Florida...but NOT the theme parks!

[Robw73]

Me and my son fly to Florida in July.

I think we are the exception to the rule and we are NOT heading to any theme parks (primarily as the budget won't allow that!)

We are basing ourselves in Daytona Beach for 9 of our 15 days as it seems to me the perfect place for days out (St Augustin, Silver Springs
etc).

I'm just looking to see if anybody has any hidden gems, be it places to visit or restaurants to eat at away from florida.

I still have 4 days at the end of our holiday to book, so any suggestions would be fab. Gulf coast would be cracking if I could find anything at a viable price!

Thanks in advance.

[gazza5]

Don't need to go to theme parks at all.

We have done a few fly drives, one was down to the keys, naples, clearwater, tampa, orlando, then hollywood, back to miami.

Obviously being america tonnes of food places around, we didn't go to any must haves (although we did enjoy the steak at Shula's steak house and having lunch at Tommy bahama in Naples).

[belleair302]

Sarasota, St Petersburg or the Clearwater Beaches for later in July?

[bakerstreet]

Robw73 said:

Me and my son fly to Florida in July.

I think we are the exception to the rule and we are NOT heading to any theme parks (primarily as the budget won't allow that!)

We are basing ourselves in Daytona Beach for 9 of our 15 days as it seems to me the perfect place for days out (St Augustin, Silver Springs
etc).

I'm just looking to see if anybody has any hidden gems, be it places to visit or restaurants to eat at away from florida.

I still have 4 days at the end of our holiday to book, so any suggestions would be fab. Gulf coast would be cracking if I could find anything at a viable price!

Thanks in advance.

Why did you book it then? Its an expensive destination for sun sea and sand really?

Daytona Speedway Museum
Fort Lauderdale (I went once, but I must confess, I thought it was dull)
Kennedy Space Centre. Long way, but an excellent day out and very different from Disney.
Florida Keys. Been many years since we went but I loved it there. Great diving and very relaxed.

[Tom8]

Naples is lovely, we used to have a place there. One of the best tapas restaurants I have ever been to, plus many other places to eat. Space centre is an excellent visit, well worth doing. If you're into animals then plenty of places such as Tampa big cat sanctuary and shy wolf sanctuary near Naples plus trips into the everglades.

Keys are really nice place to be.

[shakotan]

Get down to the Keys and go to one of the Croc sanctuaries.

[Tom8]

shakotan said:

Get down to the Keys and go to one of the Croc sanctuaries.

They're mostly gator farms not sanctuaries.

[SAS Tom]

As it’s pistonheads, see if there is anything going on at the freedom factory. If there’s something on I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

[yellowbentines]

Interesting places to visit:

- St Augustine - the trolley tour was pretty interesting and informative given the history of the place. The winery also worth a visit but I'm guessing only for over 21s
- Naples - great for a couple of nights by the water, nice upmarket relaxed vibe, great restaurants
- Winter Park & Mount Dora - charming little towns not far from Orlando for lunch and a wander if passing through
- Tarpon Springs - nice little town with Greek history

Things to do:

- Kayaking at Shingle Creek - on the map it's in the middle of Kissimmee but in reality it's feel like you're a million miles away once you get into the waterways
- Airboat ride at Midway - less touristy than some as it's outwith the main tourist hub
- Play a round of golf
- Orlando Speed World - http://www.raceosw.com/dragway/

Beaches other than Clearwater and Cocoa...

- Fred Howard Park/Howard Park Beach close to Tarpon Springs - drive over the causeway to your own desert island
- Playalinda - huge and deserted any time I've been there, and it's an interesting drive via NASA, usually spot some gators, eagles or tortoises on route
- Sand Key Park - 5 minutes South of Clearwater and quieter any time I've visited

Edited by yellowbentines on Tuesday 24th May 20:39

[fourstardan]

Naples is nice, if down there we had a Texas Tonys and it was superb BBQ, it's a long drive down from Daytona.

Kennedy a must if on that side.

Clearwater nice, Honeymoon Island is lovely.

Keys would be a long old drive, not sure its worth the sore bum if being up at Daytona.

[Boxster5]

Another vote for Naples & Key West. Been to Naples lots of times (we’re back there in November) & Key West is worth the 120 mile drive through the Keys.
It’s a long old drive from Daytona though!

[300bhp/ton]

belleair302 said:

Sarasota, St Petersburg or the Clearwater Beaches for later in July?

Sarasota from Daytona beach is a pretty reasonable drive.

