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Florida, the Sunshine State, is dwelling to world-class theme parks, lovely nature parks, crystal clear pure springs, cheesy (in the easiest way) roadside points of interest, white sand seashores, and alligators.
You don’t should discover your entire state to see the highlights, actually, most of the high points of interest lie within the South Central area of Florida, and what higher approach to get round all of them than by highway journey?
Whether or not you’re on the lookout for top-notch museums, thrilling theme parks, laid-back cities, or the clear waters of the ocean, this South Central Florida highway journey itinerary will tick off all the most effective points of interest in Florida.
The place is South Central Florida?
The boundaries of South Central Florida are usually not formally outlined, however we contemplate it to encompass the next areas:
- Martin County on the Treasure Coast area on the Atlantic Coast. It’s midway between Miami and Orlando and about 45-minutes north of West Palm Seaside.
- The Area Coast, which options 72 miles of Atlantic ocean paradise and is barely an hour from Orlando. It consists of Cocoa Seaside, Melbourne Seaside, Palm Bay, Port Canaveral, Titusville, and Viera.
- Sebring County in Central Florida and contains the encircling lake communities (of which there are lots of lakes!). It’s between Martin County and Englewood.
- Manasota Key within the Punta Gorda area of the Florida Gulf Coast. It’s positioned simply south of Sarasota and north of Fort Meyers.
It might embody Orlando, which formally sits in Central Florida, however because it’s such a handy metropolis to fly into, we are going to start our highway journey itinerary from right here.
You might additionally begin from Tampa, one other well-connected metropolis.
Map of South Central Florida
The next map outlines the area of South Central Florida and the points of interest listed on this itinerary.
The Final South Central Florida Highway Journey
On this highway journey, you’ll uncover enchanting historical hammocks the place Florida panthers nonetheless roam, thrilling air boat rides via spectacular surroundings (and alongside alligators), barrier islands you’re feeling are yours alone to get pleasure from, the serenity of tucked away rivers, and loads of contemporary and scrumptious farm to desk eating (land and water).
If that’s not a cause to go to Florida, I don’t know what’s.
The fantastic thing about this highway journey is that every one locations I’ve talked about are lower than a simple two-hour drive from one another.
So although you’re driving from place to position, you’ll spend much less time within the automobile and extra time outdoor.
We advocate you put aside 3 weeks for this highway journey, it’s value taking your time to discover it! Nonetheless, you’ll be able to all the time minimize some locations out that you just don’t suppose are to your style.
For many direct flight choices (and probably cheaper), we advocate flying into Orlando, and beginning your itinerary from there.
It’s straightforward to do a loop drive again to Orlando, and also you’ll save on one-way rental automobile charges.
Verify your rental automobile choices right here.
Cease 1: Orlando (3-5 days)
The period of time you spend in Orlando will largely rely upon how a lot you need to see, and whether or not or not you propose to go to the theme parks.
Like Las Vegas, Orlando resembles some form of fantasy world, the place your desires can grow to be a actuality – no actually, you’ll be able to even go to Hogwarts.
It’s most well-known for being dwelling to Walt Disney World Resort, SeaWorld, Common Studios, and extra Disney theme parks like Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom.
If you wish to get off the theme park route, and it’s best to, Orlando has an actual metropolis to uncover. It’s a sprawling metropolis with tree-lined streets, shady components, artwork museums, and buzzing nightlife.
Head to downtown Orlando for a day of museum and gallery hopping, particularly to the Orlando Museum of Artwork and Mennello Museum of Artwork.
If in case you have youngsters, go to Lake Eola Park and spend a pair hours enjoyable on the lawns. Within the night, catch a present on the Dr. Phillips Middle for the Performing Arts.
In the event you’re not visiting theme parks, I like to recommend spending three days in Orlando. Listed below are extra concepts for issues to do in Orlando and listed here are some incredible trip leases in Orlando (we liked the villa we stayed in!)
Cease 2: Kennedy Area Middle (1 day)
- Distance from earlier cease: 52.2 miles
- Time to get there: 1 hour
I like to recommend you drive in a clockwise loop round this highway journey, as this fashion you’ll be able to get pleasure from theme parks on the best way again, somewhat than do them first and get burned out and never need to get pleasure from the remainder of South Central Florida.
