I feel it’s about time to listen to some excellent news about Florida. We simply acquired again from our Florida household trip and wished to report again on the way it was.
The previous couple of months have been tough on the sunshine state. First, Hurricane Ian tried to blow southwest Florida proper off the map and inundated massive swaths of the state with heavy flooding. A little bit over a month later, Hurricane Nicole tried to sneak one final late-season punch onto the Atlantic shores.
In case you hearken to overly dramatic information, you may suppose the entire state of Florida is hurricane battered and utterly underwater. However we simply spent a month touring by the state, and we will let you know that’s simply not the case. Florida and the individuals who name this place dwelling are resilient.
On this publish and video, we’re going to take you on a little bit Florida highway journey to point out you that the solar is, the truth is, nonetheless shining in Florida. So guide these tickets for a Florida household trip!
We’ve got a week-long highway journey deliberate to take a look at a couple of underrated gems alongside Florida’s north and mid-Atlantic Coast. The humorous about this journey is it acquired rescheduled twice due to the hurricanes, however it really labored out higher than we may have even deliberate, however extra on that later.
The 2022 hurricane season was tough on Florida, and it might need you questioning… Do you have to plan your winter and spring break journeys to Florida this 12 months? – Effectively, the reply is straightforward – Sure!
Hurricanes occur yearly, and yearly Florida rebuilds again higher. The folks listed here are resilient. Positive, Hurricane Ian was a foul one, however the space that was broken to the purpose that might forestall a visit is small. The areas that also want extra time to rebuild are primarily across the Fort Myers area. They are going to want a bit extra time but to get well.
Nevertheless, the remainder of the state is prepared for you – and Ft. Myers gained’t be far behind! Don’t consider it? We simply spent a month touring the state, and we’ll present you that the solar remains to be shining in Florida!
On this Florida household highway journey, we’re going to discover St. Augustine, Cape Canaveral, Coca Seashore, and Vero Seashore, with numerous enjoyable stops alongside the best way. Hop within the minivan, sit again, buckle up, and benefit from the experience as our household of 4 explores Florida’s north and central Atlantic Coast!
St. Augustine
Our first cease is historic St. Augustine, Florida. Based in 1565 – it’s really the oldest repeatedly occupied European Settlement within the continental United States. In plenty of methods, St. Augustine doesn’t really feel like Florida to me. Improvement-wise, the state is comparatively new, however right here in St. Augustine, you might be surrounded by historical past.
There’s a centuries-old Spanish fort, historic picket buildings, and delightful structure courting again to the day of railroad constructing tycoons. On prime of that, there are some nice seashores and plenty of native appeal – it’s exhausting to not like St. Augustine. We recommend two to a few nights to cowl many of the issues to do in St. Augustine.
St George Road
We’re going to begin on probably the most well-known road within the metropolis, which is St. George Road—lined with historic buildings now repurposed into retailers, museums, and a number of the metropolis’s greatest eating places. A stroll down this road may take you the higher a part of the day in case you are up for exploring the retailers and lingering on the cafes and eating places.
St George Inn
On this journey, we’re staying within the coronary heart of the motion on the St. George Inn to profit from our days within the metropolis. Our home windows and balcony overlook the historic St. George Road, and we’re simply steps away from the entire sights, retailers, and eating places.
We’ve got a household swimsuit with a pleasant kitchen and front room to unfold out, which is a should when touring with younger youngsters. The St. George Inn has a number of room varieties, and if you happen to’re touring with a household, that is the place to remain! – BOOK NOW
Castillo San Marcos
On our first full day, we crammed up at breakfast set in a good looking courtyard of the st. George Inn and tried our greatest to maintain the youngsters from leaping within the grand fountain. With some meals and low in our system, we headed to one among St. Augustine’s most important sights, the 300-year-old fort, the Castillo San Marcos.
Constructed within the 1600s by the Spanish, the Castillo was constructed to guard town and vital commerce routes. All through the centuries, it modified palms a number of occasions between the Spanish, British, and the US till it was decommissioned in 1933, a couple of years after it acquired Nationwide Monument standing.
