Floridiana Magazine

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24 Florida Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day

On Sunday, May 14, moms around the country will be treated to flowers, candy, and other gifts for Mother’s Day.  While those are splendid choices and are greatly appreciated, we have put together a list of some of our favorite places to celebrate a memorable day.  Whether it’s a park, a botanical garden, an “old Florida” attraction, a bite to eat, or a refreshing beverage, any one of these Florida-style treats will surely put a smile on your mom’s face.

***Click on each of the locations to learn more.

Florida Parks for Mother’s Day

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park – Located about 19 miles southeast of Gainesville, this park celebrates the Pulitzer prize-winning author of The Yearling. Take your mom on a tour of Rawlings’ homestead and learn about her life in Cross Creek.

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Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Home in Cross Creek | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Dudley Farm Historic State Park, Newberry – Dudley Farm is a living history farm from the late 1800s that comes alive with activity on certain days of the year.  There are no special events scheduled for Mother’s Day, but you can still take your mom on a self-guided tour.

Dudley Farm | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Ft. Christmas Historical Park, Christmas – This historical park in east Orange County features a full-size replica of Fort Christmas as well as a living history settlement. Fort Christmas provides a look back at the role the community played during the Second Seminole War.

Homeland Heritage Park, Polk County – Located just outside of Bartow, this is the only historical park in Polk County. The five-acre park is home to original buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s, all donated and moved to this location. Walk around the grounds, take a look at the Homeland School, the Homeland Methodist Church, or the old pole barn.  This is perfect for a leisurely afternoon with mom.

Blue Spring State Park, Orange City – Although one of the best times to visit Blue Spring State Park is during manatee season, this park is the largest spring on the St. John’s River and encompasses more than 2,600 acres. Walk along the river, take a boat tour, or visit the Thursby House. This is a great place for those nature-loving moms.

De Leon Springs State Park, Volusia County – Does your mom like canoeing?  Hiking?  Swimming in the springs?  How about pancakes?  That’s right.  You can find all of the above at DeLeon Springs State Park. The Sugar Mill Restaurant at the park is a favorite among guests and will probably be a big hit on Mother’s Day.  Each table has a griddle and you pour and flip your own pancakes from pitchers of pancake batter delivered the table.  If you plan on eating at the restaurant, expect a wait. Not to worry, there are plenty of other things to do until your table is ready.

Silver Springs State Park, Ocala – Although it is considered to be Florida’s first attraction, Silver Springs has evolved with time. However, one thing that has stayed the same is the glass-bottom boat ride.  This 30-minute excursion will be a relaxing way for mom to spend some time. After the boat ride, a boardwalk and other trails provide opportunities to walk through the park.

Fort Desoto Park, Pinellas County – Whether you visit the fort or the beach, this is a popular spot for moms (and the whole family)! Get a close up look at the mortars, learn about the historical significance during the Civil War, or take along a blanket and umbrella and lounge at the beach.

The beach at Fort Desoto Park | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Wakulla Springs State Park – Wakulla Springs State Park incorporates 6,000 acres includes a lodge, one of the largest springs in the world, a nature trail, and a river tour that offers an up-close look at the wildlife along the Wakulla River. A restaurant in the lodge offers a great setting for a Mother’s Day lunch.

Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens, Port Orange – Dunlawton is a 12-acre mix of gardens and Florida history.  Take mom through the gardens to see the old sugar mill or sculptures from Bongoland, a tourist attraction from the 1940s and 50s that featured animals, an Indian village, and a series of dinosaurs created out of chicken wire and concrete.

Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando – Although this is a great place to visit any time, Leu Gardens is offering free admission for moms on Mother’s Day.  Take a leisurely stroll along the winding walkways through 50 acres of camellias, magnolias, ferns, and other botanical beauties. Picnics and blankets are not allowed in the park, and be sure to leave your pets at home.

Leu Gardens | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Old Florida Attractions for Mother’s Day

The Citrus Tower, Clermont – Built in 1956 on one of the highest hills along the ridge, the Florida Citrus Tower has recently had some upgrades and added a new coffee shop to the lobby.  Ride the elevator to the top and treat mom to the greatest view in the area.

Florida Citrus Tower | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Presidents Hall of Fame, Clermont – In the shadows of the Citrus Tower, this oldie but goodie gives a comprehensive look at all of the U.S. presidents, from George Washington to Donald Trump.  In addition to the wax figures, there’s an impressive replica of the White House, as well as other artifacts and presidential memorabilia.  Test mom’s presidential knowledge!

Solomon’s Castle, Ona – Because all moms should visit a castle on Mother’s Day!  Solomon’s Castle is a shining three-story structure in the middle of a swamp. The late Howard Solomon was the creative genius behind this castle who used aluminum printing plates from the local newspaper for the exterior of the castle and filled the inside with his artwork, all made from recycled materials.

