Florida Off The Beaten Path

  pebble hill plantation
by doug48
 
  • pebble hill plantation
      pebble hill plantation
    by doug48
  • Joe Patti's main fishing boat
      Joe Patti's main fishing boat
    by laurenzi1
  • pelican looking for something to eat!
      pelican looking for something to eat!
    by laurenzi1
  • seaside
      seaside
    by doug48
  • perdido key beach
      perdido key beach
    by doug48
 

Most Viewed Off The Beaten Path in Florida

1.

State Parks, Animals and Nature   Orlando

State Parks, Animals and Nature, Orlando

 30 Reviews  Northwest of Orlando, at the edge of the sprawl, the unfortunately named Kelly Park is just an unassuming dot of a county park. But it's actually fantastic. This is the sort of thing that you would... 

 See All 145 Off The Beaten Path in Orlando

2.

Cemetery and Ghosts   Key West

Cemetery and Ghosts, Key West

 15 Reviews  An African cemetery appears on an Army Corps of Engineers map drawn in 1861. It is labled "African Cemetery with nine small Xs. This location probably has up to 295 graves extending from under the... 

 See All 145 Off The Beaten Path in Key West

3.

The Everglades   Miami

The Everglades, Miami

 16 Reviews  If you get a chance, do a tour of the Everglades. I was surprised how close they are to Miami. It's merely an hour or so by road. You get to go on a very noisy boat which looks like a hovercraft and... 

 See All 84 Off The Beaten Path in Miami

4.

The Beach   Fort Lauderdale

The Beach, Fort Lauderdale

 10 Reviews  1) Big parking lot at Las Olas and the beach. Lots of locals, lots of bars and some shops. Hidden local tip: Park for less under the bridge that carries Las Olas over the Intercostal, then walk... 

 See All 45 Off The Beaten Path in Fort Lauderdale

5.

Canoeing   Tampa

Canoeing, Tampa

 5 Reviews  hillsborough river state park is located northeast of tampa near the town of thonotoassa. historically the area was the site of fort foster during the second seminole war. most visitors come to the... 

 See All 125 Off The Beaten Path in Tampa

6.

Anastasia Island State Park.   Saint Augustine

Anastasia Island State Park., Saint Augustine

 7 Reviews  The park area has a lightly wooded section, an ocean-front, beach section and a grassy marsh section, so you can see a variety of wading and shore birds. The park is on a migratory path for many... 

 See All 38 Off The Beaten Path in Saint Augustine

7.

Beaches   Jacksonville

Beaches, Jacksonville

 7 Reviews  Looking for public access in ritzy Ponte Vedra Beach? Exclusive Ponte Vedra Beach boasts the gargantuan oceanfront mansions of millionaires, world-class resorts including the five diamond rated Ponte... 

 See All 36 Off The Beaten Path in Jacksonville

8.

Airboat rides   Naples

Airboat rides, Naples

 2 Reviews  **Please note. I'm told that airboats are not allowed inside the Everglades National Park. Apparently my trip was just on the boundaries I recommend an airboat ride outside the park since in the park,... 

 See All 13 Off The Beaten Path in Naples

9.

J.N. Ding Darling Refuge   Sanibel Island

J.N. Ding Darling Refuge, Sanibel Island

 3 Reviews  The wildlife refuge is a protected area for snakes, alligators, bald eagles and falcons. Unfortunately, I didn't see any while there. I spent a bit of time wandering around the refuge and reading the... 

 See All 10 Off The Beaten Path in Sanibel Island

10.

Seven Mile Bridge   Marathon

Seven Mile Bridge, Marathon

 11 Reviews  The original girder bridge was, of course, a railroad bridge which was built: 1908 - 1912. In 1931 the Florida East Coas Railroad went bankrupt and in 1935 the line was damaged in a hurricane and... 

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11.

