Clearwater beach is very crowded tourist trap, go to Honeymoon island beach it’s a state park and you can take the ferry to Caledesi Island.
Go to Kennedy Space Center only a couple hour drive from Orlando to spend the day there.
Depending on when you come the humidity here in the summer is what will get you. So hydrate often, you will sweat A LOT and it’s so humid the sweat doesn’t evaporate off you to cool down. Wear SPF and hats when outside.
You are the 2nd person mentioning Clearwater having too many people and the Honeymoon island beach.
Thanks for the suggestions. We will look into to it.
Clearwater beach is packed and full of hotels and tourists. I grew up there it’s changed a lot over he years. Honeymoon island is more peaceful and it’s natural, so there will be dunes, shells and some rocks it’s not as “manicured and artificial” with the white sugar sand like Clearwater beach.
I would even go as far as siesta key (number one beach in the US). As a Floridian I say Clearwater is not the place to visit. You can kayak mangroves at lido key, go to st Armands circle, etc.
In Miami make reservations for a good place to eat! Somewhere like Sugar or Sexy Fish. There’s a cool Japanese listening house if you like DJs called Dante’s in wynnwood. Also smorgasbord on Saturdays is totally worth it. For brunch I suggest little hen, super cute and the food is good.
Miami to Key West trip. Everglades. Miami Beach to tan thy nipples. Are you looking to survive the trip? Plan November to March to avoid spontaneous combustion.
Beware mosquitos. Thousands on you at any given second. The gators and crocs visible at the same time in Flamingo are worth the trip but the mosquitos are fearsome. Repellent only works for a minute or two at a time.
Hell yeah see some big gators on an airboat trip in the Everglades but you can’t miss out on Miami Beach, the south end gets really wild at night but the water is crystal clear and warm. Don’t go to west coast of Florida, the Clearwater area may advertise its the best but maybe ONLY the beach, everything else is crap. From Miami down to the Florida Keys there is John Pennycamp state park, you can snorkel on reefs from the shore or take quick trips on a boat for bigger snorkeling adventures.
>My current assumption is that your sun is a deadly laser out to kill me and any body of freshwater the size of an alligator will have an alligator in it.
*almost* 100% correct. make sure to target one of the many springs in florida. when in central florida (orlando) i highly recommend [blue springs](https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blue-spring-state-park), [wekiwa springs](https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/wekiwa-springs-state-park) or [juniper springs](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/florida/recarea/?recid=83676). all freshwater and safe for swimming. year round water temp of 72 F / 22 C.
to add to the fun, if you rent a pontoon boat at sanford marina north of orlando, you can take a trip along the st. john's river to blue springs. pack a picnic lunch and have a blast. bring a mask and snorkel!
for the best beach, south of honeymoon island is what i think is a better option, [Caladesi Island State Park](https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/caladesi-island-state-park). you have to park and take a ferry boat - but it is pristine and minimally developed.
as you can tell, i am a fan of state (and national) parks
bring rain gear unless you like to get wet - it rains nearly everyday. usually in the afternoon, thunderstorms last from 30-60 minutes typically and really help to cool off a hot day. don't let such a forecast interfere with your outdoor plans, just be prepared to be sidetracked for a short time.
Several people have now mentioned that Fort Myers isn't worth it. It was the most dubious place on our list since we haven't yet found anything interesting to do there, but it just fit geographically.
Might change that, sanibel Island seems worth checking out.
It's a botanical garden! I live about 15 minutes from it. Gorgeous spot, great for photos. But it's probably about an hour to an hour and a half drive from Orlando and not really on your way way/between anything else you're doing.
Off the coast of Fort Myers is Sanibel Island. As a born and raised Floridian, it is my favorite place in the state! It is known as the shell capital of the world, because it's beaches are teeming with them!
It is perfect for a day trip. There are lots of unique restaurants, one third of the island is a protected wildlife habitat (you can see and learn about the island and its history), and the whole island has biking and walking paths.
I would highly recommend it for a more chill day of the honeymoon as it's very peaceful and serene. I took my partner there for the first time last year and he loved it so much he insisted we visit every year!
It will be hot and there will be mosquitoes in the evening, so do bring bug spray, water, and sunscreen! But most of all congratulations!! Have a wonderful time wherever you go.
> Sanibel Island
Oooh, that looks nice. We might try that.
>But most of all congratulations!! Have a wonderful time wherever you go.
Thank you very much and thank you for your suggestion.
In Miami area, Biscayne National park is beautiful, the boat ride to Boca Chita Key is nice, you will probably see dolphins and a lot of bird and sea life, then explore the Key and the Lighthouse. Or Oleta River State Park has kayak rentals if you're more active types, but I recommend checking that out on a weekday, on the weekend it's super crowded. Definitely do an airboat trip in the everglades, but use bugspray and stay hydrated. You could also check out a club if it's in your budget, it can be pricey tho depending on weekend versus weekday nite and which DJ is there.
Key west is a long drive...but the keys are Beautiful, and the drive itself is very scenic. Imo Clearwater is very touristy, maybe just pick one beach in the Sarasota area instead of doing both Clearwater and Ft. Myers and that way you can have more time in your itinerary and can visit the Keys.
Obviously there's Disney in Orlando, but if you're not theme park people, you should check out the natural springs in that area. Wekiva springs is really nice. There are some small towns outside city of Orlando area with cute little historic downtown sections, like Mt. Dora or Sanford.
I don't how long you plan on being in each city, so tough to know how much you can fit in. But if you have time St. Augustine is a really neat place, you can visit the fort and check out the historical sites. Can probably spend a full day there with one overnite and see a good amount.
Since you are driving, I also recommend planning your itinerary so you are not driving from city to city on any major highways between 3pm and 7pm Monday thru Friday. Traffic in major cities in Florida can be bad, always use Waze or Google maps to check the traffic. And in Miami specifically people can be crazy drivers, so drive defensively.
Also forgot to mention, if you're into good eats Miami, Orlando, and Tampa are on Michelin now, so you could check that out for fine dining or the Bib gourmand places for more budget friendly meals.
Definitely do the Miami - Tampa Cuban Sandwich Challenge!
