I toured an abandoned Florida theme park where giant dinosaur statues still stand. I think it's one of the best free activities in the state.

In the 1940s, a man named Dr. Perry Sperber leased several acres in the coastal city of Port Orange, Florida, to create an unusual theme park.

It boasted a replica Seminole Indian village, live animals including a baboon named Bongo, and a tram ride past concrete dinosaurs advertised as "prehistoric monsters," made by Manny Lawrence, a local cement worker.

Unfortunately, the park wasn't a hit. It closed shortly after opening "for lack of public interest," according to a sign on-site.

Though the exact dates of Bongoland aren't known, the Port Orange Observer reported it to be between 1948 and 1952. It then sat neglected until it was sold to Volusia County in 1963.

Given new life inside Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens, Bongoland sits within a 10-acre property that is open to the public, and is a vibrant oasis blooming with flowers and trees. There's also an Asian garden with statuary and a fountain, and a Florida garden of native plants shaped like the Sunshine State.

As a fan of both gardens and Florida roadside attractions, I wanted to visit the ruins of Bongoland ever since I read about it online. And while most people come to Daytona Beach to swim in the ocean, stroll the boardwalk, or see a race at the Daytona International Speedway, I came for Bongoland. Best of all, it's completely free to visit.

Made from concrete molded on wire, the statues seemed durable to me at first. But Florida weather is harsh, and as I looked closer, I noticed wear and tear, perhaps due to the humidity, high winds, and storms that are common in this part of Florida's coastline.

In fact, the park formerly had a T-Rex on display that once towered 42 feet high, but it fell in 2019 following a storm, the Port Orange Observer reported. According to the same source, there are no plans to put the T-Rex back together as it was beyond repair.

Now, there are just four left, and I spotted a 30-foot stegosaurus and a 25-foot triceratops, plus two others that aren't technically in the dinosaur family.

The smaller dimetrodon snarling beneath a bird of paradise is a different species of prehistoric reptile.

Meanwhile, the park's tallest statue, currently propped up by a tree trunk, is a giant ground sloth. It's newer than the others, completed in 1990 by the same sculptor.

The origins of the land where Bongoland still stands stretch back to the early 19th century.

It was once home to a plot of land named Dunlawton with a sugar mill that operated briefly before it was burned during the Second Seminole War. The mill was rebuilt in the 1840s but burned down again in the Third Seminole Indian War.

As part of my exploration of Bongoland, I toured what remained of the mill from a wooden walkway in the park.

I found the lush scenery to be quite peaceful and admired tropical plants and flowers like magnolias, camellias, and azaleas. As a photographer, I loved the surroundings, which I thought were especially photogenic.

Across an arched bridge and down a fern-lined path, I found a sprawling ancient oak tree. Far surpassing the dinosaurs in size, the tree is still widening with age. Some estimate it may be as old as 250 years.

As I wandered, I saw unexpected surprises, like a human sundial where my shadow told me the time, and a face carved into a tree stump in a pond. I also saw a grotto, a colorful birdhouse, and a shady arbor. My best advice is to keep your eyes peeled as you wander the gardens so as not to miss any of these small details.

A newer part of Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens is the children's garden, where I found faux "dinosaur eggs" and hand-painted wooden flowers. Nearby, I also stumbled upon a tiny village of gnome and fairy homes, complete with pint-sized residents all gathered around a tree stump.

There is no cost to enter, though donations are appreciated. The park is open to visit daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As a Florida resident, I know that most people flock here for the wide variety of tourist attractions. But I think there's so much more to Florida than theme parks and beautiful beaches.

Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens and the Bongoland ruins are less than 15 minutes from downtown Daytona Beach, but as I wandered through them, seeing abandoned dinosaur replicas, fairy homes, and lush flowers, I felt a world away from the crowds.

After spending the day in Bongoland inside Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens, I'm only left wondering why I didn't visit sooner.

Not only is it free and a lovely outdoor activity, but it's a particularly great attraction for families. I thought that the children's garden, dinosaurs, human sundial, and gnome homes would be great entertainment for families with young kids.

Similarly, I'm now recommending a visit to all of my garden enthusiast, history buff, and photographer friends who will certainly appreciate the combination of tropical plants, kitschy sculptures, and sugar mill remains.

But it's also a must for anyone interested in discovering classic, quirky old Florida. The park costs nothing to enter, is easy to find, and is guaranteed to be unique.