Off The Grid Places to Visit in Florida

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One of my very favorite things to do is go on day trips. Hubby and I will make “Date Day” plans to hop in the car and go down roads not traveled as much. There is so much to see and do in Central Florida then visit the house the mouse built. Come and enjoy the travels we have made.

Before we leave for the day we make sure all maps are set on the GPS, my camera bag has a charged camera and lens needed, plenty of water and a few snacks. Hubby will also make sure the car is ready to head down the road by checking all the fluids.

When we need an oil change, we make sure to head down to our local Walmart Automotive Care Center before we head out. Since it opens at 7 am, we can get our oil changed, grab a few last minute essentials for the day and be out on the road in about an hour.

Getting our oil changed at Walmart saves us money because right now there are roll back prices on Pennzoil® High Mileage Vehicle® for $35.88 from $39.88. The service attendants are always courteous and so helpful. They answer any questions we may have about the services they just performed and will also let us know if there is any other services which needs to be done to our car.

We have a 2002 Honda CVR with over 150,000 miles on it, so we use Pennzoil High Mileage oil made specially for high mileage cars like ours and for any car over 75,000 miles. This oil helps clean out sludge lesser oils leave behind while also helping to reduce leaks and oil consumption in worn or higher mileage engines.

Follow us on the back roads of Central Florida:

Gatorland – When you come to the deep south, you will hear about gators. Gatorland is a 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve in Florida, located along South Orange Blossom Trail south of Orlando. We had so much fun with the oldest Florida attraction. There is so much to see and do at a very reasonable price. Don’t forget to try the Zip Line over the gator marsh and try some yummy gator tail!

County Fairs – Depending on the time of the year you come to Florida, there are over 50+ fairs to choose from a year. My favorite is the Strawberry Festival held in Plant City, FL. We also love to visit the local county fairs with rides, food, livestock competitions and exhibits, agricultural exhibits, arts and crafts and live entertainment provide an exciting day for the entire family..

The Bok Singing Tower – If you enjoy beautiful gardens, Bok Tower is the place to go.  A National Historic Landmark, lush gardens, and bird sanctuary located north of Lake Wales, Florida where you can listen to music played by a carillon. We love visiting there in the early part of the year when all the azaleas and camellias are blooming.

Spook Hill – After you leave Bok Tower, you must drive into Lake Wales and go to Spook Hill. An optical illusion where cars appear to roll up the spooky hill. Yes, you read correctly. You put your car in neutral on the line painted on the street, let off the brake and your car will roll up a hill backwards! Its really worth the stop.

Florida Springs – There are 30+ springs in Florida and the most springs in the US. Several have great swimming areas, picnic areas, rent canoes, take a boat tour and some also offer caves for divers to look around in. Many manatees stop by a few of these springs in the Central Florida Gulf coast area during the winter. Looking for a cool place to go in the summer, check out one of Florida’s springs.

Untouched Florida – On the Gulf coast in Central Florida, Citrus County is the perfect place to see Florida in its true form. There are several back roads which will take you to the Gulf where you can see untouched areas and some old fishing towns.

Beautiful Beaches – Pinellas County offers several nice beaches which aren’t as crowded as the more popular beaches in Florida. If you love Greek food, stop by Tarpon Springs and also visit the sponge docks or take their walking tour of the area.

Marjorie Rawlings Home – The author of the Pulitzer Prize winning book, The Yearling, is located in Hawthorne, just a few miles south of Gainsville. What a story this authors homestead has to tell. If you love her books or just love visiting old homes, be sure to turn off the highway and stop for a visit. Be sure to check times they are open and take the $3.00 very informative guided tour of the grounds.

A Friendly Reminder:  Anytime you are in Florida and near water, other than the beach, be on the look out for gators.  Don’t feed them or molest them.  I know you have better use for the $500 on your visit to our fine state then to have to pay a fine.

Do you take off the grid trips?

Enjoy,

Tammy

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