Florida Road Trip



 

 

A Florida road trip is a vacation paradise because there is so much to do.  In fact, there's probably too much to do and the real challenge is figuring out how much you can cram into your limited amount of time.  Florida has several amazing cities that are all worthy of exploring and great hotel bargains are readily available.  You'll want to spend some quality time at the beach working on your sun tan but you should also check out some of the National Parks.  Florida offers the perfect variety of activities and destinations for all road trip sizes-weather your alone, with your family, friends, or on a college road trip.

 

Florida City Adventures

Miami is the ultimate downtown city adventure.  There are many places for you to enjoy a shopping excursion or escape to the beach for the afternoon and soak in some warm sunshine.   Miami is a quick drive to the Everglades or to many of the theme parks spread throughout the state.  There is always concerts, amazing nightlife, and great dining experiences awaiting your arrival.   The city of Miami has their own website so that you can keep up with what is going on and plan your vacation.

St. Petersburg has an average temperature of 74 degrees year round and is the fourth largest city in Florida.  St. Petersburg is known as the "Sunshine City" for a good reason-it had a stretch of 768 consecutive days of sunshine which is in the Guinness Book of World Records.   There are over 130 parks spread throughout the city and also a 37 mile biking trail that you can explore for the afternoon.  The feature attractions in St. Petersburg include, "The Pier", Tropicana Field, Sunken Gardens, Tampa Bay Walk of Fame, Baseball Boulevard, adn the St. Petersburg Times Walk Through History.  There's plenty of museums you can check out including the Salvador Dali Museum, American Stage, Museum of Fine Arts, and the St. Petersburg Museum of History.

Cocoa Beach is a stereotypical beach town and is only one hours drive from Orlando.  If you are planning a Disney vacation then you may seriously want to add a day to your itenerary to explore Cocoa Beach.  There's lots of piers to charter a boat for a deep sea fishing or parasailing adventure.  There are casino cruises, lots of shopping, and golfing to easily add loads of enjoyment to your Florida road trip.

Daytona offers you the perfect beach vacation and the weather will be absolutely spectacular.  If you find yourself traveling into the area then you will not need to do an excessive amount of planning in advance.  Bring your swimsuit and get ready to chill out at the beach

Fort Lauderdale has much to do and you can keep up on their schedule of events here.

Hialeah is a suburb of Miami and may offer an inexpensive hotel option for your Florida road trip.  If you will be traveling the state in your car and searching for prime beaches to park yourself under the sun then you may want to consider staying in Hialeah.

Jacksonville is a great city and there is so much to check out including a Jaguars NFL game.  There are always great hotel packages available for a city adventure in Jacksonville.

Key West is an ultimate road trip and vacation destination because there is so much to do for everyone.  You can kayak, view dolphins, eat at amazing restaurants, explore the beaches, or charter a boat for a deep see fishing adventure.  The night clubs in Key West are great and this is the perfect destination for a college road trip during the spring break season.

Orlando is your destination if you are planning a Disney theme park vacation.  It's within one hour to the beach and you can drive to the Everglades and back in one day.  There are deals on vacation packages to the area and it is worth looking into if you always wanted to check out Space Mountain at Disney World.

Panama City is perfect for fishing and checking out the beach.  Florida's Gulf Coast is an excellent destination for you to consider on your upcoming road trip.

Sarasota is the perfect city for you to explore.  There's lots of art galleries and beaches to keep you occupied for a long time.  If art is not interesting to you then you can charter a boat here as well for a deep sea fishing adventure.

Tampa is near Daytona and is easy to fly in and out of at their airport.  While in the Tampa area you can visit Busch Gardens or explore some of the beaches.  There are an abundance of golf courses for you to drive your ball on these beautiful fairways, cruise lines, and RV parks to add an amazing diversity to your road trip.

 

Florida National Parks are the perfect destination for your road trip.  While visiting these parks you can enjoy some amazing activities such as snorkeling, sea shell collecting, beach combing, and scuba diving.  The Everglades will provide the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with real alligators.  If you would like to watch a space shuttle launch then you'll want to head to Cape Canaveral and watch from one of their undeveloped beaches.

