If you think Florida is just theme parks and crowded beaches… this route will change your mind. We just got back from doing it and had so much fun.
Lido Beach – Soft white sand, calmer crowds, and that perfect Gulf sunset energy. You can put in 700 Benjamin Franklin Drive and park on the street.
The Ringling – Art museum + circus history + the Ca’ d’Zan mansion. Give yourself at least 2–3 hours. The address is 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243 Opens at 10 am and you can tour the museum and grounds for free on Monday.
Mote SEA Aquarium – Sea turtles, sharks, and one of the best educational aquariums on the Gulf Coast. The address is 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236 They do sell out some days so make sure you get ticket in advance.
Everglades Elevated Boardwalk (Mile Marker 35 on I-75) – Free. Unreal panoramic views. Bring binoculars. There is a free playground and you can see for miles!
Ancient Spanish Monastery – 12th century Monastery Cloisters brought from Spain to the US by William Randolph Hearst in 1924.. Quiet, peaceful, and wildly unexpected in South Florida. Check their hours they can be limited. This is a running church called The Church of St. Bernard de Clairvaux. The address is 16711 W Dixie Hwy, North Miami Beach, FL 33160
Old Florida Book Shop – Floor-to-ceiling rare books, rolling ladders, and pure old-world charm. Their collection is not all digitized so you may need to contact them to find out if they have a specific book. Definitely worth a visit. Check their hours before going and make sure you pet their sweet cat Peter. Located at 3426 Griffin Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Stay overnight in Palm Beach. Splurge at The Breakers Palm Beach if your budget allows — or find a charming Airbnb nearby like we did. Message me if you want details for the one where we stayed, it was super clean and conveniently located.
Henry Morrison Flagler Museum (1 Whitehall Way, Palm Beach, FL) – Give yourself 3–4 hours. It has 75 rooms with a 4500 sq. foot foyer.
👉 When you exit Whitehall, walk to the RIGHT to see the giant Kapok tree (don’t skip this) then go for a walk along the water. Located at 1 Whitehall Way, Palm Beach, FL 33480
Explore the hidden courtyards along Worth Avenue and make sure you walk to the end for sweeping ocean views
Drive 30 minutes north to Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse for panoramic views. The site for the lighthouse was chosen in 1853. It is located between Cape Canaveral Light and Hillsboro Inlet Light. Located at 500 Captain Armours Wy, Jupiter, FL 33469
Time your visit to Blowing Rocks Preserve** at high tide** to see waves shoot through the limestone formations. It is a barrier island sanctuary well worth the drive Address: 574 S Beach Rd, Hobe Sound, FL 33455