Tired of theme parks? Check out these weird, bizarre, strange, unexplained, and offbeat Florida destinations perfect for day trips around the Sunshine State.
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5 Offbeat Florida Destinations
There is nothing we love more than cruising the backroads of our amazing planet. And although we have roamed far and wide both here at home and abroad, there is no place we know better than our home state of Florida. For this post, we thought we would share some of the more eclectic, spooky, and offbeat Florida places we have encountered on our drives around the state.
Solomon’s Castle
Jerry introduced me to Solomon’s Castle on one of those spur of the moment day trips we take every once in a while. Located in Ona, Florida, this wild and wacky work of art is pretty much as close to the middle of nowhere as you can get. Artist and sculptor Howard Solomon, whose primary medium is discarded materials, started building this eclectic structure in 1972. Case in point, the exterior siding of this castle is discarded aluminum printing plates from a local newspaper, which can be blinding depending on time of day and angle of the sun. Adjacent to the castle is the Boat in the Moat restaurant where we enjoyed a fine lunch. Later we toured the grounds and found a diverse collection of unexpected art, including Solomon’s interpretation of the Alamo.
Although the restaurant and grounds are open to the public, castle tours between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM are $10.00 for adults and $4.00 for children. The property is closed on Mondays and during the months of July, August, and September. Credit cards are not accepted.
The Boat in the Moat Restaurant.
Outdoor dining.
The Alamo facade.
Spook Hill
I remember hearing about Spook Hill as a child, but I never got to see it for myself until a couple of years ago. Spook Hill is actually a section of 5th Street in Lake Wales, Florida, where an optical illusion makes cars put in neutral appear to roll uphill. A roadside sign tells one of of several folk legends behind the phenomenon as well as directions how to stop on the painted white line, put your car in neutral, and watch it roll uphill.
Perhaps the best part of visiting Spook Hill is that it is free! Spook Hill is located about three miles from Bok Tower Gardens, a lovely historical Florida attraction.
The starting line.
Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp
You may have seen the HBO documentary No One Dies in Lily Dale about the world’s largest concentration of mediums, people who claim to communicate with the dead, who make their home in this unique colony located south of Buffalo, New York. But did you know Lily Dale has a southern counterpart? The historical community of Cassadaga, Florida, was founded in 1894 by medium George P. Colby after journeying south from New York.
Today the Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp encompasses a neighborhood of historical homes, a hotel, healing center, temple, Sinatra’s Italian restaurant, and a bookstore/gift shop. Guided day and nighttime tours are offered several times during the week. During the tour, the guide points out the second floor doors to nowhere on the historical homes. These were originally built for the spirits to enter and exit during séances. Today most second floor external doors have been converted to windows. Visitors can schedule readings with psychics and mediums for a fee and attend services at various times.
Although I am a spiritual person and open to spiritual experiences, I am also a skeptic regarding supernatural manifestations. I did, however, enjoy our visit from a historical perspective and would definitely visit Cassadaga again.
Jerry waiting for the tour to begin.
Second floor converted door to nowhere.
The Cassadaga Hotel and Sinatra’s Restaurant.
Typical Schedule of Events
Koreshan State Historic Site
Another community with roots in New York was also established in 1894 when Cyrus Teed founded New Jerusalem, a utopian commune, in Estero, Florida. Koreshan Unity, or Koreshanity, taught, among other things, that the universe existed within a hollow sphere. The inner core group of Koreshans did not marry and practiced celibacy. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems that any religious sect, such as the Koreshans and Shakers, that promotes celibacy among followers sets itself up for extinction. And ultimately, that is what happened. Membership began to decline following Teed’s death in 1908.
In 1961, the last surviving follower ceded most of the property to the state of Florida to become the Koreshan State Historic Site. Several historical buildings remain on the property, including member cottages and meeting hall. Park entrance is $5.00 per car, and the optional ranger-guided tour fee is $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children.
A Koreshan teaching.
The Damkholer Cottage, a typical Florida Cracker cabin.
The Dalí Museum
The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, celebrates the life and work of Spanish artist Salvador Dalí with the largest collection of his work outside of Europe. To describe Dalí as offbeat would be an understatement. In fact the museum web site refers to his “off-kilter style and unique perspective.” Dalí is known not only for his surreal paintings, but also for his eccentric and often bizarre behavior throughout his life. Although the museum features room after room of Salvador Dalí’s work, don’t plan on seeing any melting clocks. His most famous painting The Persistence of Memory hangs in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. (Sidenote: We got the same story when we visited the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam recently. The Starry Night also hangs in the MOMA.)
But not to worry, there are plenty of incredible works to engage and intrigue you for hours. In fact, I am still contemplating the painting Gala Contemplating the Mediterranean Sea. How does a painting of a nude woman looking at the sea turn into a portrait of Abraham Lincoln when viewed from twenty meters or when reflected from a mirror up close? Although regular adult tickets will cost you $21.00, you might consider visiting after 5:00 PM on Thursdays when you can get in for ten bucks. Either way, you will get your money’s worth, which is more than I can say for my offbeat Florida water bill . . . .