Theme Parks

Animal Kingdom is one of four Disney amusement parks located in the Orlando area.  This park has over 1,700 animals that roam over 500 acres of beautiful Florida landscape.  The Animal Kingdom is the largest animal-based theme park in the world and is a perfect destination for any animal lover in your road trip group.  The park is divided into seven unique areas that are all worth exploring!              

Boomers! of Dania Beach is in the Fort Lauderdale area and is ideal for large groups because admission and parking are always free.  You will need to purchase ride tickets in advance or at the park and you can pass them out amongst your family so they can use them for the rides, go-carts, batting cages, laser tag, bowling, and much more.     

Busch Gardens-Tampa offers amazing rides, great animal displays, and excellent shows.  There are very affordable vacation packages available so that you can visit the park more than once on your Florida road trip.  You will want to make sure you check out the Gwazi wooden roller coaster because it is the largest and fastest wooden roller coaster in the entire southeast.  The Kumba is a thrilling roller coaster that you must absolutely check out while you are in the park. There are Rhinos, Lions, Tigers, and just about every animal you could ever imagine in this park.

 

Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven is often referred to as "Florida's First Theme Park".  There are over 40 rides and attractions in addition to lots of shows that you can check out while you are there.     

Discovery Cove in Orlando gives you the chance to swim with the dolphins and see some of the most fantastic sea life up close and personal.  The 30-minute dolphin swimming adventure is an opportunity that you will not be able to experience anywhere else in the world and is highly recommended for a truly one of a kind road trip experience.  This park is extremely popular and you will need to book your reservations two months in advance-especially during the summer months.                  

Disney-MGM Studios is one of the four Disney parks in the Orlando area and is well worth blocking out a day of your vacation to explore.   There are lots of great attractions that you can explore at this park and get lost in the magic of the movie and television industry. 

Honey I Shrunk The Kids Studio Back Lot Tour
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A giant playground that lets kids feel like they are the size of a miniature bug!

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Check out how studio effects on the movies are created on this 25-minute ride!

American Film Institute One Man's Dream
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You can look at props from some of the all-time classic movies!

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This is the true story of Walt Disney.

The Great Movie Ride Academy of Television Arts
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Explore some of the most memorable movie moments in history on this ride.

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A Hall of Fame which celebrates the all time best TV personalities.

Toy Story Mania! Lights, Motors, Action!™
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A 4-Dimensional Game that has a theme from the Toy Story Cartoon.

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An absolutely amazing vehicle stunt show!

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ Rock 'n' Roller Coaster®
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Take the 13-Story Plunge.  This is an amazing thrill ride.

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A roller coaster experience set to the music of Aerosmith.

The Magic of Disney Animation Sounds Dangerous
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Discover how Disney characters are created.

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An audio look at television through the eyes of Drew Carey.

Journey Into Narnia Voyage of the Little Mermaid
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A real journey into Narnia!

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A recreation of the popular Disney movie-A Little Mermaid.

Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular! Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage™
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The secrets of the stuns from the Indiana Jones movies are revealed!

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A puppet show for young kids.

Star Wars Jedi Training Academy Star Tours
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If your kids want to learn the force and become a Jedi....

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Become part of the Star Wars legend.

Muppet*Vision 3-D The American Idol Experience
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Adventure into the world of Muppets.

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You can experience the thrill of standing on the American Idol stage (even if you can't sing).

            

EPCOT® is one of the four Theme Parks in the world famous Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando Florida.  Epcot is absolutely enormous and it covers over 300 acres which is nearly twice the size of the magic Kingdom Park.  While walking through the park you'll see lots of performers and get to explore areas that are divided into separate countries.  Epcot provides the chance to pump some massive culture into your Florida road trip.

 

 

 

 

Islands of Adventure is in Orlando but is not part of the Disney empire.  You can explore five islands that will allow you to explore myths, legends, comic book heroes, and cartoon characters that have shaped all of our lives.  There's amazing roller coasters and lots of activities for the entire family to enjoy.          

