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Trip Ideas|Road Trips

This Florida Road Trip Takes You From The Shores Of Siesta Key To The Everglades Swamps

Discover a scenic road trip along Florida's Gulf coast from Siesta Key to the Everglades, featuring beaches, gardens, and unique attractions.

Published May 5, 2022

Written by 

Angie Slayton

When you’re planning your next weekend adventure along Florida’s Gulf coast, we have the perfect road trip to consider. Starting off at one of Florida’s most spectacular beaches, this trip will take you down the Gulf all the way to the Everglades, enjoying an incredibly diverse range of landscapes, activities, and attractions. Ready to have the most "Florida" day ever? The entire road trip will take around four hours of travel time, but you’ll want to plan accordingly to give time to stop at each spot. You can find the entire customizable itinerary for the road trip here.

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The road trip starts with an early morning at Siesta Key, one of Florida’s most beautiful spots.

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Flickr jonathansingel

Siesta Key is a barrier island off the coast of Sarasota that is well-known for its sugary, soft sand. Siesta Beach offers up clear, turquoise water, plus a chance to soak in all the sun before getting back on the road. Click here for more information about this Florida road trip stop.

The next stop on this trip is the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' Historic Spanish Point Campus.

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Google Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Different from the Downtown Botanical Garden, this 30-acre museum and environmental complex provides a chance for visitors to connect to both history and local plant life.

Click here for more information about this Florida road trip stop.

Let’s keep this trip going by heading down south to the famed Caspersen Beach.

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Flickr Diana Robinson

This delightful beach in Venice, Florida is known for being one of the best shelling beaches around. Guests can walk the beautiful shoreline looking for colorful seashells, and if they’re lucky, spot a few fossilized shark teeth, too!

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Click here for more information about this Florida road trip stop.

By now, you’ve probably worked up a bit of an appetite, right? Let’s make a quick pitstop at Farlow’s on the Water in Englewood.

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TripAdvisor management

Farlow’s on the Water is a coveted restaurant with a relaxed, waterfront vibe. Diners can sit outside right by the water’s edge and indulge in Caribbean-inspired fare, plus cold cocktails.

Click here for more information about this Florida road trip stop.

We’re back at it after a satisfying meal and heading south to the Shell Factory in North Fort Myers.

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TripAdvisor JimDeBerry

It wouldn’t be a road trip along the Gulf without a stop here, right? With over 50,000-square feet of shopping space, you’ll find a TON of things to see and explore here beyond just seashells. This place is the perfect destination for families to get out and enjoy some out-of-the-box roadside fun.

Click here for more information about this Florida road trip stop.

The next stop on this Florida road trip is at Clam Pass Park in Naples.

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TripAdvisor VILACASTELOEU

This serene spot is beloved by locals, but also offers visitors from out of town a chance to enjoy a relaxed slice of Naples. While it can get quite populated during the weekends, it’s always nice to spend some time walking at the water’s edge and enjoying the warm weather. It’s also a great place to bird-watch, too!

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Click here for more information about this Florida road trip stop.

We’re going to end this road trip with a bang at Wooten’s Everglades Airboat Tours in Ochopee, Florida.

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TripAdvisor Duchess050664

Glide across 259-acres of private Everglades swampland with a professional airboat tour guide. You can also enjoy a different vantage point of the Everglades altogether with a Cypress Forest swamp buggy tour. The best part of this adventure is that you never know what you’re going to see along the way.

Click here for more information about this Florida road trip stop.

So what do you think about the Florida road trip? Have you ever traveled from Siesta Key to the Florida Everglades before? Share with us some other places you like to stop along the way in the comments section!

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Trip Ideas|Road Trips

This Florida Literary Road Trip Leads to 5 Incredible Bookstores

Enjoy five of Central Florida's coolest independent bookstores on this fun road trip.

Published Oct 17, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

I love reading, and if I had to pick something I enjoyed almost as much as cozying up with a book, I'd have to go with checking out local bookshops when traveling. We have no shortage of amazing bookstores in Florida, and even if your to-read list is growing at an impossible pace, they're wonderful places for heading in to find new reads. If you're looking for a unique Sunshine State road trip, we've got the perfect route for you today. This three-and-a-half-hour journey across central Florida will take you to five of the region's best bookstores.

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Google Maps

The entire trip requires just under 175 miles of driving and makes for a great weekend adventure. You can check out the full itinerary on Google Maps. It's customizable, so feel free to add or rearrange stops to your liking.

