Historic sites and landmarks are a must on any travel list. Besides learning about the site, in most cases, you also get to explore what’s left of the historic buildings. These historic sites in Central Florida are some of the ones that we have fallen in love with.
On every road trip, at least one historic site is on our list – and sometimes even more. Because quite honestly, they’re fun for the whole family and make great Spring Break trips! Actually, it’s has been during springtime when we’ve visited the majority of the historic sites in Central Florida.
As a rule of thumb, please read the interpretive signs you will find along the way on all the historic sites. They’re meant to be read and they are very informative!
Historic Sites in Central Florida
Central Florida is huge! But for the sake of this list, these are really just our top favorites. Otherwise, we might just end up with too many places all at once.
Maitland Art Center
At just a few minutes from the Downtown Orlando area, finding this place gave us the same feeling as finding some kind of treasure – not that we’ve ever found one, of course – but you get the point. The Maitland Art Center actually became the first National Historic Landmark in the Greater Orlando Area back in 2014.
The Mayan Architectures of this site are completely stunning! Please take pictures when you go!
Plan your visit
Hours: Gallery opens Thursday – Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm, Grounds open daily from 11 am to 4 pm (except major holidays)
Fees: $6 – Main Campus Museum
Location: 231 W. Packwood Ave, Maitland FL 32751
Dade Battlefield Historic State Park
Being a fan of Florida’s State Parks, it’s no surprise why at least one made this list! But this park is different. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, and also known as the Dade Massacre site, it’s one of those places where you step back in time and relive history.
Also, there are special reenactments occurring annually at the park during the months of December or January. Please check with the park for updates.
Plan your visit
Hours: 8 am to sunset, every day of the year. Visitors Center opens 9 am to 5 pm.
Fees: $3 per vehicle
Location: 7200 Battlefield Parkway, Bushnell FL 33513
Ponce De Leon Lighthouse
It’s located 10 miles south of Daytona Beach and it’s close to our favorite beach spot in Atlantic Avenue. At 175 feet, it’s the tallest lighthouse in Florida and the second tallest masonry lighthouse in the United States. It definitely deserves a visit!
We’ve been here a couple of times and absolutely love this place. You can climb up to the top of the lighthouse – the view after climbing more than 200 steps won’t disappoint at all! Besides this, the museum is very cool!
p.s. I promise to look intensively for the museum pictures. Can’t find them 🙁
Plan your visit
Hours: Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. Opens from 10 am to 9 pm during summertime. (the last admission is one hour before closing)
Fees: $6.95 for adults, $1.95 for kids 11 and under, Children under 2 are admitted free.
Location: 4931 South Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet, FL 32127
Ybor City, a National Historic Landmark District
You can’t travel around Central Florida and miss Ybor City in Tampa. Known also as Cigar City, you’ll find so much more than what meets the eye! For starters, there are at least 956 historic buildings in Ybor City. Imagine that!
The first thing we recommend is to visit the Ybor City Museum State Park, located at the former Ferlita Bakery building. Tour guides take you inside a restored Casita – a former cigar worker’s house, and you can walk around the Mediterranean-style Garden.
In addition to this, the museum has some great self-guided exhibits as well as a video presentation which I personally loved.
Plan your visit
Museum Hours: Wednesday – Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.
Fees: $4 per person
Location: 1818 E. 9th Avenue, Tampa FL 33605
Mala Compra Plantation, an Archaeological Historic Site
This last one is also what we like to call a hidden gem, and it’s located in Palm Coast just off Florida’s Scenic Highway. A site with pretty amazing cultural and historic archeological value. You can walk around the boardwalk which features interpretive signs with the history of the site.
This is truly a historic site in Central Florida that you don’t want to miss!
Plan your visit
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Fees: Free
Location: Bing’s Landing County Park, 5862 N. Oceanshore Blvd., Palm Coast
Getting the chance to visit any of these historic sites in Central Florida is truly a great experience that everyone can enjoy!
Which one of these have you visited? Will any of these make your local travel bucket list?
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When visiting Ybor City, don’t leave without grabbing lunch or dinner at (New York New York Pizza) this one amazing pizza place.
Located at 1512 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
Thanks for sharing that! Almost forgot about that pizza!