Florida

There’s a place on Florida’s east coast where the ocean doesn’t just meet the shore—it erupts through it. Welcome to Blowing Rocks Preserve, a stretch of wild, wave-battered coastline in Hobe Sound where Atlantic swells surge through ancient limestone crevices, sending salty spray high into the air like a natural geyser show.

If the idea of sipping a latte while a purring tabby curls up in your lap makes your heart melt, then you need to know about Orlando Cat Café. Tucked just west of the city in Clermont, this feline-friendly oasis is equal parts coffee shop, cozy lounge, and kitty playland—and yes, you can take one home (after proper vetting, of course).

If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring a deserted island with a 19th-century brick fort and snorkeling just steps from the shore, Dry Tortugas National Park is calling your name. Tucked 70 miles west of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico, this off-the-radar gem feels like stepping into another era — or a vivid daydream.

Step through the thick, coral rock walls of an old Civil War-era fort and you'll find a bloom-filled paradise that seems plucked from a dream. At the Key West Garden Club, history and horticulture collide in the most unexpected way — with butterflies fluttering between bromeliads and salty breezes swirling through banyan trees.

Imagine gliding through a winding waterway so clear you can see every pebble beneath you, surrounded by lush greenery and the occasional turtle sighting. That’s not a tropical resort—it’s Kelly Park, one of Central Florida’s most beloved spring-fed escapes.

Think Florida’s landscape is all flat land and sandy shores? Think again. Tucked away in the heart of horse country, Canyon Zip Line & Adventure Park in Ocala gives you a totally unexpected adrenaline rush—complete with limestone cliffs, canyon ridges, and a sparkling blue lake that looks like it belongs in the Caribbean.

Tucked along the glittering shores of Sarasota Bay is a place so extravagantly beautiful, you’ll wonder if you’ve stepped into an old-world European postcard. Ornate spires rise against the sky, tiled terraces overlook the water, and every window glows with a story. Welcome to The Cà d'Zan, the dazzling former home of circus royalty John and Mable Ringling—an unexpected slice of Venetian grandeur nestled in sunny Florida.

If you’ve ever dreamed of swimming in something that looks like a gemstone, Madison Blue Springs State Park might be your new favorite spot. Nestled in the pine forests of North Florida near the Georgia line, this sparkling natural spring is the kind of place that makes you do a double-take—it’s that blue. And once your toes touch the 72-degree water? You’ll forget all about the summer heat.

There’s something magical about setting off from a quaint Greek sponge-dock town and gliding into open water where dolphins leap and seabirds soar. If that sounds like your kind of Florida adventure, Odyssey Cruises in Tarpon Springs delivers a memory-packed voyage with a splash of charm, a breeze of history, and plenty of sun-kissed scenery.

If you’ve ever dreamed of striking it rich—not with gold, but with dazzling natural treasures—then Fort Drum Crystal Mine in Okeechobee, Florida should be at the top of your bucket list. Tucked away in a quiet pocket of central Florida, this unique mine offers a hands-on, mud-splattered, crystal-hunting experience that feels equal parts treasure hunt and time machine.