Established in 1894 by the trance medium George Colby, Cassadaga is a petite, unincorporated town known for its population of spiritual mediums and energy-reading psychics. Tucked off I-4 between the corporate fun of Disney and the rowdy beaches of Daytona, Cassadaga is a perfect roadside attraction both for enthusiasts of kitsch and New Age spiritualists who are looking for kindred spirits. What’s so special about this place? According to legend, the historic town vibrates on a higher spiritual plane than most places because it lies at the intersection of a significant latitude and longitude.

When to Go

The town is dead Sundays and Mondays, but there are frequent events, speakers and seasonal rituals featured throughout the year, so be sure to plan accordingly. The one hotel in town can only accommodate so many visitors.

Where to Stay

There are plenty of Airbnbs nearby, but if you’re going to stay in Cassadaga you might as well check in at the Hotel Cassadaga. It has a long, Southern porch with rocking chairs and it’s great for eavesdropping on people’s spiritual revelations. Make sure to book well ahead of your visit because the hotel fills up fast on the weekends when there’s a special event. If you’re lucky, you might be able to get a quaint room nearby at The Ann Stevens House, an 1895-built Victorian home converted into a bed and breakfast. Or check out Cabin on the Lake, a cozy bed and breakfast right near Lake Helen.

What to Do

Cassadaga is so small you could explore the whole town and most of its offerings in just a few hours. When you arrive, go to the welcome center located in the back of the Cassadaga Camp Bookstore. It’ll give you a rundown on the week’s events. On the wall, you’ll find pamphlets with the names and numbers of dozens of different mediums, psychics and healers. Visitors are told that the one that you need to see will speak to you and that’s the best way to get a reading. If you’re a fan of kitsch, check out C. Green’s Haunted History House and Museum, where you’ll find a miscellany of plastic pop culture items and references to all things eerie. If you are looking for something less terrifying, check out the Fairy Trail, which has a much more upbeat vibe.

Where to Eat

Cassadaga might have what you need to feed your soul, but it is lacking if you want to fill your stomach. There is one place to eat in town and it’s called Sinatra’s, a Frank Sinatra-themed “Italian” restaurant located on the bottom floor of the Hotel Cassadaga. The nice staff will recommend the fish and chips and the “Sinatra tots,” tots topped with sugar and cinnamon. When you come to Cassadaga, pack your own lunch, or drive about 15 minutes south down I-4 and check out Lelo’s BBQ. It’s a Puerto Rican restaurant in neighboring Orange City that serves big helpings of Carribbean cuisine for cheap prices.

See Your Future in Cassadaga

A Record to Put On: Spin the appropriately titled Cassadaga, the 2007 record by indie sad-boy band Bright Eyes, led by singer-songwriter Conor Oberst.
  
A Movie to Watch: In 2011, a horror film about Cassadaga titled Cassadaga came out. It’s about a woman who moves to the tiny Florida town and accidentally summons an unfriendly ghost. It has an 18 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which means it’s more likely to make you laugh than give you nightmares.

A Book to Pack: Try Neil Gaiman’s fantasy novel American Gods, a story about traditional religious gods gathering in the United States to battle the new gods of technology. Parts of the story take place in Cassadaga because of its spiritual history.

Must Have Souvenir: A sage wand, for chasing those post-road trip blues away.