has the best rooftop pool in Fort Lauderdale. Harry and I went on a two week Florida road trip and we had a fabulous time. Miami is much more than South Beach, it has a unique Latin flavor and Caribbean feel that makes you feel like you have left the USA. Starting at $166 USD it is a great option for a budget minded trip to Miami Beach. Not Your Average Hostel is one of two hostels in Key West. Take an airboat ride to see the alligators and have some fried frog legs in. This included a “Skip the Queue” pass for about $30 I think. Then head inland to the Art Deco District where you can participate in an Art Deco walk to get a historical background of Miami Beach from an architectural perspective. Stop for cinnamon roles and fresh smoothies at Knauss Berry Farm. Or you could spend 3-7 days at each of these places and make it a month long road trip! We’ve included everything you need to know, from attractions to restaurants to hotels. We hadn’t done too much prior planning and only booked our hotel for Miami with a rough idea of an itinerary. Check out my post on road tripping in Florida itinerary! Sanibel Island is a quiet respite and the perfect place to relax before you start wrapping up your road trip. If you want a less obvious experience in Orlando, Florida, I would head over to Gatorland. You can’t go to Florida without going gator-spotting, or encountering one in the wild- so come here to learn life saving tips and techniques in case you ever encounter one on your trip! Also, you will be in walking distance to everything, which is helpful since parking is so hard to find. With Happy Hour from 4pm-6pm and Margarita Mondays 6pm-10pm this is the place to be! The Cuban American neighborhood is my favorite place to go for food. Starting from $500 USD and up. Be sure to stop by the Máximo Gómez Park to watch locals play Dominoes an enduring tradition. Park your car on the side of Highway 41 (it’s officially not allowed but we’d been told it’s accepted). We bought our tickets the night before which gave us access to one park (Islands of Adventure) for a day for $140. This place is a perfect resting spot before heading to Fort Lauderdale. Just a friendly note the park is closed on Fridays. From Longboat Key, we did a loop going East. and should not take more than a few days to be approved. Finish your trip by stopping in Destin for a day of relaxation. You can find great deals to Orlando’s best theme parks here. It felt like Harry and I were some of the youngest people there most of the time (it is quite the retirement place). If you’re within the United States already, you can either fly to Orlando or drive there if you’re in a state close by. Pro tip: There are two companies that provide electric scooters in the area and they both require you to download the app. It is amazing to think that Florida is larger than many countries, and with its amazing wildlife and conservation area, incredible beaches and happening cities, a Florida road trip is sure to be a trip of a lifetime. But guys it is true they have a massive sign stating it! The people and the beaches are beautiful. Colorado Road Trip. Being from Ireland, I had to apply for ESTA – this is a mandatory travel authorization which allows me (and many other nationalities) to travel to the USA without a US visa. Luxury: There is no shortage of luxury options in Miami Beach, but some the best in my opinion are: 1 Hotel South Beach, Loews Miami Beach Hotel, and SLS South Beach. It costs only $5 dollars per vehicle and there is camping here if you wish to extend your trip! I went there for two reasons: a bit of … Also, if you want to go to Dry Tortugas National Park save a whole day for that and be prepared to budget $250 dollars per person to get there. I have to really complement you and the..." New York to Los Angeles on Route 66 "Great tour, but Intrepid should have definitely declared it as a youth tour. is the most economical hotel in Tampa City Center with prices starting at $100 USD. The rooms start from $200 USD and up. The park is open from sunup to sun down and costs $8 USD per vehicle to enter. Allow at least a day if you’ve driven this far, to take it all in. It is the perfect time to relax enjoy the beach, roam around beach and Las Olas Boulevard on one of the many electrical scooters, and partake in some watersports. This will save you on gas and parking! Turns out, we could have saved those 30 bucks as most queues were always below ten minutes. During the day be sure to walk along South Beach to see the iconic Lifeguard Towers that have become a symbol of Miami. When sunset rolls around, head to Mallory Square where it turns into a carnival of street performers and drinks along the pier as everyone waits for the best sunset in the world. traffic. (Please don’t drive your Mustang onto a sandy parking lot to take a Mustang beach photo… We dug ourselves in and literally had to dig the wheels free and push the car out with three people!!! that have tours from 3- 4 hours with entertainment. Established in the 1920s this place is a gem in and of itself. Established in the 1920s this place is a gem in and of itself. Getting a historical background of Florida’s beginning is the perfect foundation and Old Town Trolley tours allow you to see the city efficiently without breaking a sweat! Tampa City was built around Ybor City, the historical immigrant community that included Cubans, Europeans, and Jewish Communities that mainly centered around the cigar making industry. If you want to stick to the Mid-Atlantic coast, this road trip will … Travel inspiration and advice for your next adventure, © The Sweetness of Traveling | Travel Blog Theme by. This hostel has the amenities of a resort, but still is the best place to meet solo travelers. That’s a wrap, after 14 days you earned the rest before your drive back to Orlando International Airport. That’s what we did because we wanted to do the Shark Valley bicycle tour through the National Park. It is right on the waterfront and is where luxury lounges. Here from April until November you can swim, paddleboard, and kayak