Florida – Selected Travel Routes
Florida is one of the most popular travel destinations in the United States. The flat tropical state in the southeastern corner of America is packed with a variety of interesting and vibrant cities like Miami and Tampa, tourist empires such as Disney World Resort in Orlando and Universal parks, historic cities like St. Augustine and Palm Beach, breathtaking golden beaches, national parks with stunning nature (swamps and alligators), and above all, a particularly lively and fun atmosphere. Florida has a unique American character, with scorching, humid summers, perfect winters, hurricanes, oranges, and a vibe you won't find anywhere else.
How to plan a trip itinerary in Florida?
In essence, planning a trip in Florida is quite straightforward, mostly linear with occasional detours. The main axis of Florida is the I-95 interstate, which runs along the eastern coast of the state. Along the highway (and its parallel roads, 1 and 101), a large portion of Florida’s attractions can be found.
- The road starts in downtown Miami and heads north all the way to New York. South of it, Route 1 traverses the entire Florida Keys to Key West, offering a breathtaking journey over bridges and small islands.
- From Miami, it’s worth making a slight detour westwards to the Everglades National Park at the tip of the peninsula.
- North of Miami are all the cities of the Gold Coast, such as Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach.
- From West Palm Beach, a detour to Lake Okeechobee is recommended.
- Further north on the I-95, you'll find the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, near the resort town of Cocoa Beach.
- Heading east, there's Orlando, home to the enormous Disney World resort, arguably the biggest tourist draw in all of Eastern USA.
- In Orlando, you'll also find two Universal theme parks (compared to four of Disney), the SeaWorld park, and plenty more attractions
- West of Orlando is the large metropolis of Tampa Bay, which includes the city of Tampa, the beautiful St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, famous for its stunning white beaches along the Gulf of Mexico
- From Tampa Bay, head back east towards the lovely Daytona Beach, known for its NASCAR races (and spring break)
- Continue north from Daytona to St. Augustine, the oldest city in the USA, filled with intriguing historical sites, and further north to large Jacksonville
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Planning a Trip to the Florida Keys
- Planning your trip to the Keys is super easy. The island trip is completely linear, with everything located along the Overseas Highway, from Key Largo to Key West
- The trip is based on driving all the way to Key West, exploring the surprisingly small big city, and returning the same way
- The road itself is perhaps the main attraction of a trip to the Keys, besides the exploration of Key West
- The Key West trip itself revolves around Duval Street, the bustling main street of the small city. Nearby are all the important sites like the Lighthouse, the bustling Mallory Square, Ernest Hemingway's Home, and of course, the selfie spot at the southernmost point of continental USA
- Outside the main strip, there are a few more sites in the city, like the Fort Zachary Taylor and the Fort East Martello Museum
Click here for all the information on a trip to Florida Keys and Key West…
Miami Beach Itinerary
The trip around Miami Beach is relatively straightforward, combining a drive and a walking tour. The city's main thoroughfare is Lincoln Road, a pedestrian shopping street full of entertainment spots and shops, and a great place to pause for lunch. Another highlight is the city's long, sandy beach.
- It's worth driving along the grand avenues like Ocean Drive and Washington Avenue to admire the city's unique Art Deco buildings
- South Beach features attractions like the Jewish Museum and the Wolfsonian Museum
- Around Lincoln Road, other attractions include the Holocaust Memorial and the Bass Museum
- You should also head north on the Magna Island towards Hollywood and experience the beautiful beaches and resort areas in the city's northern part.
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Tour Route in Downtown Miami and the Satellite Districts
Start your Miami tour route in the city's financial center, amidst the tall towers of downtown. Miami's port area has been developed, especially around the Bayside Marketplace, which has become the main entertainment spot in downtown.
- Not far from the open-air mall above the yachts are museums such as the Frost Science Museum and Planetarium and the Perez Art Museum.
- Near the mall is also the home stadium of the Miami Heat and Bayfront Park.
- South of downtown is the Brickell neighborhood, and to the west, Little Havana, offering a Cuban experience in America.
Apart from the downtown and its adjacent satellite neighborhoods, south on the Atlantic coast, you'll find the Coconut Grove area, Miami's trendy spot. Here lies Villa Vizcaya, and south of it, the Dinner Key, home to Miami's city hall. Adjacent to it, the Coconut Grove Village is undoubtedly the most fun and glamorous strolling area in Miami.
Click here for all the information on a trip in Downtown Miami and the outer districts…
Travel Itinerary in Fort Lauderdale
The travel itinerary in Fort Lauderdale is divided into two parts:
- A tour in the city center, around the bustling part of Las Olas Boulevard
- A tour along the coastline of Fort Lauderdale's barrier island and the Atlantic Ocean beaches
The tour in the heart of Fort Lauderdale focuses on the lively Las Olas Boulevard. Near the central part of the boulevard, between 6th Avenue (Highway 1) and 11th Avenue, are some of the city's most interesting sites, such as the Stranahan House, the NSU Art Museum, and the Museum of Discovery and Science.
