Florida is a fascinating, beautiful, and sweltering state. It’s a prime location for beaches and holidays. But it is also a treasure trove of historical and modern landmarks. One thing is sure; there are plenty of unique things to do and see in Florida.
Space installations, historical plantations, theme parks and more iconic buildings adorn this list. And that’s not counting the wildlife preserves and natural attractions like springs and beaches. Let’s take a look at all these and more amazing landmarks in Florida.
1. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
When you hear a Floridian refer to “the swamp”, you might think they mean the Everglades or the murky southern waterways of the coastline. They might be talking about a football stadium, though, and you’d be well advised to wait until you know for certain before you comment.
Ben Hill Griffin was a local fan and contributor to many local projects. The stadium was named after him in 1989. It is located at the University of Florida. Visiting teams often describe the stadium as difficult to play in because of the sheer volume of the crowd. It doesn’t help that the stadium sometimes reaches 100°F on the ground.
2. Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gable
Built in 1926, the Biltmore was initially a venue for special events. At the time, it was home to the largest swimming pool in the world. Famously, Thomas Walsh, a gangster known as “Fatty”, was killed in the hotel in 1929 — on the 13th floor, to be exact.
Since then the association with the murder on the 13th floor has yielded a “creepy” reputation for the hotel. But that’s just part of the hotel’s folklore-ish charm. The Biltmore also served as a military hospital in WWII. In the 60s, the building was abandoned for several years, further enhancing its ghostly reputation among neighborhood kids.
The Biltmore was restored and reopened in 1987 and today has a proud listing on the National Registry of Historic Places.
3. Bok Tower Gardens
If you feel like visiting a garden that’s friendly to birds, try the Bok Tower Gardens, a bird sanctuary built in 1929. Edward W. Bok’s intention was to create a safe place for people and animals in Lake Wales.
Within the gardens is the Bok Singing Tower, which has a collection of 57 bells. These bells can be heard throughout the day when visiting the gardens of this famous landmark in Florida.
The gardens are impressive and took nearly five years to complete. Bok, a Dutch immigrant, had apparently been inspired by his grandmother’s advice to “make the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.”
4. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Fancy a little bit of Africa in Florida? This is an African-themed garden and animal-theme park that will be a highlight for kids traveling with you. Busch Gardens has all the regular attractions of theme parks like rides and restaurants.
But the kicker is the African theme, which adds a unique touch, making it just different enough to be intriguing. In addition to amazing roller coasters, there are opportunities for animal experiences such as getting up close with a giraffe. The park attracts more than four million people every year, so book early.
5. Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
From a world history perspective, this building, built by the Spanish, represents one of the very first European military presences on the continent. The Spanish built the fort and has now stood for nearly 450 years, and it is the oldest masonry fort in the US.
It was designated a national monument in 1924 and is now a major tourist attraction. The fort is also notable for its design incorporation of four points, with one wall facing the water.
6. Cathedral Basilica Of St. Augustine
The colony of St. Augustine, established by the Spanish, is notable for its number of buildings and influences. One of them is undoubtedly the Cathedral Basilica, which serves as the seat of the Archbishop of St. Augustine.
Although the catholic congregation had existed in the area for many years, the current version of the church and Cathedral was only built in 1797. Occupations, political distractions, and funding problems had waylaid efforts to maintain and rebuild previous versions of the church.
7. Ca’ d’Zan
Call it a mansion, a palace, or just a wild example of the American Dream. Ca’ d’Zan is the home of the famous Ringling family, who became circus moguls in the early 20th century.
The building is largely inspired by the great city of Venice and its buildings. The house itself is nearly 3,500 square metres in area. It has a bright and opulent exterior, and the interior furnishings also match the impression given from the outside.
Upon his death, John Ringling donated the mansion to the state of Florida. It is an extravagant and extraordinary home, now open to visits from the public.
8. Cinderella Castle At Disneyworld
Most people who have ever seen a Disney movie know what this iconic castle looks like. It is the iconic skyline symbol of the Disney logo. And its spires and towers are one of the most exciting sights a kid might see as they approach a Disney theme park.
In Florida, the castle stands in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. The design for the castle takes its inspiration from many European examples of real castles.
At Walt Disney World, visitors may sometimes see the castle decorated in various colors and decorations, depending on the occasion. For example, the walls will make different color designs for park anniversaries, Grad Nite and other special occasions.
Note: Here are some more famous castles in Florida for you to see.
9. Coral Castle
Coral Castle sits between the cities of Homestead and Leisure City in Miami-Dade County and is an oolite limestone construction serving as a museum. It is open every day, where visitors can marvel at the 1,100 tons of coral rock that make up the structure.
What is most remarkable about the castle is that a single man built it over 28 years. The diminutive Edward Leedskalnin allegedly stood barely five feet tall but single-handedly built an impressive castle — the most romantic story goes that he built it as a tribute to lost love. 1984 the castle was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
10. Epcot
Like most things Disney, the theme park in Bay Lake is one of the most famous attractions in the US and the world. Did you know that Epcot is an acronym that stands for “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow”?
