Florida Bucketlist – Where To Explore

Hey! Whether you live in Florida and want to explore, plan a day trip (daycation), a weekend getaway, or plan to visit for the first time, this fun guide is something I have put together over the years. Be sure to check back as I continue to add more.

I used to constantly suffer from burnout due to overworking myself and a lack of self-care. I also hate the heat and finally realized that I was taking the beauty of Florida for granted. Also, I started Therapy Thursdays, a day dedicated to myself. On Therapy Thursdays, I don’t work or catch up on errands. I spend the day exploring, in nature, and having fun… the ultimate self-care. Doing so has made me a much more patient mother and wife, more productive and more creative, and inspired because I actually have a break to enjoy life (not just surviving or recovering).

I encourage you to get out and break out of your normal routine to go explore Florida!

Have Fun!

-Misti Blu @mistibluday

Bob Ross’s Gravesite

“There are no mistakes, only happy accidents.” Bob Ross

In 1983-1984 Bob Ross hosted The Joy of Painting on PBS. We all remember him from his happy little trees. His sunshine yellow leaves brightened up each canvas with splashes of happiness, pouring through the television screen and into our lives.

Florida native Bob Ross was born in Daytona Beach and was buried in Woodlawn Memorial Park in the Orlando vicinity. His grave has flowers, paint brushes, paintings, and knick knacks to honor the painting legend’s life.

Where:

Woodlawn Memorial Park

400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd

Gotha, FL 34734

United States

Section O, Lot 537

Florida Cactus Inc.

Florida Cactus Inc. is a large warehouse filled with succulents and cacti, located in Apopka, Florida.

Where:

2542 Peterson Rd.

Apopka, Florida 32703

Kings Landing

This is a kayak launching site near Kelly Park. You pay $10 if you bring your own kayak, or you can rent from them. This run can be like a fun obstacle course where you have to go over (or under) trees that have fallen. It’s really fun and I see many dogs along for the ride.

Where:

5722 Baptist Camp Road

Apopka, Florida 32712

Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring

Devil’s Den is a crystal clear, 72 degrees spring (all year long) with ancient rock formations, located outside of Gainesville, Florida. You can scuba dive or snorkel. The fossil beds date back to 33 million years!

Where:

5390 NE 180th Ave Williston, FL 32696

352-528-3344

Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Last water entry 1 hour before close. Reservations required due to Covid.

http://www.devilsden.com

St. Augustine

The St. Augustine Lighthouse: website

Castillo de San Marcos: link

St. Petersburg

Miami

SoBe (South Beach) & Little Havana – Photos by @mistibluday

Ft. Lauderdale

(Downtown Art District)

Palm Beach

This luxury Palm Beach resort is fun for a boujee day on the beach. If you watch Bridgeton on Netflix, you will love the Breakers.

Where:

The Breakers

1 S Country Rd.

Palm Beach, FL 33480

Gainesville:

Gainesville has so much to do! My favorite restaurant (probably EVER) is the Reggae Shack Cafe. Downtown has an artsy vibe and great food. You can also visit Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park just outside of the are. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is a beautiful botanical garden. This is also where Devil’s Den (earlier in this post) is located.

Salvador Dali Museum

(The Dali Museum)

Where:

1 Dali Blvd.

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Florida Scrub-Jays at Helen and Allan Cruickshank Sanctuary

These Florida Scrub-Jays land on your head or hand! Fair warning: it is illegal to feed them. Feeding them anything else is can affect their natural habitat. I saw one Scrub Jay trying to pick up a chapstick someone lost on the ground, so be sure to pick up after yourself.

Where:

300 CR-502

Rockledge, Florida

Rainbow Springs State Park

This spring has a swimming area, or you can launch your kayak down the road and enjoy a crystal clear adventure. Dogs are welcome and there is also a small little side stream that is worth going down.

Where:

19158 SW 81st Pl Rd.

Dunnellon, FL 34432

Kayak launch at KP Hole Park

9435 SW 190th Ave Rd

Dunnellon, FL 34432

Blowing Rocks Preserves

This nature preserve in Juniper Island makes you feel like you left Florida and landed on an exotic coast. Anastasia limestone formations are the largest in Florida. The whimsical trail to get to the beach is just as cool.

Where:

574 S Beach Rd.

Hobe Sound, FL 33455

Bulow Plantation Ruins

Where:

3501 Old Kings Road
Flagler Beach FL 32136

Mon., Thurs. – Sun., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Tues. and Wed. $4/vehicle

Website: link

White Sands Buddhist Temple

White Sands Buddhist Temple is located in Mims, Florida, just north of Titusville. The statues are massive with beautiful sayings. It truly is a hidden gem on the Space Coast.

Where:

4650 Knost Drive

Mims, Florida 32754

Twister Airboat Rides at Lone Cabbage

This is such a Florida thing to do! See some gators on an airboat ride and eat some fresh gator after.

Where:

Twister Airboat Rides
8199 State Road 520
Cocoa, FL 32926

Website: link

Bok Tower Gardens

This gorgeous botanical garden greets you with an orange grove. Once you are in the garden, you will wonder if you are still in Florida. It is so magical! You can lie under a big tree for hours as the singing tower concert plays at 1 & 3pm.