The Atlas Obscura Guide To Florida
335 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Florida
Updated March 23, 2023
Come for the beaches, stay for the live mermaids. The glare of Florida canʼt hide itʼs panoply of wonders, from a coral castle built by one love-stricken man to a fort that eats cannonballs. The Sunshine State really seems to attract visionaries.
Cities
Top Cities
All Cities
- Bartow
- Big Pine Key
- Bradenton
- Carrabelle
- Cedar Key
- Clearwater
- Clermont
- Crawfordville
- Dade City
- Fort Lauderdale
- Gainesville
- Homestead
- Homosassa
- Islamorada
- Jacksonville
- Key Biscayne
- Key Largo
- Key West
- Kissimmee
- Lake Wales
- Marco Island
- Miami
- Miami Beach
- Monticello
- Naples
- New Port Richey
- New Smyrna Beach
- North Miami Beach
- North Port
- Ochopee
- Orlando
- Ormond Beach
- Palm Beach
- Pensacola
- Pensacola Beach
- Ponce Inlet
- Port Orange
- Sanford
- Sanibel
- Sarasota
- St. Augustine
- St. Petersburg
- Tallahassee
- Tampa
- Tarpon Springs
- Titusville
- Vernon
- Vero Beach
- West Palm Beach
- White Springs
- Williston
Unusual Attractions in Florida
Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Florida
Plan Your Trip
Unforgettable Experiences Nearby
Atlas Obscura Itineraries
10 Watery Wonders on Florida’s Gulf Coast
With all its tidal pools, mangrove islands, and estuaries, Florida’s Gulf Coast shoreline is one of the most dynamic in the country. Throw into the mix almost a thousand natural springs, and Florida truly is a place with as much to explore both above water as below. This ten-stop itinerary is by no means exhaustive. The mermaid shows, cave-diving, underwater museums, mangrove-kayaking, and wildlife-watching opportunities presented here still only scratch the surface – and the depths - of the myriad activities possible along this wondrous coastline.

Florida Leaderboard
Recent Florida Activity
-
M
wants to go to ‘Fantasy Swan’
-
F
has been to Waldo Farmer's and Flea Market
-
N
wants to go to Moss Hill Methodist Church Handprints
-
N
wants to go to Seacrest Wolf Preserve
-
N
wants to go to Possum Monument