University of Florida Bat Houses, Gainesville

We all know about the University of Florida’s gators, but did you know the school is home to a bevy of bats? Twenty-five years ago, employees with the UF environmental health and safety office constructed homes for free-range bats that were living in concrete bleachers and Linder Tennis Stadium. (Bats, which devour close to 2.5 billion bugs in one night, help reduce the mosquito count.) So, UF built a bat house and 200,000 bats showed up. Since then, they’ve added a bat barn, growing the bat population to more than 300,000. Now grateful Gainesville residents and visitors watch the winged creatures of the night take flight from their homes, located near beautiful Lake Alice. Show up a few minutes before dusk on a clear and warm night and watch these critters take off. flmnh.ufl.edu/index.php/bats/home/

Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales

Conceived by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edward W. Bok in 1929, this Polk County attraction is a National Historic landmark, dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge. Celebrated Philadelphia architects and artisans designed its 205-foot neo Gothic tower which contains a 60-bell carillon and hosts daily concerts. Surrounding this iconic landmark are acres of ferns, palms, oaks, pines and seasonal flowers. Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., who worked on The White House, Central Park and the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C., also designed the botanical gardens here. Bok’s desire was to create an outdoor sanctuary that would serve as “a spot of beauty second to none in the country.” boktowergardens.org

Downtown Opa-Locka

A mere 12 miles north of the bustling activity (and gridlock) of Miami is Opa-Locka, a city with just 16,000 residents. Aviation pioneer Glenn H. Curtiss developed Opa-Locka in the mid 1920s, with a Moorish revival theme, inspired by the famous tales from One Thousand and One Arabian Nights. Although more than 70 buildings downtown maintain this architecture style with domes, minarets and outside staircases, the city hall is a stand out (however what’s going on inside the building at the beginning of 2016, with allegations of corruption, is kind of ugly). Some of the city’s streets are even named after themes from Arabian Nights. History Miami Museum named Opa-Locka the most unique architectural community in South Florida. olcdc.org/preserve.php

Coral Castle Museum, Homestead

Anyone who’s nursed a broken heart—and happens to be driving down US 1 en route to Key West—will appreciate a pit stop at Coral Castle Museum. Amateur sculptor Edward Leedskalnin channeled heartbreak into a work of art in 1923. Engaged to his one true love, Agnes Scuffs, whom he affectionately called “Sweet Sixteen,” Leedskalnin was completely devastated when she pretty much left him standing at the altar. He spent more than 28 years single-handedly constructing his castle from more 1,100 tons of coral rock. The castle is an engineering wonder with a 9-ton gate, a Polaris telescope and functioning rocking chairs, all made entirely of stone. Billy Idol even recorded his song Sweet Sixteen as a tribute to Leedskalnin’s architectural feat. coralcastle.com

The Bubble Room, Captiva Island

The vibe in Captiva is wonderfully low-key and tropical, making visitors feel like they may not quite be in the United States. Since 1979, The Bubble Room on Captiva maintains a flip-flop-friendly attitude. With just a handful of tables, the restaurant launched in the modest front room of the Farqhuarson family home. Years later, the captivating restaurant features fun-to-spot whimsical decorations, including year-round Christmas lights and decorations, as well as model trains and toys from the 30s and 40s. “Bubble Scouts,” wait staff dressed in scout uniforms with unique patches to match their personalities, serve guests comfort food, such as the Some Like It Hot Hot Hot shrimp skewers and Orange Crunch cake.  bubbleroomrestaurant.com