So, we’ll begin on the Area Coast, with our first cease being the well-known Kennedy Area Middle, dwelling to the previous NASA area shuttle program.
Spend a day exploring the Customer Middle and Museum, the place you’ll be able to study NASA’s historical past, see historic spacecrafts, study area exploration, and extra.
Don’t miss the Rocket Backyard to see replicas of traditional rockets and have a go on the Shuttle Launch Simulator, which reaches a high velocity of 17,500 mph. You are able to do a bus tour of the entire facility, which departs each quarter-hour between 10:00am – 2.45pm.
In the event you’re fortunate to be in Florida on the proper time, cease by Cape Canaveral, the well-known spot to look at a shuttle launch.
They do nonetheless have launches from Cape Canaveral, so test the launch schedule for a as soon as in a lifetime expertise to see a rocket launch into area.
Cease 3: Melbourne Shores (2 days)
- Distance from earlier cease: 45.4 miles
- Time to get there: 1 hour 12 minutes
After a day studying about area exploration, drive right down to the Melbourne Shores for some enjoyable time by the seaside.
With the Indian River Lagoon on one facet and the Atlantic on the opposite, it’s a fantastic place alongside Florida’s Area Coast for water sports activities and out of doors actions.
Some widespread issues to do listed here are catching a dawn from Melbourne Seaside Pier, basking on the seaside by Coconut Level Park, and mountain climbing in Maritime Hammock Sanctuary.
Spend a day at Pelican Island Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, the primary wildlife refuge in America recognized for its inhabitants of migratory birds.
Cease 4: Saint Sebastian River Protect State Park (1 day)
- Distance from earlier cease: 27.7 miles
- Time to get there: 40 minutes
Saint Sebastian River Protect is a lovely state park recognized for its pine flatwood and cypress bushes, swamplands, and greater than 70 species of endangered vegetation.
It has over 60 miles of nature trails which could be explored on foot or horse, and it’s also possible to go boating or canoeing on the Sebastian River.
The park is thought for its wildlife, together with bobcats, pelicans, and the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. It’s additionally dwelling to manatees, which could be seen from the Manatee Overlook.
Cease 5: Martin County on the Treasure Coast (3 days)
- Distance from earlier cease: 63.3 miles
- Time to get there: 1 hour
Martin County on the Treasure Coast shortly turned one in all our favourite locations in Florida for its buzzing, pleased ambiance with loads of out of doors points of interest.
You’ll discover sophistication and Outdated Florida allure in addition to the all-embracing kick off your flip flops and slip in your Key West persona.
Nature is the focal point in Martin County, with the St Lucie River and Intra-coastal Waterway and the 22 miles of undiscovered and untouched seashores on the Florida Atlantic Coast.
You’ll be able to stability your nature actions with native artwork festivals, stay music, and exquisite murals.
You’ll discover unbelievable eating experiences from scrumptious breakfast smoothie bowls and excellent espresso to native gap within the wall taco locations and classier seafood eating places with water views.
Night time Paddle Board, Port Salerno
For a novel household journey, that packs loads of WOW be part of a paddle boarding tour with Zekes Surf and Paddleboarding within the fairly Port Salerno space of Martin County.
What makes this paddle-board expertise completely different, is you’ll be paddling below the quilt of darkness!
Our tour began with a fast instruction, earlier than heading out as a gaggle throughout the channel to close by Disappearing Island in the midst of St Lucie River Inlet.
The wake was pumping, and we needed to dash paddle, timing our run in between boats, and catching their wake behind us. As soon as we arrived, we turned our boards to look at the solar set over the inlet.
We parked ourselves on this brief strip of white sand scattered with just a few purple mangroves for about an hour trying to find hermit crabs and jellyfish and loved the abundance of fowl life hovering throughout the pink skies.
Then we sat down to look at the large spherical orange orb of the complete moon rise making a staircase under it. It was by far among the best moon rises I’ve ever seen.
The ultimate half to the journey was paddling again throughout as a gaggle in darkness (with security lights).
This time there weren’t many boats to navigate round. It was spooky and thrilling on the identical time.
Sundown Sail on the Schooner Lily, Stuart
For a gentler journey, pack your snacks and drinks and sit down onboard the Schooner Lily in Stuart Florida.
You’ll sail on the St Lucie River for about 2-hours below the steering of Captain Fred, proprietor of Treasure Coast Crusing Adventures.
