Florida

If you think Central Florida is all theme parks and roller coasters, think again. Just north of Orlando sits Winter Park, a storybook town where brick-lined streets, mossy oaks, and a chain of sparkling lakes invite you to slow down and soak it all in.

If your dream day includes diving into cool spring water, flipping pancakes at your own table, and spotting gators from a boat, De Leon Springs State Park is calling your name. This underrated Florida gem packs history, adventure, and breakfast into one delightfully quirky destination.

It’s not every day you get to stroll beneath a supersonic fighter jet or stand in the shadow of a 1940s dive bomber—but at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, that’s just the beginning. This soaring tribute to the U.S. Navy’s aviation history is part museum, part air hangar, and entirely awe-inspiring.

Tucked into the quiet backroads of Ona, Florida—population small, charm enormous—you’ll find something utterly unexpected: a castle made of aluminum, rising like a mirage from the swampy landscape. Solomon’s Castle isn’t just a roadside curiosity—it’s a full-blown, self-built fortress of recycled materials, groan-worthy wordplay, and offbeat artistry.

If you’ve ever wished for the charm of Charleston with the breezy ease of a campground retreat, the Mt. Pleasant/Charleston KOA just might be your new happy place. Nestled under whispering pines and beside a private, tranquil lake, this laid-back spot serves up a blend of Lowcountry beauty and good old-fashioned outdoor fun.

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.