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Where to go in two weeks Florida ?

We are a young Belgian couple and we're planning to visit Florida in september.Which places shouldn't be forgotten ? We arrive in Orlando .

Don't miss South Beach in Miami. Great beaches, lots of nightlife (from very casual to very chic). Be sure to stay in South Beach and not Miami Beach. The beaches are nicer and the nightlife is better.

Disney & Epcot are high on my list. I love the Keys, anywhere from Key Largo to Key West. It's seems more tropical than the rest of Florida and the drive from Miami is beautiful (both ways). Keep in mind that September is the high point of the hurricane season if you are heading to the Keys. You might have mother nature change your plans. Hopefully that won't be the case because it's too beautiful to miss. John F. Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral is very interesting. You could easily spend a day there. Depending on your swim preference, the Atlantic coast beaches have the larger waves and the Gulf coast has very blue green calm waters and more white sand.

I agree that the two places in Florida that should not be missed are South Beach in Miami (not Miami Beach) and Key West. I can't remember where I stayed in South Beach but it was on Collins Ave. in the heart of everything very close to the beach. The art deco architecture is fun and colorful. There are lots of good restaurants. My favorite place for breakfast was News Cafe and I ended up going there almost every morning because it was reasonably priced with a good variety on its menu and it was great for people-watching. But for dinner you should try lots of different places. The Delano hotel is really something to see but unfortunately it didn't fit in my budget! I would recommend 3-4 days in South Beach. Then Key West which is my favorite part of Florida. The drive down to Key West is gorgeous, only takes about 4 hours, and you can stop on the way to swim with the dolphins if you make reservations in advance. I spent 6 days on Key West and thought that was the perfect amount of time. It is more "Caribbean" and tropical-feeling than the rest of Florida. Also, unlike most of the rest of Florida, the beaches in Key West allow topless sunbathing which you are probably accustomed to, being from Europe. It is fun to take a trolley tour of the town; you can get off the trolley anywhere you like and then get back on later. You can also tour Ernest Hemingway's house which is fascinating. There is good snorkeling nearby and lots of different types of boat trips. The place I stayed, which I would recommend if you're interested in a small bed-and-breakfast type of accommodation, was the Southernmost Point Guest House. It is directly across the street from the beach, on the quiet end of town, with a good restaurant across the street and walking distance to the busier part of town with all the restaurants and bars and shops. It is run by a delightful woman named Mona Santiago and has reasonable rates that include a good breakfast with a variety of of fresh fruit and pastries and cereal and breads and juice and coffee. There are a couple of rooms on the second floor of the house that are extra-nice and have a view. But there are lots of larger hotels also if you are interested in more of a resort. Be sure to try Key Lime Pie while you're there and eat lots of the delicious seafood that is available! My favorite restaurant on the main drag was Mango's. I have been all over Florida, including Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Cape Canaveral, Orlando-Disney (many times), Ft. Lauderdale, Sarasota-Bradenton (many times), and the Tampa-St. Petersberg area (many times). The nicest thing about most of Florida is the beach, which I never really appreciated until I travelled more outside of the U.S. and realized how few places have beaches this nice! Of all the beaches in Florida, I think the ones around Sarasota are the nicest and have the most beautiful sand. Long Boat Key is particularly nice. I assume since you are flying into Orlando you may be interested in the attractions there. I know everyone loves Disney World and Epcot but that environment is so artificial and commercial that I can't take very much of it (I guess I'm in the minority there). If you don't have kids, I think one day at Disney and one day at Epcot is plenty. In Disney World, the Grand Floridian is a nice hotel (I have also stayed at the Contemporary which is interesting but older and not quite as nice). But again, I find the whole place to be too sterile and sanitized and artificial to really spend very long there. If you do go to Disney, even though it's expensive I think it's worth it to stay inside the grounds, just to avoid the hassle of driving into the park and the parking and everything. I assume you're renting a car when you arrive in Orlando. If I were you and had 2 weeks to spend in Florida, starting in Orlando, here's what I would do: make sort of a circle around the state going clockwise, with 2 nights at Disney-Epcot, 3 nights in the South Beach area of Miami, 6 nights in Key West, and 3 nights in Sarasota-Long Boat Key. That will give you some variety in terms of seeing both the east and west coasts of the state and also in terms of the environment you'll be in. I hope you have a wonderful time in Florida!

Lisa's itinerary advice at the end of her post sounds like a great plan. Be sure to pay the extra to rent the convertible - with all that driving, it will definitely be worth it!

I second the nod on Lisa's suggested itinerary. My Mom lives near Orlando, my inlaws lived in Sarasota (Siesta Key), and I've traveled the State with both adults and kids! I'd suggest skipping Epcot and visiting MGM at Disney. It is really a lot of fun - almost like going to Hollywood.

