Roadside Attractions

Our family went on vacation last month, to Myrtle Beach, SC. I had all the big stuff booked and paid for before we loaded the car but its a long drive from Central Florida to Northern South Carolina and my kids get antsy. Before we left I went online and I found 3-4 free roadside attractions where we could stop and stretch our legs. Did you know that there is a giant pink elephant in Hardeeville, SC? I've seen it. So I was thinking, why not take my travel tips for leg stretching fun and plan some silly day trips around some of these free roadside attractions. No, for real, hear me out, these are all silly, free things that are totally worth a detour!

Kissimmee, FL: 10 minutes from Disney World, 20 minutes from Universal studios, and home to the monument of states. This 50ft statue, that houses rocks from all 50 states, 21 foreign countries, and several international corporations, is the patriotic brainchild of Dr. Charles Bessler-Pettis. In 1942 just after the bombing of Pearl Harbor the doctor was inspired with the tidal wave of patriotism sweeping the country. He started writing letters to state governors imploring them to send him rocks.  Today the monument still stands at 300 E Monument ave.

Winter Haven, FL: I'm really not sure if this entirely qualifies as a roadside attraction, but it is worth a detour and totally free! The Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team puts on a show every 3rd Saturday of the month.The preshow (which stars their newest skiers) starts at 5pm and the main event begins at 6pm (they do change the time when daylight savings hits so check their website HERE to confirm exact times). Don't forget a lawn chair! The show is located at Martin Luther King Jr. Park: 199 lake silver dr in Winter Haven. There is a restroom but no permanent seating. They also generally have hotdogs and snacks for purchase!

Lake Wales, FL: Spook Hill! The legend of Spook Hill is ripe with Native American lore and details the battle between a Seminole Chief and a giant alligator. I'm not sure if my car rolls strangely because a noble Chief is protecting his village of if the ghost of a long dead gator is trying to eat me for breakfast. All I know is that for a few seconds my car defies gravity and my children giggle uncontrollably, never fail. No reservation needed, just park your car at the white line, throw it into neutral and let the spirits move you the wrong direction! I've turned this into a science lesson. First we read the legend and then we found the scientific explanation. Either way its a neat phenomenon. Located at N. Wales Dr, Lake wales, FL its a stones throw from here to Bok Tower (which is not free to visit but is totally worth an afternoon!).

Daytona Beach, FL: To be honest, I am not a huge fan of Daytona Beach, but I do find the idea of a drive in church service, very fun! My kids love to go to our local drive in movie theatre (yes! We have one!) so why not church? The Daytona Beach Drive In Christian Church offers two services on Sunday mornings (8:30 and 10am). There is even a 9:45 kindergarten-high school age children's church!

Christmas, FL: Feliz Navidad! Buon Natalie! Jouyeux Noel! Mele Kalikimaka! Merry Christmas! If you are ever out near Christmas, FL do yourself a favor and check out the tacky Christmas decorations (mail your Christmas cards from their post office for a Christmas postmark)!

Christmas is also home to the self titled, worlds biggest alligator-which is really a huge alligator shaped building in front of Jungle Adventure. Seeing the giant gator is free but Jungle Adventure does have an entrance fee.

Kenansville, FL: This one has an expiration date!! Wild Florida (3301 Lake Cypress Rd) is offering free admission to their gator park until the end of 2017 to celebrate their anniversary!! The free admission is just to their gator park so you will have to pay extra for a ride on an airboat- but worth it! 

Tarpon Springs, FL: The sponge docks of Tarpon Springs are really neat! They are surrounded by Greek restaurants and attractions centered on the sponge fishing industry. So take a walk on the docks and see the big fishing boats bring in their catch. Go during the Arts and crafts festival (this year it is Labor Day weekend) or the Christmas boat parade (12/1/17) and check out this fun family friendly atmosphere!

Pensecola, FL: So from central Florida this one is probably more of a weekend getaway than a day trip. The National Naval Aviation Museum is on base in Pensecola and is free to visit! You do have to go through base security so give yourself some extra time especially if there is a Blue Angels practice session happening that day!!

These are some of my favorite silly, free, roadside attractions. What are some of yours? Send me a message or find us on facebook and let me know what I missed! There is a world of things to experience with your children out there that wont break the bank! So, Go! Have an adventure!