While most outsiders know Florida for its theme parks and popular beaches, there’s a whole other side of our state that most visitors never see. If you ask most native Floridians, they’ll tell you this — “Old Florida” — is the best part. The parts of our state that predate all of the big-name attractions that draw the tourists, are often referred to as Old Florida. And there are still many places in the state where this spirit still lives; this is the Florida to which Hemingway referred. Here are 12 of the best places to visit in Old Florida:
- Cedar Key
Flickr/John Wiesenfeld This town near North Central Florida is a delightful slice of Old Florida. Visitors love the natural beauty and slower pace of this town. Cedar Key is perhaps most famous for its clams, so make sure to try out a few local restaurants.
- Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
Alicia Wellman via Flickr/Florida Fish and Wildlife Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, located 14 miles south of Tallahassee, is a treasured piece of Florida’s history and a natural oasis. It’s also home to this stunning hotel, built in 1937.
- Juniper Springs Recreation Area, Ocala National Forest
Flickr/anoldent This scenic spot, with its crystal-clear water and historic millhouse, is one of the oldest and most popular campsites in the region. Read more about Juniper Springs in this feature.
- Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, Dade City
Experience Kissimmee/Flickr The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village sits on 16 acres and takes an in-depth look at Florida history, with living history exhibits and an annual festival with Civil War reenactments. Read more about Dade City, the town in which the museum is located, in this article.
- Cortez
Flickr/psyberartist This historic fishing village on Sarasota Bay is as authentic as it gets. You’ll love the unique charm of this coastal community.
- St. Augustine
Flickr/Steven Martin We couldn’t write this list without including St. Augustine, which is not only the oldest city in the state, but the whole country. This town has over 450 years of history, with plenty of fun shopping and dining experiences, too.
- Bok Tower, Lake Wales
Flickr/Matthew Paulson Bok Tower truly is one of the most marvelous places in The Sunshine State; registered as a U.S. National Historic Landmark, this contemplative garden and bird sanctuary is practically straight out of a Tolkien novel.
- The Freezer, Homosassa
TripAdvisor/Ed G The Freezer is a hidden gem located in Homosassa with a real Old Florida feel. Meals are served in to-go boxes with plastic forks, but no one complains. Probably because this is some of the best seafood in town. Bring cash and a big appetite for this adorable tiki bar.
- Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Flickr/Brett Davis Although its popularity peaked in the 1960s, we love the unique way this park celebrates the natural beauty of Florida’s springs. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is absolutely unforgettable Florida fun – and you can even swim with manatees there!
- Cap’s Place Island Restaurant, Lighthouse Point.
Robert Flood/Google Local Cap’s Place is a longstanding landmark in South Florida and basically a time machine back to Old Florida. Broward County’s oldest restaurant was a speakeasy and casino in the 1920s, which explains why it sits on a little island. You have to take Cap’s motor launch from their dock to reach the restaurant, which only adds to its unique charm.
- Apalachicola
Flickr/Gary J. Wood This fishing village in Northwest Florida is famous for some of the best seafood in the country, especially oysters. You’ll fall in love with the rustic charm of Apalachicola.
- The Yearling Restaurant, Cross Creek
TripAdvisor/Don P. The Yearling Restaurant specializes in “Cracker Cuisine” (like frog legs and alligator), but the unique atmosphere is what has kept visitors coming out to this countryside gem since 1952. If you love Old Florida, you absolutely must visit this iconic restaurant.
Have you visited any of these places? Where do you think are the best places to visit in Old Florida? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Flickr/John Wiesenfeld
This town near North Central Florida is a delightful slice of Old Florida. Visitors love the natural beauty and slower pace of this town. Cedar Key is perhaps most famous for its clams, so make sure to try out a few local restaurants.
Alicia Wellman via Flickr/Florida Fish and Wildlife
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, located 14 miles south of Tallahassee, is a treasured piece of Florida’s history and a natural oasis. It’s also home to this stunning hotel, built in 1937.
Flickr/anoldent
This scenic spot, with its crystal-clear water and historic millhouse, is one of the oldest and most popular campsites in the region. Read more about Juniper Springs in this feature.
Experience Kissimmee/Flickr
The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village sits on 16 acres and takes an in-depth look at Florida history, with living history exhibits and an annual festival with Civil War reenactments. Read more about Dade City, the town in which the museum is located, in this article.
Flickr/psyberartist
This historic fishing village on Sarasota Bay is as authentic as it gets. You’ll love the unique charm of this coastal community.
Flickr/Steven Martin
We couldn’t write this list without including St. Augustine, which is not only the oldest city in the state, but the whole country. This town has over 450 years of history, with plenty of fun shopping and dining experiences, too.