We spent the morning exploring all of the nooks and crannies of the previous fort, however our favourite half was on the higher degree. Right here, alongside lengthy with nice views of St. Augustine, there have been cool previous cannons to see and turrets to cover in the place the youngsters pretended they have been pirates.
Fountain of Youth
One other Spanish relic price marveling at in St. Augustine is the Fountain of Youth. Within the sixteenth century, the age-old rumor of magical water that might reverse growing older and treatment illness grew to become in style amongst explorers. One specifically, Ponce de Leon grew to become mounted on discovering this legendary water supply.
This website is alleged to be the precise touchdown website of Ponce de Leon. Since he’s not round anymore, I’m undecided the magic water labored, however there’s a ton of historical past to take a look at whereas visiting the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park.
Moreover the sip of mineraly water right here, you can too get a glimpse again in time into the lifetime of the early settlers and explorers. Across the website, there are buildings and reveals of things discovered right here, that are from practically 500 years in the past. That is additionally regarded as the positioning of the primary Christian Missions in what’s now the US.
For the youngsters, there are tons of peacocks to see and feed, in addition to some kid-focused archeological reveals. Atlas was satisfied we have been going to seek out treasures right here, and he didn’t need to depart. We nearly to pry him away.
Trolley
All aboard probably the greatest methods to cowl plenty of metropolis in a short while is the well-known inexperienced and orange St. Augustine Tolley. The Previous City Trolley Excursions St Augustine are a should.
The children cherished the experience, and we acquired a narrated experience and some minutes to sit down and simply watch this charming city go by. It was a enjoyable approach to see town, and it’s actually the easiest way to see town.
Museums
In case you didn’t get sufficient historical past strolling across the streets of St. Augustine, don’t fear there are many top-notch museums as nicely. One of the vital noteworthy is the Lightner Museum which is housed in what was as soon as Henry Flagler’s grand and opulent Alcazar Lodge.
Inside you’ll discover a huge and wide selection of items on show based by the writer and collector Otto C. Lightner. The constructing itself is well worth the go to, however the artwork and reveals push it towards to the highest of the record of locations to go to whereas in St. Augustine.
St. Augustine Lighthouse
One other should in St. Augustine is a climb up the attractive black and white striped traditional lighthouse. From the highest of the lighthouse, you may see Anastasia Island State Park, and the Previous City within the distance.
For nautical nerds, there are additionally a number of reveals on the lighthouse and maritime historical past masking from Ponce de Leon to the present day – and the whole lot in between.
Seashores
For a little bit break from the entire historical past and tradition of St. Augustine, we spent a while simply enjoyable on the seaside. On prime of the entire historical past that you will discover right here, there are some nice stretches of sand as nicely. In any case, it’s nonetheless Florida – and no journey to the sunshine state could be full with out a while on the seaside.
Alligator Farm
We completed up our time right here with a go to to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoologic Park. Inside we discovered actually lots of, if not hundreds, of Alligators. Atlas and Isla love seeing the entire gators and different animals.
Moreover the entire Alligators, there are many primates from around the globe, unique birds, and different reptiles. This place is a should if you happen to’re touring with children or animal lovers.
This hurricane season didn’t focus its wrath on St. Augustine. Town noticed some harm, however nothing that might hinder a go to to this historic gem.
Area Coast & Cocoa Seashore
Subsequent up on our highway journey is a spot that’s been on our radar for some time, and we lastly determined to make it occur. From St. Augustine, we set the GPS for Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Seashore to an space of the state often called the Area Coast.
It acquired its title from being the house of NASA’s launch website for human area journey. Right here, simply inland from the sandy shores, you’ll discover the Kennedy Area Heart, the place the Apollo 11 mission launched on its approach to the moon in 1969, and plenty of different well-known missions earlier than and after that one.
Nevertheless, rockets aren’t the one factor that this place has going for it – there are additionally some nice seashores in addition to many different nice spots to take a look at.
Sundown on the seaside
We made it into city simply in time, hit the seaside at sundown, and it was a superb one. The children performed within the sand whereas we waited for the solar to sink behind the little seaside city of Cocoa Seashore.
