Mysterious ghost-inhabited hills, a long-abandoned shrine, the headstone for a man who claimed to have lived more than 130 years, a transportation device disguised as a giant potty chair and a 20th century American castle – built by hand.
Welcome to Central Florida’s Polk County, where there is no shortage of things to do, from theme parks and golf courses to shopping and dining. Take a day to visit and you’ll quickly realize that this is where the real Florida magic happens.
But for those times when you feel like visiting life just a jot off the beaten path – with a side of ghoul – you’ll find there is plenty of roadside Florida left.
Spook Hill
The mystery of Spook Hill – where your car rolls uphill – has baffled visitors for generations. According to Native American legend, the hill is a result of a battle between a giant alligator and a chief. As the area developed, riders on horseback would notice their steeds laboring along what appeared to be a downhill portion of the old trail.
But the location truly came into its own with the advent of the automobile – when drivers realized their cars would seemingly defy gravity and roll uphill.
A favorite of both locals and tourists for generations, Spook Hill is part of a phenomenon involving sites known as mystery hills or gravity hills, and it is the only one of its kind in Florida. And after you are done rolling up hill, those in the know stick around and watch the reaction of others. That’s at least half the fun.
And, for a side trip — and a few social media hits — drive around the corner to take a picture at Spook Hill Elementary, where the sign out front features the familiar friendly ghost mascot, Casper.
Shrine of St. Anne des Lacs
Just minutes from Spook Hill is a one-of-a-kind Central Florida religious site. The Shrine of St. Anne des Lacs was built circa 1920 on the shores of Lake Saint Anne by wintering French-speaking Canadian Catholics. Today, only ruins of the shrine, constructed from rarely used native Florida rock, remain.
Famed French artist Francis Marsollier visited the site with his family and, when his son appeared to be cleansed of tuberculosis after a dip in Lake Anne, dedicated years to the church. Not only did he paint murals within the chapel, he chiseled elaborate statues for the church and on the grounds.
As word of the miracle spread, crowds gathered. Pilgrimages from Canada to Lake Wales began in 1928. Soon, thousands flocked to swim in the healing waters and visit the church. However, World War II disturbed the annual pilgrimages. By the 1960s the church was barely visited. The Diocese of St. Augustine de-sanctified the shrine, and most of what was inside was removed to prevent vandalism.
Today, not much more than a few sections remain. Believers still visit and leave items of individual spiritual significance behind in the walls of the grotto-like area, as well as along the rock bridge leading up to it and a fountain nearby. Other areas composed of rock, as well as the tiles that made up the floors, also remain.
The HOHO Chair
Rising above the homes that surround it is a gateway to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Or a giant potty chair.
Is it art? That is, as they say, in the eye of the beholder.
Either way, it is the brainchild of modern artist Steven Chayt. Built in the backyard of his home along Old Thornhill Road in Winter Haven, the 24-foot-high sculpture, dubbed the “HOHO Chair,” pays homage to famed French painter, sculptor and writer Marcel Duchamp, whose works leaned into the avant-garde movements of Cubism and Dadaism. In fact, the coordinates on the bottom of the chair, along with the words “Put Your Trust There” and even the direction the chair faces all point to Duchamp’s permanent installation at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Underneath the opening in the chair is a picture of a clown with an opening where the mouth would be – or the opening of a wormhole.
Visit the artist’s website, www.stevenchayt.com, to see a short movie he created showing what traveling through the wormhole might be like.
Chayt’s work – mostly digitally manipulated images printed on stretched canvas – has been exhibited throughout the United States. If you do stop by the chair, realize that the art installation is in the artist’s backyard in a residential neighborhood – so please be respectful.
A House Of Wonders
If you’ve watched the Netflix original series Amazing Interiors, you may have seen its feature on Bartow’s historic Wonder House, the brainchild of Conrad Schuck, a contractor and quarry owner from the Pittsburgh area who moved his family to Florida after a doctor gave him a year to live. While the Wonder House may have started as Schuck’s final project – never mind that he lived for an additional 50 years – the build morphed into a near-continuous tourist attraction. Tours of his four-story concrete over stone mansion – reinforced with steel railroad rails – remained popular for years.
