Planning to go from Charlotte NC to various points in Florida, namely The Kennedy Space Center for a tour, one day and night on the Gulf side, maybe St. Petes Beach, one day and night in Miami area and the remaining week in the Keys, probably staying in Marathon Key and visiting all the Keys. Would like to take an air boat ride in the Everglade area and possibly take the tour to Dry Tortagus also. How would you plan this as far as routing? Would you go down the east coast, see Miami and the keys and drive across the Everglades and up the Gulf coast or criss cross from Kennedy to the Gulf and then to the keys? Any help for suggestions on travel or lodging would be great. Trip will most likely be in June but not firm yet. Thanks

Wow, you're talking quite a few miles here. The best way is to get a map of Florida, mark where you want to go and then basically connect the dots using the most efficient routing. That's the way we did it.

You are biting off a chunk there, Tracy. Although I live in the St Pete area and prefer our beaches to any I've seen on the east coast, if I were in your shoes with only a week to travel, I think I'd eliminate the Gulf side and just do the Space Center, Miami, then the Keys. That's just too much driving for a one night stay in St Pete Beach. It's nice, but not THAT nice!!

You are planning way too much stuff for one week (assuming it is for one week)are you flying home? If you do it the way you are planning you won't be able to enjoy anything. You should take it slower and skip the keys, spend more time in Miami and on the gulf side, or plan a two week trip.

I have more than a week. I was thinking of going over to the Gulf to get in some good beach time as I have been told the Keys are not good for that. I just wasn't sure whether driving down one coast and back up the other was the way to go or to just zig-zag over to a nice area on the Gulf for a day or so.

How many days are you allowing for this vacation? Your trip sounds like too much driving and not enough "doing". To drive straight down the east side of FL from Jacksonville to Key West will take 8-10 hours stopping only for gas & meals. Then add another 4-5 hours for the St Pete leg. I suggest eliminating either the southern swing (Miami & Keys) or the western portion or your trip. How about adding St Augustine and saving the Gulf side for another trip?

Tracy:

I'd go to the Kennedy Space Center and explore that area, and then travel down to the Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Keys area. The Keys are so beautiful and the water is light aqua in color. I've been to the Gulf coast, a real yawner. If you do all the traveling you want to do, you will be totally exhausted by the end of your trip.

I'm going to Florida in a couple weeks and I'm also visiting several locations during my stay. I'm going to Daytona Beach for two days. Then Pompano Beach for two days and Key West for two days. Then up to Bradenton for 6 days.(where family and friends reside) I prefer to stay on the move as we get bored easily. Good luck with your trip plans.