Beaches   Orlando

Beaches, Orlando

 12 Reviews  I go to ther Melbourne, FL area for great beaches. There are only five major hotels on miles of beach with mostly houses and condominiums. This area is very residential. I've been going to this beach... 

 See All 145 Off The Beaten Path in Orlando

12.

Quirky Stuff   Key West

Quirky Stuff, Key West

 13 Reviews  One of the things we love to do is to go get some naked wings and then go to Peppers and sample their wares. I recommended it to my aunt for her to go when she was down here, and she not only went,... 

 See All 145 Off The Beaten Path in Key West

13.

Miscelaneous   Miami

Miscelaneous, Miami

 16 Reviews  This cafe/bar is truly unconventional. Having lived in cities like Seattle and Chicago, where eccentric non-corporate cafes abound, I was dismayed to find nothing of the sort in Miami. Until I... 

 See All 84 Off The Beaten Path in Miami

14.

Butterfly World   Fort Lauderdale

Butterfly World, Fort Lauderdale

 6 Reviews  Butterfly World is one of my personal favorite places in the Fort Lauderdale area. It is easily the most relaxing day you'll spend here off the beach. It is a visual feast with thousands of... 

 See All 45 Off The Beaten Path in Fort Lauderdale

15.

Downtown   Tampa

Downtown, Tampa

 5 Reviews  The Christopher Columbus Monument is located just south of the central business district along Bayshore Drive. The statue was created by Albert Sabas, and features a statue of Columbus atop a stone... 

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16.

Fort Matanzas National Monument   Saint Augustine

Fort Matanzas National Monument, Saint Augustine

 5 Reviews  Fort Matanzas is a small but beautifully located Spanish fort that was built in the 18th century, and the area has colonial history dating back to the 16th century. A free guided ferry tour can be... 

 See All 38 Off The Beaten Path in Saint Augustine

17.

Kingsley Plantation Historic Site   Jacksonville

Kingsley Plantation Historic Site, Jacksonville

 4 Reviews  pictured is a restored slave house on the plantation. these houses were built out of "tabby" tabby is a building material made out of oyster shells and sand. this material formed a type of concrete... 

 See All 36 Off The Beaten Path in Jacksonville

18.

Palm Cottage   Naples

Palm Cottage, Naples

 1 Review  This is Naples' oldest house, built in 1890. It sits in the historic district on 12th Avenue near the pier. Inside, the Naples Histrical Soeicty has restored its 19th century atmosphere to show how... 

 See All 13 Off The Beaten Path in Naples

19.

Sanibel Light house   Sanibel Island

Sanibel Light house, Sanibel Island

 2 Reviews  Located on the east end of the island, part of a wildlife refuge. Don't make a special trip here to tour the lighthouse. There aren't any tours. Best you get is a marker at the base of the lighthouse.... 

 See All 10 Off The Beaten Path in Sanibel Island

20.

Pigeon Key   Marathon

Pigeon Key, Marathon

 1 Review  We first visited Pigeon Key in 1969 when our car (a 1932 Plymouth) broke down on 7 mile bridge. My husband pushed, I steered and we drifted down onto Pigeon Key where he fixed the fault. All that was... 

 See All 18 Off The Beaten Path in Marathon

21.

Other Theme Parks   Orlando

Other Theme Parks, Orlando

 25 Reviews  The Airstream Ranch is the Stonehenge of campers, not too different from Carhenge in Nebraska. This odd roadside sight was created in 2008 by a man named Frank Bates, who buried eight Airstream... 

 See All 145 Off The Beaten Path in Orlando

22.

Stock Island   Key West

Stock Island, Key West

 4 Reviews  Key West Botanical Garden is on Stock Island on Botanical Garden Drive and College Road. It was hard hit by Hurricane Georges and some of the plantings haven't recovered yet. It is free and donations... 

 See All 145 Off The Beaten Path in Key West

23.

Beaches in Miami   Miami

Beaches in Miami, Miami

 10 Reviews  The sand castles on the beach are everywhere! Do get close an take a look at the painstakingly intricate work of sand-art, but don't forget to drop some $$$ into the little cup or bucket placed,... 

