Florida East Coast road trip
Jan 26th, 2017, 02:30 AM
#1
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Florida East Coast road trip
Yes, I am a notorious fan of the Gulf Coast, but it is time to see the Other. We are thinking of a week on the road between Vero Beach and Bal Harbour, when possible on A1A. We would fly into Orlando and out of Ft Lauderdale or vice-versa.
We want to include Vero because half of Nantucket goes there, and we want to see why. Other places that are sort of interesting are Windsor, Jupiter, Hallandale, Hypoluxo, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, beach driving in Daytona Beach, Palm Beach. Which of these is Not Worth It and what are we egregiously missing?
We are interested in Addison Mizener architecture, Henry Flagler's hotels and railroad stations, low-rise and low key towns, working piers and waterfronts, eating fish on working piers, eating cracker food in strip malls, state parks. We aren't really interested in shopping except consignment shops, amusement parks, the kinds of houses that Toll Brothers build (though we thank them for supporting the Metropolitan Opera broadcasts).
Since we could drive the whole trip in a long afternoon, what are a couple of places we might stop for a couple of nights to enjoy an area?
We have already done A1A from Key West to Bal Harbour and from St Augustine to Fernandina Beach.
Our last Florida trip was Orlando-Mt Dora-Wakulla Springs State Park-Apalachicola-Cedar Key-Orlando, if that helps.
Thanks in advance!
We want to include Vero because half of Nantucket goes there, and we want to see why. Other places that are sort of interesting are Windsor, Jupiter, Hallandale, Hypoluxo, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, beach driving in Daytona Beach, Palm Beach. Which of these is Not Worth It and what are we egregiously missing?
We are interested in Addison Mizener architecture, Henry Flagler's hotels and railroad stations, low-rise and low key towns, working piers and waterfronts, eating fish on working piers, eating cracker food in strip malls, state parks. We aren't really interested in shopping except consignment shops, amusement parks, the kinds of houses that Toll Brothers build (though we thank them for supporting the Metropolitan Opera broadcasts).
Since we could drive the whole trip in a long afternoon, what are a couple of places we might stop for a couple of nights to enjoy an area?
We have already done A1A from Key West to Bal Harbour and from St Augustine to Fernandina Beach.
Our last Florida trip was Orlando-Mt Dora-Wakulla Springs State Park-Apalachicola-Cedar Key-Orlando, if that helps.
Thanks in advance!
Jan 26th, 2017, 03:49 AM
#2
"Low rise" certainly defines Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and it does have the ubiquitous pier, too. How "interesting" you think it is I cannot predict.
The really, REALLY "low-rise" area is just north of Pompano Beach and known locally as "Millionaire's Mile; the inlet and lighthouse just to its south are in some ways "typical Florida" (as are some of the mansions which cannot be seen due to their "low-riseness" and that huge berm between A1A and the back yards) but you wanted "cracker" so whiz right on by that spot.
The really, REALLY "low-rise" area is just north of Pompano Beach and known locally as "Millionaire's Mile; the inlet and lighthouse just to its south are in some ways "typical Florida" (as are some of the mansions which cannot be seen due to their "low-riseness" and that huge berm between A1A and the back yards) but you wanted "cracker" so whiz right on by that spot.
Jan 26th, 2017, 03:50 AM
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Whenever we take our trips to St. Augustine we always come home by way of A1A. The drive from St. Augustine to Ormond Beach is very relaxing with some interesting sights. In Crescent Beach you will see a huge beautiful beach house that belongs to their most famous part time resident Steve Spurrier. Also there is Matanzas inlet with Fort Matanzas national monument and park which is a nice half day stop. Then you will come across Marineland one of the first attractions in Florida that first opened in 1938. You will go past Palm Coast and then hit a long stretch of road that hugs the coast with some nice ocean views. Eventually you will come across Flagler beach which looks like it has been stuck in time. No high rise hotels or condos just and old Florida vibe.
Jan 26th, 2017, 07:22 AM
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Some odds and ends:
Vero Beach is OK. It's a nice little town with shops and restaurants. Not in the must-see category, but not a waste of time, either.