There’s not a lot so that you can do besides watch as they hoist the gross sales, be taught extra in regards to the biodiversity of the estuary (probably the most various within the Northern Hemisphere), absorb the surroundings and sailboat silence, search for wildlife, and marvel on the shiny orange sundown sky.
Even higher, time it with a full moon, so you’ll be able to see that rising in your approach again to port!
We stayed on a houseboat on our go to to Martin County. It’s now not accessible, however you’ll find distinctive trip properties which will fit your fashion on VRBO.
Video: Adventures in Martin County, Florida
Cease 6: Lake Okeechobee (1 day)
- Distance from earlier cease: 34.5 miles
- Time to get there: 45 minutes
Spend a day at Lake Okeechobee, the biggest freshwater lake in Florida and second-largest freshwater lake within the USA – it covers 730 sq. miles and could be seen from area.
Go for a hike across the 110-mile Lake Okeechobee Scenic Path, which circles the lake, or cycle the Florida Nationwide Scenic Path.
You’ll be able to camp in a single day, or launch a ship and discover the Okeechobee waterways.
Be looking out for alligators, bobcats, manatees, and wild turkeys.
Cease 7: Sebring County (2 days)
- Distance from earlier cease: 47.4 miles
- Time to get there: 54 minutes
Sebring is a slice of Outdated Florida the place ranchers and citrus growers meet with farm to desk eating places, and locals play (alongside, however distant) with alligators, turtles and birds in historical forests, plentiful lakes, and cypress swamps.
With its sluggish tempo, entry to pure magnificence and out of doors journey, Sebring in Central Florida is a good addition to this various Florida highway journey.
Sebring is called the Metropolis on the Circle for its downtown shops which are positioned on the sting of the roundabout in the midst of city.
It’s surrounded by different Outdated-Model Florida cities only a 20-minute drive in both route just like the charming Avon Park and the “Fascinating” Lake Placid.
Arbuckle Creek Airboat trip, Sebring
Strap your self in for the curler coaster model of this air-boat trip alongside the personal lands of Arbuckle Creek and Lake Istokpoga with Captain John from Airboat Wild Adventures.
He isn’t improper in regards to the WILD half – in each nature and loopy air-boat antics.
Who knew air-boats might go on land?
We actually don’t need to spoil the shock for you, as a result of that “Is he actually going to do this? “was a whole WOW second we don’t need to rob you of.
Simply make sure you select the Spring Break Curler Coaster model.
You’ll glide over acres of lily pads, hydrilla and tall grass and previous cypress and stay oaks dripping with Spanish Moss.
It’s gorgeous, pristine, and considerable with alligators and fowl life. At one stage I regarded as much as a sky crammed with circling buzzards, flocks of ibis, pink roseate spoonbills, and scores of tiny dragon flies. Then someplace alongside the journey, an eagle soared previous.
It’s the most effective air-boat trip we’ve achieved in Florida up to now.
Cycle the Highlands Hammock State Park Bike Loop
Head deep right into a dry, shady land filled with towering cypress and oak bushes, marauding black bears and Florida panthers, and steely gazing alligators.
Highlands Hammock State Park is Florida’s first state park and is the proper historical lush escape from the crowds.
Its small measurement makes it a simple state park to discover. The easiest way is on a motorbike, biking the three.1-mile loop highway.
Cease alongside the best way at any of the eight brief trails that showcase what makes Florida’s first state park a standout attraction.
Don’t miss the Cypress Swamp Path.
A half mile loop boardwalk goes above the swampy floor – within the moist season, crammed with water and maybe just a few alligators – and near the enormous cypress providing that hammock shade and grandeur ambiance.
That is a simple journey that mixes historical magnificence with wildlife and easy train.
Keep in Downtown Historic Sebring
We liked the porch with slight sundown views and the lovable morning espresso sunroom of our trip rental in Sebring, only a ten-minute stroll to the downtown Circle.
It’s spacious, comfy, and superbly embellished with three bedrooms, all of the facilities you need, and stocked with filtered water, a espresso bar, orange juice, fruit, and muffin snacks.
Video: Watch our adventures in Sebring
Try the household enjoyable we had in Sebring.
Cease 8: Punta Gorda (half a day)
- Distance from earlier cease: 71.1 miles
- Time to get there: 1 hour 25 minutes
On the best way to Manasota Key, cease in at Punta Gorda for a riverside stroll and probably the most genuine Thai meals we’ve eaten within the USA at Peace River Beer Firm.