 See All 84 Off The Beaten Path in Miami

24.

Cruising the Intercoastal   Fort Lauderdale

Cruising the Intercoastal, Fort Lauderdale

 3 Reviews  this is a lovely day trip from fort lauderdale to miami down the intracoastal waterway. even tho it takes three hrs to get to miami, the time does not feel anywhere near that long. you can sit inside... 

 See All 45 Off The Beaten Path in Fort Lauderdale

25.

Beach   Tampa

Beach, Tampa

 5 Reviews  honeymoon island state park is located just west of the town of dunedin north of clearwater. the charming town of dunedin is a very nice place to visit in the tampa-clearwater area. honeymoon island... 

 See All 125 Off The Beaten Path in Tampa

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Blessed Maude of Cornwall Pro-Cathedral

by steviedee

The Pro-Cathedral of Blessed Maude of Cornwall is the flagship of the Maudian Catholic Church in America, founded in 1989 by Bishop Maude A. P. Savage(1908-2000), a former silent screen child star, singer, and tap dancer who claimed ordination in New York, in 1939. She purchased the church building from the Presbyterians in 1989, when the Maudian denomination was founded. It is named after a 15th century German princess and abbess, who brought a religious community from Germany to Cornwall, England. The church itself dates from 1907 and is a grey stone Romanesque structure with an adjoining battlemented tower. Four directional loudspeakers in the tower broadcast the Cathedral carillon, which plays not only hymns but Broadway show tunes and 1920's music. The interior is plain, with brown and beige diamond-shaped glass in the nave windows. The altar is a plain structure for Mass facing the...

A quick daytrip to beautiful Key West!

by Jefie

The drive between Key West and Fort Myers takes about 6h, which would prevent most people from thinking they could turn it into a daytrip destination if it weren't for the Key West Express ferry service. Leaving from the Fort Myers Beach marina, the catamaran ride to Key West takes less than 4h, thus making it possible to leave early in the morning, spend the afternoon in Key West, and then come back in the evening. More details on the Key West Express ferry are available on my Key West travel page!

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Swim in the most beautiful pool of the world !

by floche2001

On our last day in Florida, we took the decision to discover Coral Gables and the Venitian Pool. We'll for sure remember this afternoon at the pool for ever.This pools belongs to the American Heritage and is the only pool to have this title. Dont'hesitate ! Go ! I join a few pictures i made over there. Simply great !

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Kingsley Plantation

by KimberlyAnn

Located on Fort George Island, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Kingsley Plantation is a post Civil War era plantation that produced cotton, citrus, sugar cane, and corn. This historic plantation is an easy drive from Little Talbot Island State Park. Zephaniah Kingsley became a wealthy landowner, eventually owning more than 32,000 acres of land, and four major plantations with more than 200 slaves. Interestingly, his wife, Anna Madgigine Jai, was a Senegal, West African slave that Kingsley purchased, and then later married. She was actively involved in the management of the plantation. In 1811 he gave Anna Jai her freedom, and she then acquired her own land and owned slaves herself. Kingsley also placed a slave, Abraham Hanahan, in place as his plantation manager, and during times that Kingsley was away, Hanahan was completely in charge. Kingsley later freed...

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Collier-Seminal State Park

by KimberlyAnn

Located near the Naples, Florida area, Collier Seminole State Park has the varied vegetation and wildlife of the Everglades. Its tropical hardwood hammock is similar to that of the coastal forest areas of the West Indies and the Yucatan Peninsula. This is an area where the royal palm tree, rare in the wild, may be seen in its natural habitat. Some of the animals you may see are pelican, wood storks, bald eagles, woodpeckers, alligators, manatees, and squirrels. Black Bears, panthers, and crocodiles also live in the park, but are rarely seen. Activities that can be enjoyed in the park are camping, bird watching, hiking, canoeing, fishing, and bicycling. The park also offers boat tours. These tours take you along the Black Water River. Your guide will tell you about the early settlers in the area, as well as telling you about the wildlife and plants in the Everglades environment. There is...

