Florida
5
Day Itinerary •
USA
Five days in Florida lets you explore the full extraordinary breadth of the Sunshine State, from the Art Deco glamour of Miami Beach and the extraordinary Everglades wilderness to the extraordinary springs and rivers of Central Florida, the historic charm of St Augustine and the extraordinary white-sand Panhandle beaches of Destin and Seaside. This route covers the complete Florida experience. The extraordinary Wynwood Walls and Little Havana of Miami, the magnificent coral reefs of John Pennekamp, the extraordinary Everglades River of Grass, the crystal-clear Ichetucknee Springs, America's oldest city at St Augustine and the most extraordinary white sand beaches in the eastern United States.
Best Time To Visit
November to April for dry season and perfect temperatures
Getting There
Fly into Miami (MIA) or Tampa (TPA)
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout Florida
Budget Per Day
Approx $130 to $220 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, mostly flat driving and walking
DAY 1
MIAMI
MORNING
SOUTH BEACH AND THE ART DECO HISTORIC DISTRICT
South Beach's Art Deco Historic District is the most extraordinary concentration of 1930s architecture in the world, its extraordinary Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue of pastel-colored hotels the finest example of Streamline Moderne design in existence. The beach itself with its extraordinary turquoise Atlantic water, its famous lifeguard stands in primary colors and the extraordinary people-watching from the Ocean Drive sidewalk cafes is unlike anywhere else in the United States. Arrive before 9am. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
WYNWOOD WALLS AND THE ARTS DISTRICT
Wynwood Walls is the most extraordinary street art destination in America, its outdoor museum of murals by the world's finest street artists covering the walls of a former warehouse district in extraordinary color and scale. Wynwood Walls entry approx $12. The surrounding streets with their extraordinary murals, independent galleries, craft breweries and the Time Out Market food hall are free to explore and give the finest creative neighborhood experience in Miami. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND BRICKELL
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens on Biscayne Bay is the finest cultural attraction in Miami, its extraordinary 1916 Italian Renaissance villa built by industrialist James Deering surrounded by 10 acres of formal European gardens on the bay. The secret garden grottos, the extraordinary stone barge anchored in the bay and the views over Biscayne Bay from the terrace are unmissable. The Brickell financial district and Miami Riverwalk nearby are free to explore. Entry approx $22.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Venetian Pool in Coral Gables is the finest public swimming pool in America, its extraordinary 820,000-gallon freshwater pool carved from a coral rock quarry in 1923 and filled daily from artesian wells. The grottos, waterfalls and stone bridges are extraordinary. Entry approx $15. The most extraordinary hidden gem in Greater Miami.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Versailles Restaurant, Little Havana The most legendary Cuban restaurant in Miami. Extraordinary Cuban toast, cafe con leche and eggs. | Lunch: La Palma, Little Havana Outstanding authentic Cuban lunch. Extraordinary ropa vieja, black beans and plantains since 1976. | Dinner: Joe's Stone Crab, South Beach The most legendary restaurant in Miami since 1913. Extraordinary Florida stone crab claws.
DAY 2
EVERGLADES AND THE FLORIDA KEYS
MORNING
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK AIRBOAT AND ANHINGA TRAIL
The Anhinga Trail at Royal Palm in Everglades National Park is the most extraordinary short wildlife trail in America, its 0.8-mile boardwalk through Taylor Slough giving extraordinary close-range encounters with alligators, anhingas drying their wings and great blue herons. An airboat tour through the sawgrass gives the most extraordinary access to the alligator-rich interior of the River of Grass. Entry $35 per vehicle, airboat approx $35. Drive: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEF STATE PARK, KEY LARGO
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the finest snorkeling destination in Florida, its extraordinary living coral reef sheltering queen angelfish, sea turtles and nurse sharks in extraordinary clarity. The glass-bottom boat tour gives a dry-foot view of the reef. The park's extraordinary mangrove kayaking trail through the coastal forest is the finest paddling in the Keys. Snorkel rental approx $15, glass-bottom boat approx $30. Drive: 1 hr drive
AFTERNOON
KEY WEST SUNSET AT MALLORY SQUARE
Key West's Mallory Square sunset celebration is the most extraordinary nightly ritual in Florida, its extraordinary gathering of street performers, fire jugglers, acrobats and musicians applauding the sun as it drops below the Gulf of Mexico in a tradition that has continued every evening for decades. The extraordinary Duval Street, Hemingway's house, the Southernmost Point and the extraordinary custom house are all within walking distance. Mallory Square free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Bahia Honda State Park on Bahia Honda Key has the finest beach in the entire Florida Keys, its extraordinary white sand and turquoise water entirely different from the developed resort beaches. The old Flagler railroad bridge ruins above the beach are extraordinary. Entry $8 per vehicle. Almost entirely bypassed by visitors rushing to Key West.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Robert Is Here, Homestead The most extraordinary fruit stand in Florida. Local mamey and extraordinary fresh fruit milkshakes. | Lunch: The Fish House, Key Largo Outstanding Keys seafood. Extraordinary local grouper, stone crab and mango salsa on the water. | Dinner: Louie's Backyard, Key West The most extraordinary waterfront dining in Key West. Local Florida seafood and sunset Atlantic views.
