I was born and raised in WC Florida and have never known about the caverns in North FL or the wild horses and Bison. We had natural springs everywhere and swam in most in my area. Now the whole country knows.
They could've added the Red Rock bluffs at Torreya State Park, west of Tallahassee. Red clay and sandstone bluffs/cliffs that rise as much as 120 ft above the Blackwater River. Steep enough to go repelling.
Been there. Done that. Several times. Also, it's different on the weekend and during the week. On the weekend it resembles a public pool. On the weekdays it's a visit to an ecological paradise.
I know you pay at Ichetucknee Springs. Also if it is warm or hot on the weekends get there very early, they will be full by 10-11am. In the summer it’s every day, not just weekends.
I have visited many caves in the United States and will say that Florida Caverns was not only a top of the list caverns for its natural beauty, but also one of the best guided cave tours I have experienced. I highly recommend that if you are in Florida, go.
I went there a few years ago & thought the one's in Tennesse & North Carolina are MUCH better than the lame caves in FL. Still nice that FL does have one.
I moved to Florida when i was three years old. I remember when Florida was a natural environment. Sand or shell driveways, empty beaches, and small town traffic. It was great to grow up in, but I left in 2010, when it became unrecognizable. I have gone back once since for one day, and it has become twice as crowded. I could never live there again. I do miss what it was, but not what it has become.
@@jamesbenz3228 Also born & raised in FL. Been here my whole life. I for one am happy hearing some have moved out & others thinking about moving out because FL is FULL! Sick of so many people moving here. I wish everyone would STAY in the state they were born in. Fine to visit other places, but don't move here!!!
Content creators like you make YOU Tube AWESOME !!!!!!!! You were GREAT !!!! The production quality of your sound and visuals AAAAGH!! A+ I live here and just loved your informative journey guild, of how special FL is.
Vizcaya wasn't mentioned, or the Spanish monastery in Miami, or Blowing Rocks Preserve in Jupiter. Saint Augustine's Fort or the Oldest wooden schoolhouse there, or Whitehall Flagler museum West Palm. The Thomas Edison and Henry Ford winter estates in Fort Myers. Florida has a lot of history.
The Treasure Coast wasn't mentioned at all. In Martin County, Bathtub Beach and County Road 714 ("The Grade") are amazing views and experiences which show a unique side of marine environments and Old Florida through long-lived trees. St. Lucie County has a record 22 in-service ecological preserves (3 more coming online for the public in the next 2 years) and the county provides award-winning educational-recreational programs to the public, free of charge. These are a magnet for residents from as far away as Volusia and Monroe, spending the day hiking, lunching, and shopping local. Indian River County has scenic byways, beachfront, preserves, and Pelican Island, ground zero for the conservation movement in the USA with the dedication of the *world's* first national wildlife refuge in 1901. Alot of natural and human history here, too! ❤
Fort Jefferson Dry Tortugas National Park was one of my most memorable trips in Florida. My mom, sister, and I visited this place by a small seaplane with a pilot in July 1975, and it only cost 65 dollars R/T from Key West to Fort Jefferson. Exploring historic Fort Jefferson was extraordinary, and relaxing on the beach was pleasant despite the tropical warmth. We saw a shark in Dry Tortugas water. I grabbed the coconut from the palm tree in Fort Jefferson, took it home, and ate it - surprisingly good.
We chartered a sailboat for a week and went around the Tortugas when I was a kid. Complete with wild stories, like when we stopped by key west during a huge storm and I ended up with the chefs thumb in my pizza.
Seaplane from Key West to Fort Jefferson/ Dry Tortugas: 4 hour Trip (40 minute flight each way): $466 per passenger 8 hour Trip (40 minute flight each way): $819 per passenger Was there last week via the Yankee Freedom: Approximately $200 per passenger. About 8 hours (1.5 hour boat ride each way), Seas were 6-8’ and it was rough for some passengers. More than half the time the seas are not so rough and a catamaran (two hulls) makes for a smooth passage. Be well.
As a Florida Park Ranger I did know most of these. If in the Gainesville area; visit 2 state parks that are National Landmarks. Dudley Farm Historic State Park and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Park. Both are unique historic parks.
Born and raised in Florida and I have been to many of these places, yet I would still rather visit the mountains. I’m so over the over crowding and the weather.
Edison used to stop by my hometown (Bartow) to have his car serviced on the way to his winter home. The building that housed that shop was vacant for years before becoming a gym in the 2000's. I worked out there for a few years. It was eventually torn down, though.
Coral Castle is really incredible, I do not know if they ever discovered how that guy built the place. Don't forget the John and Mabel Ringling museum in Sarasota.
Thanks for this video, I moved to Florida from Texas two years ago and at the end of May when I retire from trucking I’m looking for all the fun places Florida has to offer
Usually we don’t do kindly to out of staters, but Texans are cool. Y’all can come, just make sure you keep the Californians out. And if you do come, try and send one New Yorker away while you’re here. It’ll help keep the balance lol
Happy retirement! Truck driver is a rough job. We wouldn't have anything if we didn't have trucks and skilled drivers to get it there..thank you. Enjoy when you come to Fl..we have an awesome state if you take the time to explore it.
