Old Fashioned Fun: 12 Historic Sites To Discover
Florida has a rich and diverse history just waiting to be discovered! Plan your next trip to one of the Sunshine State’s many historical landmarks, which include a Spanish fortress, a Civil War plantation, an opulent mansion, the former home of a famous author, and much more.
1. CASTILLO DE SAN MARCOS. Located in St. Augustine, the Castillo de San Marcos was built by the Spanish in the 17th century to defend Spain’s interest in the New World and protect the Atlantic trade route. The monument stands as the oldest stone fortress in the continental United States and is one of the most popular attractions in St. Augustine. Visitors can tour the numerous rooms that once housed soldiers and prisoners as well as the spacious interior courtyard. The gun deck offers a spectacular view of the city, and canon firings and weaponry demonstrations occur every Saturday and Sunday at specified times. The coquina and stone fortress has stood since 1695 and was officially recognized as a National Monument in 1924. A complete tour of the Castillo de San Marcos takes around two hours.
nps.gov/casa/index.htm
2. FORT ZACHARY TAYLOR HISTORIC STATE PARK. Found on the southern edge of Key West, Fort Taylor was built before the Civil War and now contains the largest cache of Civil War armament in the world. In addition to its historical importance, the park is the southernmost state park in the continental United States. The red-brick corridors of Fort Taylor feature cannon and gun ports once used by soldiers to defend the country’s southeastern coastline. This fort played an important role in both the Civil War and Spanish-American War, and you can see history come to life every third weekend of the month as local re-enactors conduct historic demonstrations. The park’s natural setting on the water also makes it an ideal place for bird-watching, having a picnic, swimming, snorkeling, paddling, and fishing.
floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/fort-zachary-taylor-historic-state-park
3. KINGSLEY PLANTATION. In the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve on Fort George Island, sits the former home of Zephaniah Kingsley. The plantation once occupied all of Fort George Island, but now contains around 60 acres with the rest being overtaken by the forest. The historic Kingsley Plantation includes a barn, kitchen house, 25 tabby slave cabins, and the planter’s house, which is the oldest standing plantation-era house in Florida. Visitors can go on ranger-led tours of the house as well as audio tours that provide an immersive experience of the lives of the free and enslaved people of Fort George Island. After the Civil War, the house was owned by several different freed slaves and private owners until the State of Florida purchased the property in 1955. The National Park Service then acquired the property in 1991 and opened it to the public.
nps.gov/timu/learn/historyculture/kp.htm
4. FORT JEFFERSON. Nestled within the islands and shoals of the Dry Tortugas, Fort Jefferson was built to fortify one of the most strategic deep water anchorages in North America. The 30-year construction of the fort was met with several challenges, including shifting sands, storms, and harsh conditions. Sections of the fort eventually started to sink, and the second tier was intentionally left incomplete. Fort Jefferson played a significant role in the Civil War as well and World War I and World War II before it was abandoned and designated as a National Monument in 1935. After structural renovations and historic preservation, the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson was established as a National Park in 1992. Visitors can now tour the vast fort and see what remains of this historical landmark. The moat surrounding the fortress is a popular snorkeling destination where sea turtles, dolphins, and other aquatic creatures are common.
nps.gov/drto/learn/historyculture/fort-jefferson.htm
5. VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS. The opulent Vizcaya estate was built in Coconut Grove in 1914 by James Deerling, a prolific industrialist. Over 1,000 workers built the Renaissance-inspired estate, which features imported gilded panels, carved mantels, and fresco ceilings from Tuscany and France. The mansions more than 70 rooms were decorated with the finest furnishings, antiques, and paintings. The Tea Room contains sleek marble floors and stained-glass doors, and the Cathay Room incorporates lavish accommodations once enjoyed by movie stars in the early 20th century. Alongside the massive estate, visitors can stroll through the Eden-like 10 acres of gardens with its thick columns, lush mazes, and classical statues surrounded by tropical plants like palms and rare orchids. Customizable tour options and affordable ticket prices give everyone the chance to experience the rich history of this estate.
vizcaya.org/
6. LIGHTNER MUSEUM. This iconic building at the heart of historic St. Augustine offers an immersive experience of art, architecture, history, and design. First commissioned by railroad magnate Henry Flagler in 1888, the building was once home of the Hotel Alcazar. The hotel hosted thousands of guests and offered luxurious amenities, such as the world’s largest swimming pool, Turkish and Russian steam baths, tennis courts, and a gymnasium. The hotel closed during the Depression and was turned into a museum in 1948 by Chicago publisher Otto Lightner. Today, visitors can see Lightner’s unique collection of Americana, fine and decorative art, natural history specimens, and compelling exhibitions and programs. The museum also features Tiffany lamps, shells from all over the world, and mechanical musical instruments of the Victorian era.
