While a Miami to Orlando road trip is not that long, there are many exciting places to visit and adventures to enjoy in this part of the Sunshine State. You can take in the contemporary flair of Miami's beachside shops and restaurants. As you head north, you will get a feel of "Old Florida" as you see the rugged shoreline and beach towns along the Atlantic coast. Once you head toward Central Florida, the landscape will change, and you'll see why this area of the state is known as the "Vacation Capital of the World." However, there are plenty of side trips between Miami and Orlando that will keep you entertained throughout your vacation.
If you check out RVshare's guide to national parks, you'll find a few essential places to visit when making your road trip itinerary for Miami to Orlando.
Biscayne National Park
At this national park, you can enjoy plenty of sunshine, crystal-blue waters, and fascinating coral reefs. Biscayne National Park encompasses over 172,000 acres of water and land, and it is only an hour's drive from Miami. If you want to check out many of its features, you will need to hit the water. This seagrass ecosystem gives visitors a chance to see a wide range of wildlife, including Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphins. Biscayne is also one of the top locations for scuba diving and snorkeling; you'll be able to explore shallow-water shipwrecks.
Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park covers over 1.5 million acres of sawgrass marshes, coastal mangroves, and pine flatwoods. This location is the largest tropical wilderness in the United States, and it is the third-largest national park. In the Everglades, you can find a wide range of endangered and exotic animals, including manatees, Florida panthers, and American crocodiles. The park also has the distinction of being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With all its diverse ecosystems, Everglades National Park welcomes over a million visitors each year. Many of these visitors come to enjoy outdoor adventures, such as backcountry camping, bird-watching, and boating. If you want to see the landscape up close, you might want to check out an airboat tour or participate in the ranger-led educational programs.
Dry Tortugas National Park
If you want to see one of Florida's hidden treasures and don't mind going a little out of your way, then head down to the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas National Park. This national park features seven islands and a wide array of coral reefs. In addition, there is a lighthouse, a 19th-century fortress, and a large population of sea turtles. Since the park is remote, the island is only accessible by seaplane or boat. Dry Tortugas has many outdoor activities, including paddling, fishing, boating, and swimming. This park has an excellent spot for scuba divers and snorkelers near Windjammer Wreck. Visitors to the island can enjoy ranger-led programs, including guided tours of the historic Fort Jefferson.
In addition to the national parks, you will find many exciting and relaxing state parks on your road trip from Miami to Orlando. You can find out more information about these parks in the Florida state park guide on RVshare.
Bahia Honda State Park
This tropical paradise, which covers over 524 acres, is located near Homestead, Florida. While you're there, you can see the award-winning beach and the historic bridge. Many visitors come here for the beachcombing and snorkeling opportunities throughout Bahia Honda State Park. You can also enjoy other activities, such as hiking, boating, swimming, and picnicking. In addition to the activities, you will want to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife, which includes giant rays, wading birds, tropical fish, sea turtles, and Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphins.
Blue Spring State Park
Blue Spring State Park in Orange City is the perfect place to see some of Florida's most famous residents—the manatees. At the park's refuge, there are more than 300 manatees that come to the springs during the winter. In addition, this spot is the home to over 15 endangered and exotic animals and plants, including swimming turtles, herons, and alligators. While here, you can walk along the half-mile boardwalk to learn more about these fascinating animals. Along with watching the manatees, you can also enjoy snorkeling, paddle boarding, and swimming.
Silver Springs State Park
Silver Springs State Park is one of the largest artesian springs in the state, and it was one of the first tourist attractions in the area. If you are looking for a better view, you can take a glass-bottom boat, canoe, or kayak throughout the springs. You can also travel along the trails to see some of the native wildlife. In addition to that, this state park is located near the Ocala National Forest.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Once known as Villa Vizcaya, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens was the former home of businessman James Deering. This 20th-century estate features a native woodland landscape, Italian Renaissance gardens, and a historic village. Today, Miami-Dade County owns the property. You can visit the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens throughout the year.
Miami Seaquarium
This 38-acre oceanarium is located near downtown Miami. Founded in 1955, it is one of the oldest oceanariums in the country. You can see a wide selection of marine animals at this spot, including sharks, sea turtles, birds, reptiles, manatees, and fish. You can also participate in overnight camps or daily presentations.
Magic Kingdom Park
Disney's Magic Kingdom Park is more than just a notable Central Florida destination; it's one of the most popular attractions in the world. Opened on October 1, 1971, it was the first of four theme parks in the Walt Disney World complex. The park has over six themed lands, including Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Main Street USA. The Magic Kingdom is the most visited theme park in North America.
Universal Studios Florida
Opened on June 7, 1990, this thrill park is themed around television shows and featured films. Guests are encouraged to "ride the movies" with their live shows and several attractions. This location welcomed over 10 million visitors in 2017, and it is the sixth most visited theme park in the United States.
As you travel from Miami to Orlando, you'll want to check out the towns and cities along the route. There are plenty of charming places that you can visit on your adventure and get a taste of the real Florida. Along your route, you can find several campgrounds and dump stations to keep you comfortable on the road.
West Palm Beach
This cultural and recreational center is located on the east coast of Florida. There is something to keep every member of your family entertained. The beach is one of the city's major draws, but it also hosts one of the most famous shopping districts in the world. In addition to shopping and entertainment, you can find many campgrounds in the area. Head to the West Palm Beach/Lion Country Safari KOA if you're looking for a family-friendly RV park with a dump station.
Lakeland
Lakeland is known for its access to Florida's Gulf Coast beaches and Central Florida's theme parks. In addition to that, the city also has beautiful parks and pristine lakes. Within the metro area, there are a few campgrounds to stay and park your RV for your trip.
Melbourne
This popular vacation town is located on the Atlantic coast of Florida. The beaches of Melbourne may not be as famous as Daytona Beach, but they are among the best places to relax in the sun. Melbourne is known for its art galleries and historic district. For those who want to settle down for the night, there are many campgrounds in the area. The county-run Long Point Park Campground, which has a dump station, is ideal if you want to stay right by the water.
As you travel from Miami to Orlando, you'll want to take your time and enjoy Florida's spectacular sights. If you're going to take a road trip with an RV, then you may want to consider renting an RV in Miami from RVshare. If you are looking to switch things up, there are plenty of RVs in Orlando to rent on RVshare. Whatever you choose, you will have a great time on this Miami to Orlando RV road trip through the Sunshine State.
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