest in 1936 by Franz Scherr, the world famous Parrot Jungle featured live parrot shows and performances. What began as a feed and supply store with a few friendly parrots evolved into a unique attraction with twenty acres of lush vegetation and more than 1000 exotic birds.
Phosphate Valley Exposition opened near Bartow in 1961 featuring many ancient fossils unearthed during the phosphate mining era of the early 1900s. It closed in 1973.
Pirate’s World in Dania opened in 1967, featuring many pirate theme rides and arcades. Numerous popular music groups appeared in concert there before it closed in 1975.
Placid Tower in Lake Placid is also known as the Tower of Peace and Happiness Tower. The 240 foot tall structure did not draw as much attention as the Citrus Tower or Bok Tower further up US27. Now billed as “The Town Of Murals,” Lake Placid contains numerous large beautiful paintings on the side of buildings.
Possum Monument engraved bronze plaque in Wasau pays homage to the lowly possum, a staple food source for locals during depression era hard times. The locals consider their town to be the possum capital of the world and celebrate each year with a possum festival, convincing the Florida legislature to declare the first day of August Possum Day.
President’s Hall of Fame in Clermont was created by curator/owner John Zweifel, a well known artisan of miniatures. Small scale rooms from the White House and Oval Offices are on display.
Rainbow Springs in Dunnellon opened in 1937 with glass bottom boats, cottages, a campground, botanical garden and a restaurant overlooking a spectacular 55 foot tall waterfall. Rainbow Springs closed in 1974, then the state later acquired 600 acres to create Rainbow Springs State Park.
Rainbow Tropical Gardens in Boynton Beach opened in December, 1940 by well known landscaper C.O. Miller with a Mediterranean style building entrance on US1 and a large dock along the intercoastal waterway. The attraction included screen pathways, ponds and bridges and a miniature train that offered rides through the property. It closed in 1959.
Rainforest in Sumterville opened in 1961, featuring a giant animated dinosaur at the entrance on US301 near Wildwood. The lush jungle environment featured tropical vegetation and majestic oaks and magnolias. It closed in 1967.
Rare Bird Farm in Kendall opened in 1938, featuring a large variety of birds and other animals from around the world. Their breeding program supplied birds to many zoos. A walk-through aviary, performing chimps, and an elephant show were included. It closed in 1967.
Rattlesnake Headquarters in Tampa opened in 1938, billing itself as the world’s only rattlesnake cannery and reptilorium in what was once the town of Rattlesnake. The owner, George End was bitten by a rattlesnake while extracting venom and died several hours later. It closed in 1944.
Reptile House in Fort Walton Beach features hundreds of Eastern Rattlesnakes and one 19 foot long alligator named Jake.
R.F. Orchids in Redland is a third generation grower and breeder of exotic orchids. Robert “Bob” Fuchs offers excellent tours of the operations, as well as his personal collection of rare orchids and statuettes from Asia.
Robert Is Here Fruit Stand near Homestead is one of the best roadside attractions in South Florida, with a myriad of exotic fruits, jellies and jams, flavored honeys, sauces and other homemade delicacies. Out back, Robert has a little zoo with emus, donkeys, goats, parrots, honeybees, chickens, geese and tortoises.
Skunk Ape Research Headquarters in Ochopee is particularly favored by smelly, hairy bipeds, and it is here that Dave and Jack Shealy have opened the world’s only Skunk Ape Research Headquarters at 40904 Tamiami Trail.
Southernmost Point In The USA is a popular spot for tourists to stop and take a photo. A large cement buoy shaped monument marks the southernmost place you can drive to in the continental U.S.
Spongeorama in Tarpon Springs celebrates the importance of the sponge harvesting business to early Florida settlers, many of whom were Greek sponge divers. The sponge factory and museum gift shop offer many varieties of sponges and extol the virtues of natural versus artificial sponges.
Spook Hill in Lake Wales offers the illusion of slowly coasting uphill. Stop your car in the designated position by the sign, then put it it neutral and experience the feeling of defying gravity.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm opened in 1893, then moved to a new location in 1922 just east of the bridge of lions. It may be the oldest roadside attraction in Florida. In addition to the gators, the site included birds, monkeys, tortoises and ostriches. It remains a very popular attraction today.
St. Petersburg Ostrich And Alligator Farm opened in 1920 at Andrew Baker’s home with hundreds of snakes and alligators. Local kids were invited to visit for free if they brought in a captured snake or alligator. It closed in 1944.
Sanlando Springs in Longwood opened in 1925 and quickly became the most popular attraction in central Florida. The 100 acre property featured one of the most beautiful natural springs in the state, located halfway between Sanford and Orlando. Swimming in the springs was a popular activity. A clubhouse restaurant also included a gift shop and amusement games. It closed in 1972.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens began in 1940 with a collection of exotic plants and trees. In 1971, the attraction was expanded to include an exotic bird show featuring macaws trained by prison inmates, reptile shows, a shell museum and a large gift shop.
