touring plan help needed!

[karentan]

hiya
we're going over to florida from the 4th to the 25th november yay! our original plan was to spend the first week touring around south florida and then 2 weeks in disney. now not too sure if we'll be able to find a weeks worth of stuff thats worth doing, so trying to decide whether to spend 7 days touring or just 4 or 5 and get more disney time!!
we're probably going to st pete's/clearwater area, sarasota area, the keys (largo and west) and fort lauderdale. will probably only spend a night in each place, and driving through others like the everglades. not really interested in miami, not really bothered about architecture-y type stuff, so just looking for pretty places, or places where there's decent things to do.
had anyone got any suggestions of must see places (and more importantly, why you think they're must see!!)

thanks in advance!!

 

[castanea1985]

Hi Karen,

IMHO, the Florida must sees are:

St. Augustine (about 2 hours north east of Orlando) - one night stay

This is a lovely place with REAL American history. The kids loved learning about the 7 ft native indians who were there when the short spaniards arrived!! They loved going in the oldest school house in America, which has a huge chain around it, to keep it firm in high winds!

The Keys - two nights stay

Our favourite places are Bahia Honda, Grassy Key (where you can swim with dolphins at the dolphin research center) and Key West (where you can take the tour train and see it all)

On the Gulf Coast there are several places that are worth stopping at (for a night)
Naples, Venice, Sannibel or Captiva

There is so much more to see, like the Space Center, Daytona, Miami, kayaking with the manatees etc... the list is endless, and I'm sure other people will give you other ideas!

I hope you enjoy all the places you decide to visit!

Tracy

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I think touring is a good idea, however if you are going to take in many different places a lot of driving is involved.
Personally I wouldn't drive 100s of miles to one location for just one night, but that is just my preference.

We have been fortunate to visit most parts of Florida. I particularly like Clearwater beach, Naples, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

Naples is very nice, quiet and classy - a few days here makes a great contrast to Orlando.
Clearwater beach is fabulous, although as a 'place' I prefer Naples.

If you like shopping, the east coast cannot be beat and you have the advantage in Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Miami all being fairly close to each other.

If you really want to see the Keys, I would recommend a few nights in Naples and then drive over to the other coast - 2 hour or so drive - to the Fort Lauderdale area.
Thing is if the Keys is a 'must do' Miami is the best starting point for your trip - and even then it's a good 4 hour or so drive.

I would do some research on the distances involved, a tour would obviously be easier the less you have to drive - you wouldn't want to go direct from Clearwater to the Keys for example as it would take 8 hours....the same way you wouldn't go from Fort Lauderdale to St.Pete's.
Get a good map as a starting point, like I say although I have seen many part's of Florida for me driving long distances for just 1 night wouldn't appeal too much - but that's just my opinion.

Have fun whatever you decide - I do agree that getting out of Orlando is recommended as there is so much more to Florida than just the theme parks.

 

[Callum]

Karen

I would go along with what Johnny said and be aware of the distances between points.

We fell into this trap a couple of years back and drove from Naples to Key West. 61/2 hours

Key West is a must do place. There are plenty of small Inns and B&Bs where you can just park the car for a couple of days and walk almost everywhere. It has a unique atmosphere.

For something totally different, pay a visit to the inn at Yee Haw junction (south of Kissimme on the Turnpike). A remarkable, period place where you can get good food. Don't forget to say hello to the Native American who is always in the bar Oh, and the restrooms are interesting, too.

 

[castanea1985]

I agree with all the posts, but to 'see' the real America, you have to drive!!!
For our 20th wedding anniversary, we drove from Orlando up to Charleston, SC for a few days stay, then back again.
It doesn't bother us, I even did most of the 7 hour stint on the way back! Saying that, on my hubbies first trip to USA we drove from Toronto (had friends in Niagara on the Lake) down to Naples, Fl and back!! The same as a return trip from Lancashire to North Africa!!LOL!
As Johnny says, a drive to Naples and stay over, then a drive down to the keys would be the best plan. If you're not keen on great distances, find a few nice areas to stop over!
Good luck with your planning!
Tracy