Uniquely Florida Attractions M-P

Monkey Jungle - Miami
Billed as "Where the humans are caged and the monkeys run wild", this 30 acre reserve is home to 400 primates from 30 species, including gibbons, guenons, spider monkeys and colobus.  It is also home to a free flight aviary featuring the "Wings of Love" which adopts birds that are no longer able to be cared for by their owners.  Admission.  14805 Southwest 216th St. Miami, FL 33170.  Phone: (305) 235-1611.

Momument of States - Kissimmee
begun in 1942 as a symbol of American unity shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, local tourism booster Dr. Charles Bressler-Pettis wrote to the governors of every state asking for a block for the tower from their state.  Even then president Roosevelt contributed a block to the effort.  This 30-ton, multi-colored pyramid has within each block is a rock, fossil or chunk of old building from each state, along with the donor's name and location.  One donor even contributed a human skull.  Free.  300 East Monument Avenue, Kissimmee, FL 34741.  Phone: (407) 847-2821.

Mulberry Phosphate Museum - Mulberry
Mulberry, known as the "Phosphate Capitol of the World", is home to the Mulberry Phosphate Museum, which chronicalizes the city's history in the phospahe industry as well as a larger collection of exhibits and fossils.  Free.  101 SE 1st St., Mulberry, FL 33860.  Phone: (863) 425-2823.

National Key Deer Refuge - Big Pine Key
located 100 miles south of Miami on the Overseas Highway, the National Key deer Refuge was established in 1957 to protect and preserve Key deer and other wildlife native to the keys.  These diminuative deer, only 32" tall and 80 pounds in weight, are only found in the area immediately surrounding the key.  the preserve consists of approximately 9,200 acres of a variety of terrains and is home to 17 federally listed species.  Free.  28950 Watson Blvd., Big Pine Key, FL 33043.  Phone: (305) 872-2239.

National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum - Fort Pierce
This is the only museum in the world dedicated to "elite warriors of Naval Special Warfare."  The museum's mission is to preserve the history of Navy SEALs and their predecessors, including Underwater Demolition Teams and Frogmen.  Admission.  3300 North A1A, North Hutchinson Island, Fort Pierce, FL 34949.  Phone:  (772) 595-5845.
 
Old Jail - St. Augustine
built in 1891 by railroad magnate Henry Flagler, this served as the city's jail until 1953.  It was listed on the National register of Historic places in 1987 and includes displays of various guns and weapons, a restored gallows and and old "birdcage" cell that is a pretty neat photo opportunity.  Admission.  167 San Marco Ave., St Augustine, FL 32084.  Phone: (904) 829-3800.
 
Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse - St. Augustine
This is the oldest wooden schoolhouse in the state, built over 200 years ago when Florida was still ruled by Spain, and is located by the old city gates.  It contains a number of artifacts and old schoolbooksused during the period.  One curiosity there is the large chain that wraps around the building that was attached to an anchor in 1937 to keep the structure in place during hurricanes.  Admission.  14 St. George St., Saint Augustine, FL 32084.  Phone: (904) 824-0192.

Perky's Bat Tower - Sugarloaf Key
The bat tower was built in 1929 by Richter C. Perky originally as part of a planned resort.  The resort idea never took off, so he converted it to a bot tower in an effort to control the local mosquito population.  The bats flew away, however, and didn't return.  The tower is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Free.  Located at the end of Bat Tower Rd., one mile south of U.S. 1 on Sugarloaf Key.

Potter's Wax Museum - St. Augustine
potter's bills itself as the first wax museum in the United Sates and includes over 160 life-like figures, including Julius Caesar, Princess Diana, Michael Jordan and soon Tiger Woods, Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp.  It's staff provides design and sculputure services to a number of theme parks and other attractions. 
17 King St., St. Augustine, FL 32084.  Phone: (800) 584-4781.