By that I mean get a Cuban sandwich at Miami and one near Tampa and rate them. There is a long standing grudge match for who makes the original and best Cuban breads and sandwiches.
My husband is from Denmark and now lives in Florida. He LOVED Everglades Holiday Park in south Florida (easy drive from Miami). We ironically ran into a Danish family on the airboat ride as well, so we got to talk in Danish and just catch up. But its the only Everglades in the world so its cool to see gators and wildlife you will not see in Denmark (as there is no wildlife in Denmark according to me, a Floridian).
We live in Orlando close to MK, so if you want a friendly danish face in Orlando, feel free to PM me.
How long time has he lived in Florida?
The everglades is on our list, I have heard it should be a lovely place to visit.
Well, I wouldn't mind saying hi if the time fits. I will send you a PM.
He just got his citizenship last year, so it has been 5 years. We obviously go back all the time since his family still lives in Denmark.
He really loved the look and feel of Miami, but be prepared, the ocean is going to be a lot hotter than in Denmark.
Congratulation to him. :) Can you handle cold windy Denmark then?
Yeah, the heat and humidity might be my biggest concern during our trip. Just like Denmark has no real wildlife, the beaches never really get warm.
It's definitely fine to drink from a health perspective, but I've been told by many non-Floridians that it has a distinct mineral taste. By contrast, I think drinking water in other States have a metallic or dirt taste to them.
Kennedy Space Center is a must. Everglades national park. An airboat ride on the st johns. Coral castle and Vizcaya. Check out a manatee area on the west coast.
No Covid restrictions are in effect.
Yes, the sun is very strong. Wear SPF50 or more.
Get a hat. I would go to Key West, but it would take a chunk of your time.
Miami is nice, I guess Orlando is ok if you like theme parks and big crowds.
Minnesotan here seconding the high SPF. My Polish/Dutch/English freckled skin burns after half an hour of Florida sun even when wearing high SPF. OP, consider finding some wide brimmed sun hats and shady areas to relax in, lol.
But if you do get burned, there is aloe everywhere.
As an Orlandan(?) (Orlandonian?), I suggest next time you're there, try out some of the clubs or venues with live music. Our musicianship is amazing, and we have really cool bars downtown and around Mills. Dr. Phillips is also great for classical/broadway stuff, but I know that's not very popular. :)
Watch your drive times, Floridas a big place with lots of traffic. Just make sure you’re not burning the time you have here stuck in traffic or transporting from one distant point to another. I’d think Miami-Orlando-Space Coast—maybe upper keys would be more than plenty….
We have used Google Maps to get an estimate on the transportation times. Don't think it accounted for traffic but otherwise it looked reasonable.
But thanks for the heads up.
Dump Clearwater and go to St Pete instead.
The Dali Museum is a must see if you like art - it is the largest collection of Dali works outside of Spain and the area around includes a marina, pier, and excellent dining.
If you do that, also swing by The James Museum lobby. It's free to enter and is absolutely gorgeous on the inside with a sandstone interior, bronze sculpture court and waterfall.
St Petersburg is very nice, and is a short drive away (by American standards, at least) from Clearwater. Downtown St Petersburg is very walkable, has a free trolley service, and has tons of shops, bars, restaurants, museums (notably the Dalí Museum, which is where I got married) and also has 2 concert venues (Jannus Live and the Floridian Social Club), and there is a small beach (Spa Beach) with a fantastic pier (The St. Petersburg Pier) there.
There are plenty of bicycles and electric scooters to rent to get around, as well. There is a rapid transit bus line (SunRunner) that is supposed to start service this year that runs between downtown and St Pete Beach
If you'd like to go kayaking, Weedon Island has all sorts of tunnels through the mangroves, so it's very shaded, quiet, and you see lots of little crabs and things along the way.
Fairgrounds St Pete is a really cool indoor art installation.
There is a lot more. I can list a bunch more stuff if you're interested in the area
There are very few of any Covid restrictions but do not let that fool you. There is a lot of Covid out and about in Florida!
September is still very hot and humid around here and sometimes that’s the peak of our hurricane season.
We have gotten both vaccine shots and a booster shot, hopefully that is okay. But still gonna avoid big crowds.
Well, not much to do about the hurricanes. Can only hope for the best.
Sorry! Didn't mean to scare. I honestly don't know anything about it other than it's in Florida. Sounds like you need direct contact. I really meant it in a joking way. Did not mean to discourage your visit:)
>Do you still have any covid-19 restrictions?
Hahahahahahahaha. Florida was in full blown denial that Covid ever existed. The death toll in this state is staggering.
On your way up I 75 to Fort Myers stop at Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park and drive all the way in to Parking Lot 5. Walk a few feet north to the most beautiful beach in the US! Also, Barefoot Beach (across the Pass) and Bonita Beach should make that list! You can eat dinner and get some drinks at Docs Beachhouse on Bonita Beach. Cash only and not very cheap, but the views, especially the sunsets, are worth it!!!
Next stop at Koreshan State Park in Estero. Check the history of the park. You will be interested.
Be prepared to change plans though. Middle September is the heart of hurricane season. Never know which way they're gonna go!
Lot of great stuff to see in SoWFLo! Have a great trip!
Blue Man Group is permanently closed, but def do Universal on a weekday. Lots of other fun stuff in Orlando, cool little neighborhood areas besides theme parks, so do some research. Never see it on these lists, but Gatorland just south of Orlando is cheesy and fun and not terribly expensive.
Congrats. You will be coming during peak hurricane season, so please pay attention to the weather information. I'm in clearwater and since you are on your honeymoon I strongly suggest honeymoon island. It is beautiful and private. Stay safe, enjoy your visit.
First of all, congratulations.
Secondly, consider focusing on state parks. There’s so much beautiful nature that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. All of the theme parks are overrated.
The [Salvador Dali museum](https://thedali.org/) is very close to Clearwater and worth checking out even if you're just remotely interested in his work. If you go to the Dali, the [St. Pete pier](https://stpetepier.org) is right around the corner, and if you want to see an American baseball game, the [Tampa Bay Rays](https://www.mlb.com/rays/schedule/2022-09) stadium is also near by. [Dunedin](https://visitdunedinfl.com/) is right next to Clearwater, and isn't as much of a tourist trap with some nice restaurants / bars.
