10 Top Road Trip Stops Along Florida's East Coast

Florida has a bit of everything: theme parks, beaches, historical sites and national parks. The state’s nearly year-round sunshine and accommodations, ranging from amenity-filled resorts to rustic campgrounds, have made it a vacation hotspot for generations. From Jacksonville Beach down to Mallory Square in Key West, we think these are the 10 best road trip stops on Florida’s east coast.

Start your Florida road trip in Jacksonville, the state's largest city, and head to Jacksonville Beach, a destination with a wide sandy beachfront and plenty of activities. If you’re into surfing, rent a board or sign up for lessons from Jax Surf and Paddle. There are also a few places along the beach, like Beach Life Rentals, where you can rent kayaks, paddle boards or bikes. The beach is also home to Jacksonville Beach Pier that’s nearly a quarter of a mile-long, great for fishing enthusiasts. Jacksonville is also known for a great food scene with a wide range of flavors for every taste. Start your day at Jax Beach Brunch Haus where you can enjoy a hearty breakfast, then stop by 1928 Cuban Bistro for empanadas and a classic Cuban sandwich before you leave.

Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers, St. Augustine is America’s oldest city and one of Florida’s most visited destinations. Travelers flock here to see the stunning Spanish Renaissance architecture in buildings like Flagler College and The Lightner Museum. St. Augustine’s historic downtown area boasts cobblestone streets with shops, restaurants and museums. Top downtown attractions include The Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth and the Old Jail Museum. Adjacent to the historic district is the Castillo de San Marcos, a 450-year-old fort built by the Spanish to defend Florida. The attraction offers self-guided tours and musket and cannon demonstrations on the weekends.

Daytona Beach is known for the Daytona 500, a thrilling NASCAR race held each February. But the rest of the year, Daytona Beach is a popular vacation spot with a lively boardwalk and pier. The Daytona Beach Boardwalk has restaurants, gift shops, snack bars and a classic arcade. Just south of the pier is Screamer’s Park, home to the Daytona Sling Shot, which propels riders almost 400 feet in the air at 70 miles per hour. Across the street, families can cool down at the Daytona Lagoon Waterpark and Family Entertainment Center. With 12 water slides, a 70-foot zipline, indoor laser tag and go-kart racing, there’s something for each member of the family.

It’s not a trip to Florida without stopping by Disney World, the state’s most famous theme park. The park has a few new upcoming attractions and rides, like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Tron Lightcycle Run and a refreshed Country Bear Jamboree. Orlando also has several more parks to check out: Universal Studios, SeaWorld and LEGOLAND, great for little ones. Orlando has other options if theme parks are not your thing. In Sanford, just 30 minutes north of Orlando, there’s the Central Florida Zoo & Botanic Gardens or you can hop on an airboat ride at Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures.

One of Florida’s most fascinating attractions is on Merritt Island, about an hour southeast of Orlando. The Kennedy Space Center is one of 10 NASA centers in the country, and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers an amusement park and educational hands-on activities. Built in 1967, the visitor complex has exhibits like Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex, the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and the Rocket Garden where one can see a plethora of authentic rockets. Other highlights include the Astronaut Training Experience and Shuttle Launch Experience, which simulates the experience of blasting off into space aboard a space shuttle. Plan to spend the day here, and, if you’re lucky, you can catch a rocket launch, which occur throughout the year.

One of Palm Beach County's top outdoor attractions is Peanut Island, a unique 80-acre island where you can spend the day swimming and snorkeling. To get there, you’ll have to take a short ferry ride. Peanut Island includes a campground, picnic pavilions with grills and a pier for fishing. After you’ve spent the day on the tranquil island, head back to West Palm Beach to grab a bite to eat at one of the top-notch restaurants in CityPlace, like Planta or Adrienne’s Pizzabar. Other attractions include shopping, great beaches and art museums like the Norton Museum of Art.

Fort Lauderdale has some of the best beaches in the state, but it’s also home to Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, a unique historic home and museum tucked away behind a cluster of towering palm trees. Spend an afternoon strolling through the manicured grounds and catch a glimpse of the swans, cranes and turtles around the property. The home, fashioned after a Caribbean plantation, was built in 1920 by Fredric Clay Barlett for his wife Evelyn, who collected animal sculptures, on display around the property, from her travels in Asia and Africa.

Miami is renowned for its beaches, nightlife and restaurants, but the city is also a haven for artists. In December, the city buzzes with Art Basel and Miami Art Week, concurrent festivals that draw thousands of collectors and artists. For year-round art, visitors can head to Wynwood Walls, an outdoor museum with rotating murals and street art. The neighborhood is also home to some great eats: Zak the Baker is a beloved local bakery across the street from Wynwood Walls, and two popular food halls, 1- 800 LUCKY and Wynwood Marketplace, are just steps away.

Spanning more than 1.5 million acres, Everglades National Park is Florida’s largest national park, consisting of marshes, prairies and wetlands. Visitors can camp overnight or stay at the newly opened hotel, Flamingo Lodge, which provides accommodations in spacious units with kitchenettes. Visiting the Everglades is both educational and exciting with lots of family-friendly activities like paddling and biking. The Guy Bradley Visitor Center has interactive exhibits and ranger-led programs, like bird walks and canoe rides. Everglades Park is also a great place to spot wildlife such as alligators, manatees, turtles and wood storks.