Flickr/Matthew Paulson
Bok Tower truly is one of the most marvelous places in The Sunshine State; registered as a U.S. National Historic Landmark, this contemplative garden and bird sanctuary is practically straight out of a Tolkien novel.
TripAdvisor/Ed G
The Freezer is a hidden gem located in Homosassa with a real Old Florida feel. Meals are served in to-go boxes with plastic forks, but no one complains. Probably because this is some of the best seafood in town. Bring cash and a big appetite for this adorable tiki bar.
Flickr/Brett Davis
Although its popularity peaked in the 1960s, we love the unique way this park celebrates the natural beauty of Florida’s springs. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is absolutely unforgettable Florida fun – and you can even swim with manatees there!
Robert Flood/Google Local
Cap’s Place is a longstanding landmark in South Florida and basically a time machine back to Old Florida. Broward County’s oldest restaurant was a speakeasy and casino in the 1920s, which explains why it sits on a little island. You have to take Cap’s motor launch from their dock to reach the restaurant, which only adds to its unique charm.
Flickr/Gary J. Wood
This fishing village in Northwest Florida is famous for some of the best seafood in the country, especially oysters. You’ll fall in love with the rustic charm of Apalachicola.
TripAdvisor/Don P.
The Yearling Restaurant specializes in “Cracker Cuisine” (like frog legs and alligator), but the unique atmosphere is what has kept visitors coming out to this countryside gem since 1952. If you love Old Florida, you absolutely must visit this iconic restaurant.
And for more Florida fun, be sure to check out our Ultimate Florida Bucket List!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Cedar Key, FL 32625, USAAddress: Wakulla Springs, FL 32327, USAAddress: Juniper Springs Recreation Area, 26701 FL-40, Silver Springs, FL 34488, USAAddress: 15602 Pioneer Museum Rd, Dade City, FL 33523, USAAddress: Cortez, FL, USAAddress: St. Augustine, FL, USAAddress: Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853, USAAddress: The Freezer Tiki Bar, 5590 S Boulevard Dr, Homosassa, FL 34448, USAAddress: Weeki Wachee Spring, Florida 34606, USAAddress: 2765 NE 28th Ct, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064, USAAddress: Apalachicola, FL 32320, USAAddress: 14531 East, Co Rd 325, Hawthorne, FL 32640, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Places to Visit in Old Florida March 09, 2021 Sarah Where are some historic places in Florida? Florida may be well known for modern-day attractions like theme parks, but some of the best attractions are actually much, much older. Bok Tower Gardens in Central Florida is one of our prettiest historic landmarks. The 205-foot tower also holds some of the world’s finest carillon bells. To top it off, the surrounding gardens are also enchanting. Stiltsville is another gem; construction began in the 1930s as several offshore clubs located about a mile south of Cape Florida in Miami-Dade County. These clubs were popular hot spots for wealthy and influential visitors seeking to indulge in vices such as gambling. A hurricane damaged the structures beyond repair in 1965. The remaining seven houses are maintained and protected by the National Park Service. And Ponce de Leon Inlet Light is positively resplendent; this lighthouse stands 175 feet tall, making it the tallest lighthouse in Florida and one of the tallest in the country. Climb to the top of its 203 steps and get ready for a breathtaking view. What’s the history of Old Florida? If the above list of best places to visit in Old Florida made you curious, we put together a photo gallery of some timeless old photographs of The Sunshine State. There’s a reason so many people speak fondly of Old Florida and the way things used to be. Florida has a unique and fascinating history, and unless you’re sitting down with a bunch of locals who are sharing their tall tales, these old photos of Florida may just have to do the trick in taking you back a century. While some dates for these photos that are provided are approximations, the photos themselves should all be at least a century old. See for yourself what Old Florida was truly like. What are some must-visit tourist attractions in Florida? The Sunshine State is such a fun place to explore, and we put together a list of ultimate bucket list so you can experience some of the best must-visit tourist attractions in Florida! Our top picks? Key West: while it might sound like a cliche, Key West really does have something for everyone. It’s scenic, historic, funky, fun, and charming all rolled into one. Gulf Islands National Seashore: one of the best beaches in the state, Gulf Islands boasts bright green waters and snow-white sands as far as the eye can see. And no visit to Florida would be complete without checking out Everglades National Park. An oldie but a goodie, the Everglades consists of more than a million acres of the biological diversity and natural beauty that Florida was famous for long before its theme parks and vacation spots. Last but not least – Disney World. Of course, if you’re writing about the ultimate Florida bucket list, you can’t leave off the Magic Kingdom. Even if you’re 99 years old, this place can make you feel young again.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Places to Visit in Old Florida
March 09, 2021
Sarah
