We’re always on the hunt for offbeat spots just a short drive away from Jacksonville, so when the urge to hit the road for a quick, unforgettable day comes, we’re prepared. From abandoned mansions to refreshing springs to forgotten dinosaur statues, we’ve got you covered all Summer long.

Dungeness on Cumberland Island, GA
Scope out the ruins of a decrepit mansion once owned by the Carnegies, abandoned and later devastated by a possible arson over 60 years ago. One of many mansions on the island that have a history with the Carnegie family, this is perhaps the most intriguing for fans of decay, faded decadence, and liminal spaces. While conservation efforts prevent visitors from fully exploring the area around the guts of the ruined mansion, it’s undoubtedly a sight worth seeing from the approved perimeter on their guided tours.

Cedar Lakes Woods
Your head will spin trying to track down all the Instagrammable spots that make up the Cedar Lakes Woods botanical garden, southwest of Gainesville. Thrill to the sights of waterfalls, koi ponds, and over 50 individual gardens, all in what was once a rock quarry. This floral oasis was a major upgrade to the abandoned quarry, which was adopted by Dr. Raymond Webber in 1991, who was originally planning to convert the area into a giant fishing pond. The garden has since flourished, becoming charmingly overrun with lush vegetation and dozens of types of animals, both domesticated and otherwise.

Cassadaga
The Psychic Capital of the World is found in the heart of Florida, in an unincorporated community called Cassadaga. A collective started in the late 1800s as a hub for practitioners of Spiritualism, this open-minded colony has endured, inspiring the work of musicians and authors like Tom Petty, Bright Eyes, and Carl Hiaasen. A visit to Cassadaga promises to be a mind-expanding experience, with Spiritualist church services, readings, and classes offered regularly, as well as guided tours providing a wealth of knowledge about the history of the community and Spiritualism.

Ichetucknee Springs State Park
For those punishingly hot Summer days, jump in the car and head west to the swimming holes of Ichetucknee Springs. There’s water-based fun for every skill level, from kayaking the entire 6 mile river, snorkeling the incredible Blue Hole spring, to a lazy river float down part of the Ichetucknee in an innertube. All that plus some gorgeous nature trails and plenty of animals to spot, and you’ve got a year-round treasure just a short drive away.

Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens
A 10 acre garden that sits on the remains of both a sugar plantation and an ill-fated amusement park called Bongoland, the Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens is an exercise in slight cognitive dissonance. It’s a beautiful outdoor space, home to countless types of rare plants, that also happens to be dotted with a bunch of life-sized dinosaur statues that were built in the 1940s as the centerpiece of the short lived Bongoland. The park laid dormant for decades after closing in 1952, until the 1980s, when work began to revitalize the space into the botanical sanctuary it is today.