If there was ever a country made to be explored by road tripping, it’s the USA. The land of the free and the home of the brave might be too big to soak up in one trip, but you can pick a large state and get under the surface; really get to know the people and culture and traditions.
Florida is one of the most interesting states in America. It’s an economic hub, a cultural mishmash and sporting hotspot. But it’s a big place, and you’re going to need some options! So before you hit the highway, burn any rubber or churn up dust for others to eat, visit Holiday Genie and check out some awesome ideas for pit stops …
1. Feel the heat in Miami
Fancy making your first stop the state capital? Well, you’ll need to visit Tallahasse. Miami is better, though; there’s great food, lovely beaches and loads of exciting stuff to do and sports to watch. And Miami Vice was filmed here!
Miami, like a lot of Florida, is hugely multicultural. There’s a massive Latino and Caribbean influence, especially from Cuba. Start out by stopping by a deli or restaurant and picking up a Cuban espresso and a medianoche – a tasty, tasty sandwich stuffed with pork, ham, mustard, cheese and pickles. But there’s more to life than sandwiches. Miami has the usual mix of malls, bars and Art Deco Architecture, of course, but a huge draw to mention are south Florida beaches like Dania and Fort Lauderdale. The city is also home to Panthers, Dolphins and Marlins. No, Miami isn’t a bizarre menagerie; those are sports teams. There’s also the mighty Miami Heat, the city’s stars of the NBA.
2. Get spaced out
After your city loafing, it’s time to put the pedal to the metal and get all sciencey. The Kennedy Space Center, three-and-a-half hour’s drive north of Miami, is where you’re headed. The Kennedy Space Center is quite literally the launch pad for every NASA adventure into space, and has been since 1968.
Even if you’re not a space nut like me, this is still an awesome place to visit. It’s like Disneyland for geeky grown-ups; you get to tour NASA’s launch headquarters, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, see space equipment and giant rockets, and if you’re lucky you might be able to meet a veteran astronaut or try out a simulator! And if you time things really well, you can watch a live rocket launch.
3. Experience some wild life
Following all the tech and science, it’s time for some animals. The two and a half hour drive to Homosassa Springs State Park is a cross-state journey from the east coast to the west coast.
The big pull of Homosassa, apart from its quite magnificent name, are the manatees. These rounded West Indian fellows can be seen in the park every day from the park’s underwater observatory. They’re fascinating, but – and let’s get a little anthropomorphic here – they’re cute as hell. But the park has more than cuddly-looking sea creatures to enjoy. There are bobcats, deer, crocodiles, snakes as well as my personal favourite animal of all-time: the black bear. It would be a real shame to drive round such a big state and miss out on some beautiful animals.
4. Taste some tropical nature
Once you’ve soaked up the city, seen some wildlife and spent time nerding out at the Kennedy Space Center, the next stop is a four-hour drive from Orlando down on the very southern tip of the Florida peninsula. It’s time to experience some nature. Some wilderness.
The Everglades National Park is the USA’s largest natural subtropical wilderness. At over 2,000 square miles it’s one of the biggest parks in the entire US and has even made it onto UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. But enough of the stats; what is there to actually do? It’s basically a brilliant place to get into some outdoor wonder; camping, fishing, kayaking, canoeing – it’s all here. You can go on trips with rangers or brave the great outdoors yourself. There are loads of memorable moments to be had – exploring the marshland and catching a sun-bathing alligator isn’t something you’ll forget in a hurry!
5. Get on your hike
We’re going outside the box for our final road trip stop, because it’s time to ditch the car. Yes, on this last part of your journey you’re going to use your legs; those things that help you drive your ride and amble across launch pads.
This adventure is near the Everglades, so you don’t even need to go very far from your last stop. It’s called the Coastal Prairie Trail, and it’s something of a survivalist destination where you battle mosquitoes, powerful sun and sticky mud. It’s a five-mile traverse. And it’s hard. But this is all part of getting out there and experiencing the Florida backcountry. This is proper adventure and exhilaration, away from resorts and theme park. The real Florida. The real America.
Oh, I am dreaming about this four-hour drive from Orlando down on the very southern tip of the Florida peninsula. Hope to go there next summer.