This historical tour was fantastic! We did the last tour of the day with Kayla, the owner. She was…read moreextremely knowledgeable and shared so much information on the home and what's happened over the years. I'm going to have to take this tour again just to try to remember it all! Lovely maintained home with so much history. Who visited, who contributed to the building and maintenance of the home, the restoration efforts. It was fascinating. We happened to be there on a day when they received a gift of an original Edison grammaphone with the beeswax songs in paper wrappers! And it actually worked! Amazing. Also loved the Louis Comfort Tiffany windows - just gorgeous!

If you're planning a visit to nearby Blue Springs State Park, the Stetson Mansion is an absolutely…read moremust-visit stop. Yes - Stetson - as in the hats. I was just as surprised to learn that the famed hat-maker once called the small town of DeLand, FL home. I happened to be visiting during peak manatee season and so had the privilege of being able to still enjoy the mansion during its special holiday tour season. During the holiday tour, each room of the mansion has a unique theme to it that you get to learn all about from your helpful docent. Not only do you get to the enjoy the wonderful story of that room's decorations theme but the history of the home and family is wonderfully blended in. I'm told that obviously during the regular historical tour you dive deeper but I left learning waaaaay more about the Stetson family than I ever expected (or knew). The home is privately owned and you the love and passion the new owners have for the historic property is evident in every room. We even had the pleasure of meeting one of the owners (the super sweet and DeLand native, Kayla) I was surprised to learn she had even created many of the decorations herself that adorned the opulent rooms in the mansion. The Stetson Mansion is a great example of one of the many historical gems tucked away in Florida small towns that you can stumble upon when exploring the state. Whether you're doing the regular history tour or holiday tour, you're sure to have a fabulous visit to the Stetson Mansion.

I love this museum! Though not the largest art museum I've ever been to, the museum has plenty of…read morepaintings/sketches/lithographs to look at. And the facility layout is very nice- rooms are spacious, well lit, and comfortable- with seating strategically placed for this times you need to stop and spend some time with a particular piece of art. Admission is inexpensive and gains you entrance to the sister museum downtown- which is also wonderful and which has an incredible gift shop! A must see for art lovers! I'll definitely be back!

Five stars for a great old school gift shop. They have a variety of funny and unique greeting…read morecards for all occasions. Perfect place for souvenirs too! I especially enjoyed all the eccentric trinkets throughout the shop!!

Saw this driving by.... had to stop. Supposedly haunted by old past owners…read more Place is set up with a narrated and walking tour of the house and assorted spooks and ghosts that ljve??? Inhabit the house... Interesting little artifacts within the house. And some things are up for sale. I guess be careful what you buy.... you might bring home a hitchhiker.

One of the best little antique shops ever! My family and I love a curiosity shop and this place…read morereally fit the bill. They offer a guided tour on your cell phone to take at your own pace. They even give you an EMF reader to detect "energy" to see if a ghost is nearby. Ours actually spiked a few times! The store has a tarot room off to the side where you can get a reading. It was roped off when we were there. There was a jewelry designer on-site and an author who was also the shop owner. I bought one of the many books she had for sale and she autographed it for me. There are many treasures for sale in this shop, and we all chose our treats. Lots of handmade jewelry, some real antiques, books, tarot cards and crystals. Such a fun place and one of our favorite shops in the area.

I cant say anything positive. If you like bugs and overgrown plants then you will like it. The…read moreplants they had for sale looked dead. Don't recommend

During our Spring Break FL-2025 Vacation we stopped at Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens to enjoy a…read morestroll. There is a Sugar Mill Ruins located here as well as some gorgeous flowers to fully enjoy! Unbelievably, it's FREE to enjoy and accepts Donations! Be sure to check the mailbox at the entrance area for a map of the grounds! The kids enjoyed walking around and seeing the historic ruins of the Sugar Mill. It was very relaxing and shaded! I'm totally into the flowers because it reminds me so much of my daddy! I love Google image search because you can locate on the internet information about the flowers and plants including their names! Definitely if you are in the area, check it out! Highly recommend