Solomon’s Castle | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Boyett’s Grove and Citrus Attraction, Brooksville – Boyett’s Grove and Citrus Attraction not only offers delicious citrus fruit, but also a nostalgic look at Florida oddities, along with a walk on the wild side. This Mother’s Day adventure is sure to fill mom’s day with an experience she won’t soon forget!

Trapper Nelson’s Zoo and Jungle Gardens, Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Hobe Sound – Did you know Florida had its own Tarzan?  Learn about Trapper Nelson and his zoo on this island accessible only by boat.  Treat your mom to a relaxing tour boat ride to the site where you will see remnants of Trapper Nelson’s eccentric lifestyle.

Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, Maitland – The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey has been treating, rehabilitating, and releasing raptors since 1979. However, the Center also provides an educational, yet closeup view and stories of birds that are now permanent residents.

Restaurants, Wineries and Distilleries to Take Your Mom for Mother’s Day

Cherry Pocket, Lake Wales – Situated on the banks of Lake Pierce, Cherry Pocket is laid back and unpretentious. The restaurant bills itself as a “steak, seafood shak and oyster bar.”  From the appetizers to the entrees, the food is made from fresh ingredients and is cooked to order. The desserts are all homemade.

Kappy’s Subs, Maitland – Living in Central Florida, this is one of our favorite casual places to eat.  Place your order at the walk-up window, then sit in your car in the limited covered parking outside or have a seat at one of the picnic tables for that true outdoor Florida feel.  If your mom would rather sit inside out of the heat, there is a counter inside with limited seating.

Angel’s Dining Car, Palatka – Billed as the state’s oldest diner, Angel’s Dining Car is actually an old train dining car converted into a restaurant. Like other restaurants, Angel’s has its specialties.  Their onion rings are a must-have.  Treat mom to a Black Bottom – scrambled eggs, bacon and ground beef on a bun or a Pusalow – a chocolate frosty drink that tastes a lot like a Yoo-hoo.

Angel’s Diner | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Andy’s Drive-In, Winter Haven – Andy’s has been serving up meals for nearly 70 years and is a favorite gathering place for locals. From the iconic sign in the parking lot to the retro interior, Andy’s serves up a comfortable, home-like atmosphere. On the menu: burgers, seafood, steaks and ice cream.  Of course, don’t forget to top off your meal with one of their delicious award-winning milkshakes.

Goodrich Seafood and Oyster House, Oak Hill – Treat mom to some great seafood and relaxing views at Goodrich Seafood and Oyster House on the Mosquito Lagoon.  Whether it’s a smoked fish dip, cup of chowder or golden fried oysters on a toasted hoagie roll, the food is delicious and the service is outstanding.

Lakeridge Winery, Clermont – If mom likes jazz, Lakeridge Winery is the place to be on Mother’s Day.  Lakeridge offers its Weekends at the Winery, so get mom a glass of wine and let her sit and sip and enjoy the music on the outdoor stage.

Lakeridge Winery, make it a Mother’s Day tradition | Photo by Doris Keeler

Richloam General Store – We can’t forget one of our favorite places to visit off the beaten path near Webster. This little store has been restored to the way it was more than 80 years ago and sells items from the time period. Do you still want to get mom a gift?  She is sure to find something in here she likes.

Richloam General Store | Photo by Doris Keeler, Floridiana Magazine

Florida is home to a lot of great places to take your mom, whether it’s on Mother’s Day or any day of the year. Whatever you choose to do, make it memorable.  Happy Mother’s Day!

Year in Review: Florida Travels

Over the past year, we have traveled the state looking for those places that represent the history and the heritage of Florida, as well as the spirit and the characteristics that make it home.  We covered a lot of ground in 2018 and hope you have joined us on some of our journeys.  Here are the highlights of the year, along with embedded links to the original posts.

Punta Gorda

Punta Gorda – It’s Happening on the Harbor – a motto that doesn’t disappoint.  Situated along the shores where the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor meet, Punta Gorda provides an eclectic mix of things to see and do: a relaxing waterfront, historic buildings, educational mural walk and a variety of shops and restaurants.

Check out our article for plenty of ideas to make your trip one to remember.

Richloam General Store

Sometimes you are lucky to stumble upon a Florida gem simply by venturing away from the highways and taking the backroads.  Such is the case with the Richloam General Store, tucked away in the Withlacoochee State Forest in Hernando County.  Definitely off the beaten path, but one of our favorite places we visited in 2018!  The store was built in 1920 and is the oldest historical building still standing in the Richloam area.  Staying true to the time period, it offers goods you would have seen in the 20s and 30s.  The store is open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Read more about Richloam here and make plans to visit.