One style of my Panang Curry and I used to be again on the sidewalk cafes close to my Bangkok residence.
Cease 9: Manasota Key and Englewood (2 days)
- Distance from earlier cease: 26.2 miles
- Time to get there: 45 minutes
Time to decelerate the tempo on the idyllic island haven of Manasota Key on the Florida Gulf Coast.
It’s within the Punta Gorda area, about midway between Tampa and Fort Myers and simply south of its busier neighbors, Sarasota, and Venice.
This 11-mile barrier island is slow-paced, pristine, and unknown – the form of Florida island trip of your desires. There is no such thing as a scarcity of non-public area and contemporary salty air.
On one facet are the calm aquamarine waters of Lemon Bay, and the opposite are the Gulf Seashores of Manasota, Englewood, Blinds Go and Stump Go – with loads of area in between on your personal personal stretch.
Englewood Seaside is the preferred seaside, the place you’ll find seaside leases, volleyball courts and parasailing enjoyable. It’s additionally close to just a few eating places and bars.
Blinds Go Seaside is called Center Seaside and is widespread for shark tooth looking, kayaking, or exploring the paths going out and in of the mangrove forest.
Manasota Seaside is supposed to be the least crowded seaside in Sarasota County.
After which there’s unmissable, extra distant Stump Go. You’ll be able to solely get there by boat or ft. Crowds at a minimal.
Play at Stump Go Seaside State Park, Manasota Key
Stump Go Seaside State Park is without doubt one of the 4 barrier islands that comprise the Barrier Islands Geopark on this space. The opposite three are Cayo Costa, Don Pedro, Gasparilla.
It consists of 245 acres of the Southern tip of Manasota Key and has entry to pristine seashores on Lemon Bay and the Gulf Coast.
A 1.3-mile sandy nature path takes you thru the low-lying forest with pockets within the bushes providing you with glimpses of the wild Gulf Coast on one facet and the calmer luminescent aqua waters on the opposite.
The path ends at Stump Go, the tip of the island the place the Gulf meets the bay. You may be wowed by the view.
As quickly as we obtained to the place the white sand met that stunning water, two dolphins rose out of the water, proper close to the sting of the shore.
Whereas we couldn’t expertise this exercise as a result of climate, we’ve little question {that a} kayak or paddle alongside the waters of Lemon Bay to the Stump Go could be a spotlight of any Florida highway journey.
Watch a Gulf Coast Sundown
A Florida Gulf Coast sundown is all the time a wow expertise and the MAIN occasion on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Plan your evenings round it, whether or not it’s having fun with it from a restaurant or bar, or simply from sitting on the entrance row sand seats.
Consistent with Manasota Key tempo, the sundown is one other reminder to cease and scent the salty sea breeze and admire the grandeur of an orange sky and sluggish conversations with family members.
Click on right here to be taught extra enjoyable issues to do in Manasota Key, Fl.
Keep at a Manasota Key Rental
You can’t go improper with any seaside rental on Manasota Key.
Only a few strides will take you to the seaside – probably your individual personal stretch of it.
The nearer you keep to Englewood Seaside, the simpler will probably be to stroll to eating places and pleased hour drinks!
There’s not plenty of resort selections in Manasota Key, or eating places for that matter, so a trip rental is your best option for lodging as you’ll be able to prepare dinner your individual meals.
Cease 10: Clearwater Seaside (2 days)
- Distance from earlier cease: 94.3 miles
- Time to get there: 2 hours
We want Clearwater Seaside to close by Tampa, as a result of although it’s a metropolis seaside, it has great, crystal clear water (now I can see the place it will get its title from).
Clearwater Seaside shouldn’t be too removed from Tampa, which has some cool museums, theme parks and water parks, equivalent to Busch Gardens.
It’s fairly walkable, with many eating places and native retailers being a brief distance from the seaside.
You should definitely discover the seaside space at sundown, as numerous road performers come out to play close to the pier.
Cease 11: Lake Wales (1 day)
- Distance from earlier cease: 85.9 miles
- Time to get there: 1 hour 45 minutes
On the best way to Lake Wales, cease in to admire the structure of Florida Southern Faculty in Lakeland, which was designed by world-renown architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.