@@stephaniewilliams3248 oh I’m not retiring, I’m flat out quitting this dumb industry after 12 years! Screw hauling goods for a bunch of ungrateful idiots who don’t know how to drive themselves
They could've included the clay and sandstone formed " Red Rock " bluffs/cliffs at Torreya State Park, west of Tallahassee/NW Florida. Fairly steep with a rise of up to 120 ft above the Blackwater River, enough in some sections where repelling is possible . Rugged, rolling terrain by Florida standards. Located in the Red Hills region between Tallahassee and Thomasville Georgia. It really is " shades of the Appalachian foothills ".
Been in FL my whole life & only been down to Key West once a few years ago. I thought I was in the southernmost part of FL then. It wasn't until a few years later I learned about Dry Tortugas. Many people say they love the Keys, honestly, I didn't see anything I liked at all about them. I'm NOT into drinking that much. About all I saw were bars in the Keys & a few lame tourist attractions which I did see a few while I was there. I did enjoy the scenery & the 7-mile bride heading to Key West. I didn't even see any real beaches in the Keys to my surprise & all the coral reefs make it about impossible for swimming down there.
@@billybob-ro6qf naw man keys are amazing, but yes key west is more of a tourist trap. My only complaint is that unless you bought land years ago. Most people are simply priced out. Love key largo man. The vibes.
I was born and raised in Florida, even lived in Tampa from 1971 through 1978 before I left for the Annapolis and DC areas. I never learned of Jose Marti Park while I was in Tampa despite numerous visits to Ybor City! Wonderful presentation, thank you! Going to replay the video and make a list of the seven or so places that were new to me and hope to visit on my next trip south. Avian fans who are also automobile adventurous will also enjoy exploring Loop Road, a (very) small road that hangs below US41 in the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area. By the way, the Gulf Coast has many lovely unclogged beaches, but I shall keep that a personal secret.
I remember climbing down the Mill Hopper and then using a vine to climb up by the small trickle of water flowing down. That was in 1956. We have a fun day.😊
Yes, they also could've included: (1) The Red Rock bluffs at Torreya State Park. Steep clay/sandstone cliffs that rise up to 120 ft above the adjacent Blackwater River. Located in NW Florida west of Tallahassee in the Red Hills region between Tallahassee and Thomasville GA. Lots of rugged rolling terrain by Fla standards. Shades of the Appalachian foothills.. Then, also in North Florida, (2) " Big Shoals " State Park on the Suwanee River, showcasing the only class III river rapids in the state (two other locations in Fla with rapids - class II rapids in both the Hillsborough River 20 mi NE of Tampa @ the Hillsborough River State Park and in the Aucilla River up in the panhandle). Big Shoals park also showcases long stretches of rugged, rolling terrain and steep limestone bluffs 80 - 90 ft above the Suwanee River.
I've been to many of these places. Ft. Jeff is truly a beautiful place to visit. Back in the days I served in the Coast Guard and was assigned to a Patrol Cutter based in Key West, we often would anchor off the Fort when the wind and waves came up. We used to take our smallboat to the beach and explore the Fort. I love Payne's Prarie. Its a neat place. I do need to take some time to visit the sinkhole in Gainesville. Another neat place to visit in Gainesville is the Butterfly enclosure on the UF campus. Also pay a visit to Micanopy in southern Alachua County about 20 minutes or so from Gainesville. Its a gem of an "Old Florida" town. They filmed several movies there, "Doc Hollywood" that starred Michael J. Fox about 30 years back now and a film adaptation of the memoir "Cross Creek" of author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings who came to live in this place and wrote her famous novel "The Yearling" set in Cross Creek. I've visited most of the other places featured in this film as well. I prefer the more natural, historical and "old timey" out of the way places in Florida over Disney and the other theme parks.
The Barnacle state park in Coconut Grove, Florida which is my family's home and was sold to the state in the 1970's. It sits right on Biscayne Bay and is a beautiful place to see some original Florida history.
I'll never forget when I drove by the Archbold Biological Station in Venus for the very first time. It was as if I landed on another planet, it's indescribably beautiful and exotic. Truly peaceful, too.
I love that place!! Stayed in the old ranger cabin up the hill in 2017 and 2019 while doing Florida Scrub-jay surveys in the area for FWC. Wonderful memories!! ❤❤❤❤
Devil's Den is really cool and might as well do Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens while in Williston, Fl. Rainbow Springs is also not far from these. You could spend a weekend out there and have a cool 3 day tour. Good times! Thanks for the video. ✌
My husband and I got married in the cavern in Marianna way back in 1996. We felt it was a unique location and we visit it almost every year on our anniversary.
@@NicoleShabert-nh8ol Thank you. We have made it through many low points over the years including multiple war-time deployments and the toll that takes. It has been hard work but I couldn’t picture a life without him and our children.
Great video! Been to several on the list; and they’re all different and diverse, which is so fantastic! One you could add is Highland Hammocks State Park near Sebring. Old growth oaks, cypress, pines, and plenty of wildlife! Thanks!
I've lived in Palatka, Florida for most of my life. It is about an hour southwest of Jacksonville on the St. John's River. We have Ravine State Gardens Park which is another sinkhole. We also have Florida's oldest dinner, Angels, which is an old train car. It's been in operation since the 30s, I think. It has a diner inside or you can get that classic car-hop experience and have your food brought to your car. There's not much else to do in Palatka unless you come during the Blue Crab Festival which is always a good time.