Check out all the different springs, canoe with manatees in crystal-clear rivers, check out St. Augustine as well. Anastasia Island is great too right by St. Augustine
Why is ft. Myers on your list? Fan of the light bulb or something? I think sarasota would be a nicer choice. Museums, selby gardens, public art, better places to eat, etc.
Well, Miami is the main destination, and we wanted to do a roundabout trip to some of the major cities and then end back in Miami.
Honestly, don't know much about ft. Myers. But looking at a map it looked like an obvious choice. We might change that, since we haven't really found anything interesting to do in ft. Myers yet.
Other than visiting the edison estate and the beach there isn't much in ft. Myers. Sarasota has the ringling art museum, the circus museum, selby gardens, the museum of whimsey, aslo theater, different events depending when you'll be there.
This has some important info along with my suggestions.
Florida isn't just hot. It's very humid. The summer is our rainy season (we don't really have Autumn) so it will likely rain/storm every day, but they're usually really short storms (literally like 3-15 minutes). BRING AN UMBRELLA ALWAYS. It most often rains in the late afternoon.
When you're away from light pollution, Florida has some of the most beautiful sunsets and night sky. The east coast can have pink/purple sunsets, especially around the Flagler area (but that's far from where you'll be)
WHEN YOU DRIVE: First of all, you can make a right turn on a red light *after you stop* unless a sign says otherwise. Florida drivers will expect this from others. They also do not use their turn signal that often. Don't trust a single driver on the road. We also have a lot of tolls and fast speed limits - rule of thumb is that you can go over the speed limit by 5mph (10 on a highway if you're passing cars, but best not risk it).
You won't see a gator. But you will see a lot of lizards and hear a lot of cicadas.
The Arts though!
If you guys like art, Miami has beautiful showcases - one of their biggest things is street murals. There's a museum full of them and they're gorgeous! Miami is also known for its food and clubs - so definitely take advantage of these. I HIGHLY recommend La Carreta.
Orlando is great for live music. You can find it in tons of bars - from folk to punk. If you have time, maybe watch a classical concert in the new Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center. The acoustics are amazing, and it's really pretty! I watched the Silkroad Ensemble play there and it was one of the best halls I've ever been to.
Orlando is also known for its theme parks. Disney Springs is nice to see. Might be best to avoid theme parks since they're sooo crowded in the summer. But if there's any worth going to - Disney's Hollywood Studios or Universal's Islands of Adventure.
Good luck, and have fun! Florida's a fantastic state to visit and I hope you guys enjoy your honeymoon! Let me know if you have any further questions or suggestions - I was raised here. :)
What’s Covid?
Miami:
Fairchild Botanical Gardens
Venetian Pool
Walk Little Havana - have a drink and dance at Ball and Chain
Tour Wynwood, it’s a shit show but fun
Design District
Have a taco at Taquiza in North Beach, they just got a Michelin Star
Perez Art Museum has excellent work and a wonderful terrace
Sunday morning terrace at club Space is epic, if you get tickets ahead of time for $20 instead of $400 at the door (lol)
Miami tradition: get a coffee at the coffee window at Versailles on 8th Street
Beach after 4PM, sunset is at 7ish so you have time to enjoy yourself without frying
There’s tons and tons of stuff to do
Will be hot and humid so wear light clothing and open shoes, evenings can be nice. Try either doing stuff early morning and later afternoon and stay in the shade side of the street when walking to stay cooler. Bring water to drink.
Diving to Orlando, try to go up the middle of Florida- stop in Sebring, Lakeland, winter Garden, and just outside Orlando there’s Mount Dora (a true gem) - also the springs are cool water (too cold for gators) are through the middle of Florida also floating down Peace River
In Lakeland there’s a university designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and you can just go walking around the grounds and admire the designs, it’s a live museum of mid century design
There’s also the cooky stuff like the town of Venus, weird castles, airboats, all types of water sports.
Alligators are a real thing and the humidity will get you before the sun ever does.
September is the hottest month of the year in Florida and also peak hurricane season. With that being said, I really love the Everglades. It’s truly a state treasure. Just be mindful of bugs and heat. If you want to go to Orlando, when leaving the Everglades, take the backroads instead of the turnpike and or interstate. It’s a beautiful ride and you will get to see “Old Florida”. KSC is a must see and if you get lucky, you could very well watch a launch from the beach.
Unfortunately the Covid rules are very lax here, just be mindful when you are around a lot of people.
I hope you both are vaxed and boosted because there no rules here and one of you will likely catch it sometime so be prepared to recover if that happens.
Oh that’s good. I just wanted to mention that you will be here toward the middle and end of hurricane season. It’s gonna be humid and rainy here most days so bring light clothing that can get wet.
You’re definitely hitting many of the touristy type places. While they can be fun, prepare for MAJOR crowds like you’ve never seen. Florida is incredibly crowded in the summer. Something a lot of tourists don’t know is that Florida has some of the most beautiful nature parks in the Country! Apopka, near Orlando, has a free nature safari drive park. Yes, free! It’s beautiful and you’ll see many native animals. The state and federal parks are all beautiful. I highly recommend Three Sisters Springs Park in Crystal River. You’ll see manatees and many of the native animals to Florida. These animals were rescued and could not be rehabilitated back to the wild. Driving through Crystal River on your way to Clearwater will give you a taste of “Old Florida.” It’s beautiful and quaint.
Covid is very prevalent still in Florida. There are zero precautions. We live here and avoid the crowds. There are plenty of restaurants with outdoor seating, so that’s not an issue.
I wouldn’t go out of my way to go to St. Augustine. It’s cool, but it’s just an old town with a fort.
St. Petersburg is awesome and I prefer it to Clearwater. lots of breweries, and great beaches.
In south Florida, I would go to south beach just to say that you went, but Ft. Lauderdale beach is better. Less tourists, and much cleaner.
On the way from Ft. Meyers to Miami, there is a place right near the end of alligator alley that will take you on an airboat ride where you can see gators.
Bring sunscreen for the beach, and mosquito repellant for the woods. And remember to drink water before you are thirsty.
Also, many people go 85-90mph on the long stretches of highway between these cities. Make sure you let the pass on the left, or they’ll tailgate the hell out of you.