We'll start our trip off with the delightful Hello Again Books in Cocoa. This woman-owned bookstore sells both used and new books and strives to foster a sense of community in this little city. There are always fun displays here - I love the book arch that you can walk underneath! There's a wonderful little kid's area, and you'll also find gifts like candles and mugs. It's in a wonderful location near plenty of restaurants and other shops, and you could easily make a day of exploring Cocoa's historic district.

For our next stop, we'll head to Winter Garden, where you'll find Writer's Block Bookstore. The store has two Orlando-area locations; the original shop is in Winter Park. Both are delightful little stores situated in walkable downtown areas. You'll find a great variety of titles on display, and I adore the "blind date with a book" option. It's perfect for when you're feeling indecisive and not sure what to read next. The employees are wonderful at providing suggestions, and you'll even find handwritten reviews from the staff posted throughout the store.

I hope you're enjoying some wonderful audiobooks while on the road because, for our next bookstore, we'll be heading to Clermont's Sunshine Book Co., a family-owned shop in the bustling downtown district that's just as bright and cheery as its name suggests. The shop's event calendar is full of author readings, book club meetups, and book fairs. It's a cozy little store that sells new books and gifts, and there's even a frequent shopper punch card to save you money if you live in the area.

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Marco Cristofori/Corbis Documentary/Getty Images

Our next stop is a little bit different, as it will have you enjoying a taste of England without leaving Florida. Tampa's Oxford Exchange is a delightful British-inspired cafe that features elegant decor and delicious coffee and tea, along with breakfast and lunch menus. The bookstore here has a great mix of new releases and older classics, plus a few kids' books to entertain the little ones.

We'll finish up this literary road trip through central Florida with a visit to St. Petersburg's Tombolo Books, a colorful award-winning shop in the Grand Central District. Whether it's an author reading or a book club meetup, there's always something fun going on at Tombolo, and the store's bestseller list is updated weekly if you'd like to check out the hottest reads in St. Pete.

Have you ever visited any of these local bookstores in central Florida? Did we miss your favorite spot for finding new reads? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Not able to travel to the area right now, but still want to support your local independent bookstore? Check out Bookshop.org, where a portion of each book sold goes straight to local bookshops.

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Trip Ideas|Road Trips

Florida Road Trip Ideas: 10 Best Road Trips + Itinerary

Discover a variety of epic road trip adventures across Florida, perfect for any season or interest.

Updated Jun 21, 2024

Written by 

Beth Copenhaver

Florida is a massive state, and it's one that's best explored by driving. Fortunately, we've compiled some truly epic road trip adventures for you to enjoy. Whether you're looking for a scenic road trip adventure, a summer road trip in Florida, a hidden beaches road trip, or perhaps something else altogether, you're bound to find a road trip idea that inspires your next great drive. So gas up the car, find the perfect playlist, pack all of your favorite snacks, and get ready for some of the best Florida road trips!

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bloodua / Getty Images

For road trip planning and packing tips, check out OnlyInYourState's Ultimate Road Trip Packing List. Whether you're leaving for a single day or a week-long road trip, you can't forget the snacks: here are 50 on-the-go snack ideas perfect for traveling. 

1-Day Road Trip In Florida

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Florida Fish & Wildlife / flickr
  • Route: Devil's Den > Rainbow Springs State Park > The Front Porch > Floral City and Pudgees' Hot Dog Stand > Weeki Wachee Springs State Park > Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park > The Freezer > Cedar Key
  • Distance: 174 miles
  • Trip Time: 3 hr 45 min driving time


Looking for the perfect one-day road trip in Florida? We've got you covered! In fact, you should be able to visit all of these exciting Florida attractions on just one tank of gas. Along the way, you'll get to experience some of Florida's most stunning natural wonders, such as Rainbow Springs State Park, while also enjoying some mouthwatering snacks along the way.

3-Day Weekend Road Trip In Florida

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Rachel Kramer / flickr
  • Route: Cape St. George Light > St. Marks Lighthouse > Amelia Island Light > St. Augustine Light > Ponce De Leon Inlet Light > Cape Canaveral Lighthouse > The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse > Hillsboro Lighthouse > Cape Florida Lighthouse
  • Distance: 167 miles
  • Trip Time: 3.5 hours driving time
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There's something awe-inspiring about lighthouses. On this long-weekend road trip in Florida, you'll get to explore some of the state's most stunning beacons. In addition to offering a fascinating history of the state, Florida's lighthouses also showcase some of the best views around. One thing's for sure, you'll definitely want to bring your camera with you on this lighthouse road trip!