My Week at The Cassadaga Hotel…read more The younger me had been here, The Cassadaga Hotel several times and had amazing experiences each time. I still look back on those fond memories. If you read my first review, it's nothing but great things to say about the hotel. Recently, I was in need of a retreat. I didn't think of the gulf coast, or northern FL in the woods, or the Keys. I thought of a place close to my heart without hesitation, even though I had not been years. I thought of Cassadaga. So, I decided to stay at The Cassadaga Hotel. Just like my very first stay here, I planned to stay two days and ended up staying for several. On account of a few different reasons. I wanted to continue on my spiritual journey; I wanted to see deeper into the hotel that I had grown to love... I wanted to just "experience." And I did. Cassadaga itself is its own entity for another review, but it's a breath of fresh air. Amongst this Cassadaga fresh air is also a different kind of "air" from the hotel...open arms. From the moment I walked in to book a room until the moment I drove out of the driveway a week later, I was enveloped in that feeling of genuine care and dedication to my happiness as a guest. From the owner Diana, who's impeccable dedication and love for her employees, & the hotel was apparent from the moment you met her. She was even so professional and such a role model to her employees as to what customer service is all about. They have no afterhours guest services. She was having dinner at the restaurant attached to the hotel. She went out of her way to make sure my son and I were comfortable by having our room switched. This is what I call A+ unblemished service. To the women who worked at the lovely store, Chrissy and Dawn, inside the hotel and the front desk were so delightful, even when things got busy. They were able to maintain composure and kept their cool. I send out my appreciation and recognition to them! Not an easy job to do! Customer service can be a hard line of work. Their onsite maintenance man, Phillip, was very kind in offering to help carry in my bags for me. He has put a lovely water garden on their front lawn, quite gorgeous. I also had the pleasure of getting to know two of the psychics in house as well, Laura and Angela. Not only are they two charming women, but they are also the real deal. If you want a reading at Cassadaga Hotel, they have great psychics/mediums on board. I would like to thank Kim and Laura from housekeeping. They are some of the most hardworking women I know on site. Their smiles and genuine positive attitudes in their interactions with me while doing the arduous task of cleaning up after every guest inspired me to have a good morning every day! So, thank you Cassadaga Hotel for yet another unforgettable stay. You've left with me with many more memories to cherish in the future. I send all my love with this review.

My first solo trip and it was everything I wanted and needed. The hotel is amazing and beautiful…read more If you want a hotel sleek and modern don't stay here. It's charm is the history, the natural not updated realness of when it was first built. My room was very cozy comfy all I needed for a reset and quiet two days. Everyone that worked there was very friendly, the store had tons of stuff to buy.Loved the meditation room, small like a church confessional, went in there 4 times and came out so calm and free. Had 2 readings-palm from Misty who was spot on and wonderful, and a tarot reading from Michelle which was also spot on. They both made me feel great after and with renewed hope for my future. I signed up for the fairy village making class and loved it! I had such a great time, the woman that ran the class was so nice and helpful had tons of things for us and tons of ideas. I brought mine home with great pride. I was a little disappointed in most of the trails but I don't think they have anything to do with the hotel but I went on them all anyway. I do plan to return in the fall. Everything you want to do and see is within walking distance of the hotel.

I love a history museum, especially one that's free, and the Brevard Museum of History and Natural…read moreScience checks both boxes. With more than 3,000 fascinating artifacts in its permanent collection, there's so much to learn and explore. The Brevard Museum, Inc. was formed in 1969. The museum is currently operated by the City of Cocoa in a building tucked away in the quiet College Green Estates housing subdivision. If you didn't know it was there, you could easily drive right past it. The museum has two wings to explore. One focuses on Florida's natural history, featuring Ice Age fossils, including a giant ground sloth and mastodon, along with exhibits that recreate life in 1800's Florida. The other wing traces the region's human history, beginning with indigenous people, the Spanish colonization of Florida, and continuing through pioneer life, before ending with the Space Age. Exhibits cover a wide range of topics, including Florida's Indigenous peoples, Ice Age and modern wildlife, early Brevard settlers, Spanish ships, the citrus and turpentine industries, Flagler's railway, space exploration, arrowheads, artifacts from the Seminole, Miccosukee, and Ais peoples, shells, and casts of prehistoric and modern animal fossils. The Albert and Grace Taylor exhibit displays the personal effects of pioneers Albert and Grace Taylor. Grace Webster Taylor was a resident of the City of Cocoa, who passed away on December 27, 1945. There are also replicas of a one-room schoolhouse, a general store, and the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse. The exhibit that fascinated me most was about the Windover archaeological site. In 1982, a bulldozer excavating a pond for a new housing development uncovered several human skulls. Archaeologists soon determined that the remains belonged to an ancient Indigenous community that had lived in the area approximately 7,000 to 8,000 years ago. Over time, researchers recovered the remains of 168 individuals from the peat at the bottom of the pond. The peat created remarkable preservation conditions, protecting not only the skeletons but also soft tissues, including some brain tissue. Research conducted by Florida State University revealed a wealth of information about Florida's earliest inhabitants. Textiles recovered from the burials provided rare insights into ancient weaving techniques, while preserved stomach contents offered valuable clues about their diet. The museum exhibit displays a preserved skeleton, a bust of the "Windover Woman," and a recreation of the unique wet archaeological excavation. Unlike many local history museums I visit, this one has activities for kids making it more family friendly. There is a Discovery Room designed for children, where there are toys and a rocket capsule they can climb into along with other hands-on activities to enjoy. Behind the museum is a nature preserve and the Johnnie Johnson Nature Trails. The winding network of paved and natural-surface trails meanders through 22 acres of native Florida upland and wetland ecosystems surrounding Clear Lake, making it a fun way to extend a visit. There is so much local history packed into this small, free museum. The exhibits on archaeology, Florida history, natural science, and the Space Age are interesting for all ages. This is a wonderful budget friendly activity outside of the typical tourist destinations.