Suggest you take the tour of Flagler College, which was a Flagler hotel, Interesting buildings and architecture. (Footnote: My son turned down a soccer scholarship there. Now, a bit older and wiser, he asks, "What was I thinking?")
Windsor: If it's the Windsor I know, just north of Vero, then it's not a place you "see" unless you're a resident. It's a gated, guarded community of very wealthy people. Trump nominee Betsy DeVos has a home there, as does Ivan Lendl, and there's a polo field that's hosted Prince Charles (thus the name "Windsor"). Unless you know someone there, all you can do is ride by and get a view that's totally obstructed by landscaping.
Vero Beach is OK. It's a nice little town with shops and restaurants. Not in the must-see category, but not a waste of time, either.
Suggest you take the tour of Flagler College, which was a Flagler hotel, Interesting buildings and architecture. (Footnote: My son turned down a soccer scholarship there. Now, a bit older and wiser, he asks, "What was I thinking?")
Windsor: If it's the Windsor I know, just north of Vero, then it's not a place you "see" unless you're a resident. It's a gated, guarded community of very wealthy people. Trump nominee Betsy DeVos has a home there, as does Ivan Lendl, and there's a polo field that's hosted Prince Charles (thus the name "Windsor"). Unless you know someone there, all you can do is ride by and get a view that's totally obstructed by landscaping.
Jan 26th, 2017, 08:41 AM
#6
Have you been to Boca Raton? Mizner had great plans for the area but, alas, it all fell thru. One of his hotels is still there. I think Boca is a lovely town.
A friend's daughter just moved into Hypoluxo. From the pictures she's sent it looks pretty typical to me. But then,
they're just photos of her place and a bit of the surroundings.
A friend's daughter just moved into Hypoluxo. From the pictures she's sent it looks pretty typical to me. But then,
they're just photos of her place and a bit of the surroundings.
Jan 26th, 2017, 02:36 PM
#9
New Smyrna Beach/Flagler Ave straight to the beach. You park on the beach and it is very nice, much better than Daytona but Daytona does have the pier. New Smyrna has a old town vibe and some great places to eat. Cocoa Beach has a pier but a bit tacky. The food at the Port is where you get the best fresh seafood. It is always fun to watch the big ships come in and out. Flagler Beach is nice with a pier.
If you pass by Titusville you should stop at Canaveral Seashore. Playalinda beach is my all time favorite beach. Very natural and you will see gators and birds and maybe wild pigs on the road there.
If you pass by Titusville you should stop at Canaveral Seashore. Playalinda beach is my all time favorite beach. Very natural and you will see gators and birds and maybe wild pigs on the road there.
Jan 26th, 2017, 03:50 PM
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This is extremely helpful, folks. Keep the excellent suggestions coming!
It is very interesting to see the differences between the way places present themselves and the way they are perceived.
I do know that you can't drive from Vero to Bal Harbour in a long afternoon on A1A, though you can certainly do it on 95. But this is meant to be a slow trip. Boca Raton is a definite, now.
I mentally put Windsor in with other polo towns but the Florida season ends before I can get there. I should have mentioned that this is likely to be a May trip.
Are there town in the central East Coast that are like Fernandina Beach in the north?
It is very interesting to see the differences between the way places present themselves and the way they are perceived.
I do know that you can't drive from Vero to Bal Harbour in a long afternoon on A1A, though you can certainly do it on 95. But this is meant to be a slow trip. Boca Raton is a definite, now.
I mentally put Windsor in with other polo towns but the Florida season ends before I can get there. I should have mentioned that this is likely to be a May trip.
Are there town in the central East Coast that are like Fernandina Beach in the north?
Jan 27th, 2017, 01:54 AM
#12
Boca has put a lot of walls up in some places, for sure. My own neighborhood on Fort Lauderdale Beach is also low rise with a condo canyon separating us from Lauderdale-By-The-Sea to the north. However it is simply a residential area and nobody would come here to see most of the residences which pale in comparison to those along Hillsboro Beach.