The park focuses a lot on educational and concept activities, more so than other Disney parks, which feel more ride and entertainment-based. As a personal project of the late Walt Disney, it is at least in conception truly unique — especially for when it was conceived in 1966. Its most famous structural landmark is the giant “golf ball” known as Epcot Center.
11. Ernest Hemingway House
The celebrated American writer Ernest Hemingway lived in his Key West home in the 1930s. The house has served as a museum for several years but seems to have been hit by tough times of late, with owners suggesting that the house may indeed have to be closed unless it can find another way to maintain itself.
The double-story house with wraparound balcony feels typical of the classic Hemingway era and would be a shame to shut down, as it is a true throwback to pre-war America and Floridian living.
You might enjoy reading about Sarasota beaches.
12. Everglades National Park
What would Florida be without the everglades and its alligators? This national park represents 1.5 million acres of it — wetlands (some call it a swamp) teeming with birds, animals and vegetation, and marked by miles of waterways. A guided tour is the ideal way to get around the park and to learn more about its inhabitants.
Besides the famous alligator, you may run into a Florida panther or the rare leatherback turtle. Don’t forget the ever-popular Florida manatee with its bulky cuteness.
Trivia: The word “everglades” is an amalgamation first used by early English settlers. It is part “ever” meaning forever and “glades” meaning grass. When they looked out over this region, they saw endless fields of long grass. Easy.
13. Florida State University
We’re talking about landmarks, and Florida State fits the bill. It’s a famous campus, in part because it sits on the oldest education site in America. That is to say, this particular location has been used as one form of education facility or another, since early settler days.
The University as we know it today was founded in 1851 and is a public university. It has a fairly amicable acceptance rate of 36%, making it a popular application choice for many students hoping for higher education. The iconic view of the main building from the fountain plaza and plaque is an image of pride for many graduates.
14. Freedom Tower
Today Freedom Tower is a contemporary art museum, but the building itself has a storied history with deep and important connections to the significant Cuban community in Miami. It is sometimes lovingly referred to as the Ellis Island of the South, in honor of the many Cuban refugees who entered the US from their native land.
The building was originally the site of processing and documentation for refugees from the Cuban revolution in the 1960s. It also served as a de facto medical center for many of them. The building was eventually sold to private owners in 1974 after the main crisis had ended.
15. Henry B. Plant Museum
Plant Museum is a living throwback to older times — a museum that documents what life was like in the 1890s. Part of its unique appeal is that many of its exhibits contain actual furnishings and artifacts of the time.
The museum focuses on what high-end tourists might have experienced as a lifestyle back in those days. Unique and fascinating exhibits like an exploration of the war of 1898, lifestyles of the service staff and gentry, and even entertainment in the park can be enjoyed.
16. Historic Spanish Point
The “Historic” in the name actually refers to what scientists estimate the early settlements of some 5,000 years ago to have been like. Evidence has been found here that early Native American people would have gathered here to fish and hunt.
Today, this outdoor museum attempts to tell the story of these early human activities, with middens of old shell and bone instruments and exhibitions suggesting how they lived. In essence, this is an approximation of what a village from American pre-history might have been.
17. Kennedy Space Center
From the past to the future and beyond. Kennedy has been the official launch site for most of NASA’s human space flights since 1968. A mere 45 miles from Orlando, Kennedy Space Center is a popular destination for families fascinated by mankind’s space exploration.
Good timing for a tour of Kennedy can pay off — you can witness an actual rocket launch, explore the education centers, and even listen to a chat by a real astronaut. Decommissioned shuttles are on display, and a re-simulated launch in the mission control room are just a few of the highlights.
18. Kingsley Plantation
This historic plantation is part of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve and can be visited. The island upon which the plantation sits has evidence of human settlement dating back to prehistory. But under Zephaniah Kingsley’s ownership, the estate became known for its multiracial residence and odd, if troubling, relationship with slavery.
Kingsley was a slave owner but freed several, including Anna Jai, whom he eventually married (not an uncommon occurrence in 1800s Florida). Kingsley did not seem to oppose the idea of slavery directly, though he applied a relatively liberal form of the practice — at least, compared to many other states and slave owners.
19. Naples Botanical Gardens
Take a 45-minute walk through the 170-acre garden in a small group for a lovely distraction. Many visitors claim that they are so impressed by the garden’s beauty, they end up spending many hours there afterwards.
The garden features plants from all around the world. It was founded in 1993 and has several sub-gardens, marked by walkways, plant sculptures, and themed gardens. Highlights include the Asian garden and water garden. That said, all of it is outstandingly well-kept and maintained.
20. Norman Film Manufacturing Company
Something for special interests! This is a former film studio that specialized in film during the silent era. It stands today as one of the few studios from that era and never transitioned to sound.
Norman Studios was notable for its early inclusion of African American actors. For that and other reasons, there is a strong interest in restoring the studio as a research and learning center. It currently operates as a nonprofit with an eye to re-establishing its legacy as a silent film studio.
Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.