Does your idea of "paradise" involve mermaids, treasure, dolphins friends, really strong and fruity rum-laced cocktails, and Hulk Hogan? If so, then welcome to Florida! The state's warm weather and sandy shores have made the state into one of the most popular vacation destinations. In fact, I'd venture to say that the touristy kitsch, originally meant to lure in those from out of town, is pretty much the defining culture of the state. The tourist attractions, which feel reminiscent of the 50s, 60s, and 70s, have become the "real" Florida. There really is no lack of offbeat and quirky kitsch to amuse during a trip to the Sunshine State. Here's a guide to our favorite quirky and offbeat tourist attractions that bring the retro fun in Florida!
Florida comes by its kitsch honestly. Back in the day, everything was a lot cheesier compared to what we think of as normal today. In fact, I sincerely believe that the things we think of as cool today will be considered lame in the future. It's hard to imagine a world where "The Sopranos" is seen as cheesy, but I believe it's coming. Anyways, "Flipper" was a 1963 movie about a boy who saves a dolphin, which he names Flipper, and the fact that the kid's dad, a fisherman, disapproves of his friendship with Flipper, because dolphins eat fish. It was later turned into a TV show, which was a spiritual, beachy successor to "Lassie". Flipper in the film was played by Mitzi, an incredibly talented trained bottlenose dolphin. Mitzi died in the 1970s at the age of 14, and was buried at the Dolphin Research Center, formerly Santini's Porpoise School, where she was trained. You can see her grave, and maybe even meet the offspring of two of the other stunt-dolphins from the movie.
Miami, FL, United States
One of the most famous examples of Florida kitsch is the Southernmost Point Buoy at the edge of Key West, denoting the point that is the furthest South in the entire US... it's only 90 miles to Cuba from the tip of Florida! Cincinnati and Columbus are further apart than Key West and Cuba. There's often a long line of tourists here, waiting to snap a shot with the concrete buoy that was put in place in 1983... but what a lot of people don't know is that this isn't technically the southernmost point. It's actually about 10 miles north of the real spot, which is on Ballast Key, and is US Navy property. Civilians are strictly prohibited from the actual point, so the buoy was put up. Also, the whole "90 miles" thing isn't totally accurate either... it's actually 94 miles to Cuba from the closest point. So, at the end of the day, this wildly popular attraction is basically devoid of any meaning... other than the fact that it's still the most photographed thing in all of Key West. This is Florida kitsch to a T... but don't let its cheesy uselessness deter you from taking a picture here! You kind of have to when you visit; it's just one of those things.