this state park with clear blue waters. Head to see one of Florida’s historic lighthouses and visit Sanibel Lighthouse. One Week Florida Keys Road Trip Itinerary By Joshua Lawrence Kinser, author of Moon Florida Keys First-time visitors to the Florida Keys should set aside at least a week to experience the best that these legendary islands—plus the gateway areas of Miami and the Everglades—have to offer. But one can’t complain too much with £450 for two direct flights. Starts from $110 USD and up. It is great for a night stay and it doesn’t break the bank. All start in the high $300s USD and low $400s USD. Airbnb is where it is at for nice accommodations at a reasonable price. It runs from Downtown to Ybor City, so you can keep your car parked because there is virtually no need for it other than if you want to head to the beach. Fat Village is a creative enclave, community center, art gallery, and hosts a sweet art walk. Both Lime and Bird scooters are in Fort Lauderdale area, you can unlock the scooters by your smart phone with the app. If you have an extra day, you may consider stopping in Fort Myers and exploring Sanibel Island. is home to manatees that come to the springs for the consistent warm temperatures. If the beach is still calling your name you can drive a half hour to Clearwater Beach- recently named the. It offers on site restaurants, a tiki bar, on- site surfing lessons, and a beautiful oceanfront deck. Everglades City is a sleepy and picturesque place. is the perfect family friendly resort, with waterpark features like a lazy river and being right on the ocean there will never be a moment of boredom. Not only this you have made it to the Southernmost point of the continental USA. From St. Augustine take Route 1 or A1A, the twin highway that runs up and down the east coast all the way to Key West. Brunch Room for one of the most opulent brunches of your life or just to take a great picture. Let me know in the comments and reach out if you have any questions! Notify me of follow-up comments by email. If you want to do both parks, you should really spend two days in Orlando. To find out of your country is eligible for ESTA and thus visa free travel to the USA, Depending on what you fancy, whether that is feeling as if you are in the movies with Harry Potter World at Universal Studios or getting the rush of meeting Mickey Mouse for the first time at, If you want a less obvious experience in Orlando, Florida, I would head over to. A must to do in the Fort Lauderdale or what locals like to call “The Venice of America” is a boat tour. Be sure to stop by the Máximo Gómez Park to watch locals play Dominoes an enduring tradition. Just a friendly note the park is closed on Fridays. The. Reach Shark Valley Visitor Centre by 1 or 2pm and do the 15 miles cycle through Everglades National Park (2-3 hours). Starts from $110 USD and up. An hour south will take you to Daytona Beach the self-proclaimed “World’s Most Famous Beach”. If you want to splurge stay directly on Disney or Universal Property, but if you want to stay someplace more economical any hotel along International Drive will put you dead center in the middle of a bunch of restaurants, bars, and theme parks. While the cigar factories have closed, you can still see locals rolling Cuban Cigars from the windows of their stores. We had an amazing time. Florida is probably not the place I’d go solo traveling or with friends (there are more buzzing places) but it’s perfect for a couple/family holiday. There are a number of amazing spots whether eating on Cocoa Beach Pier, or go shopping in the Historic Victorian Cocoa Village. is a AAA Five-Diamond rated resort and is perfect for the golf and quiet beach lover. Bahia Honda’s award-winning beaches and historic bridge make it a must see a long the amazing route to Key West from Miami. There is no shortage of luxury options in Miami Beach, but some the best in my opinion are: 1 Hotel South Beach, Loews Miami Beach Hotel, and SLS South Beach. Rooms starting from $200 in low season to $500 USD in high season. Starting at $300 USD and up, be sure to get the best of the best here. Also, the culture and arts scene are blowing up here so do not forget to stop at Fat Village. Pro tip: Miami offers many free museums and art galleries that are the perfect for rainy days. Here I am offering a guide on how to organize your road trip, where to stay, where to stop, and what to see and many other tips to ensure an unforgettable experience – as well as some other must know tips for visiting the United States. You cannot say you have been to Miami without having tried a Cuban Sandwich with a Cubano coffee. Starting in the $400s USD it is definitely a luxurious option in Tampa. Come check out the Flamingos at  J.N. All start in the high $300s USD and low $400s USD. Head to The Circle Brunch Room for one of the most opulent brunches of your life or just to take a great picture. Miami is much more than South Beach, it has a unique Latin flavor and Caribbean feel that makes you feel like you have left the USA. While my road trip will be starting in Florida, it will also be taking me through a few of those stereotypical southern states, including Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas! Blue Spring State Park is home to manatees that come to the springs for the consistent warm temperatures. an open-air café that opens up to the train tracks in the back and inspiring street art. This 2 week road trip across America takes you between two of the nation’s biggest cities, gives you a chance to explore the past, and will win you over with the charm of the people you meet along the way. Pro tip: Getting a historical background of Florida’s beginning is the perfect foundation and Old Town Trolley tours allow you to see the city efficiently without breaking a sweat! But we finally found New Yorker Boutique Hotel which was decent and clean. A Marriot hotel in the Downtown City Center along the water, close to the Riverwalk this former Federal Court House is now an architectural gem that is a hotel on the National Register of