Travel

[TeezNu]

Hello,

I’ll be traveling to FL for about 10 days in late April/Early May.

So far, I want to fly to Miami, drive to Key West, tour the Everglades, see Sanibel Island, then tour St Augustine.

I am not interested in Disney-type things in Orlando.

Is there anything else I should do and visit while there?

Thanks so much for your suggestions!

[Mz iMac]

Little Havana

[NicksmomESQ]

South Beach

[LizzieInSRQ]

With that itinerary  your going to spend 1/3 of your time in the car. Not much to see from the car, just a warning. You may want to cut out Sanibel and  do the the west coast on a future trip. Florida's coasts are very different from each other. Also If you go Miami, Everglades Key West ..then you have to double back aaaallll the way up the east coast up to St. Augustine, perhaps stop in Ormond Beach/ Daytons Beach or Cocoa Beach/Space Coast.

I'm a native of Sarasota, I think I live in the prettiest part of Florida but it's quieter good for cuisine, the arts and the beach...maybe next time!

[millieshops]

@TeezNuPlease read @LizzieInSRQ carefully and then sit with a map and figure the mileage and the traffic in the areas where you plan to drive.  Miami to Key West can easily be hours of driving in each direction.  Miami itself has major traffic and so much to seei and do.  The good thing is that the major tourist season is really over by the end of April and early May, but city traffic is still city traffic.

And should you decide Sanibel is important to you (it's lovely), you might want to just stay on the west coast (Sarasota, St. Pete, or even up to the Panhandle) rather than driving hours to cross the state at a wide point to get to St. Augustine.  

[rrpell]

Hi!

Florida has lots to see.

First, I agree with @millieshops.  She suggests removing St. Augustine from your itinerary.  It is a nice place to visit; however,  I believe there is too much travel time between distances. 

 If you fly into Miami, I agree with @NicksmomESQ & @Mz iMac, take in Little Havana and South Beach. Don’t forget to try the Cuban coffee!   You could drive across the Everglades to the west coast.  There, you could visit Sanibel and Captiva.  For fun, I would suggest taking a ride on a water taxi.  Jensens operates one on Captiva island.  I find having a meal at RC Otters (on Captiva) gets me into the island spirit. 

Skip the driving and take the passenger ferry to Key West from Ft Myers!  (It is near Sanibel.)  It could be a day trip or stay overnight.  Key West is a walkable town.  A vehicle is not needed. 

Like @LizzieInSRQ, I think the West Coast is beautiful.  I’m staying on Pine Island (near Captiva) for a couple of months.  It is “old Florida” with lots of plant nurseries and not a lot of development.  Every morning I see eagles and osprey fly overhead.

Lastly, I love the Don Cesar on St. Pete’s beach.  It is a large pink resort, right on the white beach.  It is stunning. I would park my car in their parking lot, have lunch outside by the pools and then take a long walk on the beautiful beach.

Have fun on your trip!

[PINKdogWOOD]

@Mz iMac   I was going to toss out Ybor City which is closed to the Tampa area if I recall.

Little Havana sounds good too - near the Miami area? I'm guessing but not sure.

Definitely Key West as was noted.

[TeezNu]

WOW!  What an abundance of fabulous info and tips!  Thank you all SO much! ❤️

I did forget to add that I was thinking of flying back home to TX from Jacksonville, rather than driving all the way back south to Miami.  Based on your comments, though, I will re-think what I really want to see on this trip.

[Miami Spices]

There are wonderful food/walking tours of Little Havana, Wynwood, and South Beach. You learn some interesting history, and eat a nice variety of ethnic cuisine. 

In Wynwood, Miami go to Three. Award winning chef, Norman Van Aken, has a rooftop bar, cooking school, and restaurant. 

[BirkiLady]

Ybor City in Tampa. If you enjoy art galleries, there are many in Tampa and the St. Pete areas. Lots of great dining, too.

Have you called or written to FL's Tourism for additional information? I'm in FL frequently so don't need to plan my trips, but would suggest you do so.  

I do enjoy St. Augustine and the Cape area. So much history on the eastern side of FL.

You are going when the weather will still be nice! Shouldn't be too hot and humid, yet. ENJOY your vacation!!