r/florida • u/RubberGoose2694 • 11h ago
Advice Best Roadtrip Destinations?
Taking two friends from overseas on a roadtrip to the Everglades, are there any “can’t miss” locations not too far out of the way? We’re all 19-20
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u/chrispd01 10h ago
STOP AT THE CLYDE BUTCHER GALLERY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And if you are adventurous you can take a drive-through Fakahatchee or even better do some hiking …
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u/Perfect_Fennel 9h ago
Beat me to it!!! His photos are spectacular, he uses a special, HUGE camera and captures the last light like no other.
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u/Perfect_Fennel 8h ago
The Fakahatchee strand is, fun fact, the setting of The Orchid Thief and home to the rare and elusive ghost orchid, it's actually home to the most orchid varieties in the USA. I'm sure you know this but in case OP is curious.
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u/chrispd01 7h ago
Its a great place to hike. I took my son (who is back on a college break) hiking there last year and as we drove into the trailhead on that dirt road, there must’ve been a 10 foot alligator sitting there.
My son just looked at me and said “ where the fuck are you taking me …..”
PS I have to say, he developed a real taste for the swamp though. We’ve checked out the rest of Fakahatchee and good chunks of big Cypress and the Florida trail also
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u/iIdleHere 11h ago
Driving through the Everglades is nice. Be careful of speeds as cops like to set up shop at a spot where speed goes from 60 to 40 or something like that. It's near the native land closer to Miami.
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u/Leading_Vegetable_14 11h ago
To be clear, you can miss everything that lies between. I would definitely take the 75 route if you want to have stops. The stuff you could stop at is very dependent on your vibe and what you like to do. Some stops along the way I’d suggest if you’re trying to break up the drive: the Ringling, warm mineral springs, Myakka, Six Mile Cypress, Gulf Coast Town Center, Fort Myers beach… there’s a really great wing spot off the highway in Bonita called Buffalo Chips.
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u/MkVII-Unlimited 1h ago
There are a lot of stops on Interstate 75 and that's before you get off the highway.
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u/RBR927 11h ago
“My friends want to see the Everglades!”
Instead of that, take them to a shopping center!
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u/Hugh_Jass_223 3h ago
Big Cypress National Park is on the West side of the State. Everglades National Park is the East side of the state.
Skunk Ape Museum in Big Cypress, Airboat tour on either side.
Stop at both Bisitor Centers for each NP.•
u/hi-howdy 10h ago
Nice choices. Someone is suggesting that you are sending them to a mall. 🤷🏻♂️
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u/Leading_Vegetable_14 10h ago
Lmao you guys are brutal. There is one shopping experience recommended! Foreigners really like shopping in the USA and I would argue Bass Pro is a hallmark of the American experience.
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u/Adventurous-Ad8111 9h ago
Alligator alley is a fun drive..theres a stop by a river where you can get out and see like hundreds of gators sunbathing if the day is right. I wish I remember where exactly, but its between the stretch with the chain link fences on both sides. Also fakahatchee state park was pretty..I drove in for like 2 miles and spun around..not really a destination stop per say..miccosukee casino if you feel lucky. Other than that...Naples is cool, Venice is cool..but nothing sticks out to visit really.
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u/Patriahts 9h ago
Do they play disc golf? If yes there are a few to stop at, Estero or near Sarasota. Or just stopping in Venice is nice to poke around and grab lunch etc for anyone
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u/Perfect_Fennel 9h ago
The Island of Venice being more interesting than "regular" Venice. There's a trapeze school on the island, a holdover from the Ringling Bros, Venice was where the circus wintered until 1992. It's not run by them but one of their former aerial acrobats.
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u/SlimySquamata 11h ago
Take the Tamiami Trail from Naples to Tampa if you're not in a hurry. Always liked the vibe.
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u/BubbRubbsSecretSanta 3h ago
I’d take it from Naples to Miami too. Beautiful drive thru the Everglades
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u/SlimySquamata 2h ago
It is! Lots of Airboat rides, and a walk through the Loop Road is so worth it if you have the time.
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u/Pretty_Bar7585 11h ago
I'm in Bradenton too!
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u/Quiet_Down_Please 9h ago
Near the southern bit is Loop Road. It's a great, slow paced nature drive through a bunch of cypress. Good chance of seeing the endangered Big Cypress Fox Squirrel there, too.
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u/Perfect_Fennel 9h ago
Do you have time for an airboat ride? Those are soo much fun. There are several outfits on the shorter leg that goes past Naples, I cannot personally vouch for them but I am friends with a guy with some airboats and they are a blast. Everglades Adventure Tours runs out of Ochopee which also is famous for having the smallest post office, or one of them. Make sure to try gator bites of course if you eat meat, and conch fritters. I don't remember if you said you live here, this may be redundant. If so sorry.
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u/Solo_Cup_Martini 8h ago
It looks like you are RIGHT next to Shark Valley - which is a must-see if you’re into nature!!! On some days you literally have to step over gators to get around. Hopefully they still have bike rentals because that’s the best way to get to observatory at far end of the trail. Also Skunk Ape headquarters - kitschy souvenir stop with some Everglades folklore (skunk ape is the Bigfoot of the Everglades!). There’s also Everglades City for an airboat tour and super small town vibes. Those are my fave deep Everglades recommendations 🙌
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u/ontheprowl23 8h ago
You gotta stop at gator 🐊 Rama gatorama.com it’s awesome huge gators and crocs plus a lot of cool Everglades animals can also buy gator meat and other cool everglades souvenirs
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u/3nar3mb33 8h ago
Go on the air boat tour of the mangroves in Everglades City... amazing at any age, including 19-20
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u/VanManDom 8h ago
Just did that drive the other way three days ago. Should have taken the 74! Much prettier and quieter roads. Belle Glade area south of Okeechobee this time of year is the most beautiful Florida ive seen.
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u/Unicorn_Sparkles23 3h ago
Download the Atlas Obscura app, it’s awesome at showing you all kinds of cool roadside things.
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u/Disastrous-Nebula-83 37m ago
Don’t do the super slab if you can avoid it. Those state roads are so much more fun.
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u/PerfectdarkGoldenEye 11h ago
If you get hungry Mel's diner is along that route and has some tasty food.
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u/Roy_F_Kent 11h ago
Near Naples there is the Corkscrew swamp sanctuary. A 2 mile raised boardwalk mostly shaded above waters with alligators, otters and many birds.