Explore Central Florida with Atlas Obscura: Exploring Unique & Hidden Places
Every time I embark on a vacation, a thrill of anticipation runs through me as I open the Atlas Obscura app, igniting my sense of adventure with its promise of unique and spine-tingling wonders. Let me introduce you to the captivating world of Atlas Obscura—a global community of explorers who have woven together a comprehensive and user-friendly database, revealing the world's most wondrous places and foods. With over 26,800 extraordinary locations and delectable delights contributed by its community, Atlas Obscura showcases the eccentric, the eerie, and the mesmerizing that lie hidden in plain sight.
As an explorer's haven, Atlas Obscura takes you on a journey like no other, from a secret apartment perched atop the iconic Eiffel Tower to bridges grown from living roots. Revel in the peculiar architecture of a temple shaped like a chicken or set foot on an island ruled by a quirky feline royalty. The fascination doesn't stop at sightseeing; tantalize your taste buds with fruits that taste like chocolate pudding or experience a spicy chutney crafted from red ants. Such a captivating blend of oddities and marvels brings to life the richness of our planet's diversity.
But Atlas Obscura is more than just a collection of locations and tastes; it's a portal to extraordinary stories. As a publisher of exceptional journalism, the platform unravels the tales behind these hidden places, diving into incredible histories, scientific wonders, and gastronomical marvels that leave you spellbound.
Venturing beyond the digital realm, Atlas Obscura also hosts local experiences and events, creating intimate, wondrous gatherings for their community in various U.S. cities. These events offer exclusive access to back-room tours and workshops with some of the world's most remarkable individuals, allowing you to savor the rarest experiences right in your own community.
And if you seek to venture beyond the local and experience the farthest reaches of awe-inspiring destinations, Atlas Obscura leads unforgettable trips. Their small-group adventures take you to the most extraordinary places on Earth, from the mountaintop temples of Bhutan to the enigmatic ruins of Meroe in Sudan. Not only do these journeys showcase the breathtaking landscapes but also invite you into the kitchens of renowned local chefs from Mexico to Italy, indulging in a symphony of flavors.
Best of all, this treasure trove of exploration is freely accessible—a website and app waiting to ignite your curiosity and unravel the mysteries of your local community or the places you visit across the globe. So, venture forth with Atlas Obscura and immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Central Florida. Unearth the extraordinary, ignite your wanderlust, and join the global community of intrepid explorers with Atlas Obscura by your side!
After returning home from an adventurous vacation, where I had the pleasure of exploring all the fascinating, weird, and obscure places in Chicago and Milwaukee, I was bubbling with excitement to delve into the unique hidden gems of my beloved hometown, Lakeland. Naturally, I turned to Atlas Obscura, the ultimate guide to offbeat wonders around the world. However, to my surprise, there were only two places marked on the map for Lakeland.
As a born and raised local, I knew that our city is brimming with weird and wonderful spots that deserved to be showcased to travelers passing through. So, I took it upon myself to become a local ambassador and enrich the Atlas Obscura map with the cool and captivating places that make Lakeland a true gem for anyone seeking adventure and fascination.
Lakeland
Lakeland Antique Mall - If you ever wanted to own a piece of Disney World or Universal Studios? This is the place to shop!
“Child of the Sun” Campus - A Florida college boasts the world's largest single-site collection of structures designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
The Publix Cake Water Tower (LKLDlense Added) - A towering steel behemoth that has graced the skyline of Lakeland, Florida since the early 1980s.
The Polk Theatre (LKLDlense Added) - Historical landmark that has been a central hub of entertainment since 1928.
Winter Haven / Auburndale
Jack Browns Seaplane - Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base is not just a tiny and incredibly busy airport. It is also a monument to a man who believed that every person should get to enjoy the thrill of holding the throttle on a single-engine seaplane.
Bartow
Grave of “America’s Oldest Man” - Charlie Smith was almost certainly not 137 years old when he died, but why let that get in the way of a great story?
Wonder House - Given just one more year to live, Conrad Schuck built his dream house in Bartow, Florida.
Lake Wales
Spook Hill - Known as a magnetic hill, anti-gravity location or simply a “gravity hill” (there are hundreds around the world) a car, placed in neutral, will appear to roll uphill. Before the age of automobiles, horses would supposedly struggle to go downhill. The town embraces and officially recognizes the hill’s curious properties.
Bok Tower Gardens - Bok Tower Gardens was Edward Bok’s gift to the American people. The property encompasses Iron Mountain, one of the highest points in Florida. The carillon tower was built atop the 295-foot high hill. Within the tower is one of the world’s finest carillons, a bell-based instrument and the heaviest of all musical instruments. The site also houses the world’s largest carillon library, with books, articles, recordings, music scores, slides, and photographs only on carillons.
Polk City
Fantasy of Flight - Owner and founder of Fantasy of Flight, Kermit Weeks, has amassed an armada of over 100 aircraft that visitors can see up close and, very often, in flight. Possibly the most remarkable feature of the huge airplane collection is that most of the craft are still operational.
Dade City
Florida’s Volkswagon Graveyard - Off Route 301 in Florida (Which runs from Sarasota to Jacksonville) was a VW graveyard called “Disney World for Volkswagen enthusiasts” itself recently got killed off. Run by owner Leroy “Corky” Yager, Corky has been collecting VWs since 1986 and had somewhere in the range of 800 vehicles on his property. Yager would sell needed parts to VW owners while buying old Bugs, Ghias, Buses, and other VW vehicles and restoring them. People came from across the country to see the cars, and the cars themselves were a treasure trove of parts no longer being produced.
Pioneer Florida Museum & Village - One-room schoolhouses, butter churns, and steam engines probably aren’t the first things that are associated with the Sunshine State, but they’re an important part of its history and culture—and you can see them all firsthand at the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village.
If you're craving even more extraordinary adventures in Florida, let Atlas Obscura be your ultimate guide. Delve into a realm of curated custom itineraries crafted by their expert team of intrepid explorers. These thoughtfully designed journeys will lead you through a tapestry of wonders, immersing you in the most awe-inspiring places and untold stories. Whether you're seeking a spine-tingling journey through the eerie and enigmatic or a culinary odyssey of delectable delights, Atlas Obscura's custom itineraries have something to enthrall every curious soul. Embark on a mesmerizing odyssey with the assurance that each moment will be cherished, leaving you with unforgettable memories to share for a lifetime.
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