Opened to tourists in 1934, innovations for the times included cooling the home by both multidirectional cross-drafts and rainwater channeled through hollow cement walls. Interior walls, decorated with glass, tile, hand carvings and mosaics, added to the aura. Other innovations included pathways of mirrors that allowed residents to see who was at the front door, built-in flower boxes, entire cabinets rotating on Lazy Susans and concrete bridges crossing swimming pools. Expertly maintained grounds added to the aura of the great ‘American castle.’
A showman at heart, Schuck – who never lived in the Wonder House – filled the building with oddities that fascinated tourists, including jarred snakes and taxidermy. However, the next owners turned the Wonder House into a residence, and following owners were not as kind.
After years of disrepair, the house was purchased, and numerous floors of the building restored, by a young couple who have kept true to Schuck’s vision.
The Wonder House is a cash-only business. Weekend tours are open to the public and must be booked in advance. Holiday tours, especially Halloween, quickly sell out.
Howling for Bricks
LEGOLAND Florida Resort is expanding its fan-favorite, family-friendly Halloween event, Brick or Treat, with the debut of Brick or Treat Street – an all-new interactive trick-or-treat destination filled with candy, surprises and LEGO build inspired Halloween fun for families visiting Central Florida.
Returning on select dates from Sept. 5 through Oct. 31, Brick or Treat transforms the park into Mischief Town, where kids make the rules, laughter lurks around every corner and Halloween fun is built brick by brick. Designed especially for families with younger children, the event serves up a full day and night of family-friendly Halloween fun and mischief, all included with general admission and annual passes.
New this year is the debut of Brick or Treat Street — an all-new immersive walkthrough experience featuring six life-sized LEGO Monster homes inspired by fan-favorite LEGO Minifigures.
Behind every door, guests will discover:
Wacky Witch’s Cottage: The Wacky Witch’s magical spells have gone delightfully wrong! Ring the doorbell, hunt for runaway frogs and discover colorful potion mishaps in this sweetly chaotic Halloween adventure.
Wolf Guy’s Cabin: Something strange is happening inside Wolf Guy’s cabin! Knock on the door, witness his hilarious full-moon transformation, and let out your biggest howl before heading to the next house.
Spider Lady’s Castle: Spider Lady may be away, but her creepy-crawly companions are still home. Reach through mysterious doors, discover surprising textures, and see if you’re brave enough to meet her furry friends.
Mummy’s Throne Room: Wake the mighty Mummy… if you dare! Knock on the ancient throne room door and awaken a dramatic curse with an unexpected twist that will leave the whole family laughing.
Plant Monster’s Greenhouse: Step up to the Plant Monster’s overgrown greenhouse, where giant vines stir, spores fill the air and hungry plants react as curious explorers wander a little too close.
Scarecrow’s Barn: Help the friendly Scarecrow prove he can scare away his cheeky feathered friend. Strike your funniest pose, shout your loudest scare, then collect a LEGO brick for the next adventure.
Together, the homes transform a classic trick-or-treat tradition into an immersive neighborhood where families don’t just go door-to-door—they play, laugh and create magical Halloween memories together.
Brick or Treat Street is just the beginning. Families can also enjoy:
Potion Mischief Light Trail: As the sun goes down, stroll through an enchanting nighttime trail illuminated with colorful projections, glowing effects and interactive potion-making moments that transform the park after dark.
Monster Meet & Greets: Meet favorite LEGO Monster characters through Mischief Town for frightfully fun photo opportunities, silly interactions and unforgettable Halloween memories.
Live entertainment and shows: Enjoy high-energy live performances, Halloween-themed entertainment and interactive shows that keep the fun going all day long.
Hands-on LEGO building activities: Build, create and let imaginations run wild with seasonal LEGO building experiences designed for kids and families to enjoy together.
The Great Monster Chase 4D Movie: Join an action-packed Halloween adventure as LEGO Monsters race through an exciting 4D experience complete with surprising special effects.
The fan-favorite Monster Skytacular drone show: Cap off the evening as hundreds of illuminated drones light up the night sky in a spectacular Halloween celebration featuring LEGO Monster-inspired scenes, synchronized music and dazzling effects, presented on select Saturday evenings.
No matter what you have in mind as you visit The Sunshine State, a visit to Florida would be incomplete without a visit to Central Florida’s Polk County, where the real Florida magic happens. Go to www.VisitCentralFlorida.org to plan your vacation in Central Florida’s Polk County.