We rode the street car as a fan trip and you have to get off near that park and wait for the street car to turn around. My family walked in and looked around. 😊 The bonus is being in Ybor City District in Tampa, not far from Hillsborough River State Park, the Aquarium, Bush Gardens, Museum of science and industry, never a dull moment🙂I was on the Army’s time when I visited the caves. Lake Kingsley is a perfect circle used by planes as a geographical locator.
Ichetucknee River, talk about crystal clear water. It looks cold, but the water temperature is beautiful! Tubing, canoeing, scuba. It's remarkable. Thanks for the video. Grew up in Florida, watched to see if I had been to them all, and yes, I've seen them all, thanks again.
4:40 if you are driving southbound on I-75, there is a rest stop that is home to “The Great Snake Wall”. It’s a very short trail up a brick wall that is designed to look like a Queen snake. When you get to the lookout point (the “head” of the snake), you get a great view of the Paynes Prairie. Definitely recommend stopping! I believe it’s called the Alachua County Rest Area
I live in Apopka and our family loves to go paddle boarding at Rock Springs. Although, being a native to Florida I have seen a lot more tourists in the area then when I was a kid.
I've been to Marianna and visited Florida State Caverns on a field trip with my school in 1981. Vandals broke into the park a few weeks before we went and destroyed several cavern areas. I remember a Falling Waters state park off HWY 77 between Panama City & Chipley Florida. Was told it is closed down now but not for certain. Thanks enjoyed your presentation
Great video! Florida has a long, fascinating history and so many interesting things to see and do beyond the theme parks. Thanks for giving those things the attention they deserve.
Loved learning a few new places to explore I didn’t know about. I think we have so many amazing springs that are the best kept secrets ❤️ So beautiful ❤ Shhhhh!
This is great! With the exception of Hillsboro River State Park, I didn’t know about the others. Thank you for sharing this. You may want to add devils den in a future video.
I've lived in Florida my whole life, now going on 6th generation after grandparents migrated from Cuba back in the 30's. While I've visited many parks in Florida, actually got married in Flamingo, Everglades National Park. I hadn't even heard of several you noted in this video. Back to my bucket list!
Loved the caverns! Went there in the mid 80s. Ice cold water in the springs too! Unfortunately I went back to Marianna ,Fl a year later for another reason. Not as much fun as the caverns lol
I'm 4th generation and like most who's family goes way back here, glad people are finally realizing the real FL, but sad at the same time. And this video only scratches the surface of our many unique places.
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park in Keystone Heights is another awesome FL state park. It has nice hiking trails with some of the most extreme elevation changes in the state
Great Video! I am trying to move from Houston, Texas to Ocala. Every couple of years we drive to Steinhatchee to Scallop in the summer. I have been to Ichetucknee Springs, which is amazing. Thanks!
Right after the scalloping season ends in Steinhatchee you can drive over to Palatka and catch the shrimp run in the St. Johns River. On a good day you can fill a 5 gallon bucket with the sweetest tasting shrimp you ever ate by throwing a cast net for a couple of hours.
My wife and I have been to most of these highlighted places and have been very pleased with visiting them. I would add: Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary == which has long scenic boardwalk and is a opportunity for great photos
Wow. I lived in the Tampa area for most of my life and never knew that the Jose Marty Park belonged to Cuba! Your list of 10 sites to visit is great. I have been to most of them with the exception of the caverns and the 'boneyard', but now I will have to put those two spots on my list of places to see. Thanks!
Got to add Hallandale Beach Florida to this list beautiful beaches and restaurants, Gulf Stream Park Horse Racing the biggest Horse Racing track in Florida, the Pegasus statue the Third biggest statue in the United States 🇺🇸.❤
I never heard about Florida Caverns National Park until a lady from Manchester UK mentioned it to me and I live in Florida.Then i see it on your great video. WOW.
I have not lived in Florida since 1970. I have heard of all of these places and been to most. I was disappointed you did not mention Wakulla Springs. While living in Florida we had a class party there every year.
The Peace River has a small section of rapids created by sunken trees. You actually can hear the roar of the water before you make the bend of the river to their location. Some very interesting places in Florida. There are hundreds more, but I knew about most of these.
Look and Tremble on the Chipola River near Altha is also a fun little rapid to tube over. Little Look north of there is longer, but not much of a drop and on a longer stretch of the river between entry points.
@@richardwilliams5783Yes, great video, but they understated how many river rapid locations we actually have. Yes, the Suwanee and the Hillsbotough Rivers but also the Alafia R (albeit a small stretch of class I sometimes class II), the Aucilla R, the Peace and possibly, if I can recall, a stretch on Florida's Santa Fe R.
Coral Castle in Miami. Ichetucknee Springs near Lake City. If you go to Rock Springs make sure you get there an hour before it opens or you won't get in. And that's even on the weekdays. Getting line around 7:00 a.m..
Kelly rock springs; you can not rent a tube inside the park. The inner-tube rental is a private business in the parking lot of a local cafe that is not far away from the entrance.
Used to walk across the rapids all the time as a kid at Hillsbourough. They are mild, not like the rapids in Tennessee, etc. There are lots and lots of Gators there so be careful.
