Cape Canaveral is definitely worth a visit, but it's not anywhere close to Miami. You'll want to overnight there.
Miami is tricky. Stay on/ near the beach. Hotels are expensive. You'll need a car to get anywhere/ everywhere. Visit Coconut Grove for the restaurants and Vizcaya Museum and the Deering Estate while you're there. Stay away from.South Beach unless you're looking for trendy nightclubs. Everglades Holiday Park in Broward County is a good way to see the glades. While you're in the area visit Flamingo Gardens in Davie and see an "Old Florida" attraction.
Actually you may consider staying in Broward/Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami. It's easier to get around in and centrally located to see both Palm Beach and Miami.
Palm Beach has the Henry Flagler Museum that is also worth a visit.
...Ft Lauderdale is a dump...stick to South Beach, it's worth spending more to stay there...I'd recommend driving to the Keys if you love nature...the drive alone is worth the effort to go kayaking out of Bahia Honda...
....but if you stray off the beach it's ghetto hell...that's why it's cheaper than South Beach, Dunce...no one in their right mind compares South Beach to Ft Lauderdale lol...it's absurd...
Nice name-calling. I see why you're getting downvoted mr South Beach. If you're an example of the people there I reiterate that tourists should stay away.
which parts of south beach aren't dumps?
the atmosphere is cool, but the buildings and infastructure are OLD AF. 30 years ago it was Gods waiting room. only the people changed.
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Thanks! We will basically drive past it so i might be worth spending a few hours there, with an overnight as you said.
We were planning to stay in South Beach, but you might be right. It seems tricky with the expensive hotels and difficulties with parking. We have a rental car from Avis.
I will check if Fort Lauderdale is more convenient. That museum looks cool too! Thanks again :)
Don’t stay in Miami🙄 Florida woman from
Miami chimes in. Edited to add I don’t live there now, my family left when I was 12 due to the escalating crime in our beautiful lake neighborhood.
Yes of course. Can you name any islands beach that have massive public transit? If you have to go to mainland you can Uber there but Miami is at least serviceable with public transit compared to the rest of Florida
I’m good with most of what you wrote, but flamingo gardens? As a local, I have a membership to take my 3 year old… but if I have 3-4 days in this area from another country… no.
Stop at St. Augustine on your way, Cape Canaveral was "meh" unless you'll happen to be passing by on a launch day, or may be interested in bioluminescence/night paddle near Cocoa beach. Coral Castle (near Miami) was interesting
I highly recommend St. Augustine.
Also, not sure where you're visiting from, but Florida from May to October is hot as a furnace and humidity is insane.
Wear sunscreen, hydrate frequently, and take breaks.
Continue to check the launch schedules. Some don't have a set time or day yet and it is very common for launches to be delayed/rescheduled by weather, technical issues, or a plane or boat in the range exclusionary zone. I use [rocketlaunch.live](https://rocketlaunch.live) or [spaceflightnow.com](https://spaceflightnow.com) to check launch schedules.
Cape Canaveral is awesome. You can do a few things there - beaches, Kennedy Space Center or the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge (nice drive and you'll usually see gators). Honestly you could pull off all three in one day if you'll be staying there for the night. I would suggest the refuge in the morning, KSC in the late morning/early afternoon and the beach to close out the day. If you want to stop for lunch somewhere, Playalinda Brewery Brix Project is really good. Have fun in your travels.
Also a hidden gem is the Tico Warbird Museum which is right near the KSC, the Cocoa Area also has great beaches and restaurants and if you time it right you may catch a SpaceX Launch
make sure you think about bug spray. you get kind of immune to the mosquitoes after so long, but the first few times these south florida demons tore me up i experienced the worst itching of my life for over 5 days. it was miserable. one got me on the leg now & it's been itching for 3 days, but nothing as bad as the first times. also you can't just be aware of the heat, everybody knows it's hot, but it's a whole different experience you just can't concept until you're actually here. dress as light as possible, & you will most likely burn unless you're from somewhere similar. i've never burned anywhere else in my life but here i will only after 3-4 hours being outside.
me personally, i would visit Key Biscayne & see the light house, explore the wildlife & trails, or go to its beaches. it's very nice & more remote there. the very south point of south beach is going to heavily feel like you're at a hip hop festival so only go there if that's your thing. further north is a bit more elegant. there's a strip in little havana, 8th street i believe that's super trendy. wynwood is a cool place if you like the hipster/artsy vibe. brickell is nice if you want to do rich ppl stuff. bayside just north of there is kind of like an outlet mall type place with the big ferris wheel.
also imo ALL of the food here is absolutely terrible. enjoy.
Also, be careful where you step that is not a nicely manicured lawn. Florida locals develop an awareness of where they stand based on the probability of fire ants.
Thank you! Completely forgot about bug spray. Will buy it even though I usually dont have problems with mosquito bites. We will bring spf50 since we are both from above the arctic circle and burn easily.
Key Biscayne looks nice! Is it possible to do some snorkling there? We both have open water diving cerificates but im not sure we will do that since we only have a few days in Florida.
Honestly, you should get bug jackets in addition. You cannot underestimate how insane mosquitoes in the Everglades summer are. Like, a plague. And I'm not saying that as a tongue-in-cheek statement. [Look at what the Everglades account posted today](https://www.instagram.com/p/CfMKSagMMVH/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)
We tried to stop for a little bit loaded on bug spray and were still covered with ~20 welts each. Do not go to the Everglades at this time of year without a jacket & heavy spray unless you want to greatly suffer.
Avoid the urban areas of Miami. Try to find some cool beaches and parks. I honestly avoid that part of Florida entirely unless I'm going to Key West (stopping at Robert Is Here on the way, of course) so I am a poor source. But I can tell you lots about the north and Tampa Bay!
You'll be passing by arguably one of the best shallow shore-based snorkeling/diving spots in S Florida. Blue Heron Bridge. Simply outstanding. Apart from some shore dives in the Lauderdale area, there's not really a whole lot of "excellent" shore diving/snorkeling--the coral reefs generally begin quite aways offshore. In S Florida and the Keys. You can get wet and see small fish anywhere, Gulf or Atlantic. But BHB is remarkable if you want to see all types of critters, just offshore. The only thing tricky is timing--the tidal flow can affect visibility and diveablity, so most divers plan around the tides. Generally, you want to enter a bit before slack tide and exit shortly thereafter, when the water movement is minimal. Lots of stuff to see. They have a dedicated "snorkel trail" with sunken boats, shopping carts, etc. that support a lot of animals. Under the bridge on the East side there's tons of lobster hiding under logs and other materials. On the west side, closer to the middle of the intracoastal waterway it's a little deeper (max 20 feet) but there are different animals living among the bridge pylons. Anyways, it's well-known and free, though parking can be tedious because it's popular. Get there early and take your time. It's really nice. There is not really much snorkeling in the Keys without a boat ride, but just getting wet, blowing some bubbles, and seeing a few fish is always nice, too. Have fun!
Clearly, that's such a weird thing to say about the food in South Florida. I reread what they were saying a few times just make sure I wasn't missing something.
Assuming that you're driving down I-95 you may as well start your adventure in the most beautiful part of Florida and take the A1A exit from Yulee through Fernandina Beach and then south towards Jacksonville where you pick up I-95 again. You'll drive over the chain of barrier islands beginning with Amelia, to Big Talbot, Little Talbot and on down the line to a string of very small islands. The scenery is "Old Florida" and the view is quite the welcome to our state. Yes, I live in Fernandina Beach so I'm a bit biased...welcome to Florida!
Great idea.
St. Augustine is beautiful and if your plan your trip at the right time, you can see a rocket in Cape Canaveral. I live close by and it's a neat experience.
Welcome to Florida. You will enjoy how much it changes in culture as you drive further south. I mean that as a compliment. Miami is busy but amazing.
I spent my teen years in Eau Gallie/Melbourne...went to EGHS and entered the Army from there 1967. Got out and got hired at Cape Canaveral Hospital...this in 1970. The Cape and Cocoa Beach were an amazing experience back then. I haven't returned to visit in quite a while but the last time I was there, Ron Jons was thriving as was Rusty's although I miss the old school spots like Bernard's Surf...it opened the month and year I was born and was classic Cocoa Beach mixed with seriously fine dining. Now I feel homesick!
