Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Wauchula, Florida

The county seat of Hardee County is a charming town encircled by agricultural landscapes. Adjacent to Wauchula lies the picturesque Peace River.

This river may well be my preferred waterway in Florida, boasting magnificent bald cypress trees along its banks and limestone bluffs, seldom seen in the Sunshine State.

These bluffs are rich in fossils dating back tens of millions of years when Hardee County was submerged under a shallow sea. In Wauchula, one can embark on a memorable paddling excursion or participate in a fossil hunting experience guided by a local expert.

Wauchula features a delightful downtown area, offering numerous intriguing attractions within a thirty-minute drive, ranging from an old haunted theater to exotic animal sanctuaries and an aluminum castle.

1. Paddling on the Peace River

Source: Peace River Paddle Sports & Kuleana Adventures Inc. / Facebook

The Peace River originates near Bartow and meanders southward for over 100 miles, eventually reaching the Gulf Coast at Charlotte Harbor.

Approximately two-thirds of the river, particularly between Fort Meade and Arcadia, is designated as a paddling trail. Just to the east of Wauchula lies Riverside Park, a beautiful site.

This park serves as the most convenient launch point for kayaks and paddleboards, especially after recent improvements were made. From here, paddlers can navigate one of Florida’s most stunning waterways, gliding through cypress swamps and shaded oak hammocks adorned with Spanish moss.

Furthermore, the unique limestone geology of the Peace River adds to its distinctive appeal, which will be discussed further below.

2. Paynes Creek Historic State Park

Source: Ebyabe / Wikimedia

Covering 400 picturesque acres alongside the Peace River, Paynes Creek Historic State Park offers a compelling blend of nature and history.

Its historical significance pertains to the tumultuous aftermath of the Second Seminole War (1835-1842) and a massacre that culminated in the establishment of the ephemeral Fort Chokonikla at this site in 1849.

Numerous trails are available for exploration, along with a variety of outdoor recreational activities. Visitors can engage in hiking, biking, fishing, or birdwatching, and it serves as another excellent location to launch a canoe or kayak onto the Peace River.

I found the visitor center particularly intriguing, as it features well-researched interpretive exhibits detailing the lives of the Seminole Native Americans and the pioneers of the 19th century.

3. Cracker Trail Museum and Village

Source: Cracker Trail Museum / Facebook

Located in Zolfo Springs, just five minutes south of downtown Wauchula, a museum is dedicated to the history of Florida’s pioneers.

The Cracker Trail Museum boasts an extensive collection of over 4,000 artifacts. Many items were donated by the descendants of pioneers and include agricultural equipment, painted portraits, photographs, hunting tools, domestic furnishings, and fossils sourced from the Peace River.

Noteworthy exhibits include larger items such as a 1914 Baldwin Locomotive Engine and two work wagons displayed outdoors. The Pioneer Village section features a blacksmith shop, cabin, and smokehouse.

This museum is part of Pioneer Park, a county-owned facility, which will be explored further in this list.

4. Main Street Wauchula

Wauchula’s downtown area, although small, is charming, consisting of a few blocks of Main Street, flanking US 17. Central to this area is Main Street Heritage Park, an attractive public space inaugurated in 2000.

This park features gardens, shaded benches, a bandstand for public functions, and a mural depicting the county’s agricultural history.

The perimeter of the park houses many of downtown’s businesses, including a café, several restaurants, hair salons, and an antiques shop. Some of these attractions will be described in greater detail shortly.

A couple of blocks to the west is the Classically-styled Hardee County Courthouse, constructed in 1927.

5. Fossil Hunting on the Peace River

The segment of the Peace River stretching from Wauchula to Arcadia is recognized as one of the country’s most fruitful locations for fossil hunting.

To elaborate, this area was once a shallow sea covering part of Florida around 20 million years ago. The sediment-rich seabed preserved the remains of various species as fossils.

As the Peace River flows through this sedimentary rock, now converted to limestone, erosion releases these fossils. One can discover a diverse array of finds, with megalodon shark teeth being the most prevalent.

Several companies can guide you to the most productive fossil hunting sites, providing a truly adventurous experience as you sift through gravel in waist-deep water in search of unique treasures.

6. Pioneer Park

The Cracker Trail Museum is but one feature of a spacious park located along the Peace River. Departing from the developed area to the south, Pioneer Park presents a serene, natural setting, characterized by forests and lakes.

Within the park, there is a campground set amidst the woods, featuring 90 sites (65 equipped with electric and water, 25 without). Additionally, visitors will find a boat ramp on the Peace River, a playground, sports facilities, and a hiking trail that weaves through the woods and along the riverbank.

The Hardee County Wildlife Refuge is situated within the park, further discussed below. Be sure to check the schedule for the annual Pioneer Days Celebration, typically held in February or March.

7. Streamsong Golf Resort

Source: Streamsong Resort / Facebook

While numerous golf courses exist throughout Florida, none can rival the exceptional quality and prestige of Streamsong Golf Resort. The Red, Blue, and Black courses were developed on a former phosphorus mining site in the early 2010s.