Sarasota Reptile Farm And Zoo was opened in 1947 by “Texas” Jim Mitchell, a herpetologist who offered tours and reptile lectures. He also trained bears, lions and elephants. It closed in 1968.
Schnebly Redland’s Winery near Homestead, established in 2004, is a popular stop for tourists with free wine tastings. Peter Schnebly makes fine wine from tropical fruit, including guava, mango, lychee, carambola and passion fruit.
Sea-Orama in Clearwater Beach opened in 1954, featuring hand painted cast replicas of more than 350 fish, sea mammals and corals displayed in waterless aquariums. It closed in 1968.
Seaquarium is a landmark attraction in Miami. Opened in 1955 by Wometco, it signaled the trend of large companies operating attractions, rather than mom and pop entrepreneurs. In 1963, the monorail attracted plenty of attention and the filming of the movie and television show Flipper brought fame. Known for the killer whale, porpoise and sea lion shows, the attraction remains a popular destination.
Sea Zoo in South Daytona opened in 1951 with sea lions and porpoises, alligator wrestling, a snake pit and a tropical bird display. It closed in 1970.
Seville Peacock Farm in Clearwater began as a tourist attraction in 1934 at an orange grove established in 1850. It claimed more than 500 peacocks of many varieties and colors. It closed in 1959.
Silver Springs near Ocala is the grand dame of Florida roadside attractions, still open since 1924. Tourists were visiting as far back as 1860 via steamboat. With a sterling reputation, beautiful clear water, glass bottom boats, tropical gardens and a water theme park, many movies and television shows were made at the springs. It was name a national natural landmark in 1972. The state bought the property in 1993 and made it a state park.
Six Gun Territory in Ocala opened as a western theme attraction in 1963, featuring saloons, gun fights, indians, stage coach rides and shows. It closed in 1984.
Stephen Foster Memorial at White Springs was opened in 1950 by the state to commemorate the author of the state song “Way Down Upon The Suwanee River” with a 200 foot carillon tower and a museum resembling an antebellum mansion. Boat rides and a picnic pavilion are popular, as is the snack bar.
Storyland in Pompano Beach opened in 1956 offering a colorful playground and amusement park using themes from popular children’s stories. It closed in 1962.
Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg was established more than 100 years ago, enjoying a reputation as one of Florida’s finest attractions. George Turner began growing tropical plants here in 1903, starting charging 5 cents for tours in 1920 and three generations of Turners continued to operate the attraction until the city purchased the property in 1999.
Sunshine Springs and Gardens in Sarasota opened in 1955 with huge lakes and winding canals. It never developed into a poplar destination and closed in 1959.
Suwanee River Jungle Drive in Old Town opened in 1946 featuring an alligator lookout boardwalk and carriage rides, small cottages, a restaurant and a gift shop along the banks of the Suwanee River.
Swampy The Giant Alligator is 200 feet long, big enough to contain a gift shop, ticket counter and offices of Jungle Adventures, in the holiday season-theme town of Christmas.
Theatre Of The Sea in Islamorada dates back to 1946, where an old rock quarry was converted into a popular roadside attraction near mile market 85, featuring dolphins and sea lions.
Tiki Gardens in Indian Shores opened in 1963 as a Polynesian theme park with a restaurant, lounge and eight gift shops. In 1988, it became a county park.
Town Of Spiritualists is Cassadaga, founded by psychic George P. Colby.
Tropical Hobbyland Seminole Indian attraction opened in Miami in 1938 along NW 27th Avenue, featuring animal and bird shows, gardens, alligator wrestling with the legendary Harry Nelson and a working indian village. The gift shop offered native arts and crafts. It closed in 1966.
Wakulla Springs State Park, south of Tallahassee features glass bottom boats, an historic lodge built in 1937 by financier Ed Ball, with jungle tours, a gift shop and a dining room overlooking the spring, said to be the largest volume of fresh water in the world. Creature From The Black Lagoon, and other notable movies were shot here.
Weeki Wachee Springs began their world famous mermaid shows in 1947 when Navy frogman Newton Perry perfected the technique of breathing compressed air from a hose underwater. In addition to the popular mermaid shows, a river boat ride, animal shows and special events are presented regularly.
World Parrot Mission in Key Largo is a place for abandoned birds. It includes a gift shop at mile marker 99.
World’s Smallest Police Station in Carabelle, on US 98 is a telephone booth.
Wright Brothers Airplane Replica in Daytona Beach is a life-size steel model of the original at 600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd.
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