10 Best Scenic Spots in Florida
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There's a reason visitors from all over the United States and beyond flock to Florida for vacations, and residents rarely leave. It is home to countless natural wonders, rich cultural history and warm weather all year round. With the exception of tropical storms or hurricanes, all the scenic spots here are open regardless of the time of year, so feel free to forge a close connection with this state on one of these amazing itineraries:
No. 10 - Tamiami Trail
Start Location: Tampa, Florida
Final location: Miami, FL
Length: Mile 287
Best driving season: All
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Florida residents are familiar with the Tamiami Trail, and it's not uncommon to spend a day hiking it to see sunrise in one part of the state and sunset in another. However, this is not the only thing that this disc can recommend. With plenty of ocean views and wildlife sanctuaries that provide visual appeal, it's hard to get tired of the surrounding scenes. However, in the unlikely event of a power outage, consider stopping by to brush up on the history of the Sarasota Circus at the John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art.
#9 - Cracker Trail
Start Location: Fort Pierce, Florida
Final location: Bradenton, Florida
Length: Mile 149
Best driving season: All
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As part of the Millennium Trails network launched to protect local wildlife and culture, the Cracker Trail takes travelers almost back in time through history. It was once used to drive cattle, but today horses cross it only on the Annual Interstate Ride, which remembers this time with their actions. One of the most scenic stops, however, is Highland Hammock State Park, where oak trees bend and cypress trees reach for the sky.
No. 8 - Scenic and historic coastal road A1A.
Start Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Final location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Length: Mile 85
Best driving season: All
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Connecting barrier islands on the Atlantic coast, this highway provides breathtaking views of both land and sea. While this distance can be covered in a matter of hours, the cities it passes through are so rich in culture and entertainment that it really is worth the trip for a weekend or longer. The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuary Research Reserve, for example, is a 73000-acre reserve full of natural wonders, and lighthouse lovers won't want to miss climbing the 219 steps of the St. Augustine Lighthouse.
No. 7 - Ridge Scenic Highway.
Start Location: Sebring, Florida
Final location: Haynes City, Florida
Length: Mile 50
Best driving season: All
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The Ridge Scenic Highway was designed to preserve the local culture of Central Florida and highlight the region's most unique attractions. Much of it twists and turns with the ridge of Lake Wales, but there are plenty of places to stop and get a closer look at the fresh water. The highway also passes through extensive citrus groves.
No. 6 - Old Florida Highway.
Start Location: Gainesville, Florida
Final location: Island Grove, Florida
Length: Mile 23
Best driving season: All
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At the mere mention of Florida, most visitors immediately think of beaches or wetlands, but the state has another, more down-to-earth side. This route from Gainesville to Island Grove passes through more rural areas with kitsch shops and farmland. There are dedicated pedestrian areas along the route with many eccentric refueling spots, including the Garage Café in Micanopy.
B. 5 - Begging
Start Location: Pensacola, Florida
Final location: Panama City, Florida
Length: Mile 103
Best driving season: All
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The beach towns along the Gulf have a different feel than the Atlantic side of the state, which is more laid-back than the hustle and bustle of more touristy Daytona Beach or Fort. Lauderdale. This Gulf Coast tour allows travelers to watch the quartz sand and sparkling water from a distance, or stop off to more fully experience the most enticing spots along the way. Stop at Bay Bluff Park, with the highest natural elevation, to explore the area, or experience the quirky culture for a seaside lunch in Destin.
No. 4 – Ormond Scenic Loop
Start Location: Flagler Beach, Florida
Final location: Flagler Beach, Florida
Length: Mile 32
Best driving season: All
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Ormond's Scenic Loop isn't just about exploring the Florida coastline and breathing in the salty air; There are plenty of opportunities to see local wildlife in action at places like Avalon State Park and St. Sebastian River State Park. There are also man-made wonders to delight the senses, including the historic Ormond Yacht Club and the ruins of the Dammet Plantation in Bulow Creek State Park.
No. 3 - Indian River Lagoon
Start Location: Titusville, Florida
Final location: Titusville, Florida
Length: Mile 186
Best driving season: All
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This trip along Florida's Space Coast inspires travelers not only to see the world at eye level, but to look down on the natural beauty around them and pay homage to those who have explored the beauty beyond our planet. Stop to get under your feet with so many excitedly watching the shuttle launch at Space View Park and the US Space Walk of Fame Museum, or hone your birdwatching skills at one of the many wildlife sanctuaries along the road. For a different breed of close encounters, stop in Melbourne to tour the Brevard Zoo at the end of this scenic drive.
No. 2 - Ring Road
Start Location: Ocopi, Florida
Final location: Shark Valley, Florida
Length: Mile 36
Best driving season: All
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Running parallel to the Tamiami Trail, Loop Road offers a grittier and perhaps more authentic view of the Everglades. In the 1920s, the area it covers flourished with bootleggers and brothels, and remnants of that era can still be seen in roadside businesses and structures today. Alligators crossing the road are a common sight, and travelers have plenty of options for laid-back Florida cuisine, including the iconic Joanie's Blue Crab Café.
№1 – Florida-Keys
Start Location: Florida-City, Florida
Final location: Key West, Florida
Length: Mile 126
Best driving season: All
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Traveling the Overseas Highway between Florida City and Key West is one of those breathtaking experiences that travelers won't soon forget. It is like a journey along a thin thread that separates the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, and the colors of sunrise and sunset become even more impressive against the backdrop of the endless expanses of the sea around. While the trip can be completed in just over a couple of hours, it is highly recommended to stop off to explore places like John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park or Rhine Burrell Art Village.
