Best place to stopover on way from Miami

[timtunes]

We will be flying into Miami in October and then driving to Orlando

We have planned for one overnight stay on the way

Any tips? We would like to stay somewhere cool but have no real thoughts - it will just be a stopover as we head up to Orlando in the morning

Help appreciated

 

[NOLA_Tink]

The drive from Miami to Orlando is only about 3 & 1/2 hours and the only fun thing really "on the way" is Ft. Lauderdale, but that's only 25 minutes from Miami. Other than that, the Miami/Orlando drive is a very straight one on the Turnpike. You could stop in Port Saint Lucie (almost 1/2 way through) or Fort Pierce. Both have beaches close by- this could be fun too. By the way, you may already know this, but: you will need about $15-$20 in cash for toll money on the Turnpike. We didn't know this during our first drive to Miami & we barely had enough for both cars- by scrounging change. (I rarely carry cash & use my debit card for almost everything.)

 

[MattM]

Agree with the previous poster, you would probably be better off just making the drive up to Orlando.

 

[timtunes]

Thanks

Wouldnt mind a slight detour - the only thing Ive ever done in Florida is WDW!!

 

[DOOM1001]

Thanks

Wouldnt mind a slight detour - the only thing Ive ever done in Florida is WDW!!

Maybe you could drive over to the Tampa/St.Petersburg area from Miami and stay there for the night,then you just have a one hour drive to Orlando the next day.Another cool place could be St.Augustine but it's north of Orlando on the Atlantic coast,but only like 1.5 hour drive to get to Orlando the next day.Unfortunately there aren't a whole lot of cool places between Miami and Orlando,as someone said Ft.Lauderdale or maybe West Palm but they are so close to Miami you would still have like close to a 3 hour drive the next day.I would suggest St.Augustine or Tampa/St.Pete.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

Maybe you could drive over to the Tampa/St.Petersburg area from Miami and stay there for the night,then you just have a one hour drive to Orlando the next day.

Tampa would also be a good idea if you plan to do a Busch Gardens/Sea World/Aquatica combo. You could use the Busch Gardens ticket in Tampa & the rest could be used in Orlando.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[deej696]

You could make a stop off at Palm Beach, as that would be probably close to halfway. What there is to see there, not a whole lot other than the beach. The Breakers is a very historic hotel on the beach there which would probably be the only thing worth stopping for in my opinion. There is also Disney's Vero Beach resort which is awesome. Awesome beachfront resort, and I know many people combine trips to WDW with visits here as well.

 

[cutakenta]

I live here so let me think...


Go to the Everglades?

Air Boat tours on Griffen and U.S. 27

How about Kennedy Space Center?

Go fishing, you can find charters all day long.

Just drive up, skip the Turnpike and take I-95 at least up the Fort pierce and get on the turnpike then.

 

[LadyBeBop]

How long are you staying in Miami?

If you're staying more than a day or so, then you can ignore this. However, if you're flying into Miami, then immediately getting into your rental and driving to Orlando...well, I'd spend that night in Miami Beach.

You said you've never done anything in Florida besides WDW. Well, you have to spend a day or two on the beach. And the most interesting, most unique beaches in Florida are...well to me, South Beach in Miami Beach is 2nd. First is Key West...but you'd be traveling 250 miles out of your way.

Anyway, spend that night at South Beach at Miami Beach, then make the 3 1/2 hour trip to Orlando the following morning.