The Wizzard Gift Shop
Kissimmee, FL
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Passing through Kissimmee, it's hard not to notice the giant Wizard keeping watch over Highway 192. With his long beard, flowing robe, and oversized staff, he looks ready to cast a spell on anyone driving by. The entrance is tucked right beneath his beard, making this one of the more unusual gift shops on Florida's tourist strip.

Roadside attractions like this have always been part of the fun of visiting central Florida. Long before reaching the theme parks, places like the Wizard tried to lure travelers inside with larger-than-life characters and a healthy dose of roadside imagination. Whether you stopped for a souvenir or just slowed down to admire the giant wizard, it was hard to forget once you'd seen it. The building has even made appearances in movies, proving that some of Florida's best roadside attractions don't require an admission ticket.

UPDATE: The Wizard Gift Shop is still open, and the giant wizard continues greeting travelers along Highway 192. 07-26

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