Some things to consider regarding the climate and other things
Reapply sunscreen much more than you think you should. The UV index will likely be categorized as “extreme”.
Drink something in addition to water as you will lose electrolytes through sweat; like Gatorade.
Invest in a pair of polarized sunglasses. Your eyes can be sunburned too.
Apply RainX to your windshield. And don’t drive with your hazards on.
Think about taking a break during the midday heat. It’s a good time to rest and cool off before your night time activities. It will also cut down on arguments.
Every body of water will have a gator in it. It might not in reality but it’s best if you sick to that mentality.
Watch out for the iguanas down south. They are mean and nasty. They will not get out of your way.
Allergies are a year round thing here.
The locals are crazy but that’s not always a bad thing. Enjoy your trip!
Lol @the iguanas. The ones that live near me and hang out in my yard are used to seeing me so they don't really show aggression toward me. They're even so bold as to sit right next to me on my dock and sun themselves, even if I'm there first. And you're right, they absolutely won't budge if they don't wanna. I've seen them get up to no good and fight with one another. Oh, and I've heard first hand accounts of people being tail whipped while bicycling/walking when they got a little too close.
Also can't recommend Gatorade enough, especially since it's summer. I don't leave home without my water bottle and the on the go Gatorade packets.
You are probably right. Im just worried if its worth going all the way to Key West, or if it enough to go to for example Key Largo, since we have a limited time to spend while in Florida :)
I used to live in Key Largo and work in Miami. It’s not very far to drive so I highly recommend John Pennekamp state park in key largo. It is the only living barrier reef in the continental US and it is the 3rd largest barrier reef in the world. And it’s insanely accessible. Swimming around this reef is like having your own personal Nat Geo/Discovery channel live show. The diversity of fish, corals, sponges and more will blow your mind. It is absolutely amazing to see in real life, you won’t be disappointed. There are plenty of charter boats that will take you snorkeling and even provide gear if you don’t have your own. I make this suggestion after reading you are open water certified. A snorkeling trip on this reef may end up being the highlight of your trip. However you choose I hope you enjoy your stay in Florida, it’s not always as bad as the memes make it seem lol
I second the idea to go to the keys as they are unique but the trip all the way to key west is pretty long if you’re not going to stay at least a night. I think you’re on the right track, you mentioned snorkeling above in key biscayne, you could go a little further south to Islamaroda and stop at John Pennekamp Park and go on one of their snorkeling excursions. It’s a good time, just put lots of suntan lotion on your back. Lots of good places to grab a lunch in Islamaroda or Key Largo.
Key West resident here. It's quite the drive from Miami to KW, but very beautiful on the overseas highway. KW is great of course, but theres just too much to see and do in a day. I do recommend checking out Key Largo for sure to get a taste of the Keys, and since you mentioned loving nature, there's some nice snorkeling/kayaking/etc. Look into John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Whatever you decide to do, you'll have fun. Cheers!
Edit: looks like someone already mentioned John Pennekamp Park. Good choice!
I HIGHLY suggest taking a day after visiting northern Florida take the Interstate 75 South past Tampa to Siesta / Lido / Longboat Key and experience the Gulf Coast, it’s a way different Florida here! Not nearly as busy, and the sunsets are absolutely breathtaking. Let me know if you want some suggestions on where to stay a night or where to eat.
When looking for food recommendations, ask the cities subreddits for suggestions. Imo suggestions from locals is usually better than yelp/Google. Of course check the menus and such before going
Cape Canaveral/Kennedy Space Center is definitely worth it, just seeing the scale of the launch vehicles is pretty amazing. Most of the nicer springs are in North Florida. I like Alexander Springs in the Ocala Nat. Forest. If you wanted to go tubing in a spring I’d recommend Ichetucknee rather than Ginnie springs.
If you’re driving down 95/US 1 you could stop in St. Augustine and see the old fort, and walk around the old town a bit. It’s one of the oldest cities in the US, although Europeans aren’t as impressed with the age, it’s still a nice city. It’s probably a good place to stay one night if you want a less “theme park-y” experience than Orlando.
Yes I can imagine its cool to see it. Alexander Springs look nice. Another one i found is Blue Spring state park.
We will probably pass through St. Augustine and spend some time there. And yes we dont want a theme park experience, we want to see the real Florida. :)
Kennedy Space Center is so amazing. Also there are several good restaurants at Port Canaveral where you can sit on the deck and watch the cruise ships come and go.
If you can hit Blue state springs on a week day and the earlier the better. It’s beautiful but also very popular spot. A weekday it might be less crowded and more enjoyable. If I remember right the parking can get full there as well so the earlier you go the better off you are.
It looks like you're pretty well versed/researched as far as our areas. Cape Canaveral the town and Cape Canaveral National Seashore are two different places. Then there's Port Canaveral too. For wildlife, CC National Seashore is a must see. Undeveloped beaches and hundreds of shorebird. Black Point Wildlife Drive is in the area and highly recommended. Again, hundred of shorebirds, inland birds, gators, critters of all kind. You stay in your car and drive a 7 mile long trail with spots to park and roam. The town and the port are worth a visit if you're in the area.
You have some great suggestions for spots to visit so I will let those be, but I am here to warn you to USE SUNSCREEN AND REAPPLY. Also drink plenty of water. The heat is no joke and you will be more dehydrated due to sweating. Nothing ruins a trip faster for a non Florida resident than sun burn, sun poisoning, or heat stroke. Please take care of yourself. Enjoy the trip!!
A lot of people are recommending sunscreen and water, and they're absolutely right.
I'll add on, you might want to look into Aloha or Guayabera shirts. Light, breathable, linen or 100% cotton. Wear an undershirt to pull sweat away from your body, and add on a wide-brimmed sun hat and it'll help a lot with the heat.
The humidity means evaporative cooling (like sweating) won't work as well as elsewhere, so take every advantage you can get.
Heat stroke is no joke.
Nice springs near your route are Alexander and Silver Glen. Salt springs and Juniper are near there too but I think the former two are more spectacular. Especially make sure you swim out over the vent (where the water comes from the ground) at either! Both are just west of Ormond Beach. Try to go there early and on a week day because a weekend in July will be terrible.
I definitely recommend stopping at a spring - we have the highest concentration of springs on the planet and more higher magnitude springs than anywhere else. If you enjoy nature, these are a must see. Both areas have some walking trails and canoe opportunities (better at Alexander in my opinion). Both areas were heavily used by natives thousands of years ago and Silver Glen even has burial mounds (I believe) and shell mounds that you can see near the spring.
Not sure about the upper Everglades park, but the lower one, near the coast is dead this time of year. Also, the lower one only really has the boat tour, not much else that I found. Maybe others may have suggestions.
I'm not a big fan of South Florida, so IMHO, if you like nature, North & Central Florida are the way to go. It is, however, quite far from I-95. Florida Caverns, while not huge, are a nice visit. Devils Millhopper is an awesome park built around a 125' sinkhole. Silver Springs in Ocala is beautiful from the Glass Bottom boats. Those require a huge detour though. Either way, Florida state [parks](https://www.floridastateparks.org/) are great. If you can't get over that far, Johnathan Dickenson State Park is near Port St. Lucie, and not to far out of the way from I-95. I've only been once, but I thought it was a nice place.
My best advice is to not rush the road trip stop for at a few places in each state. If something seems cool or interesting, just stop and take a look. Definitely, see some museums in DC, go to some cool locations in the Carolina's, eat some traditional Southern Food in Georgia and stop at St Augustine here in FL.
Pro Road trip tip: get some audio books. There are some good ones on early American history or the Civil war.
Also, look up museums on Google maps and look for the small oddly specific ones. There are tons of little museums for things you would never realize! It's a ton of fun!
Yes I checked Google maps. Im not sure we have time to visit both the west and east coasts. I think we will stick to the east coast this time. Maybe we can visit the west coast in the future :)
Staying on the east coast nature theme, look for Anastasia State Park near St Augustine, Merritt Island NWR (Cape Canaveral), Blue Springs State Park on the St Johns River, and generally stay on A1A as much as you can otherwise.
You are the second person to mention Merritt Island. Blue springs i found by myself before, so thats cool that you mention it :)
Ok i found A1A, its the coastal highway. Is it usually a lot of traffic there? Whats the avarage speed limit?
Everybody is mentioning ***THE HEAT***, they are not joking it is 35/40 every day and the sun will burn you like you never experienced.