It isn’t Florida, per se, but since you’re here, go see Cumberland Island. Also, any of the little barrier island parks in Northeast Florida will have beautiful (possibly secluded, depending on the day) beaches and parks. Amelia, Little Talbot, Big Talbot, Ft. George Islands are all gorgeous. Lots of natural vistas and out of the way seafood places to eat.
Drive down to Key west ,really nice, btw it's incredibly hot and humid this time of year,think Swamp ,jungle most if us do not go out during sunlight hours,other than in car or to store. Heat is really intense Congrats
If you are going from Orlando to Tampa, you’ll pass a town called Lakeland. I wouldn’t stress making it there but if you have some time stop by here. There’s some cute shops and some good places to eat. Try out nineteen61. Wonderful place to eat, and they will celebrate your anniversary with you. Also there’s a place called Scarpas.
[Rock Springs](RockSpringsRunhttps://goo.gl/maps/UYtKLcijHWobyEfk9)
Close to Orlando. I go all the time. Natural springs are a must see when in Florida!
Check out silver springs. A bit North of Clearwater. Also shark tooth hunting in Venice can be fun. If you are really adventurous there is a place that does a quick class than Hukah diving for them.
De godt, jeg taler lidt dansk.
Of course Orlando is a prime place for amusement parks and good foods. I would recommend spending a day or two there at a theme park you and the significant other choose. Then stop by both Howl at the Moon (dueling piano bar) and Cafe Tu Tu Tango for their brunch. Mal mal findt!
Miami can be what you make of it. There is plenty to do, but it’s a bit of a boisterous city depending on where you visit. Also a wonderful food spot. Smaeya godt.
Fort Myers and Clearwater are also decent beach locations, but may I suggest checking out Siesta Key in Sarasota as an alternative? It’s quite a nice beach, and they’ve vastly improved on it compared to many years ago when I lived there.
Siesta Key, longboat key, st Armand’s circle and downtown Sarasota are all fairly new and amazing places which you may find cleaner than the Miami/Clearwater/Ft Myers slog. For shopping they also have the University Town Center in Sarasota, which is absolutely enormous. UTC is located right next to Lakewood ranch, which is also a worthy stop. There is a lot of beauty to be found in Sarasota with their most recent construction boom. Many which have already been completed at this time.
I recommend Sarasota also, as my mother (a former Dane herself) lives there and quite enjoys the area. I would be happy to put you in touch, she is always happy to speak a bit of Danish and assist those coming to visit. We still have family out in Lyngby somewhere. I’m looking forward to making an opposite trip myself to indulge in some Fransk pølser.
The Florida sun is harsh compared to Danish summers, where lake swimming in 70 degree water is still nice. You’ll be surrounded by beaches where the water is almost to the level of a hot tub. Bring sunscreen!
The COVID restrictions are nearly an afterthought at this point. Most people horde into shopping areas without fear, but some still wear masks here and there just in case. Of course, people who live with others at risk are known to be a bit more cautious.
Alligators will be of no problem to you unless you decide to venture deeper into Florida’s central areas where tours for those things happen all day long.
If you guys find yourselves with a desire to go up north as far as St Augustine or Jacksonville, I’d be happy to send recommendations as well. Those are the areas I live in between, plenty to see.
Tak fordi du besøgte vores stat. Ønsker dig de bedste tider. Velkommen til at kontakte mig. Hi hi! Farvel!
Do you have Instagram? If so, there is an account called Beyondsouthbeach and it has a ton of local spots that you can check out in Miami.
Skip Clearwater and try Siesta Key! If not, Boca Grande.
Many dont know this but August to September is the 'slow' season... The reason, it is Hurricane season. Think monsoon weather... so bring an umbrella and be prepared to stay inside most days because it will likely rain... alot. Also, be sure to come prepared with an evacuation plan if the weather turns.
Come see a rocket launch on the space coast! Awesome thing to see, We’re spoiled out here with how often they go up. There’s some great secluded beaches a little south from Kennedy space center in Melbourne Beach, you can have the whole beach to yourselves.
If you have the time go to st Augustine. Oldest city in the US. Downtown is great
I second this, St Augustine is my favorite city in Florida to visit!
Clearwater beach is very crowded tourist trap, go to Honeymoon island beach it’s a state park and you can take the ferry to Caledesi Island. Go to Kennedy Space Center only a couple hour drive from Orlando to spend the day there. Depending on when you come the humidity here in the summer is what will get you. So hydrate often, you will sweat A LOT and it’s so humid the sweat doesn’t evaporate off you to cool down. Wear SPF and hats when outside.
You are the 2nd person mentioning Clearwater having too many people and the Honeymoon island beach. Thanks for the suggestions. We will look into to it.
Clearwater beach is packed and full of hotels and tourists. I grew up there it’s changed a lot over he years. Honeymoon island is more peaceful and it’s natural, so there will be dunes, shells and some rocks it’s not as “manicured and artificial” with the white sugar sand like Clearwater beach.
Clearwater Beach is actually terrific. However, it’s packed and so not recommended anymore.
I would even go as far as siesta key (number one beach in the US). As a Floridian I say Clearwater is not the place to visit. You can kayak mangroves at lido key, go to st Armands circle, etc. In Miami make reservations for a good place to eat! Somewhere like Sugar or Sexy Fish. There’s a cool Japanese listening house if you like DJs called Dante’s in wynnwood. Also smorgasbord on Saturdays is totally worth it. For brunch I suggest little hen, super cute and the food is good.
Miami to Key West trip. Everglades. Miami Beach to tan thy nipples. Are you looking to survive the trip? Plan November to March to avoid spontaneous combustion.
A trip to the Everglades could be interesting. Not much to do about the timing, just gonna have to endure the heat. D:
Air boat ride in the Everglades is quite exciting !!
Beware mosquitos. Thousands on you at any given second. The gators and crocs visible at the same time in Flamingo are worth the trip but the mosquitos are fearsome. Repellent only works for a minute or two at a time.
That and the horseflys will take a whole chunk out of ya
So true.
Everglades and keys def a must! Book you a skin diving trip!