The tour at the beach of Fort Lauderdale centers around Las Olas Beach (the beach at the end of the main boulevard), including the Tennis Hall of Fame, Bonnet House, and Hugh Taylor Park.
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Travel Itinerary in Boca Raton
- The trip in Boca Raton is exclusively based on driving. Whether reaching attractions worth visiting or simply for the pleasure of driving around.
- It’s worth driving on the A1A coast road, which in Boca is called Ocean Boulevard (as in all city centers the road passes through).
- Most of the sites are along Ocean Boulevard on the barrier island, such as the Boca Raton Resort by Lake Boca Raton and the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.
- The Boca Raton Museum of Art is located on Federal Highway, the city's main thoroughfare, known as Route 1.
- It’s also worth popping over to the campus of Lynn University, west of I-95.
Click here for all the information on traveling to Boca Raton…
Palm Beach Itinerary
The town of Palm Beach is a must-visit for anyone traveling in southern Florida. It's located on an island that shields it from the larger city of North Miami's metropolis – the city of West Palm Beach. A tour route in southern Florida includes a visit to the town on the itinerary between Miami to Orlando and Cape Canaveral.
- Walking around the town itself is quite simple. It involves a visit to the prestigious Worth Avenue, followed by a northern detour to the Society of the Four Arts, the Henry Flagler Museum, and from there to the luxurious Breakers Hotel
- You should also consider driving your car along the South Ocean Boulevard, possibly the most luxurious residential street in Florida, lined with lavish mansions
Click here for everything you need to know about traveling to Palm Beach and its surroundings…
Tampa Travel Itinerary
The trip in Tampa starts in the downtown area and from there it branches out to sites and attractions outside the center. Downtown Tampa is located east of the Hillsborough River and features attractions like the art museums, the Glazer Children's Museum, and the Tampa Theatre.
- South of downtown, you'll find attractions like the Florida Aquarium and the historical center of Tampa.
- North of downtown is the emerging dining area of Tampa Heights. Across from downtown on the west bank of the Hillsborough River lies the University of Tampa campus, where the striking Henry B. Plant Museum building is located.
- South of the campus lies the Hyde Park area and Hyde Park Village.
- East of downtown is Tampa's vibrant Ybor district, the place for evening fun.
- From downtown, it's worth heading to the northern outskirts of the metropolis to the themed park Busch Gardens of SeaWorld.
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Travel Itinerary in St. Petersburg and Clearwater
- The main tour in St. Petersburg takes place in the city's small downtown area, known as the downtown. The city's main street – Central Avenue, is a lively place full of restaurants, bars, and several important museums.
- On the street's axis, you'll find the Florida Holocaust Museum and the Chihuly Collection.
- On its eastern part, the street reaches the St. Pete pier, where you'll find the city's History Museum.
- Along the bank, slightly to the south, you'll find the large museum dedicated entirely to Salvador Dalí.
- The most attractive spot outside the city's downtown lies to the north, on North 4th Street. There you'll find the Sunken Gardens and the Great Explorations Children's Museum.
Click here for all the info on touring St. Petersburg…
The Clearwater tour centers on the city's main street, Cleveland Street, which ends at Clearwater Memorial Park and the city's marina. From the park, the Causeway Byway bridge heads west to the city's aquarium and the stunning Clearwater Beach on the barrier island.
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South of Clearwater Beach, there are over ten kilometers of fantastic beaches stretching along many towns towards St. Pete Beach to the south.
Besides taking a trip to the Gulf Coast and the large city centers of the Tampa Bay metropolitan area, it’s worth driving on the stunning Sunshine Skyway Bridge towards Sarasota.
For the complete guide to traveling in the Tampa Bay metropolitan area, click here…
Travel Route Around Orlando
- A significant number of visitors to Orlando come specifically for Disney World (or Universal, or both) resort packages that include flight and hotel. Such deals are very popular among Americans who come for a family vacation to Florida's number one destination.
- Orlando can also be combined into a Florida trip, as the city is a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Miami and about an hour and a half from Tampa Bay.
- Near the city are several major attractions including the Space Coast, where NASA’s space launches from Cape Canaveral take place, and Daytona Beach. It’s worth combining a visit to both while staying in Orlando.
Click here for the complete guide to traveling in Orlando and its surroundings…
Travel Itinerary in Orlando and Disney World
The center of the trip to Orlando is, of course, the massive Disney World Resort, which includes four theme parks:
Additionally, don't miss the two Universal theme parks:
It's a good idea to plan your days at Disney World Resort in advance based on the time you have available for the trip.
While it's great to visit all four theme parks, if you have to skip one or two, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are the ones to miss out on.
- Visiting Magic Kingdom and Epcot is a must!! Even if you're without kids (still gotta do Magic Kingdom) or traveling as a family (Epcot is super fun for kids too).
- Spending your evening hours in Downtown Disney, now called Disney Springs, and Disney's Boardwalk is highly recommended.
