Away from the Crowds in Florida

Florida is the Sunshine State, and there are plenty of things to see other than the usual places that tourists go to. The state has much to offer and natural places to enjoy.

Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is the home of renowned sculpture artist Ann Norton in West Palm Beach, Florida. Inside the home, you can see her art studio and rooms that have been turned into galleries with her artworks.

In the gardens, you can see sculptures among trees and ponds. The garden is home to many imported forms of palm trees and flowers from all over the globe.

Beer Can Island, also known as Sandspur Island, is a small, uninhabited island in the Gulf of Mexico. The island is accessible only by boat, kayak, or paddleboard. Popular activities include swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking. Along the eastern coast, there are rocks (placed to resist erosion) and mangrove trees, which grow in pools of water that slip past the rocks. There is also a small beach area.

Blowing Rocks Preserve is a habitat that includes mangroves, dunes, and limestone rock formations. It is located on Jupiter Island between the southernmost Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can hike through the preserve and see the natural wonders. You can see sea turtles and manatees offshore. A boardwalk along the Indian River Lagoon has interpretive signs about plants, wildlife, and environs.

Bok Tower Gardens is located atop Iron Mountain in Lake Wales in central Florida. This is a bird sanctuary with citrus groves and wildflowers. Among the highlights is the singing tower with a 60-bell carillon and features daily concerts showing the power of sound resonating from the tower. Next to the tower is a reflecting pool with koi fish. This large garden was originally founded by Edward and Marie Bok. It is a National Historic Landmark. This is a refuge for over a hundred bird species, and wild turkeys and sandhill cranes can be seen wandering the grounds.

The adjacent Pinewood Estate is separately listed on the National Register as El Retiro. This Mediterranean Revival mansion has 20 rooms.

Devil’s Den is a paradise for divers located in Williston, Florida. This is a privately owned prehistoric spring with a natural sunroof. Sunlight filters in from above onto the underground river. There are underwater river systems to explore. Divers and snorkelers love this environment.

The site is privately owned and operated as a SCUBA diving training and recreational facility.

Dry Tortugas National Park is located about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida, and is accessible only by boat or seaplane. The island has lovely beaches, coral reefs, and historic Fort Jefferson.

Visitors enjoy snorkeling, strolling white sands, and viewing the wildlife.

Falling Waters State Park has a 74-foot-tall waterfall that falls into a cylindrical pit. The park is located in northwestern Florida. This is the highest waterfall in the state. A boardwalk takes visitors to the edge of the falls. The park is for family recreation and picnics. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, and swimming.

Molasses Reef is located off the coast of Key Largo and can be accessed only by boat. It is in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. There are glass-bottom boat tours available. It is a great spot for diving and snorkeling. The marine life underwater is abundant. The reef features a variety of coral species, including brain coral and elkhorn coral, along with numerous fish species such as parrotfish and angelfish.

Ocala National Forest is located in North Central Florida with abundant wildlife and plant life. There are springs within the forest where you can swim and canoe. Hiking trails take you through the park as you enjoy the natural beauty. The forest lies between the Ocklawaha and St. Johns Rivers. Filled with an amazing variety of wildlife, it has one of the largest Florida black bear populations.

The Florida Caverns State Park is an interesting limestone cave system in Marianna, Florida. There are stairs and narrow walkways in the caves. They are home to bats and snakes, so you have to be careful. A tour of the caves takes about an hour. It is a National Natural Landmark. At one time, this cavern system was under the ocean while 38 million years of flowing water etched through the limestone. Once the water receded, the limestone caves were drained and provided refuge for wildlife and humans.