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Here are 5 Hidden Gems & Local Favorites for each of the top 10 cities in Florida:

JACKSONVILLE

  1. Bold Bean Coffee Roasters on Hendricks – San Marco’s favorite coffee spot where locals gather for expertly roasted beans and community vibes.
  2. The Cummer Museum Gardens – Stunning riverfront gardens with centuries-old oaks and formal Italian and English gardens, often overlooked by tourists.
  3. Tree Hill Nature Center – A 50-acre urban wilderness with boardwalks through wetlands and rescued birds of prey.
  4. Hawkers Asian Street Food – Riverside’s bustling spot for authentic Southeast Asian dishes, always packed with locals.
  5. Big Talbot Island’s Boneyard Beach – Dramatic driftwood and fallen oaks create a hauntingly beautiful beach landscape.

MIAMI

  1. Robert Is Here Fruit Stand – A Homestead institution since 1960, offering exotic tropical fruits, milkshakes, and a petting zoo.
  2. Vizcaya’s Secret Garden – While tourists tour the mansion, locals know the mangrove forest trail behind the estate.
  3. Los Pinareños Fruteria – Little Havana’s authentic Cuban cafeteria where locals get cortaditos and croquetas at sidewalk windows.
  4. The Barnacle Historic State Park – Coconut Grove’s oldest house with peaceful bayside trails, far from South Beach crowds.
  5. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s Rare Plant House – A climate-controlled greenhouse showcasing unusual plants, beloved by local plant enthusiasts.

TAMPA

  1. Ulele Spring – Dine beside the natural spring where Ulele’s pumps water, featuring Native-inspired Florida cuisine.
  2. Lowry Park’s Manatee Viewing Center – Free viewing area where locals watch manatees gather in winter at the warm-water discharge.
  3. Oxford Exchange – A beautifully designed bookstore-café-gift shop in Hyde Park, perfect for Sunday brunch.
  4. Sparkman Wharf – Channelside’s shipping container food hall with waterfront views, where locals hang out.
  5. Lettuce Lake Regional Park Boardwalk – A stunning elevated boardwalk through cypress swamps teeming with wildlife.

ORLANDO

  1. Leu Gardens – 50 acres of botanical gardens with Florida’s largest formal rose garden, a peaceful escape from theme parks.
  2. East End Market – Audubon Park’s artisan food hall featuring local producers, farmers, and the famous Gideon’s Bakehouse line.
  3. Wekiwa Springs State Park – Crystal-clear springs perfect for swimming and kayaking, where locals cool off in summer.
  4. Stardust Coffee’s Park Ave Location – Winter Park’s beloved local roaster with a cozy patio under oak trees.
  5. The Enzian Theater – A unique cinema serving food and drinks to your seat, showcasing independent and foreign films.

ST. PETERSBURG

  1. North Shore Park’s Sunset – Locals gather here instead of the pier for spectacular sunsets over Tampa Bay.
  2. The Sunken Gardens – A 100-year-old botanical paradise in the heart of downtown, lovingly maintained and surprisingly affordable.
  3. Red Mesa Cantina – Central Avenue’s festive spot for creative tacos and margaritas, always buzzing with locals.
  4. The Saturday Morning Market – Downtown’s massive farmers market where St. Pete residents shop for produce and breakfast.
  5. Pass-a-Grille Beach’s South End – The quieter, less crowded end of St. Pete Beach where locals lay out their towels.

HIALEAH

  1. Vicky Bakery – The local chain serving authentic Cuban pastries, croquetas, and café con leche at every location.
  2. Amelia Earhart Park – A massive county park with lakes, bike trails, and a petting farm, beloved by Hialeah families.
  3. La Carreta – The original location of this Cuban restaurant institution, serving traditional dishes since 1976.
  4. Milander Park – Community gatherings, weekend festivals, and the heart of Hialeah’s Cuban culture.
  5. El Palacio de los Jugos – A sprawling market and restaurant serving fresh sugarcane juice and traditional Cuban fare.

TALLAHASSEE

  1. Wakulla Springs State Park – One of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs with glass-bottom boat tours and swimming.
  2. Canopy Roads – Scenic drives under ancient live oak canopies draped with Spanish moss, especially beautiful on Old St. Augustine Road.
  3. The Crum Box Gastgarden – Railroad Square’s shipping container food hall with local vendors and outdoor seating.
  4. Bradley’s Country Store – A 1920s general store famous for homemade sausage, cracklins, and Southern hospitality.
  5. St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge – Coastal trails and a historic lighthouse where locals spot migrating birds and dolphins.

FORT LAUDERDALE

  1. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park – A lush barrier island park with beach access, kayaking, and shaded trails away from the crowds.
  2. Colada Shop – A Cuban café chain locals love for guava pastries, croquetas, and strong coffee.
  3. Secret Woods Nature Center – Boardwalks through pristine wetlands in Dania Beach, perfect for spotting wildlife.
  4. Las Olas Sunday Jazz Brunch at Various Venues – Locals know to hit the jazz brunches along Las Olas Boulevard.
  5. Anne Kolb Nature Center – West Lake Park’s mangrove trails and observation tower overlooking the Intracoastal.

PORT ST. LUCIE

  1. Savannas Preserve State Park – Ten miles of trails through rare Florida scrub habitat, perfect for hiking and kayaking.
  2. Sprouts Farmers Market – Where locals shop for organic produce and artisan goods in a neighborhood atmosphere.
  3. PGA Village – Three championship golf courses where residents tee off without tourist prices.
  4. Veterans Memorial Park at Rivergate – Waterfront park with a fishing pier, playgrounds, and peaceful river views.
  5. Tradition Town Center – The community gathering spot with restaurants, shops, and a weekly farmers market.

CAPE CORAL

  1. Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve – Kayak through mangrove tunnels and spot manatees, dolphins, and birds.
  2. Nevermind Bar – A quirky neighborhood dive with killer wings and cold beer, beloved by locals.
  3. Rotary Park Environmental Center – Nature trails, a butterfly house, and educational exhibits about Southwest Florida ecosystems.
  4. The Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill – A waterfront spot where locals dock their boats for fresh seafood and drinks.
  5. Cape Coral Farmers Market – Saturday mornings bring local produce, baked goods, and crafts to downtown.
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