Where are some historic places in Florida? Florida may be well known for modern-day attractions like theme parks, but some of the best attractions are actually much, much older. Bok Tower Gardens in Central Florida is one of our prettiest historic landmarks. The 205-foot tower also holds some of the world’s finest carillon bells. To top it off, the surrounding gardens are also enchanting. Stiltsville is another gem; construction began in the 1930s as several offshore clubs located about a mile south of Cape Florida in Miami-Dade County. These clubs were popular hot spots for wealthy and influential visitors seeking to indulge in vices such as gambling. A hurricane damaged the structures beyond repair in 1965. The remaining seven houses are maintained and protected by the National Park Service. And Ponce de Leon Inlet Light is positively resplendent; this lighthouse stands 175 feet tall, making it the tallest lighthouse in Florida and one of the tallest in the country. Climb to the top of its 203 steps and get ready for a breathtaking view. What’s the history of Old Florida? If the above list of best places to visit in Old Florida made you curious, we put together a photo gallery of some timeless old photographs of The Sunshine State. There’s a reason so many people speak fondly of Old Florida and the way things used to be. Florida has a unique and fascinating history, and unless you’re sitting down with a bunch of locals who are sharing their tall tales, these old photos of Florida may just have to do the trick in taking you back a century. While some dates for these photos that are provided are approximations, the photos themselves should all be at least a century old. See for yourself what Old Florida was truly like. What are some must-visit tourist attractions in Florida? The Sunshine State is such a fun place to explore, and we put together a list of ultimate bucket list so you can experience some of the best must-visit tourist attractions in Florida! Our top picks? Key West: while it might sound like a cliche, Key West really does have something for everyone. It’s scenic, historic, funky, fun, and charming all rolled into one. Gulf Islands National Seashore: one of the best beaches in the state, Gulf Islands boasts bright green waters and snow-white sands as far as the eye can see. And no visit to Florida would be complete without checking out Everglades National Park. An oldie but a goodie, the Everglades consists of more than a million acres of the biological diversity and natural beauty that Florida was famous for long before its theme parks and vacation spots. Last but not least – Disney World. Of course, if you’re writing about the ultimate Florida bucket list, you can’t leave off the Magic Kingdom. Even if you’re 99 years old, this place can make you feel young again.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Florida may be well known for modern-day attractions like theme parks, but some of the best attractions are actually much, much older. Bok Tower Gardens in Central Florida is one of our prettiest historic landmarks. The 205-foot tower also holds some of the world’s finest carillon bells. To top it off, the surrounding gardens are also enchanting. Stiltsville is another gem; construction began in the 1930s as several offshore clubs located about a mile south of Cape Florida in Miami-Dade County. These clubs were popular hot spots for wealthy and influential visitors seeking to indulge in vices such as gambling. A hurricane damaged the structures beyond repair in 1965. The remaining seven houses are maintained and protected by the National Park Service. And Ponce de Leon Inlet Light is positively resplendent; this lighthouse stands 175 feet tall, making it the tallest lighthouse in Florida and one of the tallest in the country. Climb to the top of its 203 steps and get ready for a breathtaking view.
What’s the history of Old Florida?
If the above list of best places to visit in Old Florida made you curious, we put together a photo gallery of some timeless old photographs of The Sunshine State. There’s a reason so many people speak fondly of Old Florida and the way things used to be. Florida has a unique and fascinating history, and unless you’re sitting down with a bunch of locals who are sharing their tall tales, these old photos of Florida may just have to do the trick in taking you back a century. While some dates for these photos that are provided are approximations, the photos themselves should all be at least a century old. See for yourself what Old Florida was truly like.
What are some must-visit tourist attractions in Florida?
The Sunshine State is such a fun place to explore, and we put together a list of ultimate bucket list so you can experience some of the best must-visit tourist attractions in Florida! Our top picks? Key West: while it might sound like a cliche, Key West really does have something for everyone. It’s scenic, historic, funky, fun, and charming all rolled into one. Gulf Islands National Seashore: one of the best beaches in the state, Gulf Islands boasts bright green waters and snow-white sands as far as the eye can see. And no visit to Florida would be complete without checking out Everglades National Park. An oldie but a goodie, the Everglades consists of more than a million acres of the biological diversity and natural beauty that Florida was famous for long before its theme parks and vacation spots. Last but not least – Disney World. Of course, if you’re writing about the ultimate Florida bucket list, you can’t leave off the Magic Kingdom. Even if you’re 99 years old, this place can make you feel young again.
