This Underrated Tourist Attraction In Florida Is A Vibrant Hidden Gem
While millions of people flock to the Sunshine State for its pristine white sand beaches and theme parks, these are not the only types of things to see. Florida has plenty of quirky, one-of-a-kind attractions, but some fly under the radar. The zany and colorful WhimzeyLand is one of them. It is located in Safety Harbor, a town often referred to as Florida's "Jewel of Tampa Bay." You'll find quite a few jewel-like things at WhimzeyLand, along with bowling balls, mosaics, tropical plants, glass bottle sculptures, and more. WhimzeyLand is actually a house, and all of these items and art features combine to make it feel like something out of a fantasy book.
Artists Todd Ramquist and Kiaralinda began transforming their ordinary home into WhimzeyLand over two decades ago. After a few minor changes to its exterior, a chance encounter with free bowling balls at a flea market inspired more unconventional decor. They painted and displayed each bowling ball, but as fellow artists brought them more as gifts, they decided to turn their so-called Bowling Ball House into one big piece of art and share it with visitors from far and wide.
The Safety Harbor Art and Music Center is also worth a visit
WhimzeyLand has appeared on MTV Extreme Cribs, HGTV, and Roadside America. Ripley's Believe It or Not stopped by in 2024, calling WhimzeyLand "a vibrant art environment and community treasure" on Instagram. Given the love it has received from regional news outlets like WFLA News and Tampa Bay Times, locals do seem to treasure it as more than just another of the state's weird roadside attractions. There is even a children's book inspired by Whimzeyland called "1206 Third Street."
Despite the attention their home has drawn, Todd Ramquist and Kiaralinda are focused on supporting the wider art community in Safety Harbor. In 2012, they founded the Safety Harbor Art and Music Center (SHAMc) just a few blocks from Whimzeyland. Aside from also sporting artistic decor, the SHAMc building hosts art and music classes, concerts, and other special events. Visit WhimzeyLand and SHAMc by booking a tour through the SHAMc website. Tours run on weekends and are limited to 15 people per tour. Be sure to stop by The Artery boutique at SHAMc to pick up some handmade art before you leave.