Florida has many faces, and in two weeks you can explore most of them. Lisa offers a good starting point for an itinerary, let me offer a few other suggestions. Remember first that there are 11 million people in Florida, and there are usually a million or more tourists in the state. Sometimes, it feels as though you are driving through one, vast suburb and a single bumper-to-bumper traffic jam from Orlando to Tampa. Lisa makes one point very well: Florida has some of the best beaches in the world, and much of that beach front is accessible. Some of my favorites are Crandon Park and Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne near Miami; the John Lloyd Recreation Area and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, both in or near Ft.Lauderdale; Jonathan Dickinson State Park near Ft. Pierce; and the Cape Canaveral National Seashore near Cocoa. These are all Atlantic Ocean beaches, very broad and sandy. September will be an excellent time to see them. While Florida has become a very urban state, there are still large swatches of it that are rural; quite unchanged from 50 years ago. The Everglades is unlike any place in the world. Go west from Miami along the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) to 40 Mile Bend and take an airboat ride out into the back country. The experience will live with you for years to come. At Ichytucknee Springs State Park north of Gainesville, rent an inner tub and float down that crystal-clear river for its ten-mile run to the Suwanee. You can see the "real" Florida as you float along (a van takes you back to your car). Take a drive along the St. John's River south of Jacksonville. The suburbs end wekk south of Orange Park these days, but from there down to Palatka is a wonderful stretch of scenic highway and river vistas. Myakka River State Park in the southwestern part of the state is another beautiful area, with sweeps of Live Oaks draped in Spanish moss. Enjoy all of those sides of Florida. If I can be of further help, please email me directly. Oh -- and definitely rent that convertible! P.S.: Lisa makes one error in her post: South Beach is part of Miami Beach, not Miami. The South Beach district encompsses the most southerly part of that island.

I vote for South Beach also!!

We live in England but have visited Florida 6 times and love it there. We have travelled all over the State and i appreciate and agree with a lot of the other replies to your question. It really depends on how much travelling you are prepared to do, remember it will take approx 4 hours to drive from Orlando to Miami and a further 4 to Key West. The Keys are very tropical and very different to other parts of Florida and takes a bit of getting used to, personally i did not like it there(neither did my wife) but the drive is pleasant. If it is your first time in Orlando and you wish to take in all the Theme Parks etc it will take a full fortnight to see everything, presuming that you spread your Park visits over the full duration. The first thing you should do is buy a good guide book, Fodors maybe! this will supply you with advice and information that may help you with your choice. Miami, is a big city if your going there stick to the beach area. If you like to shop this is the place to be. If you fancy a drive to somewhere nice i would suggest Naples on the West Coast , it is a lovely place to stay particularly the Registry Resort. Naples is a very quiet ,classy place to visit. Don't forget though, it is a good 3 hours drive from Orlando. Everybody has different ideas on what they like doing in Florida on vacation , generally visitors like ourselves either stay in Orlando for two weeks or split the vacation 1 week Orlando 1 week by the beach. We have visited Sarasota but Naples is nicer. I would suggest staying 10 days Orlando, 4 days Naples. Any further questions e mail me on [email protected]

I lived in Orlando until august of last year. Make sure you go to Celebration, a new community outside of Disney. Lots of nice shops, good restaurants, and beautiful houses. Nice to spend a few hours there daydreaming. The west coast is also nice with beautiful beaches. I especially like the Clearwater area. While there, go to Busch Gardens in Tampa (an amusement park/zoo). Just as good as Disney and much cheaper. And the Keys are a must. There are lots of cute bed and breakfasts to stay at but make sure you stay in one with air conditioning. The Keys can be hot! Try snorkeling. I suggest going on a trip with other snorkelers. There are different ones but the catamarans are the best although they are a little more expensive than the other boats. Worth the money though! I am going to Captiva Island/Sanibel in 2 weeks and will tell you more about it after I return.

Having lived in Florida for 19 years (Clearwater, Ft. Lauderdale, Gainesville and now Fort Myers) I can say without a doubt you'll have a great time in Southwest Florida. I'd agree to spend a few days in Orlando and see the Mouse and other attractions. Then I'd recommend heading south on the turnpike and stay two nights in South Beach, Miami. Since you are young you should enjoy the night life. Before heading home, however, drive across I75 (Alligator Alley) and stay a few nights on Sanibel or Captiva Islands. There is plenty to do (kayak on Pine Island sound with manatees, dolphins, etc.) rent a boat or take a ferry to Cabbage Key to have a cheeseburger in paradise. Although there is not a lot of nightlife here (you should get that out of your system in South Beach, Miami) it is a great place to relax and be rested for your flight home.

I would agree on beaches. I have traveled to many and highly recommend Clearwater, Long Boat Key, Fort Meyers, Sanibel & Captiva Islands. Depending on what you like ot do - I think you can find more fun stuff than Walt Disney World, unless you have little ones.

If I were flying into Orlando I would likely stick with the northern Florida region as there is much to offer in beautiful (uncrowded) surroundings. St. Augustine is a great place to spend a day and has nice B&Bs and restaurants (try Cuban food at the Cafe Camacho). The lighthouses in this area are scenic (see also Daytona Beach Shores and Ponce Inlet further south of Daytona for very pretty beaches). Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach (north of Jacksonville) are also very nice.