DAY 3
CENTRAL FLORIDA SPRINGS
MORNING
ICHETUCKNEE SPRINGS, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY RIVER IN FLORIDA
Ichetucknee Springs State Park is the most extraordinary natural swimming experience in Florida, its extraordinary 72-degree crystal-clear spring-fed river allowing tubers to float 3.5 miles through old-growth cypress forest past manatees, turtles and extraordinary dense aquatic vegetation in water so clear the sandy bottom is visible 20 feet below. Entry $6 per person. Tube rental approx $5. Arrive at 8am for first entry in peak season. Drive: 3 hr drive
MIDDAY
CRYSTAL RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE AND THE MANATEES
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is the most extraordinary place in America to swim with wild Florida manatees, its extraordinary spring-fed waters maintaining a constant 72 degrees year-round attracting hundreds of West Indian manatees in winter months. The guided kayak and snorkel tours give extraordinary face-to-face encounters with the world's largest population of manatees at any single freshwater site. Tours approx $35. Best October to March. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
TAMPA, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY GULF COAST CITY
Tampa is the most extraordinary city on Florida's Gulf Coast, its extraordinary Ybor City historic district of cigar factory buildings giving the finest Cuban-Spanish cultural experience in Florida outside Little Havana. The Tampa Riverwalk along the Hillsborough River is the finest urban waterfront in Florida. The extraordinary Florida Aquarium and the Glazer Children's Museum are outstanding. The Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City is the most extraordinary historic dining room in Florida. Riverwalk free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Devil's Den Spring near Williston is the finest hidden spring in Florida, its extraordinary underground prehistoric spring accessible by a ladder into a cavern where fossil bones of Pleistocene mammals protrude from the walls above crystal-clear 68-degree water. Entry approx $15. The most extraordinary hidden gem in north-central Florida.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Ichetucknee Springs park cafe Coffee and breakfast before the tube launch at the extraordinary spring-fed river. | Lunch: Peck's Old Port Cove, Crystal River Outstanding Florida seafood on the water. Local grouper, stone crab and fresh oysters. | Dinner: Columbia Restaurant, Ybor City The most legendary Spanish restaurant in Tampa since 1905. Extraordinary flamenco show and Cuban cuisine.
DAY 4
ST AUGUSTINE
MORNING
ST AUGUSTINE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY HISTORIC CITY IN AMERICA
St Augustine is the most extraordinary historic city in America, founded by Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565 and continuously inhabited ever since. The extraordinary Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, the extraordinary colonial Spanish Quarter and the Flagler College building, Henry Flagler's extraordinary 1888 Ponce de Leon Hotel with its Tiffany glass windows, are all unmissable. Castillo entry approx $15. Drive: 2 hr drive
MIDDAY
ST AUGUSTINE COLONIAL QUARTER AND FLAGLER ERA
The extraordinary Lightner Museum in the former Alcazar Hotel gives the finest hidden museum experience in Florida, its extraordinary Gilded Age collection of cut glass, Victorian art and antiques housed in Henry Flagler's 1888 Spanish Renaissance bathhouse. The extraordinary Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park claims the site of Ponce de Leon's 1513 landing and contains extraordinary artifacts from the Timucua Native people. Lightner entry approx $15. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
ANASTASIA ISLAND AND THE ST AUGUSTINE BEACH
Anastasia State Park adjacent to St Augustine is the most extraordinary state park beach on the Atlantic Coast of Florida, its extraordinary undeveloped barrier island beach of fine coquina shell sand bordered by ancient coquina rock formations and the extraordinary Anastasia Island lighthouse. The St Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park on Anastasia Island is the finest alligator attraction in Florida and the only place in the world with all 24 crocodilian species. Park entry $8.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Flagler College campus in the former Ponce de Leon Hotel gives the finest free architectural tour in St Augustine, its extraordinary Tiffany stained glass windows, Spanish Renaissance courtyards and ornate Dining Hall open to the public for guided tours. Tour approx $12. One of the most extraordinary buildings in the American South.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Floridian, St Augustine The finest breakfast in St Augustine. Extraordinary local eggs, Florida produce and strong coffee. | Lunch: The Hyppo, St Augustine The most extraordinary gourmet popsicle shop in America. Outstanding local fruit pops and light lunch. | Dinner: Collage Restaurant, St Augustine The finest restaurant in the oldest city in America. Extraordinary local Florida seafood and produce.