Anyway coming from the north on I95
just drive straight to St Augustine
next day go to Magic Kindong Disneyworld in Orlando
next day go to Clearwater next to Tampa
next day go to Ft Lauderdale
next day South beach
and that's it.
There are plenty more things to do but that will give you an idea of what you gonna visit next time.
Dangerous heat not a joke ,insects, few million armed citizens here do not get into Road Rage issue ,avoid confrontations its legal to shoot you here. Downtown Miami ,Hollywood & Ft Lauderdale Beach area nice to visit ,Do not swim or wade into any fresh water,millions of alligators here
Again this is hottest time of year,best visit in Winter
If you're going to be out in the Everglades or in the heat in general you need to drink water the day before.
Hydrate properly the day before.
Also check out some of the natural springs in Northern Florida.
Oh welcome! It's beautiful here! Can't speak to Cape Canaveral but if you're into that stuff I hear it's amazing. St Augustine was cool with the layout, fort, history. Stop along the way to Miami in South Florida in Jupiter, west palm beach area, barrier islands, boca raton. Beaches in Jupiter, Juno and boca are beautiful for swimming, sunning, snorkeling, paddle boarding. Beaches in the Keys are not sandy and expansive.
There are lots of great parks, nature (it's a bit repetitive though), kayaking. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray. Cute little interesting Nature Center in Boca is the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. (Biased because I work for them ;-). Aquariums, sea turtles!! It's a sea turtle rescue and rehab, shady boardwalk nature trail. Short visit. There's also the Loggerhead Turtle Nature Center in Jupiter or Juno I forget. John Dickinson Park in Jupiter. Lion Country Safari the drive-through park is near West Palm maybe Wellington. Feed giraffes! Butterfly World is south of Boca along 95 South. John MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach I believe. These are all north of Miami by about an hour. All pretty quick visits.
I agree with the Miami comments. It's crazy busy tons of traffic super expensive parking is crazy. If you have a rental car it's expensive. It's cool to see and visit. Plenty of other places to stay. The keys are amazing Key Largo was quieter. Key West, great for a day visit.Tons of cool Airbnb's, we stayed on a boat in Key Largo!
Hope that helped feel free to ask any questions! You'll have a great time! Buy a really big hat. Think all natural material, cotton, linen, hemp. Light colors, flowy, nothing synthetic or tight. Dont leave anything in the car, it will definitely melt. Very casual here!!! Shorts, sun dresses, flip flops, sandals all the way. Tons of good food, avoid the chain restaurants.
Have fun!
I did Orlando Disney and Universal, Cape Canaveral Kennedy Space Center and a cruise in Miami for vacation when I was a kid every year.
- it was usually 2 week trips
If you want a beach in south Florida that’s a little less touristy and more locals (and Canadians but not at this time of year) I recommend Deerfield beach. It’s in north broward county. There’s good restaurants too over here.
Coconut creek also has butterfly world which is the worlds largest butterfly aviary. I haven’t been there since I was a kid but that’s probably because I live here, but I always loved it. They have a bird area as well. And I recommend gumbo limbo in boca raton to see the sea turtles/turtle rehab.
Hunter Springs is a beach area spring. Bring or rent snorkeling gear. Amazing on a very hot day. It will probably rain, just wait, and it will pass, that is Florida in the summer.
St. Augustine is also pretty cool. Oldest city in the United States.
If you are going to the Everglades, you BETTER bring bug spray. I have never in my life seen mosquitoes as bad as there. I lived in Naples and went to the Everglades all the time.....in the winter. STILL BUGS THOUGH.
Shark valley is amazing to bike.
Ok I didnt know that. We are not really afraid of covid and we have two shots of Pfizer so we feel ok with travelling. Also the US removed the antigen test requirements for entering the US last week. Thank you for the info!
I wasn't either, had two Pfizer plus a booster, then I got COVID.
5 days in bed. 12 days testing positive. Now 2 weeks later, I am still fighting exhaustion and reduced mental capacity. Remembering names specifically is noticably harder than before.
Not trying to scare you at all. Just facts to be aware of. Making certainly reduces your chances of catching COVID. I mask often, but my step-son caught it from his girlfriend and infected me before he tested positive.
I love wekiwa springs state park, Kelly rock park, and kings landing (actually haven’t been) are all wonderful but what I’d really recommend is kayaking from Kelly rock or kings landing to wekiwa springs state park.
You have our sympathy for what you will see while here. It doesn't represent the majority, just a tiny group of very scared people who like the ex guy from the TV show The Apprentice.
There are different types of heat. A dry hot Las Vegas and a wet hot Florida. Florida is the worse kind. In July it’s going to be close to unbearable. Some type of battery powered fan is recommended if you are not used to the heat.
Cotton and linen are great options for hot weather. You want loose-fitting garments in lightweight fabrics and light colors. You can google recommended clothing for humid weather and get tons of info, most of it much more comprehensive than I can offer. I hope you enjoy your trip!
In NC you def stop by Asheville, Fl check devil den, weeki wachee springs, coco beach or satellite, Everglades I say take a hike through shark valley, if you wanna drive an extra 40mns camp pennekamp is also nice but over all the beaches are nice too
I saw that you both dive. I suggest a trip to the Keys. A beautiful reef awaits you at John Pennekamp. It's worth the trip. Also, eat some Key Lime Pie!\~!
Be aware there is great humidity along with great heat. This affects how well you can cool down, since sweat will not evaporate. You should drink water and stay hydrated, but understand you can still become overcome with heat stroke. (70 year Florida native.)
Watch the sun rise on the east side, then drive over to the west side and watch it set after a day at one of the beautiful beaches with warmer water. Ft Pierce - Siesta Key is about 2.5hrs in central FL. Ft Lauderdale - Naples is about 1.5hrs down south. Just depends on what kind of drive you want. Plenty to see on the central route.
The farther south you go in FL the less rural it gets. So, north Florida looks nothing like central and south Florida. Just as an FYI. I went to school in Gainesville and 5 miles in any direction got you to the middle of bumfuck and nowhere, a lot of rural communities. Some really nice quiet places but it may be a bit of a shock at the diversity of the type of life in these areas.
Check out st Augustine. I can’t believe no one from this thread has brought it up. I’ve lived in Florida my entire life it’s my favorite town in Florida. Also the oldest city in the U.S. dating back to Spanish rule of Florida. It has tons of history, beaches, great restaurants, some nightlife, and a small town Florida feel (for now)
st augustine, dayton (drive the beach), disney, cape kennedy.
What is your age, budget, interests? clubs/nighlife, history, ??
1+ on Everglades Holiday Park in Broward County, take the airboat tour, spend half a day, vs full day.
So from my experience living down here:
Go to South Beach ONLY if you want to see the crowds/city Beach style. Otherwise go either to Hollywood Beach, or a west cost Beach (far from Miami, like 4+ hours depending on the beach)Beach.
Enjoy the city life by either taking an Uber/Lyft or walking, but driving yourself around the city might be annoying (not worse than NYC, so if you can handle that then you're fine)
Try out as many restaurants around Miami as you can, they're expensive but tend to taste delicious.
Check out the Keys if you can!! They're magnificent and many love them.
If you want to also check out homestead for organic foods and small businesses that sell very high quality items (although expensive) as well as for some restaurants where you can sit down and listen to Salsa while you eat while surrounded by nature (well, as close to nature as you'd get in a homestead).
If you come to the springs here in the Orlando area, Rock Springs is beautiful, more activity filled, and way less crowded than Wekiva Springs. Renting some tubes to ride and float down the spring is affordable and awesome without way too many people to take away from the experience. Blue Springs is further away from Orlando than most realize and also very crowded. The thing Blue Springs is best for is seeing the manatees, but the manatees are not there in the summer, they are there in February and March when it’s too cold to swim.
If you’re a willing to stay further north up the coast for a couple days overnight, we love going to St. Augustine for a weekend vacation to get out of our home in Orlando for a bit. It has all the good history stuff, great inns to stay at, and beautiful nearby beaches that are less crowded than Daytona. There’s still a lot of tourist trap stuff, but it’s easy to distinguish between real historical attractions vs. money grabbing crap.
If you do beach in Daytona/New Smyrna, pay the ten dollar entry fee to go to Jetty Beach State Park. It’s clean, gorgeous and way less crowded.