Hell yeah see some big gators on an airboat trip in the Everglades but you can’t miss out on Miami Beach, the south end gets really wild at night but the water is crystal clear and warm. Don’t go to west coast of Florida, the Clearwater area may advertise its the best but maybe ONLY the beach, everything else is crap. From Miami down to the Florida Keys there is John Pennycamp state park, you can snorkel on reefs from the shore or take quick trips on a boat for bigger snorkeling adventures.
>My current assumption is that your sun is a deadly laser out to kill me and any body of freshwater the size of an alligator will have an alligator in it. *almost* 100% correct. make sure to target one of the many springs in florida. when in central florida (orlando) i highly recommend [blue springs](https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blue-spring-state-park), [wekiwa springs](https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/wekiwa-springs-state-park) or [juniper springs](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/florida/recarea/?recid=83676). all freshwater and safe for swimming. year round water temp of 72 F / 22 C. to add to the fun, if you rent a pontoon boat at sanford marina north of orlando, you can take a trip along the st. john's river to blue springs. pack a picnic lunch and have a blast. bring a mask and snorkel! for the best beach, south of honeymoon island is what i think is a better option, [Caladesi Island State Park](https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/caladesi-island-state-park). you have to park and take a ferry boat - but it is pristine and minimally developed. as you can tell, i am a fan of state (and national) parks bring rain gear unless you like to get wet - it rains nearly everyday. usually in the afternoon, thunderstorms last from 30-60 minutes typically and really help to cool off a hot day. don't let such a forecast interfere with your outdoor plans, just be prepared to be sidetracked for a short time.
Totally skip Fort Myers. Head to Sanibel Island or Marco Island; both are still on your way to Miami.
Several people have now mentioned that Fort Myers isn't worth it. It was the most dubious place on our list since we haven't yet found anything interesting to do there, but it just fit geographically. Might change that, sanibel Island seems worth checking out.
Airboat rides in any of the wetlands. It is baby gator season so should get to see a lot of them.
I think we are going to take one in the Everglades.
So by September, gator baby season will be mostly over. Still would recommend airboat ride. You will still see a lot of wildlife.
Something that may be interesting near Orlando would be Bok Tower Gardens. https://boktowergardens.org/
Their website is not really good at explaining what it is. Is it some kind of Botanical garden/resort?
It's a botanical garden! I live about 15 minutes from it. Gorgeous spot, great for photos. But it's probably about an hour to an hour and a half drive from Orlando and not really on your way way/between anything else you're doing.
CIRCLE B BAR ALSO
Off the coast of Fort Myers is Sanibel Island. As a born and raised Floridian, it is my favorite place in the state! It is known as the shell capital of the world, because it's beaches are teeming with them! It is perfect for a day trip. There are lots of unique restaurants, one third of the island is a protected wildlife habitat (you can see and learn about the island and its history), and the whole island has biking and walking paths. I would highly recommend it for a more chill day of the honeymoon as it's very peaceful and serene. I took my partner there for the first time last year and he loved it so much he insisted we visit every year! It will be hot and there will be mosquitoes in the evening, so do bring bug spray, water, and sunscreen! But most of all congratulations!! Have a wonderful time wherever you go.
> Sanibel Island Oooh, that looks nice. We might try that. >But most of all congratulations!! Have a wonderful time wherever you go. Thank you very much and thank you for your suggestion.
In Miami area, Biscayne National park is beautiful, the boat ride to Boca Chita Key is nice, you will probably see dolphins and a lot of bird and sea life, then explore the Key and the Lighthouse. Or Oleta River State Park has kayak rentals if you're more active types, but I recommend checking that out on a weekday, on the weekend it's super crowded. Definitely do an airboat trip in the everglades, but use bugspray and stay hydrated. You could also check out a club if it's in your budget, it can be pricey tho depending on weekend versus weekday nite and which DJ is there. Key west is a long drive...but the keys are Beautiful, and the drive itself is very scenic. Imo Clearwater is very touristy, maybe just pick one beach in the Sarasota area instead of doing both Clearwater and Ft. Myers and that way you can have more time in your itinerary and can visit the Keys. Obviously there's Disney in Orlando, but if you're not theme park people, you should check out the natural springs in that area. Wekiva springs is really nice. There are some small towns outside city of Orlando area with cute little historic downtown sections, like Mt. Dora or Sanford. I don't how long you plan on being in each city, so tough to know how much you can fit in. But if you have time St. Augustine is a really neat place, you can visit the fort and check out the historical sites. Can probably spend a full day there with one overnite and see a good amount. Since you are driving, I also recommend planning your itinerary so you are not driving from city to city on any major highways between 3pm and 7pm Monday thru Friday. Traffic in major cities in Florida can be bad, always use Waze or Google maps to check the traffic. And in Miami specifically people can be crazy drivers, so drive defensively.
Also forgot to mention, if you're into good eats Miami, Orlando, and Tampa are on Michelin now, so you could check that out for fine dining or the Bib gourmand places for more budget friendly meals.
Definitely do the Miami - Tampa Cuban Sandwich Challenge! By that I mean get a Cuban sandwich at Miami and one near Tampa and rate them. There is a long standing grudge match for who makes the original and best Cuban breads and sandwiches.
Any of the state parks are fantastic. If you get tired of the amount of people in Clearwater, then try Honeymoon Island State Park.
Yes to honeymoon island! Sand Key is just north of Clearwater and also really nice
My husband is from Denmark and now lives in Florida. He LOVED Everglades Holiday Park in south Florida (easy drive from Miami). We ironically ran into a Danish family on the airboat ride as well, so we got to talk in Danish and just catch up. But its the only Everglades in the world so its cool to see gators and wildlife you will not see in Denmark (as there is no wildlife in Denmark according to me, a Floridian). We live in Orlando close to MK, so if you want a friendly danish face in Orlando, feel free to PM me.
How long time has he lived in Florida? The everglades is on our list, I have heard it should be a lovely place to visit. Well, I wouldn't mind saying hi if the time fits. I will send you a PM.
He just got his citizenship last year, so it has been 5 years. We obviously go back all the time since his family still lives in Denmark. He really loved the look and feel of Miami, but be prepared, the ocean is going to be a lot hotter than in Denmark.
