AI Florida roadside attraction poster for a whimsical mid-century-style poster on an aged cream background, using navy blue and bright red inks. At the top, large blue block text reads “WATER-SKIING MICE,” with “AQUA RODENTIA” to the right in smaller blue letters. The central illustration shows a red mouse upright on a pair of water skis, holding a tow rope and cutting across stylized blue waves. Below, red text reads “SEE AMAZING STUNTS!” and the bottom features “FLORIDA ON U.S. HIGHWAY 1” in large blue letters.
Florida Road Trips, Florida Things

Can You Spot the Fake Florida Roadside Attractions?

Could you spot an AI-generated ad for a long-gone Florida roadside attraction?

I’m giving a talk at OLLI at Eckerd later this week about Florida’s roadside attractions, and I wanted to create a short quiz to see if people could figure out which roadside attraction actually existed. So I used AI to generate ads for theoretical roadside attractions that certainly could have existed in Florida, but did not.

In the spirit of competition, I asked AI to create a poster for a roadside attraction that did actually exist (and also because I couldn’t find any advertisements for the attraction itself.)

If you’re here, I’m assuming you have more than a passing interest in Florida history, roadside attractions, and Floridiana. And so take a look — and see if you can figure out which one really existed.

AI Florida roadside attraction poster for vintage-style 1940s roadside attraction poster with a warm beige background and bold green, red, and yellow typography. The top reads “SEE THE MYSTERIES OF OLD FLORIDA!” in red, followed by large green and red lettering for “GATOR GLORY JUNGLE GARDENS.” On the left, a large illustrated alligator with its mouth open lounges near bright red tropical flowers and palm silhouettes. Below, text advertises features like “Big Benny,” the 18-foot alligator; a tropical orchid pathway; and “Captain Coco,” a cigar-smoking monkey. Admission prices and hours are printed at the bottom, with the slogan: “When in Florida, you haven’t seen it all ’til you’ve seen Gator Glory!”
Does he puff a gross-smelling cigar? Yes. But is he a gentleman? Also yes.
AI image via ChatGPT

Who doesn’t want to see the mysteries of old Florida, sip some orange juice, and see Big Benny, King of the Everglades? I’m not quite sure how I feel about a cigar-smoking monkey, but for a quarter, I’m willing to find out.

AI Florida roadside attraction poster for a whimsical mid-century-style poster on an aged cream background, using navy blue and bright red inks. At the top, large blue block text reads “WATER-SKIING MICE,” with “AQUA RODENTIA” to the right in smaller blue letters. The central illustration shows a red mouse upright on a pair of water skis, holding a tow rope and cutting across stylized blue waves. Below, red text reads “SEE AMAZING STUNTS!” and the bottom features “FLORIDA ON U.S. HIGHWAY 1” in large blue letters.
This seems like a precursor to Walt Disney World is the most amazing way possible.
AI image via ChatGPT

Before Mickey, we had Aqua Rodentia! (Or did we?) Mice performing amazing stunts. I think the ad is a bit misleading though — I’m pretty sure the mice didn’t do the stunts on U.S. 1, but at a roadside attraction on the side of the road.

AI Florida roadside attraction poster for A retro-inspired promotional poster for an actual 1980s Florida attraction. The background is aged beige, with large green and orange block lettering. At the top, “GATOR JUNGLE GARDENS” is printed in bold green. The right side lists features: “REAL ALLIGATOR MEAT FARM” and “SEE 600 GATORS!” in large orange letters, along with “& EMU · PEACOCKS.” On the left, an illustration of a smiling boy poses with a black alligator statue, his arm around its neck. The location “PLANT CITY, FLORIDA” is printed along the bottom in green.
We’re not sure how the emu got there.
AI image via ChatGPT

An alligator meat farm? Seems sort of macabre… after all, would you want to tour a feedlot? BUT Florida’s roadside attraction culture is fascinating and unusual, and honestly, I don’t know if this is more or less peculiar than a waterskiing mouse or cigar-smoking monkey.

AI Florida roadside attraction poster for a vintage-style 1940s roadside attraction poster with a warm beige background and bold green, red, and yellow typography. The top reads “SEE THE MYSTERIES OF OLD FLORIDA!” in red, followed by large green and red lettering for “GATOR GLORY JUNGLE GARDENS.” On the left, a large illustrated alligator with its mouth open lounges near bright red tropical flowers and palm silhouettes. Below, text advertises features like “Big Benny,” the 18-foot alligator; a tropical orchid pathway; and “Captain Coco,” a cigar-smoking monkey. Admission prices and hours are printed at the bottom, with the slogan: “When in Florida, you haven’t seen it all ’til you’ve seen Gator Glory!”
They’re not fast, but they are hungry.
AI image via ChatGPT

Fun Fact™: Florida does have a healthy population of pitcher plants in the Apalachicola National Forest. Not-So-Fun-Fact™: They are not as rapid in their predation as, say, a a gator.

So, what say you? Which is the real attraction, and which three are AI-generated Florida roadside attractions?

And if you’re looking for a real Florida adventure, check out Myakka River State Park.. It has an elevated walkway, boat rides, hiking, and plenty of adventure.

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