[300bhp/ton]

bakerstreet said:

[
Why did you book it then? Its an expensive destination for sun sea and sand really?

Is it? Cheaper than many places in the Med surprisingly.

[300bhp/ton]

Robw73 said:

Me and my son fly to Florida in July.

I think we are the exception to the rule and we are NOT heading to any theme parks (primarily as the budget won't allow that!)

We are basing ourselves in Daytona Beach for 9 of our 15 days as it seems to me the perfect place for days out (St Augustin, Silver Springs
etc).

I'm just looking to see if anybody has any hidden gems, be it places to visit or restaurants to eat at away from florida.

I still have 4 days at the end of our holiday to book, so any suggestions would be fab. Gulf coast would be cracking if I could find anything at a viable price!

Thanks in advance.

Where do you fly out from?

I think sadly people are not being realistic with some of their suggestions.

Key West is over 7 hours solid driving from Daytona beach. To go there and back in 4 nights might not leave time for much else apart from sitting in a car. But depends what you are after.

I’d have thought some of the normal park attractions wouldn’t be all that pricey if you shop around and choose something reasonable.

[Whistle]

Sarasota- st almonds circle
Fort myers beach
Marco island
St petes
Clearwater

Off the top of my head.

[Ash_]

St Augustine - Model Shop, that is like an Aladdin's cave, I even found a 1/18 VX220 there;
https://www.visitstaugustine.com/thing-to-do/big-b...

Daytona - North Turn Cafe, on the site of the North Turn when NASCAR used to race up the beach and down the A1A;
https://www.racingsnorthturn.com/

Port Canaveral - Grills Seafood and Tiki bar, a lovely place to eat while watching the Dolphins swimming around (they aren't as active when it's Cruise Ship days (ships arriving/leaving)
https://www.grillsseafood.com/port-canaveral/

Airboat Ride - We used to go to Midway, good fun, lots of Alligators and also meet and pet Pork Chop their resident pet pig.
https://www.airboatridesatmidway.com/

Blue Springs - to see Manitees and go on a nice relaxing boat ride
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails...

Wekiva Springs - Rock up here;
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails...
Hire a canoe and then paddle here for lunch and a drink,
https://www.wekivaisland.com/
then paddle back

Finally, Orlando Wetlands, to just take a nice relaxing walk around the lakes and count the Alligators and other wildlife
https://www.orlando.gov/Parks-the-Environment/Dire...

Down the Hatch - A nice place to eat in Ponce Inlet (just south of North Turn Cafe)
https://www.downthehatchseafood.com/home

Daytona Speedway Driving Experience - either as a passenger (cheaper) or drive (expensive), as a drive if you break 155mph you can buy a commemorative T-Shirt.
https://www.drivepetty.com/daytona-international-s...

Edited by Ash_ on Wednesday 25th May 15:32

[aaron_2000]

Clearwater beach is well worth a visit. I'd be checking out Old Town too

[Lotusgone]

aaron_2000 said:

Clearwater beach is well worth a visit. I'd be checking out Old Town too

A few miles south of Clearwater is Indian Rocks Beach. Mrs L & I had to cut our break short in March 2020 to ensure getting home. We went back there in March this year, it's lovely. Quieter than Clearwater, far less scuzzy than Treasure Island to its south, with some good places to eat.

[aaron_2000]

Lotusgone said:

aaron_2000 said:

Clearwater beach is well worth a visit. I'd be checking out Old Town too

A few miles south of Clearwater is Indian Rocks Beach. Mrs L & I had to cut our break short in March 2020 to ensure getting home. We went back there in March this year, it's lovely. Quieter than Clearwater, far less scuzzy than Treasure Island to its south, with some good places to eat.

I'll have to check it out next time I'm there

[Xenobian]

Florida Keys drive to Key West. If time and budget allows, a visit to Dry Tortugas Fort, about 90 miles beyond where the road ends in Key West.

https://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm

You can get there on a ferry day trip - https://www.drytortugas.com/ ($190/adult, $135/teen)

Or, as I did, by seaplane - https://keywestseaplanecharters.com/sightseeing-fl... ($361/half day excursion, $634/full day excursion - this option costs more than the half day as they have to hold a seat on both flights).

If you take the seaplane, I would recommend the afternoon half day flight as you will arrive just as the ferry is leaving, so you will peacefully have the island and fort more or less to yourselves. I didn't feel pushed for time with the half day option, it was just about right. If I was there for a full day, I would have found it a bit too long. Not cheap, but a really great trip. For me, it was the highlight in Florida.