The primary cause to come back to Lake Wales is for Bok Tower Gardens, which blooms all 12 months spherical.
It’s great to listen to the bells ring at Bok Tower Gardens. The bell tower has 23 bells which were specifically tuned. 4 occasions every week, a novel tune composed by Belgian-American composer Geert D’hollander is performed.
The bells play each Friday at 3.00pm, Saturday at 1.00pm and three.00pm, and Sunday at 1.00pm.
Cease 12: Westgate River Ranch Resort (3 days)
- Distance from earlier cease: 28.4 miles
- Time to get there: half-hour
That is the biggest dude ranch in Southeast USA.
The Westgate River Ranch Resort is an genuine dude ranch which provides a mix of glamping with cowboy experiences.
You’ll be able to loosen up on this wild and open vary, embark on a horseback driving tour, study ranching on the Cowboy Journey Park & Florida Truthful, or watch aggressive bull riders on the award-winning Saturday night time rodeo.
It’s not only a place to remain, however an expertise!
Cease 13: Legoland, Winter Haven (1 day)
- Distance from earlier cease: 45 miles
- Time to get there: 1 hour
Situated in Winter Haven, Legoland Florida Resort is the biggest Legoland theme park on the earth.
The 150-acre park has greater than 50 rides, exhibits, and points of interest. Plus eating places, retailers and a lovely botanical backyard (sadly this was closed throughout our go to as a result of harm from hurricane Irma).
The Legoland theme park is geared in the direction of kids ages 2 to 12.
Cease 14: Safari Wilderness (1 day)
- Distance from earlier cease: 24.4 miles
- Time to get there: 35 minutes
In the event you’re a nature lover, then how a few safari? We spent 5 months backpacking via East Africa in 2003 pre-kids, and went on many sport drives, so with regards to wildlife viewing, we’re onerous to please…
Some locations throw the time period “safari” round very loosely and we all the time have our reservations about what it’s going to be like.
Nonetheless, Safari Wilderness in Lakeland was named one of many “10 Finest Safaris within the U.S.” by Fodors.com, and we have been pleasantly stunned.
This 260-acre protect is surrounded by Florida’s Inexperienced Swamp, an 870 sq. mile pristine watershed that’s supply to 5 of Florida’s most interesting rivers.
We went on a two-hour personalized car safari that supplied up-close encounters with wildlife equivalent to ostrich, giraffes, zebra, kudu, water buffalo and different distinctive and endangered species in giant herds!
And we obtained so up-close that we obtained handy feed a number of of the animals.
Not solely did we get the interplay with the animals, however our safari information supplied professional commentary and information which was each attention-grabbing and academic for our youngsters!
We entered the ring-tailed lemur habitat at Safari Wilderness with a information and hand feed grapes to a gaggle of Lemurs. And it was past superior!
A few of them gently touched our palms to get the grapes and so they have been playful but well mannered.
This exercise is proscribed to some members per day so plan to ebook forward. In the event you love lemurs, you’ll love this lemur expertise we had in Monticello Florida and the Lemur heart in Durham.
Cease 15: Disney Springs (1 day)
- Distance from earlier cease: 35.5 miles
- Time to get there: 1 hour
I do know what you’re considering, Disney Springs should have Disney theme parks, proper? Mistaken, Disney Springs is a shopping center simply outdoors Orlando and has greater than 150 retailers and eating places.
It’s a fantastic place to spend a day and get your buying repair earlier than heading dwelling.
Top off on souvenirs, or simply benefit from the ambiance, earlier than heading again to Orlando to go dwelling.
Closing Ideas
After Disney Springs, return to Orlando and take again your rental automobile.
We hope this itinerary helped you propose a visit to South Central Florida and gave you some points of interest so as to add to your highway journey.
This itinerary is for 3 weeks, and we all know that not everyone seems to be blessed with time, so be at liberty to chop out locations that don’t suit your fashion.
We donate a proportion of our marketing campaign charge to these native companies and organizations that help neighborhood, the atmosphere, and humanitarian causes.
On this South Central Florida highway journey, we supported The Fish and Wildlife Basis of Florida for his or her Florida conservation efforts and the Hobe Sound Mural venture for his or her work supporting native artists and bringing neighborhood collectively.
Are you prepared on your journey to South Central Florida? Tell us within the feedback.