lightnermuseum.org/
7. HENRY MORRISON FLAGLER MUSEUM. Also known as Whitehall, this extravagant mansion was completed in 1902 by oil tycoon Henry Flagler. After Flagler’s death in 1913, the building was turned into Palm Beach’s second-largest hotel. The site was then turned into a museum in 1960, when it was saved from demolition by Flagler’s granddaughter, Jean Flagler Matthews. The museum offers guided tours, exhibits, and special programs and also hosts a variety of local balls and galas throughout the year. Also on display at the museum is Railcar No. 91, Flagler’s private railcar built in Delaware in 1886. While the massive pool is no longer a part of the estate, the original wrought-iron and bronze fence built in 1901 still stands around the property and ten original antique clocks still line the walls of the mansion.
flaglermuseum.us/
8. CORAL CASTLE. Not far from Miami sits the mysterious Coral Castle, which is not made from coral but from 1,000 tons of oolite limestone. The limestone was sculpted into a variety of shapes, including slab walls, tables, chairs, a crescent moon, a water fountain, and a sundial. This engineering marvel was created by the eccentric Latvian-American, Edward Leedskalnin, who spent 28 years on its construction. Leedskalnin was moved to create Coral Castle after being spurned by his sweetheart on their wedding day, and set to prove to her that he could do something remarkable. Visitors to the historical site can see the tools used to quarry the rock, as well as old photos showing the large tripods, pulleys, and winches used to move the blocks into place. Tours are available seven days a week and the castle can also be rented for weddings, receptions, and parties.
coralcastle.com/
9. THE BARNACLE HISTORIC STATE PARK. Built in 1891, The Barnacle offers visitors a glimpse of frontier life during the Era of the Bay, when all travel to and from Miami was done by sea. The property contains several large, old trees left intact by the owner, Ralph Middleton Munroe, in an effort to preserve much of the forest on his land. Visitors to the home can now tour the home and grounds and enjoy various activities throughout the year, such as moonlit concerts, yoga classes, movie nights, picnics, 4th of July celebrations, and live performances of Shakespeare’s plays. During the week before Halloween, the park hosts a ghostly guided tour and a haunted ballet.
floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/barnacle-historic-state-park
10. THE VENETIAN POOL. This historic landmark is unlike any other on our list. Open since 1923, The Venetian Pool is fed by spring water from an underground aquifer and is refilled daily with over 820,000 gallons of water. The unique pool is open to the public and features two waterfalls and cave-like grottos for a fun experience. The pool was transformed from a limestone rock quarry by the founder and builder of the city of Coral Gables, George Merrick. It used to be the premier destination for A-list visitors and celebrities, and is the only swimming pool in the nation on the National Register of Historic Places. Adult and child swim classes are offered at The Venetian Pool as well as half- and full-day summer camp activities. The pool is also available for special events like weddings, birthday parties, and corporate events.
coralgables.com/attractions/venetian-pool
11. PONCE INLET LIGHTHOUSE. First constructed in 1887, the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse has guided ships along the coast of Daytona beach for over 130 years. This 175-foot tall lighthouse was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1998 and offers both self-guided and guided group tours. The lighthouse also provides special RSVP events, which include the monthly Climb to the Moon event where visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse at night to see the full moon. On-site educational workshops and activities are also available on specific dates every year. There are several outbuildings on the premises to explore, including the lens exhibit building, pump house, Cuban raft enclosure, the Woodshed Theater building, and more. Don’t forget to visit the gift shop for a unique souvenir of your trip, such as lighthouse and nautical-themed apparel, home décor, jewelry, books, and toys, with proceeds supporting the preservation and history of the lighthouse.
ponceinlet.org/
12. HEMINGWAY HOUSE. Famous author Ernest Hemingway once called Key West his home for more than eight years. His home is now a museum and has become one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island. The estate grounds feature an in-ground pool and a lush, tropical garden filled with colorful flora like bromeliads, hibiscus, gardenias, and many other beauties. A guided tour of the home leads you to Hemingway’s studio, where some of his most famous novels were penned. Also throughout the home and grounds are 60 of Hemingway’s famous six-toed cats, which are descendants of the author’s original cat, named Snow White. The cats are well looked after by the museum’s resident veterinarian, and they are a delight to almost everyone who visits the home. The museum’s gift shop sells Hemingway’s books as well as memorabilia of the author and his cats in the form of apparel, puzzles, post cards, jewelry, and home goods.
hemingwayhome.com/