King Richards Medieval Family Fun Park in Naples has laser tag and go-carts for the entire family.  There is an alligator pit and plenty of video games that the kids will want to check out.

Magic Kingdom is the most famous Disney Park in Orlando and is the dream vacation for kids young and old.  There are 7 magical lands in this park that you will need to explore individually.  Space Mountain is a roller coaster that lasts an amazing 2 1/2 minutes and will blast you to the outer reaches of the galaxy.  There are so many rides and attractions at this park it you'll have to trust us and check it out for yourself on your Florida road trip.  These videos will guide you through the various areas of the park but there is so much more to explore.

 

Cinderella's Castle Main Street, U.S.A.®
Cinderella's Castle is the beginning of your Disney Adventure. This area  always has something going on and provides endless photo opportunities.
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Adventureland® Frontierland®
Part jungle, part tropical island, just a pure adventure waiting for you to explore! Frontierland® features Big Thunder Mountain that is the most popular attraction at the park.
Liberty Square Fantasyland®
This is the most low key area of the park.  It will remind you of old Williamsburg in Virginia. Snap a picture of Cinderella's Castle while you are here.
Mickey's Toontown® Fair Tomorrowland®
You can ride the Barnstomer while you are in this area of the park. This area of the park is "The Future That Never Was"
 

 

Main Street Pier Amusements is in Daytona Beach and this is generally just a fantastic area to walk around and explore. 

Old Town in Kissimmee features free admission and free parking-what a deal.  There are car shows, dining, and lots of great entertainment for you to get wrapped up and spend an entire day here.    

Sam's Fun City in Pensacola has lots of attractions for young kids and is waiting for them to jump into the go-carts or on the Ferris wheel.           

SeaWorld Orlando is great wholesome fun for the entire family.  There's lots of shows and attractions for you to take in including the world famous Shamu!

 

              

Universal Studios Florida is an excellent place to consider stopping at for your Florida road trip.  There are a couple areas of this park you will want to explore: Islands of Adventure, Wet and Wild, and Universal Studios Florida.  This is the number one movie-based theme park in the world and is an absolutely amazing experience.  You can download the Universal Studios travel brochure here.   

            

 

Outdoor Festivals are common in Florida because of the amazing weather all year long.  Many of these concerts are on the beach and provide incredible scenery with the music.  This is always a great road trip idea to strongly consider when planning your vacation.

Florida Wineries are a great way to break up a drive through this state and escape the suns warming rays for an afternoon and cool off.  There are several wineries in the state and you can look at this map to find some of the best tasting wine in Florida.

 

Horse Tracks

Calder Race in Miami has been open since 1971 and has attracted more spectators than any of the other professional sports teams since that time.  If your looking to escape for the day and watch some races and eat at the casual Calder's Clubhouse Dining room or the exclusive Turf club then you are "on the right track".

Gulfstream Park is in Hallandale and offers a live horse racing, a casino, and amazing food.  There is a lot for you to check out at this facility.

Hialeah Park in Miami is listed as one of the 11 most endangered historic places in America.  The park was built in 1920 and the city is threatening to demolish what is left of this landmark.

Pompano Park offers live horse racing and a casino.  You will want to dine at Farraddays because the food is absolutely mouth-watering fantastic.

Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar offers a wide variety of activities for the gambler including horse racing, Silk's poker room, and a golf course.

 

Professional Baseball (MLB)

Description of image Florida Marlins

Park: Dolphin Stadium

Address: 2269 Dan Marino Boulevard, Miami, Florida

Phone: 305-626-7400

 

 

 

Description of image Tampa Bay Rays

Park: Tropicana Field

Address: One Tropicana Drive., St. Petersburg, Florida

Phone: 727-825-3137

 

Professional Football (NFL)

Description of image Miami Dolphins

Park: Dolphin Stadium

Address: 2269 Dan Marino Blvd, Miami, Florida

Phone: 888-FINS-TIX

 

 