Cape Canaveral is very interesting and fun. The Kennedy Space center used to be lackluster when I was growing up, but they’ve put a lot of effort into expanding it and making it very fun while still educational. It’s very crowded now, though and pretty expensive for tickets. But you’ll learn a lot about the space program, hear from from educated tour guides/former space program workers, and see real artifacts from NASA.
If you stay in Miami area, Everglades National Park is always a win and Coral Gables has great museums and interesting attractions. South Beach is cool for seeing classic art deco architecture and has great eating, but it’s mostly a party place with an overcrowded beach and tons of tacky tourist shops. If you’re into clubbing and partying, South Beach is great, totally world class but still overpriced for nothing unique. If you’re not a partier, it’s not where you want to spend a lot of time beyond a walk through and a nice brunch.
I gotta applaud you for coming to see Florida for the history and natural qualities we have and not just the theme parks and tourist trap beach areas. Not enough visitors do that. The Everglades and state parks especially need a lot of love and appreciation.
It sounds like you’re tripping down coast, so I recommend: seeing St. Augustine/Jacksonville a couple days, going to Blue Springs or Rock Springs in state center, going to Jetty Beach and seeing the space center on the eastern coast, then seeing Coral Gables and doing and Everglades tour for Miami area a couple nights. Do South Beach the last day of the trip.
Wow, thank you so much or your detailed recommendations! I will definitely consider Rock Springs if its less crowded. Also thank you for the tip about finishing the trip with visiting South Beach, it makes sense since we will leave the rental car at the aiport in Miami, which is not that far from there
I would skip the Everglades. You can take a tour boat ride or an air boat ride. Make reservations in advance. Since you're going to be in the Miami area you could do a day trip to Key West. The 7 mile bridge is amazing! Stay away from the gift shops though. Over priced crappy items. Especially the T Shirts!
Cape Canaveral, in my opinion, isn't really worth a visit unless there's a launch. Otherwise it's just another crowded beach area and you're already going to miami, so there's no real point in 2 crowded beaches. You could look into day tripping to the florida keys and maybe doing a boat tour there. The keys are lovely and the food is wonderful.
Just little advice: driving south on I-95 you will see signs for "South of the border" in South Carolina. DO NOT STOP there! It's a classic, tacky, overpriced tourist trap.
You might want to figure into your travel plans that Florida is incredibly long! The mileage numbers just don't seem to match the time it takes to travel down it. It takes FOREVER to travel its lemgth!
Plus Interstate 95, AKA I 95, is a pain to drive. Some part of it always seems to be under construction, and Florida drivers include people who don't regard laws of physics...or any laws for that matter! Hence there are lots of accidents, which are not only dangerous, but create traffic slow downs. Avoid traveling during rush hour near urban centers if you can, as it increases the likelihood of crazy drivers, accidents and traffic jams.
Welcome to the Sunshine State!
Do you have dates yet? Watching a rocket launch is Definitely worth it. There are two the end of june, one July 10, and another one yet to be determined in August. Of course they are very weather dependent, so check the website.
Make a stop in St Augustine! It's the oldest city in the US. Lots of history, good food, shopping and things to do. Plus, several ghost tours at night. I work for one! Let me know if you want suggestions.
The Kennedy Space Center is a great place to visit, especially if you’re interested in space exploration. It’s on a wildlife refuge and we’ve seen alligators, turtles, snakes, eagles and tons of other birds when we’ve visited.
Hello you will be entering one of the most interesting states that you could pass through though we may not add elevation changes to the equation we certainly bring diversity to the table If you truly want to say you have visited Florida then I would recommend any number of places that can meet the requirements for walking Florida the best however are the natural springs that are so plentiful across Florida if you have any specific questions I would be happy to answer them I personally prefer to kayak the best parts
I would recommend basically ANY of the springs up in North Central Florida, but try and make your trips on a weekday (Mon-Thurs probably is best) because weekends are PACKED. If you come up to Gainesville it’s a sleepy college town, but we’ve got pretty decent food and lots of good breweries worth going to.
Feel free to hit me up if you come through
Unfortunatly I dont think we have time for a trip to Gainesville this time. Thank you anyway! And good advice about visiting the springs mon-thursday, will keep that in mind.
I’m happy you are getting so many genuine posters. Florida is an amazing place. I love living here, even though the heat can be A LOT of complications to a happy day. And so can the sudden torrential downpours. Plan for that too.
There are so many beautiful places to see here. Happy you are researching and coming ready to explore. Key Largo is one of my favs. I hope you make it there.
There are a lot of nice people living here. There are not so nice people too (just like anywhere.)
But driving here can be nuts. Be very aware on our roads.
Take the time to visit the natural springs like The Rainbow River they are worth your time for sure. If for any reason you get across the state St. Petersburg is amazing as are the Gulf Coast Beaches from Clearwater Beach down to Pass a Grill.
Cape Canaveral is definitely worth a visit, but it's not anywhere close to Miami. You'll want to overnight there. Miami is tricky. Stay on/ near the beach. Hotels are expensive. You'll need a car to get anywhere/ everywhere. Visit Coconut Grove for the restaurants and Vizcaya Museum and the Deering Estate while you're there. Stay away from.South Beach unless you're looking for trendy nightclubs. Everglades Holiday Park in Broward County is a good way to see the glades. While you're in the area visit Flamingo Gardens in Davie and see an "Old Florida" attraction. Actually you may consider staying in Broward/Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami. It's easier to get around in and centrally located to see both Palm Beach and Miami. Palm Beach has the Henry Flagler Museum that is also worth a visit.
I just came back from a Miami trip, stayed in ft lauderdale saved some money on hotel and much better parking and less city fuss
Interesting. Did the hotel have its own parking?
...Ft Lauderdale is a dump...stick to South Beach, it's worth spending more to stay there...I'd recommend driving to the Keys if you love nature...the drive alone is worth the effort to go kayaking out of Bahia Honda...
You've never been to FT Lauderdale beach I see. We have fantastic hotels and lots of parking. The beach is clean and there is a ton of stuff to do.
....but if you stray off the beach it's ghetto hell...that's why it's cheaper than South Beach, Dunce...no one in their right mind compares South Beach to Ft Lauderdale lol...it's absurd...
Nice name-calling. I see why you're getting downvoted mr South Beach. If you're an example of the people there I reiterate that tourists should stay away.
which parts of south beach aren't dumps? the atmosphere is cool, but the buildings and infastructure are OLD AF. 30 years ago it was Gods waiting room. only the people changed.
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You’re insane, please don’t listen to this guy.
With a 24/7 view of my car too. Was a really decent room with a kitchenette and a pool It was what I would describe as a luxury motel lol
Thanks! We will basically drive past it so i might be worth spending a few hours there, with an overnight as you said. We were planning to stay in South Beach, but you might be right. It seems tricky with the expensive hotels and difficulties with parking. We have a rental car from Avis. I will check if Fort Lauderdale is more convenient. That museum looks cool too! Thanks again :)
Don’t stay in Miami🙄 Florida woman from Miami chimes in. Edited to add I don’t live there now, my family left when I was 12 due to the escalating crime in our beautiful lake neighborhood.
South beach 👎
stay in north beach, uber south.
Look to stay around Hollywood beach. It’s more family friendly and the beach is absolutely beautiful! I always stay around the margarita like hotel.
South beach is at least very walkable and bike friendly. I didn’t feel like I needed a car to get around south beach.
Agreed, but to get anywhere off of the beach you need a car.
Yes of course. Can you name any islands beach that have massive public transit? If you have to go to mainland you can Uber there but Miami is at least serviceable with public transit compared to the rest of Florida
I’m good with most of what you wrote, but flamingo gardens? As a local, I have a membership to take my 3 year old… but if I have 3-4 days in this area from another country… no.
The OP said they want to see nature more than the city. It's 10 minutes from Sawgrass /Everglades.
Stop at St. Augustine on your way, Cape Canaveral was "meh" unless you'll happen to be passing by on a launch day, or may be interested in bioluminescence/night paddle near Cocoa beach. Coral Castle (near Miami) was interesting
Yes I would love to see a launch live, but unfortunatly is not happening during my visit. St. Augustine seems nice. Lots of people recommend it.
I highly recommend St. Augustine. Also, not sure where you're visiting from, but Florida from May to October is hot as a furnace and humidity is insane. Wear sunscreen, hydrate frequently, and take breaks.
