Classic Old South Florida Attractions

Florida has always been a great state to visit for the beaches and lovely modern attractions, but if you want to take a step back in time and see what things were like in the old days than try taking the family to these classic historic South Florida spots.  Take a step back in time and enjoy Florida's diverse past. We have chosen a few interesting, educational, or one-of-a-kind places that just say "Old Florida" to us.  Native South Floridian? See if you've visited them all or, if you have, take a ride down memory lane with the kids.

1. Coral Castle , Miami Dade

Have you ever marveled at the creation of stonehenge, wondering how on earth it was made so long ago? Did you know that there's a more recent construction mystery in Old South Florida that could boggle your mind ever more? The Coral Castle is a magnificently large structure built with almost 2.2 million pounds of local stone. It was built by one man over the span of around 28 years. The mystery is that many of the structures, furniture pieces, and other permanent fixtures around the premises are made from whole stone pieces. So how did one single man manage to create a two story building and other massive stone structures with functional, moving parts and incredible details all by himself? 

Unfortunately, while the tour guides onsite can tell you a lot about the history of the place, no one can say exactly how he did it. The man never disclosed his secrets and took them to the grave with him. All you can do is go an be awed by this truly inspiring piece of architecture and Florida history. 

2. History Tours, Palm Beach 

Taste History Culinary Tours will introduce you to South Florida's cultural history through it's food.  Enjoy stories of the first peoples to the area as you ride an air conditioned van around parts of Palm Beach county.  Learn of some of the cultural influences on the food of the area and taste some modern day eateries that help color our community today. 

Take the Ride and Remember tour around Delray Beach's historic neighborhoods and learn about some of the early settlers to the area. Hop on board a restored old fashioned trolley and get one of the best views of the Delray Beach area you can find. Don't worry, you won't be just sitting on a trolley seat for the whole adventure. There are plenty of "pit stops" around town that will allow you to see the sites up close and personally.  Among the stops are the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum and the Old School Square. You'll also be taken to a number of other historical places around the area that will help you get a real feel of what life used to be like in the town and how it came to be what it is now. Make sure to sign up early, because tours only happen one day per month! 

3. Flamingo Gardens, Broward 

Operating since 1927, the Flamingo Gardens is one of the oldest botanical gardens and nature reserves in Florida. It's certainly one of the most exciting with wonderful displays of wild, exotic Florida plant life and thrilling collections of some of the crazy wild animals you can find in the area. This includes alligators, bobcats, peacocks, eagles, and of course flamingos. If you want to see the predators in action, a special show revolving around them is given at the park. 

Among the various displays on the land are the butterfly gardens, the hummingbird gardens, Bromeliad gardens, and the Croton gardens. You can also see the large open-flight aviary that contains all manner of interesting water and land birds. After you've done your exploring or if you need to take a break, there are a lot of shops that sell old fashioned snacks and treats alongside cafes with delightfully tasty and filling offerings and a great view of some of your favorite Florida birds.