Because it did, the sky lit up in purples and pinks. Though on the east coast, the solar doesn’t set over the water, the final rays of the solar bounce round and make some sky magic in any case.
When planning out your day and masking all of the issues to do in Cocoa Seashore, make sure that to place a sundown on the seaside on there!
As the sunshine pale, we sat right down to what could be one among our favourite meals in Area coast and of this little highway journey actually. We had dinner proper on the seaside at Coconuts, a neighborhood favourite open-air spot in Cocoa Seashore. the whole lot was good, however the stand out was the Tuna Nachos.
Whereas we ate, we may inform the entire city was a buzz in regards to the Artemis launch try, army planes have been flying round, and folks have been excited.
Artemis Rocket Launch
We had been making an attempt to time our journey up with this rocket launch for some time now, however after being rescheduled twice, we’d kinda thought that it simply wasn’t going to occur. The primary launch makes an attempt again in August and September have been scrubbed because of engine points and hydrogen leaks, after which Hurricane Ian set issues again even additional.
We really had our automotive all loaded up, and we have been prepared to move out the door at 5 am the day the Ian hit, and evidently, we scrubbed our mission two. We then rebooked the whole lot, making an attempt to see the launch once more, after which it turned out that we have been going to be within the area coast on the unsuitable days.
Lastly, whereas we have been road-tripping round Florida, we came upon that the launch acquired pushed to our first day in Cape Canaveral – discuss luck. The one down facet it was set for 1 am.
We sat up listening to the chatter from the NASA command heart for hours, ready, and hoping it was going to go. When the night time began, it appeared like issues have been going to set it again once more and that we have been destined to overlook this launch.
However then, at nearly 2 am, the announcement got here that the launch was a go! We rushed downstairs from our lodge, the Cape Canaveral House 2 Hampton Inn, to the parking zone, which had surprisingly good views of the launch from proper outdoors the room.
Our little astronauts weren’t as much as see this second in historical past – which is just too dangerous as a result of Atlas actually loves all issues area. – Click on right here to examine charges
Kennedy Area Heart
The subsequent morning, recent off the excessive of seeing a rocket launch into area and a little bit quick on sleep, we headed to the Kennedy Area Heart, which is the place the rocket took off from just a few hours earlier. Of all of the issues we did in Area Coast, this was an enormous hit with everybody.
Just some steps in, we have been greeted with a group of large rockets from all durations of area exploration in what is called the Rocket Backyard. The children cherished this space and even acquired to hop in a reproduction spacecraft filled with buttons and switches to faux for a couple of minutes that they have been astronauts.
In all places you flip contained in the Kennedy Area Heart, there are interactive reveals the place you may follow issues like your area shuttle docking expertise or faux to pilot a ship by Outerspace!
The quantity of large life-sized area tools parked on website is so spectacular and offers you an actual really feel for the historical past of area exploration. Even if you happen to aren’t an enormous area geek, you really want to place this place in your bucket record.
There may be additionally an enormous indoor playground which, in fact, is area themed. It is a good place to get the youngsters transferring, and it’s plenty of enjoyable for each mini astronauts and children which are on Outerspace overload.
We even acquired to have a snack with an astronaut, which Atlas nonetheless to at the present time talks about. We spent the entire day right here, and I do know for a reality we didn’t see all of it!
We actually loved our time right here in Cocoa Seashore and the entire area coast – however we completely didn’t plan sufficient time right here. We left various stones unturned – however we all know we will certainly be again right here ahead of later.
There are a number of ticket offers, excursions from Orlando, and extra out there to guide. Click on right here to examine charges and guide on-line.
Vero Seashore
With historical past and area checked off of our record, it was time for some leisure time on the seaside. So we headed one other couple of hours down the coast to Vero Seashore.
Everybody we talked to appear to actually love this little seaside city, so we determined to test it out for ourselves. On our approach to our last cease, we had a couple of stops deliberate earlier than we planted our toes within the sand.
LaPorte Farms
First up was LaPorte Farms, dwelling to an interactive zoo full of animals from around the globe. This little gem within the city of Sebastian is a enjoyable 5-acre non-profit farm that’s plenty of enjoyable for youths.