Depends where you're from. Floridians know about all of these (well most of us). And everyone definitely knows about the Prairie...but you have to have a lot of luck, not just a little. I live here and go hiking all the time and I rarely see them. Devil's Milhopper is neat, I go all the time living less than 5 minutes from it, but don't expect much. You can walk around the entire park in 5 minutes and the sinkhole is neat, but it's a short trip. Perhaps you've covered Ichetucknee in another video, but that's more deserving of a spot than Kelly.
@Swearengen1980 My daughter got engaged & then married at the Ichetucknee Spring 10 years ago.. The ceremony was right at the bottom of the stairs in front of the main spring & it made a breathtakingly beautiful backdrop for their wedding photos. The spring is beautiful & used to be a local's only "hidden" gem back in the day.. My kids grew up going there so they have lots of great memories. Definitely worth a mention, if not its own video ;)
I have lived in Florida my entire life and a couple of those spots were new to me. Very interesting, love the channel.
I was born and raised in WC Florida and have never known about the caverns in North FL or the wild horses and Bison. We had natural springs everywhere and swam in most in my area. Now the whole country knows.
They could've added the Red Rock bluffs at Torreya State Park, west of Tallahassee. Red clay and sandstone bluffs/cliffs that rise as much as 120 ft above the Blackwater River. Steep enough to go repelling.
@@tinatieken8840 Lived in Gainesville 2 years when I went to college there. Never once saw any Bison or wild horses
I have to add this, I do know that at Rainbow Springs in Dunnellon has a cave in the old park in the spring waters. Beautiful place to go also.
Me too I knew about most but sinkhole , boneyard I did not. Also Cuba
Lifelong Floridian, can confirm this is a great list. I did not know about the bison in Paynes Prairie
The Bison burger meat you see in stores is from here too
You can get a "green burial" in nearby Paynes Prairie.
Great artifacts on Payne’s Prarie!!!
Same
i did not know either and born and raised here born 1972
Ichetucknee springs is another tubing spring in Florida. It’s wonderful and free.
It’s not free- it’s a state park and you pay for parking at the very least. ✌🏼✌🏼
Been there. Done that. Several times.
Also, it's different on the weekend and during the week. On the weekend it resembles a public pool. On the weekdays it's a visit to an ecological paradise.
I've been there. Nice place. I was born in Florida:)
I know you pay at Ichetucknee Springs. Also if it is warm or hot on the weekends get there very early, they will be full by 10-11am. In the summer it’s every day, not just weekends.
I have visited many caves in the United States and will say that Florida Caverns was not only a top of the list caverns for its natural beauty, but also one of the best guided cave tours I have experienced. I highly recommend that if you are in Florida, go.
Agreed. Been there many years ago couple of times. Beautiful Park and lots of rugged hiking trails/terrain to enjoy as well.
I went there a few years ago & thought the one's in Tennesse & North Carolina are MUCH better than the lame caves in FL. Still nice that FL does have one.
Desoto Caverns in Alabama is one of the best Caverns in the south
I moved to Florida when i was three years old. I remember when Florida was a natural environment. Sand or shell driveways, empty beaches, and small town traffic. It was great to grow up in, but I left in 2010, when it became unrecognizable. I have gone back once since for one day, and it has become twice as crowded. I could never live there again. I do miss what it was, but not what it has become.
Where did you go? I miss back in the days Fl too
Same I can't wait to get out
I was born and raised here in FL. Love my state, wish it was less crowded but I hope the people here love it at as much as I do
@@jamesbenz3228 Also born & raised in FL. Been here my whole life. I for one am happy hearing some have moved out & others thinking about moving out because FL is FULL! Sick of so many people moving here. I wish everyone would STAY in the state they were born in. Fine to visit other places, but don't move here!!!
@@billybob-ro6qf they are in for a surprise with how hot it is right now lol
Content creators like you make YOU Tube AWESOME !!!!!!!!
You were GREAT !!!!
The production quality of your sound and visuals AAAAGH!! A+
I live here and just loved your informative journey guild, of how special FL is.
Cool list. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is really cool during the winter. There are lots of migratory birds there in the winter.
On the beach they have nudists there
I was just on Merritt Island yesterday! :)
@@gowest5145 that would be Playlinda beach which is in the public accessible section of Cape Canaveral, NOT Merrit Island Wildlife Refuge.
Vizcaya wasn't mentioned, or the Spanish monastery in Miami, or Blowing Rocks Preserve in Jupiter. Saint Augustine's Fort or the Oldest wooden schoolhouse there, or Whitehall Flagler museum West Palm. The Thomas Edison and Henry Ford winter estates in Fort Myers. Florida has a lot of history.
The Treasure Coast wasn't mentioned at all.
In Martin County, Bathtub Beach and County Road 714 ("The Grade") are amazing views and experiences which show a unique side of marine environments and Old Florida through long-lived trees.
St. Lucie County has a record 22 in-service ecological preserves (3 more coming online for the public in the next 2 years) and the county provides award-winning educational-recreational programs to the public, free of charge. These are a magnet for residents from as far away as Volusia and Monroe, spending the day hiking, lunching, and shopping local.
Indian River County has scenic byways, beachfront, preserves, and Pelican Island, ground zero for the conservation movement in the USA with the dedication of the *world's* first national wildlife refuge in 1901.
Alot of natural and human history here, too! ❤
I'm guessing they thought most people know of the fort in St. Augustine but I agree on blowing rocks! All beautiful places you mention
🤫 if they hear you they will come.