Sugar Sand Distillery, Inc., Lake Placid

When you think of Florida, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?  Maybe it’s the sunshine, or the beautiful beaches, or maybe even the theme parks, but have you thought about the wineries, or craft breweries, or even craft distilleries?  One of the newest distilleries in the state is Sugar Sand Distillery on Henscratch Road in Lake Placid.  Billed as Florida’s only estate grown sugar cane distillery, it opened its doors for tours and tastings less than a year ago.  It may be off the beaten path, but it’s worth the stop.

Click here to learn more about Sugar Sand.

The Orange Shop, Citra

Tucked away in North Central Florida, between Ocala and Hawthorne, is the small town of Citra.  Known as the home of the pineapple orange, Citra was founded in 1881 in an area where citrus was prominent.  While that is part of the town’s history, it isn’t the only unique feature about Citra.  It is also the home of The Orange Shop, one of the last true roadside citrus stands in Florida.  In business since 1936, the owners are third-generation growers who continue to harvest fruit from groves that have been producing since the Civil War.

Learn more about The Orange Shop and put it on your calendar before June first.

Things to See and Do in Apalachicola

Apalachicola is one of our favorite places to visit.  While some of the things we featured in our original post may not be exactly as they were prior to Hurricane Michael in October, it is still an amazing coastal town you don’t want to miss.  Apalachicola is up and running again and there are plenty of things to see and do.  As its name translates, it is the “land of the friendly people.”

Put it on your list of places to see in 2019!

Caladium Festival, Lake Placid

Florida is home to many festivals, ranging from the absurd to the logical.  By definition, festivals celebrate something unique about a community or its culture.  For the central Florida town of Lake Placid, that uniqueness is its designation as “Caladium Capital of the World.”  The idea for the Caladium Festival came from the Highlands County Tourist Development Commission as a way to promote the industry and, at the same time, create an event to bring visitors into town.

Make sure to mark your calendars for the 2019 festival on July 26, 27, and 28, but don’t wait until then to visit this gem of a town.

Bat Houses at University of Florida

Did you know that Florida is home to the world’s largest occupied bat houses?  In fact, they have become quite the nightly attraction.  The first bat house was built in 1991 to provide a new “home” for a colony of bats that were left homeless after a fire destroyed Johnson Hall in 1987.  There are now three bat houses with an estimated 400,000 bats now occupying these dwellings.  They are located on Museum Road at the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, just across from Lake Alice.  Take a look at the experience, then plan it for yourself!

Honors System Businesses

During our travels in 2018, we came across several businesses operating on the honors system, where collection boxes are used as the only means to pay.  It may sound like a risky venture, but the business owners we talked to told us most people are good and honest.  Most of the honors system businesses we found were local honey stands, all located along back roads, or along highways through the rural parts of the state. These businesses are reminiscent of a much simpler time in Florida and you can read more about them here.

Lake Wales, Florida

Known as the Crown Jewel of the Ridge, Lake Wales sits in the center of the state, just off Highway 27 and State Road 60.  With its historic roots, its quirky qualities, and its persona of a small city with a hometown atmosphere, Lake Wales is a true Floridiana find.  Whether you are taking a trip into downtown, visiting the tower on the hill, or participating in any number of festivals and celebrations, nostalgia and culture abound. Take a peek at some of the things you can do here.

Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum

Before there were towns, or roads or railroads, there was the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse.  This red and black lighthouse has been lighting the way along Florida’s East Coast since July 10, 1860.  Built on a natural sand hill, the lighthouse itself is 108 feet tall and can be seen 24 miles out at sea.  In 1973 the lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, then in 1974, it was opened to public tours by the Loxahatchee River Historical Society.  Before you even get inside, there are 34 steps you have to climb just to get to the base of the lighthouse.  Those are the easy ones.  Once inside, there are 105 steep iron stairs. Once at the top, the views are breathtaking!  You can see some of them in our original post.  

Boyett’s Grove and Citrus Attraction

What started as a fruit stand more than 55 years ago, has evolved into a classic Florida roadside attraction that still draws visitors today.  Located on the top of a hill in Brooksville, Boyette’s Grove and Citrus Attraction not only offers delicious citrus fruit, but also a nostalgic look at Florida oddities, along with a walk on the wild side. You have to see it to believe it!

Trapper Nelson’s Zoo and Jungle Garden

Three miles down the Loxahatchee River, where it meanders through the Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound, is Trapper Nelson’s Zoo and Jungle Garden, or what is left of it.  Trapper Nelson (aka Vincent Natulkiewicz), known as the “Wildman of the Loxahatchee,” turned his property along the river into a wildlife zoo in the mid-1940s, and for the next 15 years or so, visitors from around the world visited to see him wrestle alligators and wrap himself up in snakes.

Check out our post about Trapper Nelson, then make plans to take the tour for yourself and spend the day at the Jonathan Dickinson State Park.  Note, the site is accessible only by canoe, boat or by tour boat.

FM Notes

We hope you have enjoyed our travels as much as we have.  We wish you a happy and healthy 2019 and hope it is filled with fun Florida travels!