North Florida Road Trip

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Sergio R Sanchez / Getty Images

Central Florida Road Trip

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Dan Forer / Getty Images
  • Route: De Leon Springs State Park > Rainbow Springs State Park > Weeki Wachee Springs State Park > Tarpon Springs > Honeymoon Island State Park > The Dali Museum > Bok Tower Gardens > Spook Hill > Blue Spring State Park
  • Distance: 345 miles
  • Trip Time: 8 hr 45 min driving time
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Now that we've explored all that northern Florida has to offer, it's time to venture into central Florida. As you probably guessed, there are just as many must-see landmarks in this region of the state. With lots of cities, parks, and historic gems to explore along the way, you could easily take an entire week to enjoy this route. And, you'll probably do plenty of walking along the way, so be sure to dress comfortably!

Best Florida Road Trip For Spring

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Matthew Paulson / flickr
  • Route: Cedar Key > Crystal River > Tarpon Springs > Mount Dora > DeLand > St. Augustine
  • Distance: 512 miles
  • Trip Time: 10 hr 10 min driving time


Spring in Florida is a beautiful time of year, so why not get out and explore our charming small towns? This small town road trip through Florida will give you a greater appreciation for the small, lesser-known communities of the Sunshine State. Along the way, prepare to be utterly charmed by the history, scenery, and friendly folks you'll meet along the way. Don't be surprised if you find yourself planning to up and move to a small town in Florida!

Best Summer Road Trip In Florida

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Daniel Bass / Google
  • Route: Colt Creek State Park > Dade Battlefield Historic State Park > Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park > Bulow Creek State Park > Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park > Goethe State Forest
  • Distance: 271 miles
  • Trip Time: 5 hr 45 min driving time
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Summer in Florida can be a busy season, given the fact that we've got some of the best beaches in the world. But if you're looking to avoid the crowds, we've got just the thing in mind: a summer road trip in Florida to the least-visited state parks. Enjoy the cool shade as you follow a secluded trail to a gorgeous view. Or perhaps try your hand at kayaking. Either way, you're in for a fun adventure when you explore these little-known state parks in Florida.

Best Florida Road Trip For Fall

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Ebyabe / Wikipedia
  • Route: Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine > Veterans Memorial Bridge on Orange Ave in Daytona Beach > Cassadaga > NASA's Launch Complex 34 in Cape Canaveral > Port Mayaca Cemetery > New River Inn in Fort Lauderdale > The Rod and Gun Club in Everglades City > Loews Don CeSar Hotel in St. Petersburg > The May-Stringer House in Brooksville
  • Distance: 900 miles
  • Trip Time: 15 hr driving time


Fall is a spooky season and the perfect time to take a haunted road trip through Florida. Along the way, you'll experience first-hand some of the state's most terrifying and haunted places. From historic landmarks to hotels haunted by ghosts, there's no shortage of ways to have a truly terrifying experience. Take this haunted road trip, but only if you dare!

Best Winter Road Trip In Florida

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Detwiler's Farm Market / Google
  • Route: Amish Country Store > Der Dutchman > Detwiler’s Farm Market
  • Distance: 67 miles
  • Trip Time: 1 hr 25 min driving time
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Our next adventure is a cozy winter road trip in Florida that will take you to some of the state's best Amish bakeries. Along the way, you can look forward to sampling some seriously sweet treats and stocking up on incredible Amish-made goods. Plus, you can plan to spend some time in the small towns along the way to learn more about the local communities of Florida's western coast.

Family-Friendly Florida Road Trip

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Facebook Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park / Facebook
  • Route: Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park > Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park > Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill > WonderWorks > Pink Pelican Ice Cream Bar > Shores of Panama > Cape San Blas
  • Distance: 114 miles
  • Trip Time: 3 hr driving time


Looking for something to do with the kids in Florida? We've got just the thing -- a family-friendly road trip through Florida! Along the way, you and your crew will enjoy beaches, waterparks, fun restaurants, and more. Every destination along the way is kid-approved, so you can be sure even the littlest ones in your group will be entertained.

Road Trip to Florida Landmarks & Natural Wonders

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SimonSkafar / Getty Images
  • Route: Falling Waters State Park > Florida Caverns State Park > Torreya State Park > Devil's Den > Ocala National Forest > Blowing Rocks Preserve > Everglades National Park > John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
  • Distance: 719 miles
  • Trip Time: 12 hr 15 min driving time
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Last but certainly not least, this Florida natural wonders road trip will take you on a grand tour of the state, showcasing some of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world along the way. This unique itinerary includes as many natural gems as possible, leaving nothing to be desired. Plus, it ends at the iconic Everglades National Park. Talk about a bucket-list-worthy adventure!

How many of these Florida road trips would you consider taking? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below -- we'd love to hear from you!

Looking for even more to discover? Check out the Everglades in this incredible video:

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