Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Orlando
You'll touch down in Orlando and grab your rental car for the drive to your hotel. The next two nights here give you time to settle in and get ready for everything ahead, whether that's theme parks or other attractions in the area.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel, Hotel
- Day 2
Orlando Theme Parks or St. Augustine
Pick your own adventure around Orlando. You can hit Universal Orlando Resort with its Harry Potter and Jurassic Park sections, check out Disney's Magic Kingdom or Epcot, or take a day trip about 175 km north to St. Augustine. That historic city has Spanish colonial buildings and a restored old town worth wandering through.
Optional Activities
- Universal Orlando Resort - experience attractions including Spiderman, the Simpsons, Shrek, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter in the Wizarding World, and Transformers
- Typhoon Lagoon water park
- Disney's Magic Kingdom
- Disney's Epcot Center
- Day trip to St. Augustine (approximately 175 km) - explore the oldest European-founded city in the USA (founded 1565) with Spanish colonial influence and restored colonial-era old town
Landmarks Universal Orlando Resort Typhoon Lagoon Magic Kingdom Epcot St. Augustine Historic District - Day 3
Clearwater
Head west toward Clearwater, roughly 160 km away, and you've got choices. Busch Gardens mixes a zoo with theme park attractions, or head to St. Petersburg for the Salvador Dali museum. If you'd rather kick back, the Gulf Coast beaches here have clear water and sand. You're staying overnight in the Clearwater area.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Busch Gardens - zoo and theme park combination
- Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg - 95 oil paintings including six large-format history paintings
- Relaxation on Gulf Coast beaches
Landmarks Busch Gardens Tampa Bay The Dalí Museum - Day 4
Fort Myers to Bonita Springs or Naples
Drive south across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to reach Fort Myers and the Gulf Coast around it, about 255 km from where you started. Check out the Edison and Ford estates, explore Sanibel and Captiva islands, or relax in Naples with its tropical vibe. You'll have two nights here to enjoy the beaches, shops, and coast.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Thomas Alva Edison Estate - see home of inventor with 1,097 patents
- Henry Ford Winter Residence - automobile magnate's home with Model T copy
- Day trip to Sanibel Island and Captiva Island - beaches and restaurants
- Explore Naples - tropical Gulf Coast destination with sandy beaches, shopping on 5th Avenue or 3rd Street
- Explore Marco Island beaches
Landmarks Thomas Edison Estate Henry Ford Winter Estate Sanibel Island Captiva Island Naples Marco Island Sunshine Skyway Bridge - Day 5
Everglades National Park
Spend the day in Everglades National Park, which sits inland near Naples. You'll see 350 bird species, manatees, American crocodiles, alligators, and giant tiger pythons. Get out there on foot, by canoe, kayak, or take a propeller boat tour to really experience how this ecosystem works.
Optional Activities
- Everglades National Park exploration on foot
- Everglades National Park exploration by canoe
- Everglades National Park exploration by kayak
- Everglades National Park exploration by propeller boat
Landmarks Everglades National Park - Day 6
Florida Keys to Key West
Head down to Key West by driving across 42 bridges connecting the Florida Keys, tiny islands that stretch into the Atlantic. Along the way, you can snorkel or dive at an underwater park on Key Largo, stop at the Bahia Honda State Park beach, or see endangered Key Deer on Big Pine Key. You'll arrive for a two-night stay in the Keys.
Optional Activities
- Snorkeling at underwater park on Key Largo
- Diving at underwater park on Key Largo
- Visit Bahia Honda State Park - one of the most beautiful beaches in the Keys
- Key Deer Sanctuary on Big Pine Key - endangered species of deer
Landmarks Key Largo Bahia Honda State Park Big Pine Key - Day 7
Key West
Wander through Key West and take in its restored historic houses and Duval Street packed with restaurants, shops, and bars. Stop by 'Sloppy Joe's', Ernest Hemingway's old hangout, browse the shops, and head to Mallory Square in the evening. Artists and traders gather there while everyone watches the famous Key West sunset.
Optional Activities
- Explore Key West old town with restored historic houses
- Stroll Duval Street with shops, restaurants, and entertainment
- Visit Sloppy Joe's Bar - Ernest Hemingway's favorite bar
- Watch sunset at Mallory Square with artists and entertainers
Landmarks Key West Old Town Duval Street Sloppy Joe's Bar Mallory Square - Day 8
Key West to Miami
Drive back to Miami, about 255 km away, and turn in your rental car. Then either catch your return flight or set up a connecting stay if that's part of your plan.
