Don’t just want to visit Miami during your trip to Florida? Good idea! The Sunshine State is has so much to see! To help you choose and plan an unforgettable road trip, Offbeat Miami – Magic City’s specialists in guided tours – share with you its Top 10 activities and places not to be missed.
Contents
Miami and its surroundings
Magic City and her little sister Miami Beach has no need for introductions! Miami is considered the capital of Latin America in the United States. This colorful, multicultural city is full of surprises.
Don’t miss out on the beach of course, but also make sure you see the Art Deco of Miami Beach, trendy neighborhoods like Wynwood and its street art and the Design District with its high-end boutiques. But you should also find time to dip into the latin culture in Little Havana or enjoy the quiet rhythm of Coconut Grove.
Foodies will love trying South American cuisine. Take a seat on rooftops in Brickell for an incredible view and to party the night away.
Learn more about our custom tours
The Everglades
The Everglades occupy most of Florida’s southernly tip of Florida and can be visited in many ways. With the classic hydrofoils or “airboats” it only takes up half a day away from Miami. And for all of you who love the outdoors, there’s camping, kayaking, hiking. Day or night, the national park is always magical.
To get to it via the numerous trails, go in the direction of Flamingo to the South. You can also explore it from Everglades City on the Gulf of Mexico side. You will then cross the magnificent Big Cypress forest and have fun in the “stone crab capital”. Visit the Ten Thousand Islands, a small paradise of islands and mangroves. Don’t forget, the National Park has many entrantes, but they are all independent.
Credit Photo : James Branaman pour VISIT FLORIDA
Key West and the Florida Keys
A trip to Florida wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the beautiful Key West. From the road you can admire the view from the various bridges that connect the “keys” to each other (make the trip when the sun is at its highest to see a rainbow of beautiful colors).
Make a stop at Key Largo to take in the reef of John Pennekamp State Park. On Islamorada, you’ll find many places where the Bloodlines series was filmed, such as the hotel The Moorings Village. Visiting with the family ? Stop at the famous Robbie’s and feed the tarpons or watch the pelicans.
In Key West, enjoy the Caribbean and zen like atmosphere, explore the city by bike, admire the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico and don’t forget to visit Hemingway’s house. A day trip to the Dry Tortugas National Park is also highly recommended!
Naples, Marco Island and Sanibel
The beautiful and luxurious city of Naples is an excellent starting point for exploring the southern part of Florida’s west coast. This wild paradise has some lovely beaches, such as Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. If you’re more at home in natural surroundings, then don’t miss the Corkscrew Swamp – a ride on a wooden pontoon over the swamps in the Big Cypress Forest. And if you missed the sunset in Key West, catch it on the Pier.
South of Naples is the seaside town of Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands, which are part of the Everglades Park. You’ll see the unusual domed houses of Cape Romano.
Going north, follow the coast road to the beautiful islands of Sanibel and Captiva. On these beaches, you can relax and laze about, but you also collect loads of seashells. Outdoor lighting is forbidden at night so not to disturb local wildlife. Different, but a breathe of fresh air!
Credit Photo : visitecapecoral.de
Tampa, Clearwater and Saint Petersburg
Credit Photo : yborcityonline.com
Did you know that Tampa has a large Cuban community and the Ybor City neighborhood is the equivalent of Little Havana in Miami? Here you’ll find cigar factories and excellent Cuban restaurants. The Cuban sandwich is the city’s traditional dish. Delve into in the city’s past with a bite to eat and a drink in the city center’s Armature Works…the old tram depot.
Over on the Clearwater side, you’ll find one of the most beautiful beaches in the United States. So, grab your swimsuits and come soak up the sun on the incredible white sand!
Art lovers will adore Saint Petersburg with its museum, The Dali, the world’s largest collection of work by the Spanish artist.
Orlando, city of theme parks
You probably don’t need reminding that a trip to Orlando is a must on any Florida vacation. Whether you’re with family, your significant other or friends, young children or teenagers, there’s something for everyone no matter your age in the theme park capital !
We particularly recommend parks that are different from what you can find elsewhere. Take for instance, Universal Studios and its two parks dedicated to the world of Harry Potter.
When it comes to Disney, don’t miss the fairytale world of Avatar. Whether you’re a fan of the film or not, this part of the park will not leave you disappointed
Legoland is a good option for young children and wannabe builders! You’ll also avoid the massive crowds at Magic Kingdom…
And of course, don’t miss the latest addition to the magic place: Star Wars, Galaxy’s Edge.
Saint Augustine
Did you know that if Fort Caroline, near what is now Jacksonville, had not been destroyed, the oldest City in the United States would actually be French? History decided otherwise. Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States. That means it’s one of the rare places where Americans can experience history.
Steeped in Spanish, but also European culture, Saint Augustine mixes its influences, from the Vauban-Fort style of the Castillo de San Marcos to the Mediterranean-style Flagler College.
The key word here is ‘oldest’ Because everything here is the “oldest”: the oldest house, the oldest school..
A small historic distraction from the ultra-modern cities and lush nature.
Central Florida Springs
It’s thought that there are about 700 springs in Florida fed by the gigantic underground water reserve called the Florida Aquifer. They are found throughout the northern half of Florida.
To see the manatees and have the choice between the beach, the golf course or the springs, head to Crystal River. The main attraction is the Three Sisters Springs Park. You’re able to choose from kayaking, walking, swimming or a trolley tour. It is also one of the manatee’s main winter refuges.
Halfway between Daytona and Orlando, Blue Spring is one of the largest and best known springs. You’ll have another opportunity to watch the adorable manatees, especially if it’s winter. Blue Spring is the busiest, so arrive early…
More unusually, the Weeki Wachee spring hides the wonderful sight of… mermaids! Kids love it!
Credit Photo : dicasdadlorida.com.br
Kennedy Space Center
Credit Photo : kennedyspacecenter.com
The name of this place already has your head in the clouds! The first man in space and first man on the moon left in NASA shuttles and rockets from this spot.
You’ll be able to see rockets, 3D movies about Space, Earth, missions to Mars, meet astronauts and also see the Atlantis shuttle in real life. Plus you’ll experience a rocket launch in a launch simulator!
The technical part of NASA can only be visited by bus and ends with an open tour of the Apollo/Saturn V building. You’ll get to touch a piece of the Moon and walk under the real Saturn V rocket – one of the largest ever built.
You might even get to see a real rocket launch if you’re lucky… an unforgettable experience!
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is rarely visited by Europeans, but is worth a visit nonetheless. Nicknamed “the Venice of America”, the city is famed for its canals. Many villas can be accessed by the street and the water. You can also travel by road, water taxi or private boat. These canals join the Instracoastal, a canal network that connects Key West to Boston!
Approximately 30 minutes north of Miami, and with easy access since the fast train line Brightline was opened, is Fort Lauderdale. It’s a good place to finish your road trip as close as possible to Miami while still enjoying the peace and quiet.
Slap on your sunscreen at lovely Lauderdale-by-the-sea. This resort has a much more relaxing vibe than Ocean Drive and is perfect for a family vacation.
Credit Photo : cntraveler.com
Visit Miami with a local guide!
Need help or want to book a tour?