- If you have extra days, it's highly recommended to visit the resort's water parks. These are massive facilities with many attractions that greatly resemble theme parks, just with swimsuits.
- It's a good idea to combine your visit to Disney World with other attractions in Orlando, primarily the Universal Resort.
- A visit to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure is highly worthwhile and significantly preferable to visiting the less important Disney World theme parks (Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios).
- Near Disney World, there are several competing theme parks like the popular SeaWorld Orlando and the Legoland Resort in Winter Haven to the west. Gatorland, the crocodile theme park, is one of the unique attractions in the area.
- In downtown and the northern part of the city, there are some good museums such as the museums of Loch Haven Park and the museums in Winter Park.
- South of Orlando, there's an impressive string of nature reserves like Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho) south of Kissimmee, Kissimmee Lake State Park, and the unique Bok Tower Gardens.
Travel route in Cape Canaveral and the coastline east of Orlando
- The trip to Cape Canaveral and what's called the Space Coast is an integral part of visiting Orlando. The drive from Orlando to the Cape takes about an hour and can be part of a day trip, with the hotel near Disney World as the base.
- The trip to the Cape and the coastline itself is easy and straightforward, but you must rent a car.
- The Kennedy Space Center is obviously the main attraction in the Cape, but there are other attractions around, like the Space and Missile Museum located right next to the rocket launch pads.
- To the north are the natural expanses of Canaveral National Seashore and Merritt Island, beautiful reserves where you can see Florida's wild nature. There are also great beaches for a stroll (and a basic foot dip) in the reserves.
- South of the missile base, the small beach town of Cocoa Beach, a great place for swimming and surfing.
For a comprehensive tour of all the sites of the Space Coast (departing from Miami), click here…
Daytona Beach Travel Route
The trip to Daytona Beach is usually en route from the northern part of Florida to its center and south. You can combine the visit to the city with important nearby cities and attractions such as Cape Canaveral, St. Augustine and of course Orlando and Walt Disney World. Most visitors to the city come via Orlando, as part of a trip around the triangle of Walt Disney World, Cape Canaveral, and Daytona Beach, the famous NASCAR racing city.
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- The city tour centers around a square in the heart of Isle of the Shield, bordered by Seabreeze Boulevard, Atlantic Avenue, and Main Bridge Avenue. It's the vibrant core of the resort town with most of the entertainment spots and restaurants (hotels are spread all along the coastline up to Ormond Beach in the north).
- It's also worth taking a short trip to Ormond Beach, to visit the two museums and gardens in the historical center.
- The Ponce de Leon Lighthouse is located a short drive south of Daytona Beach.
- From Daytona Beach, it's a good idea to head west towards Blue Springs and combine your visit to the springs and rugged nature with a short trip to the historic tourist centers of Osset and Mount Dora, where there's a wonderful southern atmosphere.
Click here for all the information about touring Daytona Beach…
Tour route in St. Augustine
- Saint Augustine is located in the northeastern part of Florida and is accessible both from Orlando and Daytona Beach, as well as from Jacksonville.
- You can combine a visit to the city with trips in the northern part of Florida, or as a two-day getaway from Orlando.
Click here to purchase tickets for Potter's Wax Museum…
Despite its small size, Saint Augustine is a city brimming with sites and attractions. Most of the must-visit sites in the city are located in its historical center, a very short walking distance from each other.
Click here to purchase a combined entry ticket for the Lightner Museum + Villa Zorayda…
- The heart of the visit to the city is the historic St. George Street, along which the city's houses, originally built by the Spaniards, are lined.
- The street stretches from the magnificent Castillo de San Marcos to the Constitution Plaza, where you'll find the Governor's House and the city's Cathedral.
- Nearby, you'll find Henry Flagler's historic hotels and other historic homes that have been turned into museums
- Lion's Bridge connects the historic center with attractions in the Anastasia district, such as the Alligator Farm and the Lighthouse
- From the historic center, it’s worth driving north to the Ponce de Leon Archaeological Park and the Fountain of Youth, and south towards the beautiful parks of Marineland
Click here for all the information on traveling in Saint Augustine…
Jacksonville Travel Route
- The city of Jacksonville isn't a popular tourist destination and is often used as a transit point and short stop during a trip in North and Central Florida. You can include Jacksonville in an itinerary that features Orlando and Disney World, Cape Canaveral, Daytona Beach, and St. Augustine.
- St. Augustine is one of the most visited cities in Florida and is located a forty-minute drive from the center of Jacksonville.
- The tour in the city itself focuses on the downtown area, where the three interesting municipal museums are located.
- Outside of the center, it's worth visiting the Golf Hall of Fame, Fort Caroline, the coastal towns, and Jacksonville Beach.
- Around the city, you'll find some historic southern sites and the Big Talbot Island State Park.
- You should also drop by Fernandina Beach and Fort Clinch, which are just a stone's throw from the Georgia border.
Click here for all the information about a trip to Jacksonville…