This is a really fun, free museum for all ages located in Brevard. For a rainy day or just a fun…read morechance to learn about Brevard, this is the perfect place. The museum is very well maintained and cared for. Me and my three year old were at the park and followed the trail for about 7 minutes and with help from a stranger, located the museum. I do wish there was signs. Without the help of my phone and the stranger, we would've gotten lost as there are various routes. The museum has a lot of really cool elements. There are bones, fossils, shells, space, and even a playroom amongst many other things. I was very intrigued by all the history and the large rooms of items to look at. Some items are a little outdated, but as a free entry museum it's very well kept. I look forward to coming back with my other son and husband as a family.

Beautiful place - two buildings full of Fun, Art, activities for kids.... We went to the…read moreplanetarium- Great presentation- on the ceiling makes you feel like you're in space! The two train coaches- with the scene set up to show you life on a luxurious train from decade ago. The race cars and luxury cars- light blue Lincoln Continental was awesome

I visited MOAS for a first date, and the value was absolutely on point. For everything included, I…read moreleft feeling impressed and genuinely satisfied. The woman at the entrance was kind and helpful, though she spoke so softly my ADHD brain had to lean in like a detective--but her directions were spot on. Inside the main building, the art from Cuba was the star for me--bold, vibrant, full of life. Some of my absolute favorites were in the Cuban art section--each piece felt like it was humming with its own frequency. The geometric painting (the one drenched in deep reds, burnt oranges, and that sharp black hourglass shape) hit me first. It's bold, mathematical, yet somehow spiritual--like a coded message meant for anyone perceptive enough to catch it. Very "guardian-spirit-meets-mid-century-modern." I stood there longer than I expected. The giant ancient sloth? Unreal. I wish they'd place a modern-day sloth beside it, just so my brain could process the scale without glitching. The bug/kids section was unexpectedly adorable. The kids were living their best lives, and honestly, I was right there with them--zero shame. I did drive over to the second building for the "It's a Ship Show" exhibit, and okay... I see what they did with the title. At first glance I read it as "It's a Sht* Show," and for a split second I thought MOAS got sassy. The artwork leaned heavily into still life, and to me it felt more like pieces you'd find in an upscale lounge, a refined boutique hotel, or a polished restaurant--visually pleasing but not as emotionally stirring as the main gallery. Just my personal taste. I could've spent more time wandering around, but I was on a first date with someone who kept making me laugh. I felt like the loud kid in class trying to stay quiet in a museum. Overall, great value, memorable art, and a surprisingly fun atmosphere. I'd definitely go again--preferably when I'm not giggling through every exhibit.

Every neighbourhood park tends to be unique, and this one definitely has its charm. The park's main…read moreappeal for me is the walking trail that basically envelops the square-shaped park ground along four roads, and I like how safe it feels perhaps because of its location in a residential area. Although I've never personally visited, there's more than one parking area, picnic shelter and benches with tables, a fancy children's playground, butterfly garden, and a museum.

this is a little hidden gem in DeLand! the Butterfly Sanctuary is quite small and, unfortunately, i…read moredidn't see any butterflies other than the large sculpture. the park itself take up a good bit of space with its large playground, 4 covered pavilions with picnic tables, and many benches. it's a great place to come to for a little walk, breath of fresh air, or to host a picnic, cookout, gathering, or birthday party. there's plenty of parking all around, nice public bathrooms, and water fountains. it's also home of the DeLand Memorial Hospital and Veterans Museum.