Henry David Thoreau was a master wordsmith, a philosopher and a key figure in the Transcendentalist movement. He lived in solitude in nature, and his works inspired many to seek a greater existence.
Thoreau once said, “You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this.”
After giving this some thought, I am pretty confident he was referring to roadside attractions in our great nation.
Driving around the state of Florida is always an experience. Depending on which way you are headed, you just might stumble upon hilarity, weirdness or something genuinely interesting.
While roadside attractions are not as huge as they were when I was a kid — thanks to gas stations that now look more like Pottery Barn than a Stop & Go in 1981 — they are still out there, and they are worth a look when the opportunity knocks.
When I was a kid, the journey was just as important as the destination. I can think of some truly wild stops along the way. With technology and hyper-focused schedules, maybe we need to slow down.
When my family drove from Houston to Austin in the early 1980s, we stopped at a place called the Magic Time Machine. For a kid, it was about the coolest thing in dining.
The entire staff dressed as movie characters and superheroes and every table had a theme — spaceship, island or boat. It was amazing. You can still visit the Magic Time Machine today, though not at the original location.
Here in Florida, the Bubble Room in Captiva has that same magic. When my mom and I first visited, I was blown away — even at the age when nothing impressed me. Since 1979, it has offered a vintage experience with trains, custom bubble lights and a distinctive look.
Off Interstate 95 near Orlando sits the home of the world’s largest alligator, Swampy, in Christmas, Florida. It’s part of Jungle Adventures, where visitors can take airboat tours and see real alligators and other Florida wildlife.
Farther south in Homestead, Robert Is Here fruit stand has grown from a roadside table in 1959 into a destination known for its milkshakes. In Ona, Solomon’s Castle — reportedly built from aluminum materials — stands as a true Florida original.
And along U.S. 41 near the Everglades, the Skunk Ape Headquarters leans into local legend, offering a glimpse into Florida folklore.
Some attractions, like the Airstream Ranch near Orlando, are gone, but many remain. With tools like the Roadside America app, it’s easier than ever to find them.
Forty years later, I still remember those stops. The journey matters. Slow down, pull over and see what’s out there, just like my pal Thoreau advised.
Driving my life away, Florida Version. Image via Blake Dowling.