RETIRED – FLORIDA ROAD TRIP DESTINATIONS

Embrace the Florida Road Trips from Fort Walton Beach
When you live in and around Fort Walton Beach, FL, you are in the perfect position to explore some of the exciting places nearby. There are some incredible locales across Florida, and many are road trip-worthy. Whether you’re traveling alone, with a loved one, or the whole family, you’re bound to have fun with some of the top road trips found across the state.

Pensacola

At about an hour’s drive, you can explore some amazing places within Pensacola. You will find that there’s a lot of natural beauty throughout the area, allowing you to take walking tours to explore it all. The historic Pensacola Village can be a great way to pass some time. The Pensacola Lighthouse is also a must-see. If you have the kids with you, you won’t want to miss out on the fun offered by Sam’s Fun City.

Panama City Beach

Some of the most beautiful beaches within the panhandle of Florida are found only an hour and a half away. St. Andrews State Park is a stunning place for swimming. Plus, you can take advantage of all sorts of fishing and watersports. A trip to Shipwreck Island Waterpark is also going to be fun for the whole family while allowing you to cool off for a bit.

St. Augustine

In about five and a half hours, you can get to the oldest city in Florida. St. Augustine holds all sorts of incredible attractions, ranging from wineries to breweries to the Fountain of Youth itself. You can spend the days walking the streets and embracing the history. Then, the evenings can be spent going on guided ghost tours so that you can find out about some of the mysteries that are lurking within the city.

Tampa

A six-hour drive down the west coast of Florida will land you in Tampa. This beautiful city has a lot of Cuban heritage as well as attractions right on the water. Depending on when you visit, you can take advantage of many festivals, ranging from Gasparilla to the Margarita Festival. There are pirate ship adventures that you can go on with endless rum punch, Busch Gardens for the thrill-seekers, and over 60 breweries throughout the area.

Orlando

In approximately seven hours, you can find yourself driving into the metropolitan city of Orlando. This is the tourist paradise of the state as you will find countless theme parks. You can enjoy the magic of Disney with such parks as Epcot and Magic Kingdom. Of course, you can also see more of how the movies work with a trip to Universal Studios, complete with rides from such blockbusters as Harry Potter and Jurassic Park. If the theme parks aren’t your cup of tea, there are always plenty of grandiose hotels with spas inside of them so that you can enjoy some rest and relaxation.

With so many incredible things to see and do throughout Florida, road trips are a natural way to see it all. Once you decide how far you want to drive, you can decide where your final destination will be.

Sanibel Island

When you’re ready to drive a bit longer, you can reach Sanibel Island in about eight hours. This is where you can enjoy the stunning Gulf Coast in all of its beauty. Ding Darling is a nature reserve where you can spend your days kayaking. Plus, you’re next door to Fort Myers and Naples, home of countless shopping experiences and fine dining restaurants. When you’re looking for the opportunity to relax and soak up some quiet, Sanibel is the place to do it.

Miami

Getting to Miami is about a nine-hour road trip but well worth it when you want to embrace the nightlife. South Beach is home to countless nightclubs and bars. Plus, you can soak up the culture throughout the day by visiting art museums and driving by the incredible Art Deco architecture found throughout the area. A visit Little Havana can also be a great excuse to enjoy some delicious Cuban sandwiches.

When you’re preparing for a road trip from Fort Walton Beach, visit us at Preston Hood Chevrolet. Our service department can ensure that your vehicle is in peak running condition.