The area of the "more usual" Fort Lauderdale Beach along A1A was somewhat re-done after Hurricane Sandy which didn't even make landfall washed away part of the road. Since you are headed South you'll miss the Elbow Room which remains in operation (regrettably by some people's standards) and even that section of town which is, in some ways, "Old" Florida is the part a lot of people would like to forget.
I think once you get here there are many who might say A1A is not all that scenic or fun from thereon but do enjoy the trip as it sounds like fun.
The area of the "more usual" Fort Lauderdale Beach along A1A was somewhat re-done after Hurricane Sandy which didn't even make landfall washed away part of the road. Since you are headed South you'll miss the Elbow Room which remains in operation (regrettably by some people's standards) and even that section of town which is, in some ways, "Old" Florida is the part a lot of people would like to forget.
I think once you get here there are many who might say A1A is not all that scenic or fun from thereon but do enjoy the trip as it sounds like fun.
Apr 4th, 2017, 04:18 PM
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Daytona Bach can be avoided. There are nice areas, but I found most of it to be ghetto. If you are in a hotel and at the beach, that will be nice, but if you are going to drive around, it isn't worth it. Nantucket is much better!!
Apr 6th, 2017, 04:59 AM
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You probably have your May itinerary already in place, but consider Sebastian Inlet State Park near Vero. It's phenomenal.
I also agree with gmoney about the drive from St. Augustine to Ormond Beach. Flagler Beach is definitely old Florida.
I love Lauderdale By The Sea. Check out the pier and have a drink or lunch at Aruba's. It's a fun place to people watch.
I also agree with gmoney about the drive from St. Augustine to Ormond Beach. Flagler Beach is definitely old Florida.
I love Lauderdale By The Sea. Check out the pier and have a drink or lunch at Aruba's. It's a fun place to people watch.
Apr 6th, 2017, 06:20 AM
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If you are looking for a place to stay in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, I recommend the High Noon. Have stayed there for years and years. Family owned in a great beachfront location close to the pier.
http://www.highnoonresort.com/
http://www.highnoonresort.com/
Apr 6th, 2017, 12:25 PM
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Apr 7th, 2017, 05:22 AM
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If you can include Titusville, this might be a good place to eat; it's one of those legendary RoadFood spots, north of Cocoa.
http://dixiecrossroads.com/menu.asp
Lantana has a cute downtown area west of the intracoastal. There is an excellent tiny (modern but hyper local food) restaurant there, open only at night. Menu changes daily. Cash only, no phone and no reservations:
https://oceanokitchen.com/menu/OceanoKitchenMenu.pdf
There are two great nature trails on boardwalks in the Delray area, one is off Jog Road and the other off Hagen Ranch Road. If you like I can give more info. Both are free. My best sighting was a family of otters and a raccoon, so its not Botswana but still very cool. Tons of birds.
Gwendolynn: But there is a line of high-rise condos on AIA in Boca, right on the ocean, beginning south of Palmetto Park Road. Maybe I misunderstood your comment.
I like the same type of stuff so this is a great thread.
If you want to see one of the most ostentatious houses ever built, take A!A through Ocean Ridge, east of Boynton: 6301 Ocean Ridge Blvd. But you'll see many competitors to that claim so perhaps you'll find your own favorite!!
http://dixiecrossroads.com/menu.asp
Lantana has a cute downtown area west of the intracoastal. There is an excellent tiny (modern but hyper local food) restaurant there, open only at night. Menu changes daily. Cash only, no phone and no reservations:
https://oceanokitchen.com/menu/OceanoKitchenMenu.pdf
There are two great nature trails on boardwalks in the Delray area, one is off Jog Road and the other off Hagen Ranch Road. If you like I can give more info. Both are free. My best sighting was a family of otters and a raccoon, so its not Botswana but still very cool. Tons of birds.
Gwendolynn: But there is a line of high-rise condos on AIA in Boca, right on the ocean, beginning south of Palmetto Park Road. Maybe I misunderstood your comment.
I like the same type of stuff so this is a great thread.
If you want to see one of the most ostentatious houses ever built, take A!A through Ocean Ridge, east of Boynton: 6301 Ocean Ridge Blvd. But you'll see many competitors to that claim so perhaps you'll find your own favorite!!