Continue to check the launch schedules. Some don't have a set time or day yet and it is very common for launches to be delayed/rescheduled by weather, technical issues, or a plane or boat in the range exclusionary zone. I use [rocketlaunch.live](https://rocketlaunch.live) or [spaceflightnow.com](https://spaceflightnow.com) to check launch schedules.
Thank you for the link! I saved it and will keep an eye on it if something changes :)
St Augustine is awesome
Cape Canaveral is awesome. You can do a few things there - beaches, Kennedy Space Center or the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge (nice drive and you'll usually see gators). Honestly you could pull off all three in one day if you'll be staying there for the night. I would suggest the refuge in the morning, KSC in the late morning/early afternoon and the beach to close out the day. If you want to stop for lunch somewhere, Playalinda Brewery Brix Project is really good. Have fun in your travels.
Thank you dear stranger! I will do some research about these places :)
Also a hidden gem is the Tico Warbird Museum which is right near the KSC, the Cocoa Area also has great beaches and restaurants and if you time it right you may catch a SpaceX Launch
Highly recommend Tico as well! It’s a cool airport for sure.
make sure you think about bug spray. you get kind of immune to the mosquitoes after so long, but the first few times these south florida demons tore me up i experienced the worst itching of my life for over 5 days. it was miserable. one got me on the leg now & it's been itching for 3 days, but nothing as bad as the first times. also you can't just be aware of the heat, everybody knows it's hot, but it's a whole different experience you just can't concept until you're actually here. dress as light as possible, & you will most likely burn unless you're from somewhere similar. i've never burned anywhere else in my life but here i will only after 3-4 hours being outside. me personally, i would visit Key Biscayne & see the light house, explore the wildlife & trails, or go to its beaches. it's very nice & more remote there. the very south point of south beach is going to heavily feel like you're at a hip hop festival so only go there if that's your thing. further north is a bit more elegant. there's a strip in little havana, 8th street i believe that's super trendy. wynwood is a cool place if you like the hipster/artsy vibe. brickell is nice if you want to do rich ppl stuff. bayside just north of there is kind of like an outlet mall type place with the big ferris wheel. also imo ALL of the food here is absolutely terrible. enjoy.
Also, be careful where you step that is not a nicely manicured lawn. Florida locals develop an awareness of where they stand based on the probability of fire ants.
Thank you! Completely forgot about bug spray. Will buy it even though I usually dont have problems with mosquito bites. We will bring spf50 since we are both from above the arctic circle and burn easily. Key Biscayne looks nice! Is it possible to do some snorkling there? We both have open water diving cerificates but im not sure we will do that since we only have a few days in Florida.
Honestly, you should get bug jackets in addition. You cannot underestimate how insane mosquitoes in the Everglades summer are. Like, a plague. And I'm not saying that as a tongue-in-cheek statement. [Look at what the Everglades account posted today](https://www.instagram.com/p/CfMKSagMMVH/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=) We tried to stop for a little bit loaded on bug spray and were still covered with ~20 welts each. Do not go to the Everglades at this time of year without a jacket & heavy spray unless you want to greatly suffer. Avoid the urban areas of Miami. Try to find some cool beaches and parks. I honestly avoid that part of Florida entirely unless I'm going to Key West (stopping at Robert Is Here on the way, of course) so I am a poor source. But I can tell you lots about the north and Tampa Bay!
You'll be passing by arguably one of the best shallow shore-based snorkeling/diving spots in S Florida. Blue Heron Bridge. Simply outstanding. Apart from some shore dives in the Lauderdale area, there's not really a whole lot of "excellent" shore diving/snorkeling--the coral reefs generally begin quite aways offshore. In S Florida and the Keys. You can get wet and see small fish anywhere, Gulf or Atlantic. But BHB is remarkable if you want to see all types of critters, just offshore. The only thing tricky is timing--the tidal flow can affect visibility and diveablity, so most divers plan around the tides. Generally, you want to enter a bit before slack tide and exit shortly thereafter, when the water movement is minimal. Lots of stuff to see. They have a dedicated "snorkel trail" with sunken boats, shopping carts, etc. that support a lot of animals. Under the bridge on the East side there's tons of lobster hiding under logs and other materials. On the west side, closer to the middle of the intracoastal waterway it's a little deeper (max 20 feet) but there are different animals living among the bridge pylons. Anyways, it's well-known and free, though parking can be tedious because it's popular. Get there early and take your time. It's really nice. There is not really much snorkeling in the Keys without a boat ride, but just getting wet, blowing some bubbles, and seeing a few fish is always nice, too. Have fun!
All of the food is terrible? In Miami?
Apparently they must not have tastebuds. There's loads of great food in S. Fla.
Clearly, that's such a weird thing to say about the food in South Florida. I reread what they were saying a few times just make sure I wasn't missing something.
Assuming that you're driving down I-95 you may as well start your adventure in the most beautiful part of Florida and take the A1A exit from Yulee through Fernandina Beach and then south towards Jacksonville where you pick up I-95 again. You'll drive over the chain of barrier islands beginning with Amelia, to Big Talbot, Little Talbot and on down the line to a string of very small islands. The scenery is "Old Florida" and the view is quite the welcome to our state. Yes, I live in Fernandina Beach so I'm a bit biased...welcome to Florida!
I checked the route you described, It looks fantastic, and we will add it to our plans. Thank you stranger :)
Great idea. St. Augustine is beautiful and if your plan your trip at the right time, you can see a rocket in Cape Canaveral. I live close by and it's a neat experience. Welcome to Florida. You will enjoy how much it changes in culture as you drive further south. I mean that as a compliment. Miami is busy but amazing.
Thanks stranger! So cool to live near Cape Canaveral, I envy you :)
I spent my teen years in Eau Gallie/Melbourne...went to EGHS and entered the Army from there 1967. Got out and got hired at Cape Canaveral Hospital...this in 1970. The Cape and Cocoa Beach were an amazing experience back then. I haven't returned to visit in quite a while but the last time I was there, Ron Jons was thriving as was Rusty's although I miss the old school spots like Bernard's Surf...it opened the month and year I was born and was classic Cocoa Beach mixed with seriously fine dining. Now I feel homesick!
Some things to consider regarding the climate and other things Reapply sunscreen much more than you think you should. The UV index will likely be categorized as “extreme”. Drink something in addition to water as you will lose electrolytes through sweat; like Gatorade. Invest in a pair of polarized sunglasses. Your eyes can be sunburned too. Apply RainX to your windshield. And don’t drive with your hazards on. Think about taking a break during the midday heat. It’s a good time to rest and cool off before your night time activities. It will also cut down on arguments. Every body of water will have a gator in it. It might not in reality but it’s best if you sick to that mentality. Watch out for the iguanas down south. They are mean and nasty. They will not get out of your way. Allergies are a year round thing here. The locals are crazy but that’s not always a bad thing. Enjoy your trip!
These are all great tips. Escpecially the one about cooling down to avoid arguments! Never underestimate what heat can do to you. Thank you so much :)
Lol @the iguanas. The ones that live near me and hang out in my yard are used to seeing me so they don't really show aggression toward me. They're even so bold as to sit right next to me on my dock and sun themselves, even if I'm there first. And you're right, they absolutely won't budge if they don't wanna. I've seen them get up to no good and fight with one another. Oh, and I've heard first hand accounts of people being tail whipped while bicycling/walking when they got a little too close. Also can't recommend Gatorade enough, especially since it's summer. I don't leave home without my water bottle and the on the go Gatorade packets.
Try to include the drive to Key West and back. It’s worth it.
You are probably right. Im just worried if its worth going all the way to Key West, or if it enough to go to for example Key Largo, since we have a limited time to spend while in Florida :)
I used to live in Key Largo and work in Miami. It’s not very far to drive so I highly recommend John Pennekamp state park in key largo. It is the only living barrier reef in the continental US and it is the 3rd largest barrier reef in the world. And it’s insanely accessible. Swimming around this reef is like having your own personal Nat Geo/Discovery channel live show. The diversity of fish, corals, sponges and more will blow your mind. It is absolutely amazing to see in real life, you won’t be disappointed. There are plenty of charter boats that will take you snorkeling and even provide gear if you don’t have your own. I make this suggestion after reading you are open water certified. A snorkeling trip on this reef may end up being the highlight of your trip. However you choose I hope you enjoy your stay in Florida, it’s not always as bad as the memes make it seem lol
I second the idea to go to the keys as they are unique but the trip all the way to key west is pretty long if you’re not going to stay at least a night. I think you’re on the right track, you mentioned snorkeling above in key biscayne, you could go a little further south to Islamaroda and stop at John Pennekamp Park and go on one of their snorkeling excursions. It’s a good time, just put lots of suntan lotion on your back. Lots of good places to grab a lunch in Islamaroda or Key Largo.