Crafted by renowned architects such as Tom Doak and Gil Hanse, these courses harmonize with the area’s distinctive sandhill topography and consistently rank among the best public courses nationally.

As of my last update, a fourth course, named The Chain, was set to be introduced. The resort features 228 units across two architecturally remarkable buildings and a luxurious spa.

8. Hardee County Wildlife Refuge

Source: Hardee County Wildlife Refuge / Facebook

Another sanctuary focused on native Floridian wildlife can be found by the Peace River within Pioneer Park.

The Hardee County Wildlife Refuge evolved from a series of enclosures to a more suitable facility established in 2001.

The refuge houses various animals, including owls, otters, emus, cougars, alligators, and raccoons that were unable to survive independently in the wild. Visitors can explore the facility through a self-guided tour, which includes a section of elevated boardwalk traversing the canopy.

During my visit, access was available solely by appointment, which is an important consideration for your planning.

9. Solomon’s Castle

Source: Luis Andres Ojeda Havas / shutterstock

A short twenty-minute drive from Wauchula, nestled within a vast swamp area, lies the quirky and intriguing Solomon’s Castle.

Constructed by architect Howard Solomon using aluminum newspaper printing plates, this notable landmark features replicas of the Alamo and a 16th-century galleon. For a small fee, visitors can tour the castle and its grounds, and may even have the opportunity to meet the builder.

Guided tours are offered, allowing visitors to view an array of distinctive sculptures, each with its own narrative. Notably, the tour is enriched with a sense of humor evident in the frequent use of puns.

A gift shop is located on the premises, and The Boat in the Moat Restaurant provides lunch options, highlighted by their signature walnut pie for dessert.

10. Giovanni’s Main Street Kitchen

Source: Jan Jackson / Facebook

The primary dining establishment in downtown Wauchula is this Italian venue, renowned for serving traditional comfort food in substantial portions. Giovanni’s Main Street Kitchen guarantees delicious Italian-American dishes and a welcoming atmosphere.

The highlight of the establishment is its impressive wood-burning brick oven, making pizza or calzones a must-try for first-time visitors. The dough is prepared fresh daily, accompanied by an extensive selection of fresh toppings.

Moreover, the menu features a variety of beloved pasta dishes, ranging from ravioli to lasagna, all baked to perfection. Conclude your meal with decadent desserts such as cannoli, tiramisu, or caramel custard flan.

11. Charlotte’s Webb Pub

Source: Charlotte’s Webb Pub / Facebook

Located at the intersection of SR 636 and SR 64, roughly ten minutes outside of the town, Charlotte’s Webb Pub offers a cozy atmosphere.

It is characterized as a dive bar, popular among bikers, which might cause some hesitation for certain visitors; however, this rustic pub is known for its welcoming environment for all.

The establishment features a diverse clientele, with fun activities most evenings, with the exception of Mondays, offering events like karaoke and live music. Happy Hour occurs on Fridays from 5-6 pm, and the bar also provides a selection of merchandise.

The garden features a grand live oak tree, and there’s a motorcycle outside, providing interesting photo opportunities.

12. Center for Great Apes

Not a traditional tourist destination, this sanctuary operates as a non-profit establishment founded in 1993.

Spanning 100 acres of tropical forest, the Center for Great Apes provides a habitat for orangutans and chimpanzees raised in captivity, whether as exotic pets, for research purposes, or for entertainment.

Many of the residents have connections to the entertainment industry from a less enlightened era when primates frequently featured in films and television.

Among these is Michael Jackson’s chimpanzee, Bubbles, and the twin chimpanzees, Jonah and Jacob, who appeared in Planet of the Apes (2001).

Although not open to the general populace, members at the Hero Level have the option to arrange private guided tours.

13. The Arcadia Opera House

Source: Arcadia Opera House Antique Shops – The Bizarre Bazaar / Facebook

The Arcadia Opera House attracts antique enthusiasts, paranormal investigators, and historians alike. Constructed in 1906, this stately and well-maintained building once served as a central venue for political and cultural gatherings in the area.

Presently, it operates as a sizable antique shop and museum, recognized for ghost sightings. Notably, the majority of downtown Arcadia was devastated by a fire in 1905, resulting in a fascinating blend of historical context and paranormal intrigue.

A diverse collection of antiques is available for purchase across fourteen rooms, featuring historical items such as vintage clothing, tools, glassware, and an extensive vinyl record collection.

Moreover, the original auditorium has recently been restored and hosts a variety of live performances.

14. Hardee County Fair

This eight-day event, the Hardee County Fair, is hosted every February just southwest of Wauchula.

The fair provides an excellent opportunity to immerse oneself in local agriculture, featuring a comprehensive itinerary packed with 4-H and FFA activities. Events include grooming contests, poultry exhibitions, and swine showmanship.

Throughout the fair week, attendees can also enjoy pageants, amusement rides, and a selection of beloved fair cuisine. The year I visited, the live entertainment featured a Mexican-style rodeo.

15. Heartland Events

Source: Heartland Events / Facebook

Located in Bowling Green, Heartland Events serves as a farm and event venue, offering a range of activities suited for families. Attractions include a playground, jumping pillow, cow train, battle zone, and a spider web structure among others.