Description of image Tampa bay Buccaneers

Park: Raymond James Stadium

Address: 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa Bay, Florida

Phone: 813-879-2827

 

 

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Park: Jacksonville Municipal Stadium

Address: 1 Alltel Stadium Pl, Jacksonville, Florida

Phone: 904-633-2000

Professional Basketball (NBA)

 

Description of image Miami Heat

Stadium: American Airlines Arena

Address: 601 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, Florida

Phone: 786-777-HEAT

 

 

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Stadium: TD Waterhouse Centre

Address: 8701 Maitland Summit Blvd., Orlando, Florida

Phone: 407-89-MAGIC

 

Professional Hockey (NHL)

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Florida Panthers

Hockey Rink: Bank Atlantic Center

Address: One Panther Parkway, Sunrise, Florida            

 

 

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Tampa Bay Lightning      

Hockey Rink: St. Pete Times Forum

Address: 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa, Florida            

NASCAR

 

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NASCAR

Race Track: Daytona International Speedway

Address: 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, Florida        

Phone: 1-800-PITSHOP 

 

 

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NASCAR

Race Track: Homestead-Miami Speedway

Address: One Homestead Boulevard, Homestead, Florida       

Phone: 305-230-5000 

Florida Beaches

The beaches in Florida will likely be the highlight of your road trip and you should make it a point to stop in some of these beaches-even if it is just for an afternoon.  There's nothing more spectacular then eating breakfast at an outdoor restaurant overlooking the ocean.  For a complete overview on Florida's beaches you'll want to check out the Florida beach guide.

  • Apollo Beach, Hillsborough County

  • Apollo Beach, Volusia County

  • Bahama Beach, Pinellas County

  • Bahia Beach, Hillsborough County

  • Big Bear Beach, Glades County

  • Bonair Beach, Martin County

  • Bonita Beach, Lee County

  • Bonita Beach, Taylor County

  • Bunche Beach, Lee County

  • Butler Beach, St. Johns County

  • Caspersen Beach, Sarasota County

  • Cocoa Plum Beach, Monroe County

  • Crescent Beach, Sarasota County

  • De Soto Beach, Brevard County

  • Dixie Beach, Lee County

  • Dunedin Beach, Pinellas County

  • East Beach, Pinellas County

  • Eatons Beach, Marion County

  • Eau Gallie Beach, Brevard County

  • Englewood Beach, Charlotte County

  • Fort Island Beach, Citrus County

  • Fort Lauderdale Beach, Broward County

  • Gardenville Beach, Hillsborough County

  • Hampton Beach, Marion County

  • Haulover Beach, Miami-Dade County

  • Hernando Beach, Hernando County

  • Highland Beach, Monroe County

  • Hollywood Beach, Broward County

  • Indian Beach, Sarasota County

  • Klondike Beach, Brevard County

  • Lido Beach, Pinellas County

  • Long Beach, Monroe County

  • Manatee County Beach, Manatee County

  • Marco Beach, Collier County

  • Money Beach, Gulf County

  • Morgan Beach, Collier County

  • Mustin Beach, Escambia County

  • Navarre Beach, Escambia County

  • New Smyrna Beach, Volusia County

  • North Beach, Pinellas County

  • Pass-a-Grille Beach, Pinellas County

  • Playalinda Beach, Brevard County

  • San Carlos Beach, Escambia County

  • Sand Beach, Franklin County

  • Sarasota Beach, Sarasota County

  • Seminole Beach, Duval County

  • Siesta Beach, Sarasota County-Siesta is located in Sarasota and is ranked among the top 10 beaches in the country!

  • Smathers Beach, Monroe County

  • Sugarloaf Beach, Monroe County

  • Sunset Beach, Pinellas County

  • Titusville Beach, Brevard County

  • Virginia Beach, Miami-Dade County

  • Wabasso Beach, Indian River County

  • Wilson Beach, Franklin County

Miami Jacksonville St. Petersburg Fort Lauderdale Orlando Key West Tampa Sarasota Panama City

 

 



Begin planning your dream Florida road trip