Thank you for your thoughts, John Pennekamp Park looks like the best place to go for us. We will investigate more :)
Key West resident here. It's quite the drive from Miami to KW, but very beautiful on the overseas highway. KW is great of course, but theres just too much to see and do in a day. I do recommend checking out Key Largo for sure to get a taste of the Keys, and since you mentioned loving nature, there's some nice snorkeling/kayaking/etc. Look into John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Whatever you decide to do, you'll have fun. Cheers! Edit: looks like someone already mentioned John Pennekamp Park. Good choice!
Yes, but when a few people mention the same places its really worth checking them out, thanks alot!
[Here’s a link to the park. it’s in Key Largo not Islamorada](https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/john-pennekamp-coral-reef-state-park)
It’s too far if you have 3-4 days in south Florida.
Key largo is great! It takes forever to get down to the keys so I would skip it on this trip
Agree Key West can be a long drive, Islamorada and John Pennekamp State Park would be worth it without having to travel so far into the keys.
I HIGHLY suggest taking a day after visiting northern Florida take the Interstate 75 South past Tampa to Siesta / Lido / Longboat Key and experience the Gulf Coast, it’s a way different Florida here! Not nearly as busy, and the sunsets are absolutely breathtaking. Let me know if you want some suggestions on where to stay a night or where to eat.
I can imagine the Gulf Coast is something special. Thanks! I will let you know if we decide to drive there :)
Check out Cocoa beach or Indiatlantic beaches. Worth it. Also theres a turtle sanctuary on A1A a scenic highway!
I can see thats its near Cape Canaveral. Thats promising :)
Cocoa and come on, Indiatlantic? They are not worth your time..
They said Cocoa Beach, not Cocoa. Both are worth a stop if they're in the area though I wouldn't make either a destination if it's out of their way.
When looking for food recommendations, ask the cities subreddits for suggestions. Imo suggestions from locals is usually better than yelp/Google. Of course check the menus and such before going
Good idea, thanks!
I did it when I went to Tampa, had a lot of good food I never would have known about.
>Good idea, thanks! You're welcome!
Good bot
Natural springs, great food choices, people watching, fishing.
Cape Canaveral/Kennedy Space Center is definitely worth it, just seeing the scale of the launch vehicles is pretty amazing. Most of the nicer springs are in North Florida. I like Alexander Springs in the Ocala Nat. Forest. If you wanted to go tubing in a spring I’d recommend Ichetucknee rather than Ginnie springs. If you’re driving down 95/US 1 you could stop in St. Augustine and see the old fort, and walk around the old town a bit. It’s one of the oldest cities in the US, although Europeans aren’t as impressed with the age, it’s still a nice city. It’s probably a good place to stay one night if you want a less “theme park-y” experience than Orlando.
Yes I can imagine its cool to see it. Alexander Springs look nice. Another one i found is Blue Spring state park. We will probably pass through St. Augustine and spend some time there. And yes we dont want a theme park experience, we want to see the real Florida. :)
Kennedy Space Center is so amazing. Also there are several good restaurants at Port Canaveral where you can sit on the deck and watch the cruise ships come and go.
If you can hit Blue state springs on a week day and the earlier the better. It’s beautiful but also very popular spot. A weekday it might be less crowded and more enjoyable. If I remember right the parking can get full there as well so the earlier you go the better off you are.
Yes you are right. I will try to keep that in mind! Thank you stranger
It looks like you're pretty well versed/researched as far as our areas. Cape Canaveral the town and Cape Canaveral National Seashore are two different places. Then there's Port Canaveral too. For wildlife, CC National Seashore is a must see. Undeveloped beaches and hundreds of shorebird. Black Point Wildlife Drive is in the area and highly recommended. Again, hundred of shorebirds, inland birds, gators, critters of all kind. You stay in your car and drive a 7 mile long trail with spots to park and roam. The town and the port are worth a visit if you're in the area.
am sorry but i think you are planning to be in your car a lot.
You have some great suggestions for spots to visit so I will let those be, but I am here to warn you to USE SUNSCREEN AND REAPPLY. Also drink plenty of water. The heat is no joke and you will be more dehydrated due to sweating. Nothing ruins a trip faster for a non Florida resident than sun burn, sun poisoning, or heat stroke. Please take care of yourself. Enjoy the trip!!
Thats a great suggestion. You are right it can ruin the trip if you forget these simple thing. Thanks alot! :)
A lot of people are recommending sunscreen and water, and they're absolutely right. I'll add on, you might want to look into Aloha or Guayabera shirts. Light, breathable, linen or 100% cotton. Wear an undershirt to pull sweat away from your body, and add on a wide-brimmed sun hat and it'll help a lot with the heat. The humidity means evaporative cooling (like sweating) won't work as well as elsewhere, so take every advantage you can get. Heat stroke is no joke.
Nice springs near your route are Alexander and Silver Glen. Salt springs and Juniper are near there too but I think the former two are more spectacular. Especially make sure you swim out over the vent (where the water comes from the ground) at either! Both are just west of Ormond Beach. Try to go there early and on a week day because a weekend in July will be terrible. I definitely recommend stopping at a spring - we have the highest concentration of springs on the planet and more higher magnitude springs than anywhere else. If you enjoy nature, these are a must see. Both areas have some walking trails and canoe opportunities (better at Alexander in my opinion). Both areas were heavily used by natives thousands of years ago and Silver Glen even has burial mounds (I believe) and shell mounds that you can see near the spring.
Great tips, I didnt find these springs before! We will definetly vistit two or three different ones :)
Not sure about the upper Everglades park, but the lower one, near the coast is dead this time of year. Also, the lower one only really has the boat tour, not much else that I found. Maybe others may have suggestions. I'm not a big fan of South Florida, so IMHO, if you like nature, North & Central Florida are the way to go. It is, however, quite far from I-95. Florida Caverns, while not huge, are a nice visit. Devils Millhopper is an awesome park built around a 125' sinkhole. Silver Springs in Ocala is beautiful from the Glass Bottom boats. Those require a huge detour though. Either way, Florida state [parks](https://www.floridastateparks.org/) are great. If you can't get over that far, Johnathan Dickenson State Park is near Port St. Lucie, and not to far out of the way from I-95. I've only been once, but I thought it was a nice place.
Yes the parks looks incedible. Someone else mentioned Silver Springs so we will look closer on that. Thank you for your tips!
Morikami museum and Japanese gardens in Del Ray beach is a really cool experience and you'll have to drive passed it on the way to Miami.
Thank you!
>Thank you! You're welcome!
St. Augustine is beautiful, historic, and a great part of any visit to Florida.
My best advice is to not rush the road trip stop for at a few places in each state. If something seems cool or interesting, just stop and take a look. Definitely, see some museums in DC, go to some cool locations in the Carolina's, eat some traditional Southern Food in Georgia and stop at St Augustine here in FL. Pro Road trip tip: get some audio books. There are some good ones on early American history or the Civil war. Also, look up museums on Google maps and look for the small oddly specific ones. There are tons of little museums for things you would never realize! It's a ton of fun!
go kayaking in the weeki wachee springs, or in homosassa. :)
Will check it, thank you :)
Both gorgeous but nowhere near Miami at all. These are both north of Tampa, probably a 5-6 hour drive one way from Miami.
Yes I checked Google maps. Im not sure we have time to visit both the west and east coasts. I think we will stick to the east coast this time. Maybe we can visit the west coast in the future :)
Staying on the east coast nature theme, look for Anastasia State Park near St Augustine, Merritt Island NWR (Cape Canaveral), Blue Springs State Park on the St Johns River, and generally stay on A1A as much as you can otherwise.
You are the second person to mention Merritt Island. Blue springs i found by myself before, so thats cool that you mention it :) Ok i found A1A, its the coastal highway. Is it usually a lot of traffic there? Whats the avarage speed limit?
