Summer is almost here and what better time to take a road trip; especially here in Florida where there is so much to see and do. A road trip can be fun if planned right. Imagine all the beautiful places you will get to see while driving, places you probably never knew existed and all the family bonding you will be able to do. There are so many places you could visit but here are my top 5 cities if you are planning a road trip this summer.
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach is a beach town located approximately 45 minutes east of Orlando and about 200 miles North of Miami. It makes up part of the Space coast (one of the many coast in Florida). It is very close to Port Canaveral Cruise ship port. Famous American surfer Kelly Slater was born there. There is a statue on north Orlando avenue in the downtown area commemorating the surfer.
Cocoa Beach is famous for its beaches and surf shops, but you can visit the Kennedy Space center while there, the Cocoa Beach Pier, go on a manatee watch tour, go kayaking and take the kids to the Dinosaur store. The Dinosaur store is the home of the Museum of Dinosaurs and and Ancient Cultures, there is also a fun interactive adventure zone area.
Key West
key west, an island city in Florida is a popular tourist destination. It’s the southernmost point of Florida approximately 160 miles from Miami and about 390 miles from Orlando. It is connected to Miami by the 7 miles bridge. While driving is not the only way into Key west since there is an airport and major airlines do stop in key west, as well as it is a popular cruise ship stop. Driving will allow you to stop at some of the other keys like Islamorada, Key Largo and the Marathon keys.
key west is famous for beaches, sunsets, key lime pies and probably anything to do with the ocean such as water sports, fishing, parasailing, snorkeling and more. It also has an active nightlife.
Apart from water activities, other things you can do includes; visiting Ernest Hemmingway’s House, visiting the buoy for a quick instagrammable photo, visiting the light house, and or walk along Duval street. If you are able to go during June 30th and July 4th there will be the yearly Key Lime Pie Festival.
Naples
This quiet town on the Southwestern side of Florida imitates its namesake, Naples in Italy. It’s a great place for relaxation. Naples is famous for its high end shopping, golfing and water activities, and also for it’s beautiful white sand beaches and breathtaking sunsets.
Places you don’t want to miss in Naples are 5th Avenue, Tin City, Naples Pier and the Beaches. 5th Avenue is a great place for high-end shopping, dining, and art galleries. Tin city which has a more rustic vibes is great for shopping and waterfront dining and the Naples pier is a great place to spot dolphins, go fishing and view the sunset.
Other things you can do in Naples include going on a dolphin tour, visiting the Naples zoo, golfing, jet skiing, touring historical places like Palm Cottage, and visiting the Naples Botanical Garden.
Orlando
While there is a lot of hotels and resorts in Orlando where you can kick your shoes off and relax by a pool, Orlando is more for those that want to explore and be adventurous because there is so much to do here.
Orlando is located in Central Florida about 240 miles from Miami which is south, 150 miles from Jacksonville with is north of it, and about 85 miles from Tampa which lies West . There are no beaches in Orlando. The closest would be in Cocoa beach which is about a 45 minute drive east, but who has time for the beach when you have Disney World, Universal Studios.
While Orlando is well known for the above mentioned places, Disney and Universal Studios, there are so many other attractions such as Sea World, Medieval Times, Legoland, The Crayola Experience, Icon Park and Old Town That you can visit. Icon park is famous for the “The Wheel” (a ferris wheel that can bring you up to 400 feet in the air). Once in the air you can see most if not all of Orlando.
Then, there is always something going on at Old Town from car shows to karaoke nights to shopping and dining, plus classic American rides for the whole family. If those aren’t enough you can always take a ride along I-Drive (International Drive) and you will see numerous other attractions.
Saint Augustine
Saint Augustine is a small town located in Northeast Florida. It is said to be the oldest city in the United States. The city is very historical boasting Spanish architecture and historical sites.
Even though it’s a small city there is a lot to do there, like visiting the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Visiting the first wax museum, Ripley’s Believe it or not, The torture museum, the Pirate and Treasure Museum, and taking a stroll down St. Georges street. Along St. Georges street you will find places to shop, places to eat, and view street entertainment.
St. Augustine is all about history, history about the city and about it’s founder Juan Ponce de Leon. You will notice cannons in various areas as you tour downtown, walk along Aviles Street the oldest street in St. Augustine, and you may also want to visit The Crocodile Farm Zoological Park which was first opened in 1893.
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