Florida Road Trip: Kennedy Space Center to the Florida Keys
Explore Florida's top 10 destinations across 2,432 km, from the Kennedy Space Center and historic St. Augustine to the tropical Florida Keys. This route connects beaches, natural wonders, and cultural centers including Naples, Clearwater Beach, Tampa Bay Area, the Everglades, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- #10 Kennedy Space Center
- End
- Everglades National Park
- Stops
- 12
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- #10 Kennedy Space Center — Launch facility for NASA spacecraft where visitors explore rockets, meet astronauts, and witness the history of American space exploration.
- Sanibel and Captiva Islands — Island pair near Naples featuring residential development and pristine shoreline.
- #7 Fort Lauderdale — Coastal city renowned for its yachting culture, pristine beaches, and vibrant waterfront dining and entertainment districts.
- The Strip, Fort Lauderdale — Most popular section of Fort Lauderdale's city beach with eating and drinking establishments.
- #6 Clearwater Beach — Award-winning sandy beach known for its powdery white shores, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and excellent swimming conditions.
- #4 Tampa Bay Area — Major metropolitan region featuring world-class theme parks, professional sports teams, and thriving cultural museums and entertainment venues.
- South Beach — Glamorous area of Miami Beach known for Art Deco architecture.
- #1 Florida Keys — Tropical island chain connected by scenic highway offering coral reef diving, colorful wildlife, and laid-back Caribbean-style atmosphere.
- Naples — Number 9, a wealthy city on the Gulf of Mexico known for beautiful beaches and upscale waterfront living.
- St. Augustine — Number 8, founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers, the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the U.S. with a National Historic Landmark District featuring narrow…
- The Strip — Most popular section of Fort Lauderdale's city beach with eating and drinking establishments.
- Everglades National Park — Number 5, one of Florida's best natural treasures with unique ecosystems. Accessible via Gulf Coast Visitor Center with boat tours to the Ten Thousand Islands labyrinth of…
Useful for your trip
- Timing
- Florida has a moderate climate making it a popular tourist destination all year round, so you can visit anytime.
- Tip
- At Kennedy Space Center, you can participate in the Shuttle Launch Experience, which replicates the experience of space travel.
- Tip
- In Naples, development along the shoreline has been kept residential, preserving the area's natural beauty.
- Tip
- St. Augustine's walkable downtown features narrow colonial streets lined with locally-owned shops and restaurants.
- Transport
- Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades is one of the busiest cruise-ship ports in the world, with megaships departing daily for the Caribbean and Mexico.
- Food
- In Fort Lauderdale's 'The Strip', eating and drinking establishments run along the land side of the beach road.
- Tip
- Clearwater Beach offers activities including fishing, sailing, kayaking, and dolphin tours.
- Tip
- At Everglades National Park, arrange boat tours to the Ten Thousand Islands from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center, or take an air boat tour.
- Tip
- Tampa Bay area features Busch Gardens, a theme park with roller coaster rides and a zoo dedicated to African Serengeti animals.
- Timing
- Orlando gets hit by hurricanes less than other parts of Florida, making it a safer place to visit during hurricane season.
- Transport
- The Florida Keys are connected to the mainland by a series of bridges, including the spectacular Seven Mile Bridge, accessible via US Highway 1 'Overseas Highway'.
Video on this route
10 Best Places to Visit in Florida - Travel Video