The museum architecture mirrors Dalí’s surreal works.
Dalí’s work is reflected on the museum grounds.
Interior architecture at the Dalí.
Sorry for the serious face. I really WAS happy to be there . . . .
Jerry & Andy
So, if you’re tired of theme parks and commercial fare, check out these weird, bizarre, strange, unexplained, and offbeat Florida destinations perfectly suited for day trip destinations all around the Sunshine State.
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We Would Love to Hear From You!
Jerry and I enjoy dialogue with our readers, especially when they share their favorite offbeat Florida destinations. So where is the strangest or most bizarre place you have ever visited? We would love to hear all the gory details! We invite you to leave your comments and questions below, and we always respond!
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Been to all of them! Spook Hill was part of my childhood. Oh there was a restaurant close to Spook Hill that had roasted grapefruit as an appetizer. Was lovely, and as I recall kind of expensive. There was a runway and people would fly in for a meal.
You must be referring to Chalet Suzanne. So glad I got to go there shortly before they closed. I had the broiled grapefruit and chicken livers appetizer. Such a fun, kitschy experience!
Awesome post! I need to get out on the road more…I definitely need to see that hill! Thank you for sharing your travels. I agree that being a tourist in our own backyard is often just as rewarding. Cheers!
Thank you, Christina! Spook Hill is adjacent to Bok Tower Gardens, so you could see both in the same day trip, and they truly ARE in your own back yard. 🙂
The Dali museum!! Wow! I wish I was there with you! That must be something!!!!!
Yes, Isabella, it is everything you think it is and so much more . . . .
So many times we don’t realize what’s in our own back yard! I’ve heard about a few of these places and just haven’t gotten around to making the drives out to them. Thanks for the reminder though!
I agree, Vicky! The backdoor, backyard, backroad destinations are often hidden from our worldview, but when we pause to open our eyes we realize that travel does not have to be far to fulfill . . . .
This post has made me feel so guilty, I’ve been to Florida twice and barely made it past International Drive in Orlando…what can I say, the Disney madness had a tight grip on me! I love the Salvador Dali bench, I’ll have to seek it out if I’m ever in the State again but it’s a little bit too expensive to book a flight from London for a stylish sit down 😉 haha!
Sara | This Girl Loves
Well, at least we know you got to visit the fake Florida, Sara! Thanks for your honesty. Sometimes I think tourists do not know there is a whole big state beyond Mouseland and I-Drive. Thanks for stopping by. I love your London, I love your blog, and I always love your honest input on the FB group boards. Cheers!
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been to Florida, but I’ve never heard of any of these places! The Alamo replica weirds me out since I’m a Texan, haha. I’d love to go to the Dali Museum!
Yeah, I get what you are saying about the Alamo, Bailey. Everything on the property is weird. But then I guess that’s what qualifies Solomon’s Castle as an offbeat destination. 😀
I’ve never been to any of these places – didn’t even know they existed, honestly – but I would love to visit Soloman’s Castle and The Dali Museum!
Crazy how The Dalí Museum seems to be the most popular of all the offbeat destinations, even though it is a commercial venue. Glad you included Solomon’s Castle, Sky!
Fun post! My favorite is that crazy hill and of course, the Dali Museum. We visited that museum in 2012 during our holiday in Clearwater Florida. It was a highlight for us.y then 8 year old daughter loved that museum as much as we did! Oh and I’m also still contemplating the genius of the Gala painting. Thanks for the memories!
No question about it, Brenda. Salvador Dalí was a genius. I can only imagine what it was like to live in his head. Glad you got to visit in my neck of the woods. 🙂
I never would have thought of Florida as having a Dali Museum! Love offbeat destinations and its posts like this that allow me to get the inside scoop!
Isn’t it crazy where they decide to put things, Andrea? I am sure it all has to do with where the money is.
Great list of places you don’t usually see in the guidebooks! I love that even the building design for the Dali museum looks like it was designed by the artist himself.
The Dalí is an incredible building and museum and gallery. I am not a huge fan of surrealism, but some of his paintings floor me.
Awesome post! I always love reading about offbeat and off the beaten path destinations. Thanks for sharing!
Yeah, I agree, Richelle! The “off” places are the best. Cheers!
We had been to Solomon’s Castle in 2012! Too bad we missed the other four!
How cool that you got to visit Solomon’s Castle, Carol! Most people have never heard of it. Hopefully you can return to Florida soon and visit the other offbeat destinations.
These are interesting! I’m from Florida and had never even heard of these before–thanks for the tips.
Glad we could be of help, Dana! Thanks for stopping by.