I've lived in Florida for over 25 years. Skip the major cities and spend time in these 5 gorgeous state parks instead.

Rainbow Springs is one of my favorite Florida state parks to visit. Bruce Dierenfeld/Shutterstock After living in Florida for 25 years, I've learned a lot about the tourist hot spots worth visiting. In addition to the big cities, I think visitors should check out the beautiful state parks . Anastasia and Jonathan Dickinson State Parks are great if you want to immerse yourself in history. After living in Florida for over 25 years, I've found that some of the most breathtaking experiences lie beyond the typical tourist hot spots . Sometimes, the best adventures are the quieter ones, where you can breathe fresh air, get close to nature, and see the side of Florida you don't find on a billboard. That's why I think Florida's state parks are true hidden gems, offering everything from crystal-clear springs and ancient forests to coastal kayaking.