Orlando to Miami Road Trip Guide
Introduction
You may already know that Orlando is the theme park capital of the world, having over a dozen theme parks. But did you know that Orlando also has quite a few excellent state parks to enjoy? Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka is a beautiful oasis with turquoise waters and tropical forests. The park also offers camping, geocaching, trails, scuba diving, and horseback riding. Lower Wekiva River Preserve in Sanford boasts blackwater streams and the Wekiva River to play in as well as miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont has three lakes, 20 miles of trails, and a wooded campground.
But you cannot be in Orlando without visiting at least one of the theme parks, right? Walt Disney World Resort is the most well-known and includes the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and two water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Sea World is another popular park with 13 rides and attractions. Universal Orlando Resort is packed with 52 rides and attractions in three different parks including Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. That is just a small list of the theme parks in Orlando so you can see why it’s called the theme park capital of the world.
Point of Interest
Port St. Lucie
Head south on the Florida Turnpike for about two hours and you will be in Port St. Lucie. With almost 200,000 residents, the city can get pretty full during the off-season when visitors from cooler climates head for the sunny beaches. The average temperature is 84 in August and 64 in February, so you cannot beat the climate here, which may be why so many people flock to the town for golfing. In fact, the PGA Village in Port St. Lucie is one of the most popular golf resorts in the country.
The city is also home to several museums including A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery, the Stuart Heritage Museum, and the Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast. Don’t leave town without enjoying some of the eateries in the area that are known for their delicious food as well as their friendly service. The Cottage Grill, Zapata’s, and Pueblo Viejo are just a few of the five-star choices. One World International Restaurant has some scrumptious Caribbean food and Pho Deli is a fantastic spot to get some Vietnamese cuisine. After eating, you can head to your next destination.
Delray Beach
Delray Beach is less than an hour down I-95 where you can choose from a variety of fantastic and fun things to do. The city was once named the Most Fun Small Town in the Country by USA Today and Rand McNally. If you want to get wet, head to Riviera Beach for the Rapids Water Park. The huge water wonderland has 42 rides, slides, and attractions for everyone to play on. The Palm Beach Zoo has a plethora of critters to see. From antelopes to bears and yaks to zebras, they have animals that start with all the letters of the alphabet.
If you want a park that has both animals and water play, try the Lion Country Safari. With over 1,000 animals, a drive-thru safari, carnival rides, and a water play area, the whole family will love this Loxahatchee Groves park. After all the playing, visit the town for some shopping, a meal, or just walk around and enjoy the beauty. Take a stroll along one of the many beaches. Don’t forget to bring your camera so you can keep these memories forever.
Summary
Venture south another hour down I-95 to get to your final destination of the sunny city of Miami. Between Biscayne Bay and the Everglades, Miami is known for its wetlands and green spaces as well as its downtown high rises with the third tallest skyline in the world. If you are in need of some retail therapy or just want to get some souvenirs to remember this fun RV road trip. Head to Bayside Marketplace. On the coast of Biscayne Bay, the huge mall has over 80 shops including some big names like Victoria’s Secret and Guess as well as small shops like I Luv Miami and Bayside Souvenir Shop.
If you are planning to stay the night in Miami, you'd better reserve your spot in advance. Hollywood KOA, just a few minutes from the city, has 35 sites with utilities that can accommodate rigs up to 65 feet long. Another fantastic place to stay is the Davie / Ft. Lauderdale KOA, which has 100 sites with utilities that can handle RVs up to 50 feet. For those who would rather have a more natural campsite, Everglades National Park has two different campgrounds. Flamingo Campground has more than 75 campsites with no utilities, but there are restrooms, showers, water access, and a dump station on-site. Long Pine Key Campground has 65 sites, most with electricity, access to restrooms, showers, water, and a dump station. No matter where you decide to stay, enjoy your RV road trip from Orlando to Miami with the family.