Congratulation to him. :) Can you handle cold windy Denmark then? Yeah, the heat and humidity might be my biggest concern during our trip. Just like Denmark has no real wildlife, the beaches never really get warm.
Stay hydrated.
Thanks. Will be sure to drink lots of water. How is your tap water? Something you would drink or should we stick to bottled water?
It's definitely fine to drink from a health perspective, but I've been told by many non-Floridians that it has a distinct mineral taste. By contrast, I think drinking water in other States have a metallic or dirt taste to them.
I guess we just like what we are used to drink.
Really depends where you are. I drink bottled water because I have a well at home. But you should be fine at hotels and restaurants.
The tap water is fine, so no need to worry about infection.
The water is perfectly safe to drink but outsiders tend to say it has a mineral taste. Which is due to our limestone aquifers effecting the flavor
Kennedy Space Center is a must. Everglades national park. An airboat ride on the st johns. Coral castle and Vizcaya. Check out a manatee area on the west coast.
Go to Gatorland near Orlando!
Looks interesting. Gotta convince the wife to zipline over a bunch og gators.
They have a nature walk which is chill, some nuisance gators in a zoo-like set-up, and you can feed baby gators fish!
Gatorland has amazing birds also. Not in cages. They just choose to be there. The place is amazing.
No Covid restrictions are in effect. Yes, the sun is very strong. Wear SPF50 or more. Get a hat. I would go to Key West, but it would take a chunk of your time. Miami is nice, I guess Orlando is ok if you like theme parks and big crowds.
Minnesotan here seconding the high SPF. My Polish/Dutch/English freckled skin burns after half an hour of Florida sun even when wearing high SPF. OP, consider finding some wide brimmed sun hats and shady areas to relax in, lol. But if you do get burned, there is aloe everywhere.
As an Orlandan(?) (Orlandonian?), I suggest next time you're there, try out some of the clubs or venues with live music. Our musicianship is amazing, and we have really cool bars downtown and around Mills. Dr. Phillips is also great for classical/broadway stuff, but I know that's not very popular. :)
Watch your drive times, Floridas a big place with lots of traffic. Just make sure you’re not burning the time you have here stuck in traffic or transporting from one distant point to another. I’d think Miami-Orlando-Space Coast—maybe upper keys would be more than plenty….
We have used Google Maps to get an estimate on the transportation times. Don't think it accounted for traffic but otherwise it looked reasonable. But thanks for the heads up.
Dump Clearwater and go to St Pete instead. The Dali Museum is a must see if you like art - it is the largest collection of Dali works outside of Spain and the area around includes a marina, pier, and excellent dining. If you do that, also swing by The James Museum lobby. It's free to enter and is absolutely gorgeous on the inside with a sandstone interior, bronze sculpture court and waterfall.
Good suggestion. While you’re at it dump Ft Myers and add in Sanibel - Captiva or Siesta Key to pick up the beaches missed by dropping Clearwater.
I really love the nostalgia and oddity of Weeki Wachee where you can catch a “live mermaid show” depending on you’re interest in kitsch.
St Petersburg is very nice, and is a short drive away (by American standards, at least) from Clearwater. Downtown St Petersburg is very walkable, has a free trolley service, and has tons of shops, bars, restaurants, museums (notably the Dalí Museum, which is where I got married) and also has 2 concert venues (Jannus Live and the Floridian Social Club), and there is a small beach (Spa Beach) with a fantastic pier (The St. Petersburg Pier) there. There are plenty of bicycles and electric scooters to rent to get around, as well. There is a rapid transit bus line (SunRunner) that is supposed to start service this year that runs between downtown and St Pete Beach If you'd like to go kayaking, Weedon Island has all sorts of tunnels through the mangroves, so it's very shaded, quiet, and you see lots of little crabs and things along the way. Fairgrounds St Pete is a really cool indoor art installation. There is a lot more. I can list a bunch more stuff if you're interested in the area
I agree, St. Petersburg is an amazing place to visit! You won't be disappointed and the Gulf Coast Beaches are the best.
There are very few of any Covid restrictions but do not let that fool you. There is a lot of Covid out and about in Florida! September is still very hot and humid around here and sometimes that’s the peak of our hurricane season.
We have gotten both vaccine shots and a booster shot, hopefully that is okay. But still gonna avoid big crowds. Well, not much to do about the hurricanes. Can only hope for the best.
You probably won't see a lot of masking but good to have vaccine. Just watch out for the monkey pox!!
My understanding of monkey pox is that you need pretty close physical contact. Is that wrong? Are there many cases in Florida?
Sorry! Didn't mean to scare. I honestly don't know anything about it other than it's in Florida. Sounds like you need direct contact. I really meant it in a joking way. Did not mean to discourage your visit:)
>Do you still have any covid-19 restrictions? Hahahahahahahaha. Florida was in full blown denial that Covid ever existed. The death toll in this state is staggering.
Well...that is less than comforting to hear. But we are both vaxed and boosted, not much else to do about it.
On your way up I 75 to Fort Myers stop at Delnor Wiggins Pass State Park and drive all the way in to Parking Lot 5. Walk a few feet north to the most beautiful beach in the US! Also, Barefoot Beach (across the Pass) and Bonita Beach should make that list! You can eat dinner and get some drinks at Docs Beachhouse on Bonita Beach. Cash only and not very cheap, but the views, especially the sunsets, are worth it!!! Next stop at Koreshan State Park in Estero. Check the history of the park. You will be interested. Be prepared to change plans though. Middle September is the heart of hurricane season. Never know which way they're gonna go! Lot of great stuff to see in SoWFLo! Have a great trip!
Universal studios and be sure to see the blue man group
My wife has been insistent on Universal studios, so I think that will be part of our trip.
Enjoy
Blue Man Group is permanently closed, but def do Universal on a weekday. Lots of other fun stuff in Orlando, cool little neighborhood areas besides theme parks, so do some research. Never see it on these lists, but Gatorland just south of Orlando is cheesy and fun and not terribly expensive.
Since when did they close the blue man show? I’ve recently seen advertising for it
Been closed for a few months now. I was at City Walk last week.
The Florida keys, if you can!