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Best Bay Sunset

by TequilaTom

When traveling the South Bay area of Tampa (Hillsborough County), take time to view the spectacular sunsets from Little Harbor in Ruskin. Tricky to find from US 41, but well worth it. Great views of St. Pete skyline after dark and even a local can imagine they are far from home while sipping libations at the Tiki Bar and listening to live music. Destination is at the end of Shell Point Rd. and was to be one of the hottest areas for waterfront developement before the RE bubble. Great food, daily specials, live bands Thurs. - Sat. and the best deal for for weekend breakfast buffet on the water!

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A day in the Bahamas

by csordila

A one day cruise provides you to enjoy everything a longer cruise offers in one day for a fraction of the cost. It is also the best way to travel to Freeport Grand Bahamas. Grand Bahama considered the second most popular island in the Bahamas, and its major city, Freeport, is regarded as the nation’s second city. You get a breakfast and lunch buffet on your way to Grand Bahama and dinner on your return trip to south Florida. There is also lots of live entertainment and a Las Vegas style casino onboard. The liner is basically a hotel on water. On arrival you can take a $25 dollar tour around Freeport, then come some shopping, drinking, catching sun on the beach (access through the Sheraton), and your time went by. With some good weather the trip makes you an awesome one day fun! And by the way, how else can you get to the Grand Bahama with fun, food and drink for a fraction of the normal...

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Paynes Prairie- where the buffalo.... roam?

by goingsolo

You may not have known that there are bison in Florida. You may not care either, and, if that is the case, then feel free to stop reading this tip. I'd highly recommend this one if you're in the area. Its hard to believe that, 20 minutes or so from the fast food and motel sprawl of Gainesville lies a flat prairie land, which is sometimes dry and sometimes flooded. Where American Bison roam free and white tail deer prance around in the forest. All of this in Florida!Paynes Prairie, one of the most unusual landscapes in Florida, contains a small population of bison who freely roam the prairie land just outside of Gainesville. Paynes is a spectacular state park filled with white tail deer, hiking and horse trails, and, if you're lucky, a glimpse at an American Bison. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see one, but did come across several deer. I also hiked through the forested and marshy areas...

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Torreya State Park

by goingsolo

For those of you who think Florida is completely flat, well, you are almost correct. But if you think the state is all beaches and shopping malls, well, you've got that one wrong. Torreya State Park is located in Northwest Florida, about 60 miles west of Tallahassee. Known for its "high" (300 foot) bluffs, rare torreya trees and lush forests, this out of the way location is a must see for those who want to visit "teh real Florida"For more information, feel free to browse my Torreya State Park page.

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Billie Swamp Safari

by davesut

This is s great place. Along the Alligator alley you'll find signs for Billie Swamp's Safari, head north. The safari, air boat rides and animals give a side to Florida that you should take the time to see. Aparantly profits go to the Seminole Community.Still can't get the pictures right. Back to Davesut's home page

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Unique Places in Florida

Top 3 Hotels in Florida

Homewood Suites Orlando-UCF Area  Orlando

 2 Reviews and 98 Opinions  Everything is great except the fact that the night person NEVER answers the phone. All I wanted was... 

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Ocean Key Resort  Key West

 4 Reviews and 660 Opinions  Stayed in an Ocean front room and was awaken early every morning by the intoxicated homeless... 

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Sonesta Hotel & Suites Coconut Grove Miami  Miami

 2 Reviews and 424 Opinions  Staying at this hotel is the best location in Miami. It is in the middle of the Coconut Grove scene... 