Historic Places. The Cuban American neighborhood is my favorite place to go for food. The Kennedy Space Center is a huge complex and you need ample time to see it all, catch shuttles, and experience everything. Fort Lauderdale Beach is a hidden Florida treasure, since many tourists drive by it to get straight to Miami. Miami Beach, Florida. We decided to skip Key West as there is not much to do (except pose next to the famous Southernmost point buoy) and it’s quite a long drive from Miami/the Everglades. Whether you want to catch an NHL or NFL game, or you want to go to museums like the Museum of Modern Art and shopping in Hyde Park neighborhood, there is something for every type of traveler. It is a medium-paced itinerary taking in Florida’s most famous and lesser-known attractions, compiled from a lot of research and recommendations. Today you can come to learn about the history of Ybor City, have amazing Cuban food at places like the Columbia Restaurant and see flamenco dancers. If the weather is going to be … The historical trolley is free! Starting at $130 USD it is well worth the money and works for many budgets. Stop in Manatee Sanctuary Park, parking and entrance are free near Cape Canaveral and the Space Center. With Happy Hour from 4pm-6pm and Margarita Mondays 6pm-10pm this is the place to be! First and foremost, Miami has long been known for its’ nightlife and beaches, but it also has a very culturally rich art and food scene due to its’ melting pot of cultures. Mid-Range: Holiday Miami Beach Oceanfront There are many mid- range hotels to choose from, but here is one that is Oceanfront and not far from the action. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. The railroad tycoon Henry Morrison Flagler developed the property in 1896, basing it off of the Italian Renaissance style at Villa Medici of the 1400s. After a relaxing time at the beach it is time to pack up once more to the last destination on your Florida road trip to Tampa, Florida. at around $100 is close to Kennedy Space Center, the highway, the beach, and in the center of everything. Economical: Stay in St. Augustine Beach if you want beach culture, nature, camping, bars and partying, The St. Augustine Beach KOA Campground is the perfect place to park your RV or pitch your tent. Cocoa Beach is a surfers paradise, with decent waves and the largest. Currently you may get lucky to view one of many SpaceX launches from Kennedy Center or Cocoa Beach. My friend and I are doing 12 nights in Florida and want to see as much as we can. Sanibel Island. Florida Road Trip Timetable For the thrill- seeker, this is absolute heaven! Whether you want to catch an NHL or NFL game, or you want to go to museums like the Museum of Modern Art and shopping in Hyde Park neighborhood, there is something for every type of traveler. Almost everyone comes to Orlando for the theme parks. It’s smart to pick a car up from the airport when you arrive, for example in Miami or Orlando. It makes it easy to see the city/beach because you can stop, pause, and zoom around the city however your please. is a full blown resort located 30 minutes away from Kennedy Space Center. Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge. Are you currently planning your Florida road trip? The Adult Pass will set you back $57 USD, and $47 for Children. The Ultimate Central Florida Road Trip. To find out of your country is eligible for ESTA and thus visa free travel to the USA, Wikipedia has a full list here. Casa Ybel Beach Resort is a beautiful oceanfront resort and makes every part of your experience feel like paradise. Ever since Hurricane Irma prices have skyrocketed. To help plan your trip to Florida, here’s a little Florida travel guide with a two week road trip itinerary and the best places to go. Paddle out on your SUP, go surfing, rent a jet ski. Driving around Florida is arguably the best and only way to truly see the Sunshine State and is, in my opinion, one of the best trips for first times to the United States. If you’re outside the United States you can look out for cheap flights to Orlando by searching on Skyscanner, creating a Google Flight alert or signing up to The Points Guy or Scotts Cheap Flights as their newsletters often list the best flight deals. It doesn’t matter if you choose the north-to-south route (like we did) or the other way around, one thing is … Turns out, they’re actually quite pricey for what they offer. All are designed by various artists, architects, and musicians in different colors, sizes, and shapes. However, it is an out of this world experience not to be missed. Daytona Beach is famous for being the spring break destination for countless college spring breakers over the years, and of course the, Between Daytona and Cocoa Beach is the famous Space Coast, a 95 mile section of Route 1 that’s home to the. Starting at $175 and up. We landed in Orlando where we picked up our sexy ride for the next two weeks: A Mustang 5L GT which we booked with National Car (we were upgraded from a standard convertible!). I feel like it was a good mix of beach/relaxing and adventure/exploring with some city life mixed in. The Spanish Fort has phenomenal views of the ocean and city. You can’t go to Florida without going gator-spotting, or encountering one in the wild- so come here to learn life saving tips and techniques in case you ever encounter one on your trip! Can anyone make any recommendations of where we should go. It makes it easy to see the city/beach because you can stop, pause, and zoom around the city however your please. First stop is the United States oldest city, St. Augustine settled by the Spanish in 1565. When we arrived in Miami the next day, I was super keen to explore the city. The city is so extra, just sitting at one of the many cafes along Ocean Drive you could  people watch and see some of the world’s most exotic cars in the world. So, we decided to spend the night in a roadside motel. Drive onto the Beach where luxury lounges s worth a photo florida road trip 2 weeks but there is here. 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