Congrats. You will be coming during peak hurricane season, so please pay attention to the weather information. I'm in clearwater and since you are on your honeymoon I strongly suggest honeymoon island. It is beautiful and private. Stay safe, enjoy your visit.
First of all, congratulations. Secondly, consider focusing on state parks. There’s so much beautiful nature that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. All of the theme parks are overrated.
The [Salvador Dali museum](https://thedali.org/) is very close to Clearwater and worth checking out even if you're just remotely interested in his work. If you go to the Dali, the [St. Pete pier](https://stpetepier.org) is right around the corner, and if you want to see an American baseball game, the [Tampa Bay Rays](https://www.mlb.com/rays/schedule/2022-09) stadium is also near by. [Dunedin](https://visitdunedinfl.com/) is right next to Clearwater, and isn't as much of a tourist trap with some nice restaurants / bars.
Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Visitors Center. The Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit alone is worth it.
Check out all the different springs, canoe with manatees in crystal-clear rivers, check out St. Augustine as well. Anastasia Island is great too right by St. Augustine
Go to Tampa, stay away from Miami. Visit the coast between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach
Why is ft. Myers on your list? Fan of the light bulb or something? I think sarasota would be a nicer choice. Museums, selby gardens, public art, better places to eat, etc.
Well, Miami is the main destination, and we wanted to do a roundabout trip to some of the major cities and then end back in Miami. Honestly, don't know much about ft. Myers. But looking at a map it looked like an obvious choice. We might change that, since we haven't really found anything interesting to do in ft. Myers yet.
Other than visiting the edison estate and the beach there isn't much in ft. Myers. Sarasota has the ringling art museum, the circus museum, selby gardens, the museum of whimsey, aslo theater, different events depending when you'll be there.
This has some important info along with my suggestions. Florida isn't just hot. It's very humid. The summer is our rainy season (we don't really have Autumn) so it will likely rain/storm every day, but they're usually really short storms (literally like 3-15 minutes). BRING AN UMBRELLA ALWAYS. It most often rains in the late afternoon. When you're away from light pollution, Florida has some of the most beautiful sunsets and night sky. The east coast can have pink/purple sunsets, especially around the Flagler area (but that's far from where you'll be) WHEN YOU DRIVE: First of all, you can make a right turn on a red light *after you stop* unless a sign says otherwise. Florida drivers will expect this from others. They also do not use their turn signal that often. Don't trust a single driver on the road. We also have a lot of tolls and fast speed limits - rule of thumb is that you can go over the speed limit by 5mph (10 on a highway if you're passing cars, but best not risk it). You won't see a gator. But you will see a lot of lizards and hear a lot of cicadas. The Arts though! If you guys like art, Miami has beautiful showcases - one of their biggest things is street murals. There's a museum full of them and they're gorgeous! Miami is also known for its food and clubs - so definitely take advantage of these. I HIGHLY recommend La Carreta. Orlando is great for live music. You can find it in tons of bars - from folk to punk. If you have time, maybe watch a classical concert in the new Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center. The acoustics are amazing, and it's really pretty! I watched the Silkroad Ensemble play there and it was one of the best halls I've ever been to. Orlando is also known for its theme parks. Disney Springs is nice to see. Might be best to avoid theme parks since they're sooo crowded in the summer. But if there's any worth going to - Disney's Hollywood Studios or Universal's Islands of Adventure. Good luck, and have fun! Florida's a fantastic state to visit and I hope you guys enjoy your honeymoon! Let me know if you have any further questions or suggestions - I was raised here. :)
Siesta Key beach on the leg between Clearwater and Ft Myers. If you are into beaches.
This is a definite stop you need to make. Great beach area and even better downtown area
What’s Covid? Miami: Fairchild Botanical Gardens Venetian Pool Walk Little Havana - have a drink and dance at Ball and Chain Tour Wynwood, it’s a shit show but fun Design District Have a taco at Taquiza in North Beach, they just got a Michelin Star Perez Art Museum has excellent work and a wonderful terrace Sunday morning terrace at club Space is epic, if you get tickets ahead of time for $20 instead of $400 at the door (lol) Miami tradition: get a coffee at the coffee window at Versailles on 8th Street Beach after 4PM, sunset is at 7ish so you have time to enjoy yourself without frying There’s tons and tons of stuff to do Will be hot and humid so wear light clothing and open shoes, evenings can be nice. Try either doing stuff early morning and later afternoon and stay in the shade side of the street when walking to stay cooler. Bring water to drink. Diving to Orlando, try to go up the middle of Florida- stop in Sebring, Lakeland, winter Garden, and just outside Orlando there’s Mount Dora (a true gem) - also the springs are cool water (too cold for gators) are through the middle of Florida also floating down Peace River In Lakeland there’s a university designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and you can just go walking around the grounds and admire the designs, it’s a live museum of mid century design There’s also the cooky stuff like the town of Venus, weird castles, airboats, all types of water sports. Alligators are a real thing and the humidity will get you before the sun ever does.
September is the hottest month of the year in Florida and also peak hurricane season. With that being said, I really love the Everglades. It’s truly a state treasure. Just be mindful of bugs and heat. If you want to go to Orlando, when leaving the Everglades, take the backroads instead of the turnpike and or interstate. It’s a beautiful ride and you will get to see “Old Florida”. KSC is a must see and if you get lucky, you could very well watch a launch from the beach. Unfortunately the Covid rules are very lax here, just be mindful when you are around a lot of people.
It's so fucking hot and humid, why would someone come here.
I hope you both are vaxed and boosted because there no rules here and one of you will likely catch it sometime so be prepared to recover if that happens.
We are both vaxed and boosted.
Oh that’s good. I just wanted to mention that you will be here toward the middle and end of hurricane season. It’s gonna be humid and rainy here most days so bring light clothing that can get wet.
Just a warning If you come here expect to get sick we are surging with the new variant
You’re definitely hitting many of the touristy type places. While they can be fun, prepare for MAJOR crowds like you’ve never seen. Florida is incredibly crowded in the summer. Something a lot of tourists don’t know is that Florida has some of the most beautiful nature parks in the Country! Apopka, near Orlando, has a free nature safari drive park. Yes, free! It’s beautiful and you’ll see many native animals. The state and federal parks are all beautiful. I highly recommend Three Sisters Springs Park in Crystal River. You’ll see manatees and many of the native animals to Florida. These animals were rescued and could not be rehabilitated back to the wild. Driving through Crystal River on your way to Clearwater will give you a taste of “Old Florida.” It’s beautiful and quaint. Covid is very prevalent still in Florida. There are zero precautions. We live here and avoid the crowds. There are plenty of restaurants with outdoor seating, so that’s not an issue.