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Off The Beaten Path: Cities in Florida
  1. Orlando Off The Beaten Path
  2. Key West Off The Beaten Path
  3. Miami Off The Beaten Path
  4. Miami Beach Off The Beaten Path
  5. Fort Lauderdale Off The Beaten Path
  6. Tampa Off The Beaten Path
  7. Kissimmee Off The Beaten Path
  8. Saint Augustine Off The Beaten Path
  9. Panama City Beach Off The Beaten Path
  10. Jacksonville Off The Beaten Path
  11. Daytona Beach Off The Beaten Path
  12. Destin Off The Beaten Path
  13. Fort Myers Beach Off The Beaten Path
  14. Naples Off The Beaten Path
  15. Sanibel Island Off The Beaten Path
  16. Marathon Off The Beaten Path
  17. Florida Keys Off The Beaten Path
  18. Key Largo Off The Beaten Path
  19. Sarasota Off The Beaten Path
  20. Everglades National Park Off The Beaten Path
  21. Islamorada Off The Beaten Path
  22. Cocoa Beach Off The Beaten Path
  23. Saint Petersburg Off The Beaten Path
  24. Tallahassee Off The Beaten Path
  25. Pompano Beach Off The Beaten Path
  26. Pensacola Off The Beaten Path
  27. Fort Myers Off The Beaten Path
  28. Hollywood Off The Beaten Path
  29. Fort Walton Beach Off The Beaten Path
  30. West Palm Beach Off The Beaten Path
  31. Marco Island Off The Beaten Path
  32. Clearwater Off The Beaten Path
  33. Boca Raton Off The Beaten Path
  34. Ormond Beach Off The Beaten Path
  35. Pensacola Beach Off The Beaten Path
  36. New Smyrna Beach Off The Beaten Path
  37. Delray Beach Off The Beaten Path
  38. Cape Canaveral Off The Beaten Path
  39. Panama City Off The Beaten Path
  40. Melbourne Off The Beaten Path
  41. Mount Dora Off The Beaten Path
  42. Winter Park Off The Beaten Path
  43. Palm Beach Off The Beaten Path
  44. Gainesville Off The Beaten Path
  45. Bradenton Off The Beaten Path
  46. Bonita Springs Off The Beaten Path
  47. Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Off The Beaten Path
  48. Indian Rocks Beach Off The Beaten Path
  49. Fernandina Beach Off The Beaten Path
  50. Deerfield Beach Off The Beaten Path
  51. Big Pine Key Off The Beaten Path
  52. Tarpon Springs Off The Beaten Path
  53. Amelia Island Off The Beaten Path
  54. Treasure Island Off The Beaten Path
  55. Cape Coral Off The Beaten Path
  56. Ocala Off The Beaten Path
  57. Treasure Island Off The Beaten Path
  58. Madeira Beach Off The Beaten Path
  59. Fort Pierce Off The Beaten Path
  60. Dry Tortugas National Park Off The Beaten Path
  61. Daytona Beach Shores Off The Beaten Path
  62. Coral Gables Off The Beaten Path
  63. Venice Off The Beaten Path
  64. Lakeland Off The Beaten Path
  65. Dania Off The Beaten Path
  66. Everglades City Off The Beaten Path
  67. Cedar Key Off The Beaten Path
  68. Crystal River Off The Beaten Path
  69. Titusville Off The Beaten Path
  70. Cocoa Off The Beaten Path
  71. Punta Gorda Off The Beaten Path
  72. Anna Maria Island Off The Beaten Path
  73. Coconut Grove Off The Beaten Path
  74. Weston Off The Beaten Path
  75. Key Biscayne Off The Beaten Path
  76. Lake Wales Off The Beaten Path
  77. Weeki Wachee Off The Beaten Path
  78. Sanibel Off The Beaten Path

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Questions and Answers

Steve617 profile photo

Q:  I am trying to plan a vacation for my wife and myself during the first week in April. She really wants to go to the west side of... 

goodfish profile photo

A: I haven't been down that way for too many years but Siesta Key near Sarasota is beautiful - one gorgeous beach. You might take a look at their... 

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