Florida Hidden Gems (Tripadvisor): Indoor & Outdoor Ideas Near Orlando & Cocoa Beach

Outdoor Hidden Gems in Florida (Tripadvisor)

Quick pick: hidden beaches • wildlife sanctuaries • shaded boardwalks • off-the-beaten-path • less crowded

1. 1) McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary — West Palm Beach — Reservation-only big-cat & wildlife experience (intimate, educational).
2. 2) Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park — Key West — Civil War fort + sunset beach.
3. 3) St. Augustine Wild Reserve — St. Augustine — By-appointment wildlife tours (lesser-known).
4. 4) Navarre Beach — Navarre — Serene, uncrowded shoreline with wildlife.
5. 5) Naples Botanical Garden — Naples — 170 acres of tropical/subtropical beauty.
6. 6) Blue Spring State Park — Orange City — Trails & boardwalks; winter manatees (family-friendly).
7. 7) St. Andrews State Park — Panama City Beach — Beaches, dunes, piers, bikeable roads.
8. 8) Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary — Naples area — 2.25-mile elevated boardwalk (shaded, peaceful).
9. 9) Bean Point — Anna Maria Island — Scenic sands at the island’s tip (non-touristy vibe).
10. 10) Marie Selby Botanical Gardens — Sarasota — Bayfront epiphytes & canopy views.
11. 11) Fort De Soto Park — Tierra Verde — Historic fort, quiet beaches, bike trails.
12. 12) Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary — Jacksonville — Rescued big cats (mission-driven).
13. 13) Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve — Fort Myers — Elevated boardwalks over wetlands & lakes.
14. 14) Lovers Key State Park — Fort Myers Beach — Kayaking, shelling, birding (uncrowded).
15. 15) Sunken Gardens — St. Petersburg — Century-old tropical oasis (underrated stroll).
16. 16) Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center — Apollo Beach — Seasonal hotspot (Nov–Apr) (kid-friendly).
17. 17) Fort Clinch State Park — Fernandina Beach — Brick fortress + shoreline trails (quiet coastal history).