Sssshhhh don't tell anyone keep it a secret. Check out Tree Tops Park in Davie/ Robbies in Islamorada,
There are more than 10 great places in Florida. This is a list of only 10 of them
Fort Jefferson Dry Tortugas National Park was one of my most memorable trips in Florida. My mom, sister, and I visited this place by a small seaplane with a pilot in July 1975, and it only cost 65 dollars R/T from Key West to Fort Jefferson. Exploring historic Fort Jefferson was extraordinary, and relaxing on the beach was pleasant despite the tropical warmth. We saw a shark in Dry Tortugas water. I grabbed the coconut from the palm tree in Fort Jefferson, took it home, and ate it - surprisingly good.
Wow what a memorable trip. I wonder how much it would cost to do something like that nowadays?
We chartered a sailboat for a week and went around the Tortugas when I was a kid.
Complete with wild stories, like when we stopped by key west during a huge storm and I ended up with the chefs thumb in my pizza.
@tainar.9393 We were just in keywest. I believe it's $275 per person to go by boat.
It would be interesting to see how they built Ft. Jefferson, way out there in the horse and buggy days.
Seaplane from Key West to Fort Jefferson/ Dry Tortugas:
4 hour Trip (40 minute flight each way): $466 per passenger
8 hour Trip (40 minute flight each way): $819 per passenger
Was there last week via the Yankee Freedom: Approximately $200 per passenger.
About 8 hours (1.5 hour boat ride each way),
Seas were 6-8’ and it was rough for some passengers.
More than half the time the seas are not so rough and a catamaran (two hulls) makes for a smooth passage.
Be well.
As a Florida Park Ranger I did know most of these. If in the Gainesville area; visit 2 state parks that are National Landmarks. Dudley Farm Historic State Park and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Park. Both are unique historic parks.
Born and raised in Florida and I have been to many of these places, yet I would still rather visit the mountains. I’m so over the over crowding and the weather.
The coral castle, is one of my goals, and Thomas Edison house witch was made into a small museum went there years ago.
I’ve been here years ago and talk about this place still. I suggest a visit to everyone I meet, if I know they are going to FL.
Edison used to stop by my hometown (Bartow) to have his car serviced on the way to his winter home. The building that housed that shop was vacant for years before becoming a gym in the 2000's. I worked out there for a few years. It was eventually torn down, though.
Coral Castle is really incredible, I do not know if they ever discovered how that guy built the place. Don't forget the John and Mabel Ringling museum in Sarasota.
Thanks for this video, I moved to Florida from Texas two years ago and at the end of May when I retire from trucking I’m looking for all the fun places Florida has to offer
Happy retirement 👏🏻👏🏻 be safe and healthy ENJOY 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Usually we don’t do kindly to out of staters, but Texans are cool. Y’all can come, just make sure you keep the Californians out. And if you do come, try and send one New Yorker away while you’re here. It’ll help keep the balance lol
Happy retirement! Truck driver is a rough job. We wouldn't have anything if we didn't have trucks and skilled drivers to get it there..thank you. Enjoy when you come to Fl..we have an awesome state if you take the time to explore it.
@@stephaniewilliams3248 oh I’m not retiring, I’m flat out quitting this dumb industry after 12 years! Screw hauling goods for a bunch of ungrateful idiots who don’t know how to drive themselves
I've lived in WC Florida for 35 years and never heard of any of these parks 😳!! Thankyou for this wonderful and very informative video.
Thank you!
WHAT 35 years never heard or even been to 😢😢😢😢😂😂😂😂
They could've included the clay and sandstone formed " Red Rock " bluffs/cliffs at Torreya State Park, west of Tallahassee/NW Florida. Fairly steep with a rise of up to 120 ft above the Blackwater River, enough in some sections where repelling is possible . Rugged, rolling terrain by Florida standards. Located in the Red Hills region between Tallahassee and Thomasville Georgia. It really is " shades of the Appalachian foothills ".
I am 60 year old native Floridian and have only been to the Dry Tortugas from your list. Thanks for the interesting video.
Been in FL my whole life & only been down to Key West once a few years ago. I thought I was in the southernmost part of FL then. It wasn't until a few years later I learned about Dry Tortugas. Many people say they love the Keys, honestly, I didn't see anything I liked at all about them. I'm NOT into drinking that much. About all I saw were bars in the Keys & a few lame tourist attractions which I did see a few while I was there. I did enjoy the scenery & the 7-mile bride heading to Key West. I didn't even see any real beaches in the Keys to my surprise & all the coral reefs make it about impossible for swimming down there.
Check out Robbies Islamorada / Blowing Rocks/ Tree tops park in Davie. But not in the summer.
@@billybob-ro6qf naw man keys are amazing, but yes key west is more of a tourist trap. My only complaint is that unless you bought land years ago. Most people are simply priced out. Love key largo man. The vibes.
I was born and raised in Florida, even lived in Tampa from 1971 through 1978 before I left for the Annapolis and DC areas. I never learned of Jose Marti Park while I was in Tampa despite numerous visits to Ybor City! Wonderful presentation, thank you! Going to replay the video and make a list of the seven or so places that were new to me and hope to visit on my next trip south. Avian fans who are also automobile adventurous will also enjoy exploring Loop Road, a (very) small road that hangs below US41 in the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area. By the way, the Gulf Coast has many lovely unclogged beaches, but I shall keep that a personal secret.