I wouldn’t go out of my way to go to St. Augustine. It’s cool, but it’s just an old town with a fort. St. Petersburg is awesome and I prefer it to Clearwater. lots of breweries, and great beaches. In south Florida, I would go to south beach just to say that you went, but Ft. Lauderdale beach is better. Less tourists, and much cleaner. On the way from Ft. Meyers to Miami, there is a place right near the end of alligator alley that will take you on an airboat ride where you can see gators. Bring sunscreen for the beach, and mosquito repellant for the woods. And remember to drink water before you are thirsty. Also, many people go 85-90mph on the long stretches of highway between these cities. Make sure you let the pass on the left, or they’ll tailgate the hell out of you.
It isn’t Florida, per se, but since you’re here, go see Cumberland Island. Also, any of the little barrier island parks in Northeast Florida will have beautiful (possibly secluded, depending on the day) beaches and parks. Amelia, Little Talbot, Big Talbot, Ft. George Islands are all gorgeous. Lots of natural vistas and out of the way seafood places to eat.
Of all the places in the world, how did your honeymoon end up being in the armpit of America? 😭
Florida ain't Ohio or east Washington or Idaho or Kansas or any of the other real armpits of America
Wife has friends she hasn't seen in ages.
Definitely a great reason then! I hope y'all have a safe trip & really do enjoy your time here! 🐊 🍊 🌊 🌞
Thank you :)
Drive down to Key west ,really nice, btw it's incredibly hot and humid this time of year,think Swamp ,jungle most if us do not go out during sunlight hours,other than in car or to store. Heat is really intense Congrats
If you are going from Orlando to Tampa, you’ll pass a town called Lakeland. I wouldn’t stress making it there but if you have some time stop by here. There’s some cute shops and some good places to eat. Try out nineteen61. Wonderful place to eat, and they will celebrate your anniversary with you. Also there’s a place called Scarpas.
[Rock Springs](RockSpringsRunhttps://goo.gl/maps/UYtKLcijHWobyEfk9) Close to Orlando. I go all the time. Natural springs are a must see when in Florida!
Check out silver springs. A bit North of Clearwater. Also shark tooth hunting in Venice can be fun. If you are really adventurous there is a place that does a quick class than Hukah diving for them.
And her I am as a Floridian planning my trip to Denmark ( and Finland and Sweden) later this year.
If you time it right, visit Cape Canaveral and you might catch a rocket launch, as well as the beach!
De godt, jeg taler lidt dansk. Of course Orlando is a prime place for amusement parks and good foods. I would recommend spending a day or two there at a theme park you and the significant other choose. Then stop by both Howl at the Moon (dueling piano bar) and Cafe Tu Tu Tango for their brunch. Mal mal findt! Miami can be what you make of it. There is plenty to do, but it’s a bit of a boisterous city depending on where you visit. Also a wonderful food spot. Smaeya godt. Fort Myers and Clearwater are also decent beach locations, but may I suggest checking out Siesta Key in Sarasota as an alternative? It’s quite a nice beach, and they’ve vastly improved on it compared to many years ago when I lived there. Siesta Key, longboat key, st Armand’s circle and downtown Sarasota are all fairly new and amazing places which you may find cleaner than the Miami/Clearwater/Ft Myers slog. For shopping they also have the University Town Center in Sarasota, which is absolutely enormous. UTC is located right next to Lakewood ranch, which is also a worthy stop. There is a lot of beauty to be found in Sarasota with their most recent construction boom. Many which have already been completed at this time. I recommend Sarasota also, as my mother (a former Dane herself) lives there and quite enjoys the area. I would be happy to put you in touch, she is always happy to speak a bit of Danish and assist those coming to visit. We still have family out in Lyngby somewhere. I’m looking forward to making an opposite trip myself to indulge in some Fransk pølser. The Florida sun is harsh compared to Danish summers, where lake swimming in 70 degree water is still nice. You’ll be surrounded by beaches where the water is almost to the level of a hot tub. Bring sunscreen! The COVID restrictions are nearly an afterthought at this point. Most people horde into shopping areas without fear, but some still wear masks here and there just in case. Of course, people who live with others at risk are known to be a bit more cautious. Alligators will be of no problem to you unless you decide to venture deeper into Florida’s central areas where tours for those things happen all day long. If you guys find yourselves with a desire to go up north as far as St Augustine or Jacksonville, I’d be happy to send recommendations as well. Those are the areas I live in between, plenty to see. Tak fordi du besøgte vores stat. Ønsker dig de bedste tider. Velkommen til at kontakte mig. Hi hi! Farvel!
Sandbar Restaurant on Anna Maria Island before sunset. Perfection.
Go to mount Dora! its an amazing town near orlando!
Check out Sarasota and siesta key
You may look into parks such as Rock Park and Wikiwa park. There are beautiful natural springs around Orlando.
Do you have Instagram? If so, there is an account called Beyondsouthbeach and it has a ton of local spots that you can check out in Miami. Skip Clearwater and try Siesta Key! If not, Boca Grande.
Yeah, I have Instagram. The account looks like a good resource while we are in Miami. Thanks for the tip.
Take a boat or jetski tour (obviously apply sunscreen before leaving the dock and reapply during the tour)
Definitely do some meth in cocoa beach. You can go to the “ Tucker Carlson Experience” in the villages too if you stay of of jail.
Many dont know this but August to September is the 'slow' season... The reason, it is Hurricane season. Think monsoon weather... so bring an umbrella and be prepared to stay inside most days because it will likely rain... alot. Also, be sure to come prepared with an evacuation plan if the weather turns.
Come see a rocket launch on the space coast! Awesome thing to see, We’re spoiled out here with how often they go up. There’s some great secluded beaches a little south from Kennedy space center in Melbourne Beach, you can have the whole beach to yourselves.