hidden gems are the most beautiful and interesting places created by both nature and man, such as beaches, national reserves, amusement parks, and ancient cities with fortresses, which are located in the US state of Florida and annually attract the attention of millions of people from all over the world.
We ourselves also drove around Florida by car—along the Atlantic coast and along the Gulf of Mexico—where we visited a lot of interesting things for us, got practical information, and compiled our tourist map.
In general, we learned a lot about what to see in the southeastern United States, and now we are happy to share with you all the practical information about an independent trip to the
sights of Florida
and what to see there.
7 Must-See Hidden Gems to Visit in Florida
Swimming with manatees on the Crystal River
You should take a scenic boat ride on the
Crystal River,
home to the endangered Florida manatee, and you will learn more about the wildlife of this southern state.
Enjoy swimming and snorkeling with playful manatees and an airboat ride on the Vitlakuchi River.
After, head to the scenic Crystal River, home to the endangered “gentle sea giant”, the Florida manatee, where you can snorkel or swim.
You have a chance to interact with these beautiful creatures if you are lucky.
Have lunch and then enjoy an airboat ride.
Marie Selby Botanical Garden, Sarasota
Visit
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
; it is the perfect garden to enjoy some peace and quiet on a cool Florida spring day.
The Marie Selby Botanical Garden is located in Sarasota on the site of the former home of Marie and William Selby.
The garden features preserved epiphyte collections of over 20,000 living plants, including 5,500 orchids, 3,500 bromeliads, and 1,600 other plants.
Secrets of the Sunshine State: Florida’s Hidden Gems for a One-of-a-Kind Vacation
Visit the Latin-themed party
If you want to get acquainted with the culture of
Cuba
, then the best place for this is Little Havana.
The “Calle Ocho” or “8th Street” sign will let you know that you have come to the address.
There are more Spanish names and words here than anywhere else in Miami.
Be sure to check out the Tower Theatre, an Art Deco cinema that still shows movies with Spanish subtitles.
Then head to the Azucar Ice Cream Company Café for delicious Cuban sweets like guava sorbet.
And after taking part in beginner salsa lessons, you can sip refreshing mojitos and dance to fun musical performances.
You will learn how to dance salsa and bachata, and you will enjoy live music, tropical performances, and dancing all night long.
Once you’ve mastered the new moves, the group will take to the dance floor right in front of the live band and enjoy exciting cabaret performances.
The Miami Aquarium
What is there to see in Miami for those who came on vacation with their families?
Of course, the Miami Aquarium, which has long been considered one of the most family-friendly attractions in the city, attracts tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world.
Daily shows with the participation of
dolphins
, killer whales, and other marine mammals have become a real hallmark of this place, and children are ready to go to these performances endlessly.
If that’s not enough, turn your attention to the huge transparent tanks with lots of tropical fish, sharks, and even
alligators.
Do you want something more?
Why not swim with dolphins yourself and learn about their behavior in their natural habitat?
Jungle Island
Jungle Island is considered one of Miami’s most popular attractions.
It is located on Watson Island and was formerly known as Parrot Jungle.
In 1946, Winston Churchill, the legendary Prime Minister of Great Britain, came here.
This park is just a short drive from
South Beach and downtown Miami
.
Thanks to modern technology, Jungle Island is ready to offer visitors an unforgettable immersion in the bosom of nature, so be sure to take the time to visit this amazing place.
By the way, many animals here can be hand-fed.
An Original Medieval Monastery
The nickname “Magic City” did not just stick with Miami
.
Where else among such an abundance of entertainment can you find an original medieval monastery?
Let’s start with the fact that this monastery called Saint Bernard de Clairvaux was built in 1141 in Segovia,
Spain.
It is an amazing early Gothic and Romanesque cathedral that somehow moved to South Florida.
HOW?
The answer is both simple and complex.
The fact is that in 1925, the famous philanthropist William Randolph Hearst saved the Spanish temple by simply buying it from the authorities.
His people dismantled the shrine stone by stone, packed it in 11 thousand boxes, and sent it by ship to America, where, in fact, it was restored almost to its original appearance.
Florida Space Attractions
Visit Florida Space Attractions—Florida’s Space Coast:
is a town halfway between Miami and Jacksonville, in central Florida, best known as the starting point for American shuttles.
But apart from that, the city also has a great beach.
Kennedy Space Center:
This is where you should come to participate in one of the excursion programs to get acquainted with space.
It is usually recommended to book a whole day for a visit.
here, after visiting the museum, you can relax on the ocean.
Secrets of the Sunshine State: Florida’s Hidden Gems for a One-of-a-Kind Vacation
Where is The Best Kept Secret in Florida?
Falling Waters State Park is the best-kept secret in Florida
.
Falling Waters
State Park is located in Florida’s
Panhandle, about an hour’s drive from the coast, in Chipley.
There are many amazing natural wonders here, including one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Florida.
The waterfall cuts into a gaping hole and offers scenic trails that wind around other sinkholes that are millions of years old, making this rock a must-see in the sunny state.
Beautiful native butterflies flock to the garden, greenery surrounds the trails, and modern amenities have been added to make your day or week here a blast.
What is The Prettiest Place in Florida?
Everglades National Park is the prettiest place in Florida.
Everglades National Park is a
unique subtropical environment where you can experience the unique ecosystem of Florida
swamps and seas of tall, razor-sharp grass.
Alligators, birds, and many different animals live here, including cougars!
The
Everglades is a typical subtropical mosaic of life forms
.
These swamps are home to an incredible variety of species, including 950 plant species, of which 65 are native endemic to southern Florida.
Scientists have found 25 species of orchids, 120 species of trees and three different types of mangroves here.
36 species of animals from the fauna inhabiting the swamps, and there are those that have already disappeared forever.