DAY 5
PANHANDLE BEACHES
MORNING
DESTIN AND HENDERSON BEACH STATE PARK
Henderson Beach State Park in Destin is the finest beach in the Florida Panhandle, its extraordinary 30 acres of undeveloped coastal dune habitat with brilliant white quartz sand and the most extraordinary emerald green Gulf water in Florida. The sand at Henderson Beach is so pure and white it squeaks underfoot. The extraordinary dune ridge walking trail through rosemary scrub gives the finest beach view in the Panhandle. Entry $5 per vehicle. Drive: 3 hr drive
MIDDAY
SEASIDE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY PLANNED COMMUNITY IN AMERICA
Seaside is the most extraordinary planned beach community in America, its extraordinary New Urbanist grid of pastel Victorian-style homes, independent shops and the finest beach pavilions in the Panhandle serving as the filming location for The Truman Show in 1998. The extraordinary Airstream food truck village is the finest outdoor food court in Florida. Grayton Beach State Park immediately adjacent has the finest natural beach in the Panhandle. Free to explore. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
SANTA ROSA ISLAND AND THE EMERALD COAST
Santa Rosa Island on the western end of the Florida Panhandle is the most extraordinary barrier island beach in the eastern United States, its extraordinary 60-mile stretch of brilliant white quartz sand and extraordinary emerald Gulf water within the Gulf Islands National Seashore giving a completely undeveloped beach experience. The Fort Pickens historic site at the western tip is the most extraordinary Civil War fortification on the Gulf Coast. Entry $25 per vehicle.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Grayton Beach State Park between Seaside and Destin is the finest hidden beach in the Florida Panhandle, its extraordinary coastal dune lake system, one of only a handful in the world, sitting directly behind one of the whitest beaches in America. The lake kayaking is extraordinary. Entry $5 per vehicle. Far less visited than Henderson Beach or the main Destin strip.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Donut Hole, Fort Walton Beach The most legendary breakfast in the Panhandle. Extraordinary fresh donuts and strong coffee since 1979. | Lunch: Airstream food trucks, Seaside The finest outdoor food court in Florida. Extraordinary local fish tacos, sandwiches and fresh-squeezed juice. | Dinner: Harbor Docks, Destin The finest fresh seafood restaurant in Destin. Extraordinary local amberjack, grouper and Gulf shrimp.
Where To Stay
Miami Beach, Night 1 The Betsy or Catalina Hotel on Collins Avenue. Approx $150 to $300 per night. Tampa or Crystal River, Nights 2 to 3 Epicurean Hotel Tampa or Crystal River Marriott. Approx $130 to $220 per night. Destin or Seaside, Nights 4 to 5 Henderson Beach Resort or Watercolor Inn Seaside. Approx $180 to $350 per night.
Top Tips
1. Ichetucknee Springs tubing is the most extraordinary freshwater experience in Florida. Arrive at 8am for first entry.
2. Crystal River manatee tours in winter give the most extraordinary wildlife encounter in Florida. Book ahead.
3. St Augustine's Lightner Museum in the former Alcazar Hotel is the finest hidden museum in Florida. Entry approx $15.
4. Seaside, Florida is the most extraordinary planned beach community in America. The Truman Show was filmed here.
5. Henderson Beach State Park in Destin has the finest white-sand beach in the Florida Panhandle. Entry $5 per vehicle.
6. The Everglades Anhinga Trail at dawn is the most extraordinary 30-minute wildlife walk in America. Entry $35 per vehicle.
Total Budget
$130 to $220/day