Offbeat Oddities

One-Day, Self-Guided, Mystery Road Trips
Embark on the quirkiest road trip in Central Florida! Historic homes with peculiar stories, off-the-beaten-path eateries, and funky trails & ruins will keep you engaged throughout the day.

Trip Highlights
— One of the most haunted destinations in Florida
— A waterside restaurant with an interesting view
— Feel like Indiana Jones on a unique trail
— Roadside ruins from the 1800s
— Enjoy a glass of local wine

Available to Depart
This trip is best done Wednesday - Sunday throughout the year.

Suggested For
— Paranormal enthusiasts
— Families with older kids
— Outdoor adventurers

Itinerary
Stop 1:
Start your day by visiting one of the most historic towns in Florida. Whether you opt to walk the grounds or brave going inside ($), the stories here are hauntingly interesting. Drive time to the second stop is 10-20 minutes.

Stop 2:
Enjoy a glass of wine with a picturesque view, head to another historic house (weekends only) or explore a unique cave trail. Drive time to the third stop is 20 minutes.

Stop 3:
Make friends with a manatee before heading to one of our lunch recommendations. They're equally as quirky! Drive time to the fourth stop is 10 minutes.

Stop 4:
Head out on a hike, learn the importance of a historic Indigenous site, grab an ice cream or shop 'till you drop on your way home!

Can Depart From:
— Tampa Area
— Orlando Area
— Lakeland Area
— Gainesville Area

What You'll Need to Bring:
— Camera
— Walking shoes
— Sunscreen
— Reusable shopping bag
— Bug spray
— Water

Additional Details:
— Kid-Friendly

Approximate Driving Distances:
— From Tampa: 2 hours and 55 minutes / 166 miles
— From Orlando: 3 hours and 50 minutes / 190 miles
— From Lakeland: 3 hours and 55 minutes / 172 miles
— From Gainesville: 3 hours and 35 minutes / 194 miles

This trip is best done between Wednesday - Sunday throughout the year. Our featured option on the first stop is open Tuesday - Saturday, but the grounds can still be explored on Sunday.

Our first stop has a super cool historic (and haunted) house tour that is totally worth doing! Tours start at 11 am, and the drive is ~ 1 hour from Tampa, ~1 hour and 15 minutes from Lakeland, and ~1.5 hours from Orlando. Please plan your departure time accordingly to get there early and grab a coffee first.

This trip is somewhat dog-friendly. There will be something on each stop for you to do, however, it may limit your exploration if your pet accompanies you.

We recommend bringing up to 5 people on your surprise road trip.

If you're bringing a larger group, we highly recommend having one person in charge of booking reservations at restaurants and attractions in advance. Please see the previous page for a copy of the digital itinerary.