I remember climbing down the Mill Hopper and then using a vine to climb up by the small trickle of water flowing down. That was in 1956. We have a fun day.😊
Haven't been to rocks spring. But Tarpon spring is great.
Falling waters state park in Chipley. Florida's biggest waterfall at 70+ feet.(when the water table is high). Close to Florida caverns too!
Falling waters is great. And it close to Morrison springs that has a giant opening to the spring itself that is great for scuba diving
Yes, they also could've included: (1) The Red Rock bluffs at Torreya State Park. Steep clay/sandstone cliffs that rise up to 120 ft above the adjacent Blackwater River. Located in NW Florida west of Tallahassee in the Red Hills region between Tallahassee and Thomasville GA. Lots of rugged rolling terrain by Fla standards. Shades of the Appalachian foothills.. Then, also in North Florida, (2) " Big Shoals " State Park on the Suwanee River, showcasing the only class III river rapids in the state (two other locations in Fla with rapids - class II rapids in both the Hillsborough River 20 mi NE of Tampa @ the Hillsborough River State Park and in the Aucilla River up in the panhandle). Big Shoals park also showcases long stretches of rugged, rolling terrain and steep limestone bluffs 80 - 90 ft above the Suwanee River.
I've been to many of these places. Ft. Jeff is truly a beautiful place to visit. Back in the days I served in the Coast Guard and was assigned to a Patrol Cutter based in Key West, we often would anchor off the Fort when the wind and waves came up. We used to take our smallboat to the beach and explore the Fort. I love Payne's Prarie. Its a neat place. I do need to take some time to visit the sinkhole in Gainesville. Another neat place to visit in Gainesville is the Butterfly enclosure on the UF campus. Also pay a visit to Micanopy in southern Alachua County about 20 minutes or so from Gainesville. Its a gem of an "Old Florida" town. They filmed several movies there, "Doc Hollywood" that starred Michael J. Fox about 30 years back now and a film adaptation of the memoir "Cross Creek" of author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings who came to live in this place and wrote her famous novel "The Yearling" set in Cross Creek. I've visited most of the other places featured in this film as well. I prefer the more natural, historical and "old timey" out of the way places in Florida over Disney and the other theme parks.
When were you there at USCG Station KW?? Iwas 1990-94
@@gladysover5368 I was there in the early 1980s. 83-84. I left to go to "A School" in Petaluma to be a Substance Specialist.
Grew up in Dixie County about 50 miles west of Gainesville, 20 from the coast. Not only swam in the Gulf but also the Springs of the Suwannee River❤
First of all thank you for your service. And thank you for the tidbits about the movies. Hope you have a blessed life.
The Barnacle state park in Coconut Grove, Florida which is my family's home and was sold to the state in the 1970's. It sits right on Biscayne Bay and is a beautiful place to see some original Florida history.
I knew the Peacocks and I love Coconut Grove...Sure miss the bed races...
💯 fantastic old Florida house to visit. Whenever we visit the Grove, I love going there. The ocean is at the end of the property with the boathouse.
@@ladyaly864
Coconut Grove isn't what it used to be.
Man, I miss the bed races. I had forgotten about them. Good ole times
Thanks for sharing 😊
I'll never forget when I drove by the Archbold Biological Station in Venus for the very first time. It was as if I landed on another planet, it's indescribably beautiful and exotic. Truly peaceful, too.
I love that place!! Stayed in the old ranger cabin up the hill in 2017 and 2019 while doing Florida Scrub-jay surveys in the area for FWC. Wonderful memories!! ❤❤❤❤
The Venus fly traps are quite hostile there...
Devil's Den is really cool and might as well do Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens while in Williston, Fl. Rainbow Springs is also not far from these. You could spend a weekend out there and have a cool 3 day tour. Good times! Thanks for the video. ✌
Been trying to find some cool day/weekend trips here in Florida. I have never heard of some of these places. Thanks for sharing 😎
My husband and I got married in the cavern in Marianna way back in 1996. We felt it was a unique location and we visit it almost every year on our anniversary.
That’s so cool! Great and very unique place for a wedding.
Congrats married in 96 and still together... I'm glad you found someone that was willing to also put in the work. It is not easy.
@@NicoleShabert-nh8ol Thank you. We have made it through many low points over the years including multiple war-time deployments and the toll that takes. It has been hard work but I couldn’t picture a life without him and our children.
Nice presentation.. kept my interest throughout. Maybe I'll visit there one day. ..appreciate it.
Great video! Been to several on the list; and they’re all different and diverse, which is so fantastic! One you could add is Highland Hammocks State Park near Sebring. Old growth oaks, cypress, pines, and plenty of wildlife! Thanks!
Nature’s creatures never fail to amaze me with their elegance and grace
I've lived in Palatka, Florida for most of my life. It is about an hour southwest of Jacksonville on the St. John's River. We have Ravine State Gardens Park which is another sinkhole. We also have Florida's oldest dinner, Angels, which is an old train car. It's been in operation since the 30s, I think. It has a diner inside or you can get that classic car-hop experience and have your food brought to your car. There's not much else to do in Palatka unless you come during the Blue Crab Festival which is always a good time.
