6 Hidden Gems Of Florida You Should Check Out

For those who have never been to Florida, you may be excited to visit its famed theme parks such as the Walt Disney World, have a stroll on the ever-crowded Miami Beach, or enjoy a luxurious vacation in Naples.

As beautiful as those places are, Florida is more than just beaches and theme parks. In fact, there are plenty of sweet and beautiful spots that are not on the usual list of places to visit. These places are nothing like the beaches and themed parks that can get very crowded. These places will allow you to enjoy a quiet weekend getaway, while enjoying the beautiful and relaxing scenery.

Here are the hidden gems of Florida that you should definitely check out:

1. Blue Springs

Apart from being globally known for its beaches, Florida is home to some beautiful springs. Among the best springs in Florida is the Blue Springs which is part of the Blue Springs State Park located in Orange City, Florida.

The water here is so crystal clear that you can see the fishes swimming in the water. In fact, you can also see your shadow on the white sand at the bottom of the pool. There’s even a diving platform so that you can safely dive into the crystal blue water.

For those who are not keen on swimming, you can always enjoy the other things that the Blue Springs State Park has to offer. The state park has an extremely soft white sand beach where you can stroll as well as a quarter-mile boardwalk that runs along the Santa Fe River. This is where you can see beautiful waterlilies, some species of fish, turtles, and many more.

2. Caladesi Island

This next destination will require you to cross the sea to visit an island located in the Gulf of Mexico called Caladesi. Going to the island is quite easy. You can rent a private boat or ride a ferry.

Once you reach the island, you’ll immediately feel you’ve somehow stepped into a different world. The Caladesi Island is a relatively new island. It was formed by a hurricane in 1921. The Caladesi boasts of a beautiful beach that features a 3-mile-long nature trail that will allow you to explore the island.

There are many things to do on Caladesi Island. You can go bird or wildlife viewing, snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and many more. Caladesi Island has also been consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in the country.

3. Santa Rosa Beach

If we’re talking about hidden gems in Florida, we can never forget about the Santa Rosa Beach. Santa Rosa Beach is located in the Florida panhandle in Walton County. This is one of the most popular vacation spots for many Florida residents because of its beautiful white sand beaches and crystal blue waters.

The island is also home to the historic Eden Gardens State Park which features a mansion that is notable for its 18^th century French furniture. It’s also filled with modern restaurants and vacation rentals.

4. Everglades National Park

The Everglades National Park is one of the best national parks to visit in the United States. Thousands of people every year come to the Everglades National Park for one reason only—to get closer to wildlife. The park is most certainly the place for nature lovers to come to experience the wonders of nature, while learning about the wildlife of the area as well.

When you visit Everglades National Park, you’re sure to have one of the most unique experiences you’ll ever have. The entire park is home to some of the most unique creatures and plants on earth, like the snail kite and the saw palmetto. In addition to this, there are also a wide variety of other activities that are available for visitors to participate in.

5. Falling Waters State Park

Located just 5 miles south of Chipley, Washington County, Falling Waters State Park is a 171-acre state park that’s also home to Florida’s highest waterfall. This place deserves to be on this list not just because of its beauty, but also for its historical importance.

The state park contains several sinkholes which were used by Native Americans as hideouts during the Seminole Wars. Archeologists even managed to dig up some Native American artifacts that are, at least, a thousand years old.

The Falling Waters State Park serves as a great natural retreat for the residents of Florida. There, you can find what’s considered to be the only cave painting in the city, and watch the beauty of the waterfalls which cascade down into a sinkhole at the Falling Waters Sink. The park also features a number of springs which provide excellent swimming opportunities for vacationists, apart from fishing, hiking, and camping.

6. Molasses Reef

Molasses Reef is a popular coral reef destination for scuba divers in Florida. Located in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the coral reef boasts of a rich biodiversity and is also a historical landmark as it’s full of artifacts and remnants of ships that ran aground here.

The Molasses Reef provides an excellent diving experience for any trained scuba diver. It’s home to many species of coral and fish. There’s also an area that’s dedicated for snorkeling called Elkhorn and Boulder Corals.

By taking a dive into the reef, you’ll surely be amazed with the beauty of the diversity of life under the sea. You can see eels, angelfish, parrotfish, and some species of sharks!

Conclusion

Florida is one of the well-known US states and is right up there with New York and California. Millions of tourists visit Florida every year because of its hundreds of miles of sandy beaches and, of course, the Disney World located in Orlando. But, aside from the world-famous Miami beach and Disney World, Florida also has hidden gems that may not be as well-known yet are equally beautiful and enjoyable. So, pack up your cameras and get ready to explore the hidden gems of Florida!