Help first time to Florida!
 

Hello everyone,

I am planning a trip to Florida for me and my boyfriend (we are in our twenty's no children)for next May, we have never been to Florida and i don't know where to start. I've been reading through the post on Florida and have come up with a rough itinerary, 13 nights staying in Orlando, driving down to Miami for a 3 night stay, onto Key Largo for 2 nights and finally 3 nights in Key West. Do we need 13 nights in Orlando? is 3 nights long enough in Miami and do we need to stay in Key Largo and Key West? please help any advice would be great and i'm going to have loads more questions.

Many thanks.

I think that I would change it to 3 nights in Orlando, and 13 in Key West!

13 nights on O-Town is way, way too long! I would say 6 days MAX, but really I wouldn't stay that long unless I was a total Disney freak.
I guess it depends a lot on what experience you're looking for in Florida and where you are driving from.
If I had as long as you do essentially 3 weeks I would stay a few nights on the west coast or panhandle area, perhaps Destin or Panama City, Orlando for a few nights. Then I would drive down to the keys for a few days,(spending time in South Beach either on the way down or back) then hit an east coast beach to wind up the trip such as Amelia Island, or even St. Augustine, Daytona, Coco.

I have to agree-- WHY 13 days in Orlando?! Frankly, other than the theme parks, there's not a lot to see there. I would think that, without kids, you'd want to maybe do 3-4 days in Orlando, tops-- then run down to Miami and spend 5 days in South Beach (hopping clubs, good restaurants), then go for catatonic bliss in the Keys.

unless you're an absolute theme park junky & have lots of money, 13 days in Orlando is not wise. Just think, admission is approx $50/person/day x 2 people x 13. $1300 just for park admissions. I like everyone else's ideas-more beach time, more party time,

You might consider spending a night (maybe not a night) at the Kennedy Space Center, and maybe a couple of days on the West Coast (Naples, Sanibel, Tampa). If you decide to spend several days in Orlando, you might want to break it up in two parts, spending a few days on the way South, the rest while returning North.

I LOVE Florida and it sounds like you have a nice long time to explore it. How many nights you stay in any one place will depend on what you like to do - but here are some ideas that you might want to consider as options for places. First, I personally like the Orlando area and think there's alot of fun things to do there - but 4-5 nights would be plenty - even for me. I like Disney World, Epcot, Wild Animal Park, Sea World (MY FAVORITE) and Universal. For the Keys - I've stayed in both - and I would pick one (I would probably pick Key West) - just 2-3 days. Then, I would definitely do the Miami route - and 3 nights is plenty, and I would add the West coast of Florida to my itinery - my vote would be Sannibal or Captiva Island and Marco Island. They're wonderful with lots of fun day trips. Be SURE to visit the Everglades one day (we did it when we stayed at Marco last year). Do a bit of research on the above sites to see if any of them sound interesting to you - but whatever - HAVE A GREAT TIME !!!!

suzy23
IMHO 13 days is much to long. If you want to go to Disney, a few days would do it. I would then cut over to the Gulf, Clearwater/St Pete or Ft Myers areas-beautiful beaches! I would then go on to the Naples area and pick up RT 41 (much better then Alligator Alley) that leads you thru the Everglades into Miami. Check out one of the websites: http://www.gethep.net/road/tamiami.html It's a great drive, alligators were laying all along the roadside when we drove thru.

i would recommend 4 - 5 nights in Orlando
3 nights is fine for Miami

This cannot be a serious post. No one in their right mind would spend 13 days in Orlando.

Think of those of us who have to live here!

Postal
How DO you handle it?

suzy, ignore all the posters above, 13 days in Orlando would be fabulous...especially for a GOLFER! Terrific courses at relatively inexpensive prices, although it wouldn't be much fun dripping all that sweat outdoors in May. Been there 3 times from LA in the last 5 years (in laws reside there) and there's more to Orlando than those kiddy parks and tourist traps along Intl Dr. There's Church St, Park Ave (Winter Park), Celebration, outlet shopping, tons more and did I mention GOLF! I'm still sort of a kid inside so it's good to visit places like Islands of Adventure once in a while.

But in all seriousness, 13 nights seems a tad too much, even for a golfer, despite the wide variety of attractions and accomodations. Spend a few more nights in Miami and visit Tampa, St Pete, Naples for a while or even historic St Augustine. Definitely agree with others to add more nights to the Keys if you just want to relax. Go snorkeling or scuba if you need something to do.

Hope this helps!!!

I would rather spend 13 days trapped inside a rural Wal-Mart than 13 days in Orlando.

I might even prefer 13 lashes with a cat-o-9-tails than 13 days in Orlando.

Yech!

suzy23,
although I think 13 nights in Orlando is pretty strong- make sure u spend at least one of them and a day at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress! Will set u back a few bucks (although summer rates should be a bit lower than usual) but it's well worth it. Tremendous lobby with greenery, birds and a small creek, lovely pool area with rocks and swim- thru- waterfalls and grottos, slides and swim- up bar. Also an artificial lake for sunfish sailing, pedaling, jogging (around it, not across, though ;-)). Furthermore several Tennis Courts (different surfaces) and gorgeous Golf Courses.
I am not so sure about Miami Southbeach. U certainly are going to have some action there, I still think that u should limit your time there as it is a bit too touristy for my taste.
An alternative might be staying on Key Biscayne.
On the other hand u might have enough of recreation on your trip to the keys.
In your place, I would cut down the stay in Orlando to probably four to five nights (depending on how many theme parks you are going to visit).
Perhaps you want to consider the nights you save in Orlando somewhere on the Gulf Coast. The Naples area or Sanibel Island might be worth considering.
Have a good time
hsv

Even though I live here I agree 13 days might be a little much. But then again, there are day trips such as Daytona beach or Cocoa beach are both only an hour away. St. Augustine is a great day trip and only about 2 hours away. Also Busch gardens in Tampa is great. Or just travel the small backroads through central florida and see the local country side.

rwilliams, are you sure you would rather spend 13 days trapped in Wal-Mart?

I think I've found my hell.

6 days in Orlando sounds about right. I'd go to St. Augustine, check out Daytona Beach, South Beach, Key Largo is good for snorkeling/scuba trips (from what I've read), and Key West needs about 5 days. Wonderful down there in KW! I live in Fort Lauderdale, but it's a different world down in the keys. Whatever you decide, remember to stay cool and have fun!!

PS: I forgot to mention that you should try to visit Sanibel Island, or some other west coast places. Sanibel is great for finding sea shells, soaking up the sun, shopping and eating (I recommend the Seafood Factory for dinner). Have FUN!!

Nobody has mention the Tampa/St Pete area? I could do 13 days there EASY...It's centrally located to day day trip to Sarasota,Ocala,Winter Haven,ect.I think 5 days in Orlando would be my max!