We lived in Interlachen for a few years after we moved from Lithia
Very cool!! I have been to Dry Tortuous and loved it. Such cool places you put on this list Thanks!
Just southeast of Tallahassee, near Woodville, you can find Natural Bridge Battlefield State park. Very nice monument and nice trails for nature walks
The caverns are a great park. Worth the visit, go the right time and you can visit the “waterfall” in the same area. Also worth checking out.
Falling Waters State Park
@@SleepyUncleSam yeah. That’s the one
We rode the street car as a fan trip and you have to get off near that park and wait for the street car to turn around. My family walked in and looked around. 😊 The bonus is being in Ybor City District in Tampa, not far from Hillsborough River State Park, the Aquarium, Bush Gardens, Museum of science and industry, never a dull moment🙂I was on the Army’s time when I visited the caves. Lake Kingsley is a perfect circle used by planes as a geographical locator.
Ichetucknee River, talk about crystal clear water. It looks cold, but the water temperature is beautiful! Tubing, canoeing, scuba. It's remarkable. Thanks for the video. Grew up in Florida, watched to see if I had been to them all, and yes, I've seen them all, thanks again.
4:40 if you are driving southbound on I-75, there is a rest stop that is home to “The Great Snake Wall”. It’s a very short trail up a brick wall that is designed to look like a Queen snake. When you get to the lookout point (the “head” of the snake), you get a great view of the Paynes Prairie. Definitely recommend stopping! I believe it’s called the Alachua County Rest Area
I've lived in Gainesville almost all of my life and never knew about that. Thanks - will definitely check it out.
St. George Island in the panhandle. Great State Park on one end of the island. SGI is one of a few barrier islands up there . All beautiful
Great video. Thank you for writing and narrating it the real way !
Thank you!!!
I live in Apopka and our family loves to go paddle boarding at Rock Springs. Although, being a native to Florida I have seen a lot more tourists in the area then when I was a kid.
Tourists go there more now and it is always packed in the summer. I haven't been able to get in the park in years now, it is always full.
Florida Caverns is VERY claustrophobic, but the park is beautiful , the Blue Hole swimming hole is amazing and camping is top notch
I've been to Marianna and visited Florida State Caverns on a field trip with my school in 1981. Vandals broke into the park a few weeks before we went and destroyed several cavern areas.
I remember a Falling Waters state park off HWY 77 between Panama City & Chipley Florida. Was told it is closed down now but not for certain. Thanks enjoyed your presentation
Recently stopped by to tour Florida Caverns on my way to Pensacola for a family get-together. It is worth the visit!
I love Florida Caverns State Park. Well worth visiting.
Awesome video and great info for travelers and locals alike. Thanks for sharing!
My family is planning to move to Florida next year
Thank you for showing this video
Great video! Florida has a long, fascinating history and so many interesting things to see and do beyond the theme parks. Thanks for giving those things the attention they deserve.
Loved learning a few new places to explore I didn’t know about. I think we have so many amazing springs that are the best kept secrets ❤️ So beautiful ❤ Shhhhh!
I’ve been to Florida Caverns National Park. Amazing place
This is great! With the exception of Hillsboro River State Park, I didn’t know about the others. Thank you for sharing this. You may want to add devils den in a future video.
Wow, lived in southeast Florida for over 60 years and didn't know about many of these! Thank you ❤
I've lived in Florida my whole life, now going on 6th generation after grandparents migrated from Cuba back in the 30's. While I've visited many parks in Florida, actually got married in Flamingo, Everglades National Park. I hadn't even heard of several you noted in this video. Back to my bucket list!
Loved the caverns! Went there in the mid 80s. Ice cold water in the springs too! Unfortunately I went back to Marianna ,Fl a year later for another reason. Not as much fun as the caverns lol
Florida has 175 state parks, and they're all awesome and unique!
I’ve been in the caves in Marianna. What a fun place! I never thought FL had caves, so I had to check it out! You can trail there too!
I haven't been to Florida,but it's on my bucket list. I didn't realize some of these places existed! Thanks!
I'm 4th generation and like most who's family goes way back here, glad people are finally realizing the real FL, but sad at the same time. And this video only scratches the surface of our many unique places.
They don’t. Stay away.
FL. FULL, VISIT ELSEWHERE!
@@billybob-ro6qf you tell no lies
@@billybob-ro6qf bro we’re so full. And gators like to attack out of staters. Don’t come here. It’s terrible.
Thanks for sharing this..I’m definitely adding Hillsboro River, Rock Spring, and Boneyard to my bucket list of places to visit in FL 👍👍
Quite groovy and informative.
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park in Keystone Heights is another awesome FL state park. It has nice hiking trails with some of the most extreme elevation changes in the state
We've gone camping at Paynes Prairie. Lots of things to see and so many trails to hike or bike.
Rainbow River in Dunnellon, FL. Is Amazing, Crystal clear and also popular for floating down the river
I've been living in Florida for 23 years and I never heard of these places !!! ❤
time to MOVE cause FL FULL & should be reserved for only those of us who were born here.
@@billybob-ro6qf Agree!
Ichetucknee near Gainesville is a great 2 hour lazy river float with crystal clear water and frequently see river otters…
Great Video! I am trying to move from Houston, Texas to Ocala. Every couple of years we drive to Steinhatchee to Scallop in the summer. I have been to Ichetucknee Springs, which is amazing. Thanks!
