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Long before the theme parks took over, Florida road trips meant pulling off the highway to climb a tower, sample citrus candy, or watch a car seem to roll uphill. A surprising number of those old-school stops still sit along US 27, the long north-south road that cuts through citrus country, small farm towns, and the sugar fields near Lake Okeechobee.
The best part is the price, since several of these places are completely free and the rest cost about the same as a gas station snack. If you like cheap day trips, Florida history, and the kind of quirky stops that make a drive memorable, this list gives you seven reasons to skip the interstate and take the slower road.
1. Florida Citrus Tower, Clermont, FL
Back in 1956, someone in Clermont decided the best way to show off Florida’s citrus groves was to build a tower tall enough to see all of them. The result was the Florida Citrus Tower, a 22-story landmark that still rises 226 feet over US 27.
The observation deck at the top gives you 360-degree views across Lake County and Central Florida. The groves that once covered the hills have mostly given way to rooftops, but the view still shows how high and rolling this part of the state really is.
Here is the money-saving part. Walking into the base, the coffee shop, the gift shop, and the arcade costs nothing, and the ride to the deck carries only a small fee.
Hours are generous, too. The tower opens at 7 a.m. every day and stays open until 10 p.m., or 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, so a sunset or after-dinner stop is easy.
During the holidays, the tower puts on a light display with dancing lights, holiday music, and fake snow. Parking is free, which keeps the whole visit firmly in the bargain column.
2. Showcase of Citrus, Clermont, FL
Free admission and a petting zoo is a hard combination to beat. South of the Citrus Tower, right off US 27, Showcase of Citrus lets you walk the grounds, browse the open-air market, and visit the farm animals without paying a cent to get in.
The setting leans hard into Old Florida. Think scenic groves, an old-timey country store, and shelves stocked with jams and jellies in flavors like raspberry jalapeno.
Families tend to linger because there is a playground on site along with the animals. Kids who usually get bored at farm stands have plenty to keep them busy here.
When citrus is in season, you can pick your own fruit from the trees. That turns a quick stop into a hands-on lesson in where Florida’s famous oranges come from.
For something more adventurous, the farm runs amphibious vehicle tours through the grove, past many citrus varieties and local wildlife. Those tours cost extra and require an appointment, so plan ahead if that is your goal.
The gates are open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and parking is free.
3. Davidson Of Dundee, Dundee, FL
Citrus candy might be the most Florida souvenir there is, and Davidson of Dundee has been turning the state’s signature fruit into sweets along US 27 in Polk County.
The shop makes handcrafted citrus candies and jellies, the kind of treats that used to fill roadside stands all over this stretch of highway. It is a traditional candy store at heart, without flashy gimmicks.
What makes it a true bargain stop is the factory tour. Admission, factory viewing, and tastings are all free, and the staff share the history of the business as you go.
I like this one for travelers who want a short break rather than a full outing. It works as a quick visit, and you can leave with gifts for anyone back home who misses old-school Florida.
Dundee itself is a small agricultural town surrounded by highway citrus groves, which fits the candy theme nicely.
Timing matters here. The shop is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it closes on Sundays.
4. Spook Hill, Lake Wales, FL
Put the car in neutral, take your foot off the brake, and watch it seem to roll uphill. That is the entire show at Spook Hill, and people have been stopping to try it for generations.
The effect is an optical illusion created by the shape of the surrounding landscape. Spook Hill is one of many gravity hills across the country, and it has earned a spot in roadside Americana culture.
There is no ticket booth, no gate, and no fee. It is a public road in the historic town of Lake Wales, just off US 27 along the Lake Wales Ridge.
The spot is open 24 hours, so you can swing by whenever your route allows. Kids usually get a kick out of it, and the spooky legend attached to the hill adds to the fun.
Keep expectations simple. It is a quick, quirky stop rather than a destination, so pair it with other Lake Wales sights if you are coming from far away.
5. Forest Capital Museum State Park, Perry, FL
Way up north, where US 27 merges with US 19, the town of Perry tells a different Florida story, one about pine trees instead of oranges.
Forest Capital Museum State Park focuses on the state’s pine tree industry, and the air-conditioned museum packs in plenty of information. One standout exhibit is a map of Florida made from different types of wood, with a separate wood for each county.
Outside, a self-guided tour leads you through a recreated cracker homestead and a mock-up of a farm. It gives a clear picture of how rural North Floridians lived and worked.
Entry is just $2 per person, which is about as low as state park fees go. The grounds are well kept, and the rangers are helpful when you have questions.
Bring lunch if you can. The park has picnic tables, a playground with slides and swings, public restrooms, and free parking, and dogs are allowed.
Check the calendar before you go. The park is open Thursday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
6. Clewiston Museum, Clewiston, FL
Prehistoric bones, World War II history, and the story of America’s Sweetest Town all share one roof in Clewiston, a farming community of roughly 7,000 people on the southern rim of Lake Okeechobee.
The Clewiston Museum sits one block off US 27, which locals know as Sugarland Highway here. Its exhibits trace the area from the prehistoric era to the present day.
Regional fossils are a big draw, and the sugar industry gets serious attention, as you would expect in this part of the state. Displays and videos also cover the citrus industry and Florida pioneer heritage.
The museum has a small theater for those videos, plus a gift shop and free Wi-Fi. Tours are offered, and the staff are known for being friendly and knowledgeable.
Admission is only a few dollars, generally in the $2 to $4 range. Parking is free, both on site and on the street.
This is a weekday stop only. Hours run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., so plan around the closed weekends.
7. Lake Placid Historical Society, Lake Placid, FL
Old train stations make some of the best small museums, and Lake Placid saved a good one. The Lake Placid Historical Society operates out of a restored 1920s railroad depot right off US 27 in downtown Lake Placid.
Inside, you will find artifacts and memorabilia tied to the town’s past, including the history of the railway that once served this Highlands County community. Many of the pieces are the kind of local items bigger museums never display.
Admission is free, and donations are welcome. That makes it an easy stop to fold into a stroll around the town’s historic main street.
Volunteers run the place, and they are happy to share what they know about Lake Placid. Tours are offered, and there is on-site parking and a restroom.
The schedule is short, so plan carefully. The museum is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
It makes a fitting final stop on a US 27 road trip, a free look back at the era when trains and highways first brought travelers into small-town Florida.