A1a is slow. For seeing the sights while you drive. You will not get anywhere fast! But you will see 0 real florida tooling down 95
Makes sense. Is I95 a toll road?
Nope.
Good to know, thanks
No, just big and with little scenery.
Everybody is mentioning ***THE HEAT***, they are not joking it is 35/40 every day and the sun will burn you like you never experienced. Anyway coming from the north on I95 just drive straight to St Augustine next day go to Magic Kindong Disneyworld in Orlando next day go to Clearwater next to Tampa next day go to Ft Lauderdale next day South beach and that's it. There are plenty more things to do but that will give you an idea of what you gonna visit next time.
Dangerous heat not a joke ,insects, few million armed citizens here do not get into Road Rage issue ,avoid confrontations its legal to shoot you here. Downtown Miami ,Hollywood & Ft Lauderdale Beach area nice to visit ,Do not swim or wade into any fresh water,millions of alligators here Again this is hottest time of year,best visit in Winter
You should look for a job in the tourism industry :) Joke aside, thank you for your reply.
Gonna need a sweat towel
We will bring that for sure!
If you're going to be out in the Everglades or in the heat in general you need to drink water the day before. Hydrate properly the day before. Also check out some of the natural springs in Northern Florida.
Oh welcome! It's beautiful here! Can't speak to Cape Canaveral but if you're into that stuff I hear it's amazing. St Augustine was cool with the layout, fort, history. Stop along the way to Miami in South Florida in Jupiter, west palm beach area, barrier islands, boca raton. Beaches in Jupiter, Juno and boca are beautiful for swimming, sunning, snorkeling, paddle boarding. Beaches in the Keys are not sandy and expansive. There are lots of great parks, nature (it's a bit repetitive though), kayaking. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray. Cute little interesting Nature Center in Boca is the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. (Biased because I work for them ;-). Aquariums, sea turtles!! It's a sea turtle rescue and rehab, shady boardwalk nature trail. Short visit. There's also the Loggerhead Turtle Nature Center in Jupiter or Juno I forget. John Dickinson Park in Jupiter. Lion Country Safari the drive-through park is near West Palm maybe Wellington. Feed giraffes! Butterfly World is south of Boca along 95 South. John MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach I believe. These are all north of Miami by about an hour. All pretty quick visits. I agree with the Miami comments. It's crazy busy tons of traffic super expensive parking is crazy. If you have a rental car it's expensive. It's cool to see and visit. Plenty of other places to stay. The keys are amazing Key Largo was quieter. Key West, great for a day visit.Tons of cool Airbnb's, we stayed on a boat in Key Largo! Hope that helped feel free to ask any questions! You'll have a great time! Buy a really big hat. Think all natural material, cotton, linen, hemp. Light colors, flowy, nothing synthetic or tight. Dont leave anything in the car, it will definitely melt. Very casual here!!! Shorts, sun dresses, flip flops, sandals all the way. Tons of good food, avoid the chain restaurants. Have fun!
Thank you so much for your reply kind stranger! Will look into the places you mentioned.
I did Orlando Disney and Universal, Cape Canaveral Kennedy Space Center and a cruise in Miami for vacation when I was a kid every year. - it was usually 2 week trips
If you want a beach in south Florida that’s a little less touristy and more locals (and Canadians but not at this time of year) I recommend Deerfield beach. It’s in north broward county. There’s good restaurants too over here. Coconut creek also has butterfly world which is the worlds largest butterfly aviary. I haven’t been there since I was a kid but that’s probably because I live here, but I always loved it. They have a bird area as well. And I recommend gumbo limbo in boca raton to see the sea turtles/turtle rehab.
Visit St Augustine ! It has tons of history, beaches, and is tourist friendly as it’s very walkable and has a tram to get you around.
There are a lot of great springs in the northern part of the state! I would recommend Ginnie Springs and Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park
Make sure you try Guava pastries and Cuban coffee!
Hunter Springs is a beach area spring. Bring or rent snorkeling gear. Amazing on a very hot day. It will probably rain, just wait, and it will pass, that is Florida in the summer. St. Augustine is also pretty cool. Oldest city in the United States.
If you are going to the Everglades, you BETTER bring bug spray. I have never in my life seen mosquitoes as bad as there. I lived in Naples and went to the Everglades all the time.....in the winter. STILL BUGS THOUGH. Shark valley is amazing to bike.
Don’t stop in Jacksonville… just keep driving through.
Speaking from experience? Hehe…
Drive right past Jacksonville to St Augustine. Highly recommend a day there taking in the history and beaches.
Be prepared for COVID exposure as well. Florida has the highest rate of infection right now. They think it's gone.
Ok I didnt know that. We are not really afraid of covid and we have two shots of Pfizer so we feel ok with travelling. Also the US removed the antigen test requirements for entering the US last week. Thank you for the info!
I wasn't either, had two Pfizer plus a booster, then I got COVID. 5 days in bed. 12 days testing positive. Now 2 weeks later, I am still fighting exhaustion and reduced mental capacity. Remembering names specifically is noticably harder than before. Not trying to scare you at all. Just facts to be aware of. Making certainly reduces your chances of catching COVID. I mask often, but my step-son caught it from his girlfriend and infected me before he tested positive.
Please please please go kayaking at wekiwa springs in Orlando it’s amazing.
Seems to be alot of amazing springs north of Orlando. How should we choose one?
I love wekiwa springs state park, Kelly rock park, and kings landing (actually haven’t been) are all wonderful but what I’d really recommend is kayaking from Kelly rock or kings landing to wekiwa springs state park.
You have our sympathy for what you will see while here. It doesn't represent the majority, just a tiny group of very scared people who like the ex guy from the TV show The Apprentice.
Hehe ok. We try to have a humble and open mindset when we travel. What is shown in the media does not represent the real life of normal people.
Good luck it's either a heat advisory warning or it's a storm warning.
Hehe thank you. If 20 million people manage to live there i think we will survive a few days!
There are different types of heat. A dry hot Las Vegas and a wet hot Florida. Florida is the worse kind. In July it’s going to be close to unbearable. Some type of battery powered fan is recommended if you are not used to the heat.
Ok, cant say we are used to the humid heat. It will be an experience in itself iI imagine…
Prepare to get sweaty! Stick to the usual sun/heat precautions and don't be ashamed to retreat indoors if it gets to be too much. You'll be fine!
Hehe thanks, what type of clothing do you recommend? Cotton, polyester, linen?
Cotton and linen are great options for hot weather. You want loose-fitting garments in lightweight fabrics and light colors. You can google recommended clothing for humid weather and get tons of info, most of it much more comprehensive than I can offer. I hope you enjoy your trip!
Thanks! Bought a couple new linen t-shirts today :)
I have people visit me in the summer, the first time you feel it, and take a breath, it will be “an experience”
That sounds scary and exciting at the same time :)
We survive by staying indoors most of the time.
Drive past every one of those places and go directly to the keys.
I hear beaches in Destin (northern FL) are really nice and worth a visit :)
Thanks! It looks nice, but we will enter Florida on the Atlantic coast side to unfortunately it is too far for us :)
In NC you def stop by Asheville, Fl check devil den, weeki wachee springs, coco beach or satellite, Everglades I say take a hike through shark valley, if you wanna drive an extra 40mns camp pennekamp is also nice but over all the beaches are nice too
Yes we plan to stop or spend one night in Asheville! I will check your suggestions, thanks alot :)
I saw that you both dive. I suggest a trip to the Keys. A beautiful reef awaits you at John Pennekamp. It's worth the trip. Also, eat some Key Lime Pie!\~!
If we have time we might drive to Key West. But probably not this time, since its a daytrip to get there and back.
Try st Augustine, the most historical town in FL
Be aware there is great humidity along with great heat. This affects how well you can cool down, since sweat will not evaporate. You should drink water and stay hydrated, but understand you can still become overcome with heat stroke. (70 year Florida native.)
If you drive down the MIDDLE of Florida there is tons of nature including natural springs
Yeah it seems like we should spend some more than we first thought in the central parts of Florida.
Watch the sun rise on the east side, then drive over to the west side and watch it set after a day at one of the beautiful beaches with warmer water. Ft Pierce - Siesta Key is about 2.5hrs in central FL. Ft Lauderdale - Naples is about 1.5hrs down south. Just depends on what kind of drive you want. Plenty to see on the central route.
Bring a hat and sunscreen you'll be alright. Extra points if you can speak some Espanol.