Right after the scalloping season ends in Steinhatchee you can drive over to Palatka and catch the shrimp run in the St. Johns River. On a good day you can fill a 5 gallon bucket with the sweetest tasting shrimp you ever ate by throwing a cast net for a couple of hours.
You covered a lot ground. GOOD video! Thanks
You missed Ichetucknee. It is near Fort White, FL. There is also Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs FL
This was a great video. Thanks so much. Love the Cuba/US park.
My wife and I have been to most of these highlighted places and have been very pleased with visiting them. I would add: Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary == which has long scenic boardwalk and is a opportunity for great photos
I enjoyed this video. I will definitely look into visiting.
Well done, love Payne's and Ichetucknee...
Nice! I've lived in Central Florida for 14 years and didn't know about most of these places.
Amazing places to visit!
Wow. I lived in the Tampa area for most of my life and never knew that the Jose Marty Park belonged to Cuba! Your list of 10 sites to visit is great. I have been to most of them with the exception of the caverns and the 'boneyard', but now I will have to put those two spots on my list of places to see. Thanks!
Lived in Tampa for many years and enjoyed your video. When I visit next time I will some of these out.
A map with pin points would have been a great addition. Good video, we visit Florida every year and now have some new ideas
Thanks for putting this together. Moved here back in 2007, had no idea some of these existed (i.e. rapids and the José Martí spot).
Great video! Super informative!
I went to UF in the 80’s and my kid goes there now and we’ve never known about Devils Mill Hopper. It’s only 4.3 miles from his apartment. Thanks!
Got to add Hallandale Beach Florida to this list beautiful beaches and restaurants, Gulf Stream Park Horse Racing the biggest Horse Racing track in Florida, the Pegasus statue the Third biggest statue in the United States 🇺🇸.❤
I've been to the Florida caverns back in the late 70s it was great especially in the summer time it's like 30 degrees cooler than on the Surface.
I absolutely LOVE Kelly Park/Rock Springs!
I love paynes prairie. Also sweet water preserve. It is in Gainesville on Williston road
I stay in FL and had no clue about the fort and many of these thank you for a great video
I never heard about Florida Caverns National Park until a lady from Manchester UK mentioned it to me and I live in Florida.Then i see it on your great video. WOW.
Thanks for doing this. I've lived in Florida for 14 years and did not know most of these places.
I have not lived in Florida since 1970. I have heard of all of these places and been to most. I was disappointed you did not mention Wakulla Springs. While living in Florida we had a class party there every year.
Great video, thanks for sharing!
Thank you.good video .
HAVE BEEN TO MANY AREAS IN FLORIDA
AMAZING STATE
The Peace River has a small section of rapids created by sunken trees. You actually can hear the roar of the water before you make the bend of the river to their location. Some very interesting places in Florida. There are hundreds more, but I knew about most of these.
Look and Tremble on the Chipola River near Altha is also a fun little rapid to tube over. Little Look north of there is longer, but not much of a drop and on a longer stretch of the river between entry points.
@@richardwilliams5783Yes, great video, but they understated how many river rapid locations we actually have. Yes, the Suwanee and the Hillsbotough Rivers but also the Alafia R (albeit a small stretch of class I sometimes class II), the Aucilla R, the Peace and possibly, if I can recall, a stretch on Florida's Santa Fe R.
Thank you for the information.
Coral Castle in Miami.
Ichetucknee Springs near Lake City.
If you go to Rock Springs make sure you get there an hour before it opens or you won't get in.
And that's even on the weekdays.
Getting line around 7:00 a.m..
Good job on the video 👍😎👍
Hiked around Big Talbot, as well as fished in small boats all along this stretch of Florida beaches
I've been to a couple of springs. They are really fun but too cold for me to enjoy for extended periods of time.
Kelly rock springs; you can not rent a tube inside the park. The inner-tube rental is a private business in the parking lot of a local cafe that is not far away from the entrance.
Used to walk across the rapids all the time as a kid at Hillsbourough. They are mild, not like the rapids in Tennessee, etc. There are lots and lots of Gators there so be careful.
Rainbow river is pretty cool too!
Big Talbot Island is awesome. I love that place.
I was in Fort Jefferson back in 1985 and I loved it. I have a picture I took from a plane and it is on may wall in our house.
Steinhatchee River has rapids sometimes also.
Depends where you're from. Floridians know about all of these (well most of us). And everyone definitely knows about the Prairie...but you have to have a lot of luck, not just a little. I live here and go hiking all the time and I rarely see them. Devil's Milhopper is neat, I go all the time living less than 5 minutes from it, but don't expect much. You can walk around the entire park in 5 minutes and the sinkhole is neat, but it's a short trip. Perhaps you've covered Ichetucknee in another video, but that's more deserving of a spot than Kelly.
Rainbow Springs and the river in Dunellon is worth a visit as well. It doesn't get quite as busy as Icnetucknee gets.
@Swearengen1980 My daughter got engaged & then married at the Ichetucknee Spring 10 years ago.. The ceremony was right at the bottom of the stairs in front of the main spring & it made a breathtakingly beautiful backdrop for their wedding photos. The spring is beautiful & used to be a local's only "hidden" gem back in the day.. My kids grew up going there so they have lots of great memories. Definitely worth a mention, if not its own video ;)