My husband, 75, and our son, 43, need ideas for a 3-4 day trip from Orlando, either up to 4-5 hours driving distance or non-stop, $200 ish, flight. They have visited many locations in FL and the surrounding cities (Savannah, New Orleans, Austin, San Antonio, etc.) and both are well-traveled. Interests are not the beach, nor shopping, but most everything else.

Jekyll Islandis only three hours away by car and offers a variety of amenities, including 10 miles of beach, a 250-acre Historic Landmark District, a nature center, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, and Summer Waves Water Park. By law only 35% can be developed which leaves remote beaches, maritime forests and salt marshes for exploration. With 22 miles of picturesque paved paths and trails, biking offers a relaxing way to see all of the island's hallmark points of interest. One Fodor’s poster says, “Driftwood beach is a good stop on the north end of the island. We love the Sunrise Grill for lunch. It’s in the downtown area.” The Jekyll Island Bike Barn rents bikes.

Another idea is Fernandina Beach which is 3 hours away by car. It is on Amelia Island and has 50 block of historic building housing restaurants and shops. The Book Loft is a famous bookstore and has 1,500 rare books. Ft. Clinch State Park has beaches and six miles of natural surface trails. You can sail the islands about a 100' replica 19th Century schooner (sunset cruises).

St. Augustine, FL would be such a cool spot for your husband and son! It’s just a quick 2-hour drive from Orlando, which is super convenient.

They can check out the Castillo de San Marcos, wander through the historic district with its charming cobblestone streets and colonial buildings. The Lightner Museum and the Colonial Quarter have tons of cool stories to check out if they like these kind of things.. Also, there’s the Alligator Farm Zoological Park or even a ghost tour for some fun storytelling. And the food is delicious!!. It’s a great mix of culture and fun that’s totally different from the usual spots!

Thanks for these great ideas! We will definitely use some of them at other times, too, as we drive down and back from Richmond 2-3 times/year. Any more thoughts going south appreciated, as they were toying around with Ft. Lauderdale and Miami?

Miami is a great place to visit, whether in the city or at the beach. Lots of nice hotels in downtown Miami where you can visit the Wynnewood Walls, Vizcaya and the art museums, Bayfront Park, possibly see a game, depending on the season

It sounds like a great trip for your spouse and son! Since they'll already be in Orlando, have they considered visiting some of the renowned attractions, such as Universal Studios, SeaWorld, or Disney's Animal Kingdom? Even seasoned travelers will find these destinations to provide one-of-a-kind experiences, such as Animal Kingdom's safari or Universal's thrilling thrills. I find https://orlandovacation.com to be a helpful resource for travel planning. Just a thought if they haven't been there recently!

Thomasville, Georgia near the Florida border is a very historic and lively town withplantations, Victorian-style homes, brick paved streets, and museums. It has the Big Oak, bakeries, gourmet restaurants and downtown boutiques. It is home to Thomas University and Lapham-Patterson House State Historic Site. It is only 35 miles Northeast of Tallahassee, Florida.