The fast-paced lifestyle and modern-day attractions entice many visitors to venture to the shores of Florida. But for those looking for a blast to the past, the Sunshine State has some hidden treasures that are reminiscent of a time when saddle shoes were the grooviest thing, rock and roll was in its infancy and a gallon of gas was only 27 cents. 

Old-fashioned ice cream parlors offer a favorite frozen treat that will never go out of style. Sloan’s, a West Palm Beach classic, is decorated in retro décor and serves up creative concoctions like Mom’s Apple Pie and Cookie Monster made from all natural ingredients. This old-time goodie with a modern edge has only been open since 1999, but will transport diners back to their childhoods. Initially serving as Dade City’s pharmacy and soda fountain, Tropical Breeze is still frequented by some of its original customers from the ’50s. Customers can re-live old times while enjoying one of the 22 flavors of homemade ice cream, floats, shakes or a classic banana split. 

Alongside a soda jerk and jukeboxes, The Old Time Soda Fountain, nestled in downtown Apalachicola, is a hot spot for cool treats with a ’50s atmosphere. Over the years, a full lunch menu of savory sandwiches has been added to complement its malts and floats. Jaxson’s Ice Cream in Dania Beach has been satisfying sweet tooths in the Fort Lauderdale area for 49 years and is famous for their wacky “Kitchen Sink” item. Servers fill an actual kitchen sink full with a hand-picked ice cream creation, which serves about 20 hungry diners. 

A great place for a first date in the ’50s proved to be the drive-in movies – more than 150 dotted the Sunshine State. Although they are few and far between these days, some locations are still rolling and well worth the trip. The Thunderbird Drive-In in Fort Lauderdale is the largest drive-in theatre in America. Originally opened in 1963, The Thunderbird has 13 screens of varying sizes and is open year-round. Persevering through the years, The Silver Moon Drive-In has been a popular Lakeland weekend hang-out since 1948. The two screens have been showing the latest films and serving up hot pizza at the snack bar for decades. Get there early if you want a good spot– it tends to sell out on the weekends. The Lake Worth Drive-In is the last outdoor cinema standing in Palm Beach County. In its day, more than 400 cars would line up to catch new releases projected on to the solo screen in 1967. Near Tampa, the Ruskin Drive-In Theatre was one of the very first to install local vicinity radio broadcast systems to deliver movie soundtracks via AM radio. However, they don’t break tradition and maintain the window speakers because, “It just wouldn’t be a Drive-In without the speakers.” Tampa’s Fun-Lan Drive-In proves to be an asset, along with “Chuck,” now in his 70’s, who has been working there since opening day in 1950. For half a century, Fun-Lan’s three screens, along with all of Florida’s timeless drive-ins, have been entertaining the masses. Better yet, admission to all of these locations costs less than a large popcorn in most multiplex theatres, ranging from $3 – $5 with frequent carload specials. 

If you are jumpin’ to jive, cruise over to the St. Pete Pier for a great time reminiscent of high school prom. Bring your gang or your main squeeze to the “Oldies but Goodies” Dance held every Wednesday, except for the fifth week of the month, year-round. Sounds of Big Band music from The Ron Berringer Trio and The Downtowners are free and open to all who want to take a trip down memory lane. 

"Old-fashioned ways to visit Florida"?
What do you think? ...