Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park — Gainesville

A 120-foot-deep sinkhole with a rainforest growing inside it. In Gainesville. We are not making this up. You walk down 232 steps into this massive bowl in the earth and the temperature drops, the light changes, and suddenly you're surrounded by ferns, waterfalls, and plants that have no business growing in North Central Florida. Jamie called it "Florida's version of a secret level in a video game" and honestly that's the most accurate description anyone's ever given. It's a quick visit — maybe an hour — but it'll change how you think about what Florida actually looks like beyond the beaches. Best time: Morning for cooler temps, especially spring and fall Cost: $4 per vehicle