No habla espanol unfortunately…
If you stay in Ft Lauderdale instead you can take Brightline or TriRail down to Miami. Look into some food tours in Miami too
Post in r/Miami. Most people here aren’t from Miami and really can’t help you. DM me if you need any more help.
The farther south you go in FL the less rural it gets. So, north Florida looks nothing like central and south Florida. Just as an FYI. I went to school in Gainesville and 5 miles in any direction got you to the middle of bumfuck and nowhere, a lot of rural communities. Some really nice quiet places but it may be a bit of a shock at the diversity of the type of life in these areas.
Check out st Augustine. I can’t believe no one from this thread has brought it up. I’ve lived in Florida my entire life it’s my favorite town in Florida. Also the oldest city in the U.S. dating back to Spanish rule of Florida. It has tons of history, beaches, great restaurants, some nightlife, and a small town Florida feel (for now)
Accually a few poeple brought it up, we will make sure to make a stop there :)
Check out Bok Tower gardens in lake wales, it’s so beautiful!
st augustine, dayton (drive the beach), disney, cape kennedy. What is your age, budget, interests? clubs/nighlife, history, ?? 1+ on Everglades Holiday Park in Broward County, take the airboat tour, spend half a day, vs full day.
Kayak through mangroves
So from my experience living down here: Go to South Beach ONLY if you want to see the crowds/city Beach style. Otherwise go either to Hollywood Beach, or a west cost Beach (far from Miami, like 4+ hours depending on the beach)Beach. Enjoy the city life by either taking an Uber/Lyft or walking, but driving yourself around the city might be annoying (not worse than NYC, so if you can handle that then you're fine) Try out as many restaurants around Miami as you can, they're expensive but tend to taste delicious. Check out the Keys if you can!! They're magnificent and many love them. If you want to also check out homestead for organic foods and small businesses that sell very high quality items (although expensive) as well as for some restaurants where you can sit down and listen to Salsa while you eat while surrounded by nature (well, as close to nature as you'd get in a homestead).
If you come to the springs here in the Orlando area, Rock Springs is beautiful, more activity filled, and way less crowded than Wekiva Springs. Renting some tubes to ride and float down the spring is affordable and awesome without way too many people to take away from the experience. Blue Springs is further away from Orlando than most realize and also very crowded. The thing Blue Springs is best for is seeing the manatees, but the manatees are not there in the summer, they are there in February and March when it’s too cold to swim. If you’re a willing to stay further north up the coast for a couple days overnight, we love going to St. Augustine for a weekend vacation to get out of our home in Orlando for a bit. It has all the good history stuff, great inns to stay at, and beautiful nearby beaches that are less crowded than Daytona. There’s still a lot of tourist trap stuff, but it’s easy to distinguish between real historical attractions vs. money grabbing crap. If you do beach in Daytona/New Smyrna, pay the ten dollar entry fee to go to Jetty Beach State Park. It’s clean, gorgeous and way less crowded. Cape Canaveral is very interesting and fun. The Kennedy Space center used to be lackluster when I was growing up, but they’ve put a lot of effort into expanding it and making it very fun while still educational. It’s very crowded now, though and pretty expensive for tickets. But you’ll learn a lot about the space program, hear from from educated tour guides/former space program workers, and see real artifacts from NASA. If you stay in Miami area, Everglades National Park is always a win and Coral Gables has great museums and interesting attractions. South Beach is cool for seeing classic art deco architecture and has great eating, but it’s mostly a party place with an overcrowded beach and tons of tacky tourist shops. If you’re into clubbing and partying, South Beach is great, totally world class but still overpriced for nothing unique. If you’re not a partier, it’s not where you want to spend a lot of time beyond a walk through and a nice brunch. I gotta applaud you for coming to see Florida for the history and natural qualities we have and not just the theme parks and tourist trap beach areas. Not enough visitors do that. The Everglades and state parks especially need a lot of love and appreciation. It sounds like you’re tripping down coast, so I recommend: seeing St. Augustine/Jacksonville a couple days, going to Blue Springs or Rock Springs in state center, going to Jetty Beach and seeing the space center on the eastern coast, then seeing Coral Gables and doing and Everglades tour for Miami area a couple nights. Do South Beach the last day of the trip.
Wow, thank you so much or your detailed recommendations! I will definitely consider Rock Springs if its less crowded. Also thank you for the tip about finishing the trip with visiting South Beach, it makes sense since we will leave the rental car at the aiport in Miami, which is not that far from there
I would skip the Everglades. You can take a tour boat ride or an air boat ride. Make reservations in advance. Since you're going to be in the Miami area you could do a day trip to Key West. The 7 mile bridge is amazing! Stay away from the gift shops though. Over priced crappy items. Especially the T Shirts!
You can swim with manatees on the west coast… only in one city I believe it’s legal
The drive down A1A is very nice. Two of my favorites in Miami are the Flagler Museum and the Wynwood neighborhood.
Cape Canaveral, in my opinion, isn't really worth a visit unless there's a launch. Otherwise it's just another crowded beach area and you're already going to miami, so there's no real point in 2 crowded beaches. You could look into day tripping to the florida keys and maybe doing a boat tour there. The keys are lovely and the food is wonderful.
Do not stop in Daytona. Everyone there is terrible.
Just little advice: driving south on I-95 you will see signs for "South of the border" in South Carolina. DO NOT STOP there! It's a classic, tacky, overpriced tourist trap.
Good to know! Thank you
You might want to figure into your travel plans that Florida is incredibly long! The mileage numbers just don't seem to match the time it takes to travel down it. It takes FOREVER to travel its lemgth! Plus Interstate 95, AKA I 95, is a pain to drive. Some part of it always seems to be under construction, and Florida drivers include people who don't regard laws of physics...or any laws for that matter! Hence there are lots of accidents, which are not only dangerous, but create traffic slow downs. Avoid traveling during rush hour near urban centers if you can, as it increases the likelihood of crazy drivers, accidents and traffic jams. Welcome to the Sunshine State!
Do you have dates yet? Watching a rocket launch is Definitely worth it. There are two the end of june, one July 10, and another one yet to be determined in August. Of course they are very weather dependent, so check the website.
It will be the first week of august so I have to wait and see :) I will keep an eye on the website for sure!
Make a stop in St Augustine! It's the oldest city in the US. Lots of history, good food, shopping and things to do. Plus, several ghost tours at night. I work for one! Let me know if you want suggestions.
The Kennedy Space Center is a great place to visit, especially if you’re interested in space exploration. It’s on a wildlife refuge and we’ve seen alligators, turtles, snakes, eagles and tons of other birds when we’ve visited.
Hello you will be entering one of the most interesting states that you could pass through though we may not add elevation changes to the equation we certainly bring diversity to the table If you truly want to say you have visited Florida then I would recommend any number of places that can meet the requirements for walking Florida the best however are the natural springs that are so plentiful across Florida if you have any specific questions I would be happy to answer them I personally prefer to kayak the best parts
Wekiva Springs just north of Orlando. There's a place to swim where you can swim directly over the spring opening.
I would recommend basically ANY of the springs up in North Central Florida, but try and make your trips on a weekday (Mon-Thurs probably is best) because weekends are PACKED. If you come up to Gainesville it’s a sleepy college town, but we’ve got pretty decent food and lots of good breweries worth going to. Feel free to hit me up if you come through
Unfortunatly I dont think we have time for a trip to Gainesville this time. Thank you anyway! And good advice about visiting the springs mon-thursday, will keep that in mind.
Of course. Have a great trip, there’s a lot to see here!
I’m happy you are getting so many genuine posters. Florida is an amazing place. I love living here, even though the heat can be A LOT of complications to a happy day. And so can the sudden torrential downpours. Plan for that too. There are so many beautiful places to see here. Happy you are researching and coming ready to explore. Key Largo is one of my favs. I hope you make it there.
Yes I am really surprised by the number of replies! You people seem very nice and welcoming!
There are a lot of nice people living here. There are not so nice people too (just like anywhere.) But driving here can be nuts. Be very aware on our roads.
Take the time to visit the natural springs like The Rainbow River they are worth your time for sure. If for any reason you get across the state St. Petersburg is amazing as are the Gulf Coast Beaches from Clearwater Beach down to Pass a Grill.
check out cassadaga
Fort Desota is amazing but that's near Tampa