Have been to Florida many times from North to South and I love it all! I agree with another person, you must float down the river at Itchnetucknee State Park. It is my very favorite. Very relaxing and totally natural setting. Love WDW, San Augustine, Tampa St. Pete--what can I say it is a great state. Very hot and humid in the summer! Have a wonderful trip.

Don't be overwhelmed by South Beach -- You can stay in a '50's type establishment and pay like you were in a luxury hotel. It's nice to schmooze around in the daytime, and some of the bars are actually consumer-friendly priced. But don't sell Miami Beach short. Some of the posters may not have stayed on the beach -- other than south beach --in years. It's changing, and you can find some bargains in hotels on Collins Avenue, north of 40th Street. South Beach is very trendy -- if you want to pay for "trendy" fine. For the prices you would pay for all the Art Deco in South Beach, you could probably save a lot of money in Orlando (a bargain in September), Daytona, Jacksonsville, Tampa/St. Pete, St. Augustine and enjoy yourself a lot more. Please don't get me wrong. As previous posters have stated -- South Beach is a glorious area, but, for the money, other parts of Florida are much more consumer friendly RE money. Have fun, no matter whose advice you follow. Maury

The most beautiful beaches are in the Panhandle; I loved Seaside, the model community where The Truman Show was filmed. It has magnificent beaches & wonderful small homes to rent as well as a B&B, Josephin's. They have a Web site. The adjacent beaches of Fort Walton, Grayton & Destin are also spectacular. You can fly from Miami to Tallahasee for less than $100, pick-up a car at the tiny Tallahassee airport & drive to Seaside in under 2 hrs (very easy ride) Although I did not do it, there are some interesting attractions close to Tallahassee (See Michelin Florida Green Guide, Panhandle section). Dont miss St Andrews island off coast of pananama City. It will also be cooler than Orlando & certainly Miami. Enjoy yourseloves!

As a native Floridian, there are so many great things to do in Florida besides the overrated, expensive theme parks. Of course visit them, but don't waste too much time on them. Explore the natural Florida and I especially agree with the two other suggestions of Ichnetuckee Springs, located about 45 miles SW of Gainesville. I grew up in the Daytona/Deland area and Ponce Inlet and New Symrna Beach are the best beaches to visit in the area. By-pass Daytona Beach, unless you want to go there just to say you've been, the hotels are dirty and gross, as well as some of the locals. While in Ponce Inlet eat at Inlet Habour restuarant on the intercoastal waterway, any local will give you directions. Great seafood and a Jimmy Buffet type band. Hope you enjoy your visit to my home state and have fun!

I agree with the earlier post about Miami Beach. Definitely go to South Beach. You will have the time of your life. But you can stay in what folks down here call "North Beach," save yourself some money and be only a short cab ride or bike ride from all the hotspots in South Beach. I would suggest looking into the Radisson Deauville, which was just renovated and is positively gorgeous. It's at either 67th or 62nd and Collins Ave. When I stayed there in April the rooms were $129/nite -- cheaper than most of the nicer hotels. Depending on the traffic, you're just a few minutes away from everything you want to do and see further down on Washington Ave., Collins Ave. and Ocean Dr. I also second heading to Key West. Some of the most beautiful sunsets you'll ever see. Word of caution: While the place is full of B&B's, not all of them are great, not even the ones in the book that lists Florida's "best" B&B's. In particular, AVOID the Eden House. When I was there it was an ant-infested place with the most incompetent staff I've ever encountered. "Southernmost" is a winner.

Ditto what's been said. My two cents worth includes historic St Augustine and if you want beatuiful, wide open beaches thee best beach: the corth beach at Fort DeSoto in south St. Petersburg. From 275 take exit #3, also known as the Bayway west. The way to Fort DeSOto is clearly marked. There is a 35 cent toll to get there but it's well worth it. Hope you enjoy yourselves.

All good advice! Except....I would skip Celebration. It is a town that Disney built....the whole town in 2 years. I am convinced that the Stepford wives live there! Everything is strile and "perfect". It is creepy.

Hello Tom, I read some good advise fronm previous answers but at the end it depends on what you prefer , but I agree with Neil and Emily the beauty and unique of Florida are the Everglades.... the canoing in marvelous tropical and lush vegetation,our fantastic beaches but I higly recommend to get a guide in order to canoe. The beach in the North are fantastic in the Pandhandle area, absolutely beautiful. South Beach is fun and should not be missed but again you must love dancing, bars, out doors cafes and a lot of loud music and people watching. I live in Miami Beach and I love the nature Florida has to offer and also I like South Beach, what I personally do not like against a lot of recommendations is to go to Key West, the road is beautiful butonce there there are no acceptable beaches at all, and once there although there are some quaint buildings there are too much commercialism, too many t shirts shops, to much drinking, to much people walking the streets looking like foolish tourists, well I think that is what it means to me...so it depends on you and what you like, good luck.

I agree with the earlier post about the Inlet Harbour restaurant on Ponce Inlet. While vacationing last summer in Daytona, we ate at the Inlet Harbour on our last night in town. It was the best meal we had the whole week. The food was fabulous and the scenery was very festive! Before we ate we walked the 203 steps to the top of the Ponce Inlet lighthouse. What a view!!!