Right here you’ll discover the whole lot from cockatoos and chickens to Zebras and Zebus. We made buddies with the entire animals by feeding them by hand. There are many reveals, and it’s a enjoyable approach to spend a day with children and animal lovers.
Mel Fisher Treasure Museum
We couldn’t go to Florida’s Treasure Coast with no cease at Mel Fisher’s Treasure Museum. Of the entire stops on this complete highway journey, this museum was the cease that shocked me probably the most.
I’d heard of Mel Fisher, however I actually had no thought of the tales and the sheer quantity of treasures he and his crews really discovered. His most notable discover was The Atocha, a Spanish shipwreck that had 40 tons of gold and silver onboard when it went down. When Mel’s crew discovered it in 1975, the treasure was valued at over 450 million {dollars}.
I imply, simply have a look at this bust with gold chains hanging from Mel’s neck. Contained in the museum, they actually have a 5lb gold block the place the gold itself is price at the very least $50,000 that they allow you to maintain. Nevertheless, the actually attention-grabbing half is that Mel Fisher and his crew solely discovered about half of the Atocha’s treasures. A big a part of the ship is assumed to nonetheless be on the market. Vital finds are nonetheless being made right this moment. And in case you are searching for a carer change, they’re hiring full-time divers to search for treasure in Key West proper now.
ELC – Environmental Studying Heart
One other enjoyable cease for youths is the Environmental Studying Heart, or ELC, because the locals name it. Right here we discovered 65 acres of pristine Florida wilderness. There may be an intensive system of trails and boardwalks that deliver you between completely different ecosystems and reveals on the property. Boat rides will also be organized to discover much more of the Indian river and the character that surrounds the ELC.
McKee Botanical Gardens
One among our favourite stops across the Vero Seashore space was the McKee Botanical Gardens. Entering into these lush gardens was like strolling straight into the jungle – you understand if the jungle was finely manicured with coy ponds and stuff. However significantly, simply have a look at this place.
We most likely would have spent even longer right here if we didn’t stumble onto the tremendous enjoyable child’s space full with splash pad, and nicely – we proceeded to get utterly soaked – which reduce our go to a little bit quick, however positively a worthwhile cease. It was time to move to our last cease, the seaside – and to the lodge for some dry garments.
Vero Seashore
Our last cease in Florida was really the primary place we noticed any noticeable results from any of the hurricanes in 2022. Wanting down on the seaside, it kinda seemed like somebody took a couple of large scoops of sand away, and proper after Hurricane Nicole, there was some highway harm that washed away half of the highway alongside the shore.
How a lot did it affect ou journey? in no way. The seaside remains to be beautiful, the sunsets are nonetheless beautiful, and from a vacationer perspective, life was good. Actuallythi, it was higher than that – life was fairly nice.
Kimpton Vero Seashore
After a busy week touring alongside Florida’s Atlantic Coast, it was time to settle in and chill out on the beachside Kimpton Vero Seashore Lodge. Our room was nicely appointed with a spacious residing space with loads of room for all of us. The lounge led out to a balcony overlooking the pool with views of the ocean, making the right spot for morning espresso or a glass of wine after the youngsters have been down.
As soon as we acquired right here, it was a bit exhausting to go away – however that was comfortable with us. The Kimpton has two onsite eating places, a spa, a pleasant pool, and naturally – the seaside. One other bonus it was inside strolling distance of different close by sights, purchasing, and eating.
Of the entire enjoyable issues we did on this highway journey, a number of the greatest recollections have been simply having some household time enjoying within the pool – splashing round and studying to drift and leap off the sting like little daredevils. The Kimpton Vero Seashore was the right place to finish an action-pack journey.
And similar to that, our household Florida household trip and highway journey is lights out like a child that performed too exhausting within the pool.
We hope you loved touring alongside Florida’s Atlantic coast with us and exploring the entire historical past, stunning seashores, and the actually out-of-this-world actions. We additionally hope we confirmed you that the solar is shining in Florida, and it’s prepared on your subsequent household trip!
