Tampa to Miami - what is worth a look and where to stay?

[Jugosaurus]

We have just booked flights and car hire (F150 or equivalent to scratch my big truck itch) flying to Tampa, 6 nights to road trip across to Miami/Fort Lauderdale where we are meeting friends and have a villa booked.

Does anyone have any recommendations on what to stop and see or where is good to stay?

Initial thinking is

Drive straight to Sarasota, day there, then Venice, then Naples and then into the Everglades. Airboat ride and glamping.
The boss has stipulated 2 nights in Miami before we meet friends so only 4 days really

2 adults and 2 boys. 7&5

Finally any suggestions of must do things around Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood/Miami?

Thanks

[Boxster5]

If you only have 4 days, that doesn’t really leave a lot of time.
I would be looking at Sanibel Island possibly for 2 nights (assuming they’ve fixed the causeway after Hurricane Ian) but definitely Naples (as near to Fifth Avenue as possible) - you can drive to Sanibel from Naples to be honest so you could base yourself In Naples.
Regarding the Everglades, you’ll be driving along Alligator Alley (US41) rather than I75 to Miami so could pick up your airboat trip then - luckily it’s not mosquito season now otherwise you’ll be eaten alive in the Everglades (I and my brother in law speak from personal experience!)

[Ash_]

Definitely give Sarasota a try, it's lovely there.

Also, in Alligator Alley I'd try and give this a go, would be a great way to see some interesting wildlife;

https://www.sharkvalleytramtours.com/everglades-bi...

Or initially drive past Miami and go to the top end of the keys, or Key West for a longer drive.

[belleair302]

Sanibel and Naples are building sites. I would go across the state to St Augustine, Kennedy then work my way down to Miami with a stay near Lake Okeechobee, do the scenic trail. Giraffe Ranch outside of Tampa is fun, Avalon State Park is excellent on the Atlantic side, Railroad Museum in Miami is fun and remember Florida is barley 160 miles wide. South of Sarasota currently is a building site.

[NNH]

Alligator Alley, as others have said. If you get time for a bit of recent history, go to the Nike Battery in the Everglades. In Miami, try to check out Little Havana and eat at Versailles. Also take a short drive to Key Biscayne and the State Parks, and have dinner at sunset at the Rusty Pelican.

[fourstardan]

In the SW region Delnor wiggins park is quite nice for a beach day and Sanibel as recommended.

I've fished under the Sanibel causeway with the local hillbillies, it was brilliant.

Naples is mostly a place to shop for overpriced antiques and grab coffee. The Zoo is alright if you have younguns.

Marco Island is rather much like Benidorm with hotels on the seafront, very strange when you've done the fab sw beaches.

As for the everglades, Highway 41 on the way to Miami will give you plenty of tour options.

Oh and if in Naples and looking for food then Texas Tonys BBQ and the Jalepeno Cheddar sausage was joyous.

[Jugosaurus]

Thanks for the reply’s. Some useful info and things to look at.

[75Black]

Related to the original thread, I'm staying in Tampa myself for 9 days in September in Clearwater beach and I'm actually planning a visit to the KSC and since I'll be on that side of Florida thinking about heading down to Miami after spending the day at KSC. Would 2 nights be enough to see a couple things in Miami and maybe the Keys before driving back to Tampa?

[MOBB]

Segway tours through Sarasota city, or st Petersburg were great fun

[belleair302]

You will need more than 2 days to enjoy Miami and the keys.

[fourstardan]

75Black said:

Related to the original thread, I'm staying in Tampa myself for 9 days in September in Clearwater beach and I'm actually planning a visit to the KSC and since I'll be on that side of Florida thinking about heading down to Miami after spending the day at KSC. Would 2 nights be enough to see a couple things in Miami and maybe the Keys before driving back to Tampa?

It'll take you a few hours to get down to the Keys and back of course as it's a single road and you really should keep to 50/55.

I'd recommend taking in the other sections of the Keys off the main HW on Marathon, Key Largo etc.

We did five days and wasn't enough, and I still wanted to see Bay of Biscayne on the way back before Miami.

We did a few hours before a late evening flight in Miami but I would had liked a bit longer.

[75Black]

fourstardan said:

75Black said:

Related to the original thread, I'm staying in Tampa myself for 9 days in September in Clearwater beach and I'm actually planning a visit to the KSC and since I'll be on that side of Florida thinking about heading down to Miami after spending the day at KSC. Would 2 nights be enough to see a couple things in Miami and maybe the Keys before driving back to Tampa?

It'll take you a few hours to get down to the Keys and back of course as it's a single road and you really should keep to 50/55.

I'd recommend taking in the other sections of the Keys off the main HW on Marathon, Key Largo etc.

We did five days and wasn't enough, and I still wanted to see Bay of Biscayne on the way back before Miami.

We did a few hours before a late evening flight in Miami but I would had liked a bit longer.

Yeah, it's a bit of an awkward journey compared to the mini roadtrip I did from Tampa up north to Savannah and Charleston last year, there I was able to leave the car at the hotel with the valets and explore each city on foot, Miami and the Keys feels like I'd be driving a lot more to explore. I don't mind the journey itself, Charleston back to Tampa straight was 8 hours and I had to do that with a cold.

[fourstardan]

75Black said:

Yeah, it's a bit of an awkward journey compared to the mini roadtrip I did from Tampa up north to Savannah and Charleston last year, there I was able to leave the car at the hotel with the valets and explore each city on foot, Miami and the Keys feels like I'd be driving a lot more to explore. I don't mind the journey itself, Charleston back to Tampa straight was 8 hours and I had to do that with a cold.

It will be ok non peak but if there is an accident on there I dread to think how problematic it is.

We stayed on Key Largo and left early morning to get to Key West and was fine. It's 2 hours on the map though....

Still an awful lot of areas I wanted to see as you don't realise what some of the island sections have to offer.

I'm a fisherman and like stopping to see fishing marks when abroad (she loves it), we stopped at a place with a hotel called Bonefish Bay Motel.....I'll never forget it, the tide was running horrendously high and I waded out for a bit to be met with a swarm of Bonefish coming towards me at a rate of knots and shat myself, I just couldn't compute what they were based on the size !!!

It's stuff like this that I prefer to experience on trips off the beaten track.