Part 2. 11 Days in Florida – Our Road Trip Itinerary

In our previous post, we talked about Florida’s most popular attractions. Now it’s time for what we love the most — the less obvious, hidden spots! 🌴
This post is a continuation of our Florida series, so if you haven’t read the first part yet, we recommend starting there! You can find it right

Part 1. 11 Days in Florida – Our Road Trip Itinerary

Since we like to keep things straight to the point — no fluff — below you’ll find a list of places we had to dig a little deeper to discover. You won’t see them on every blog, but they’re definitely worth your time. Here’s what we found, along with short descriptions:

• Dry Tortugas National Park – We actually stumbled upon this place by accident. While traveling on the West Coast of the USA, we bought a scratch-off map with all the U.S. National Parks and were surprised to discover that about 70 miles west of Key West lies a tiny park located on a group of seven small islands in the Gulf of Mexico. You can only get there by organized boat trip or small plane. The most famous attraction (aside from the dreamy beaches) is Fort Jefferson — a massive fort built to help control piracy in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. However, the construction was never completed due to high costs and repeated hurricane damage.
  The boat trip costs around $200 per person and takes from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.. The plane ride is faster but also pricier, starting at $400. Tickets sell out fast, so book at least two months in advance, or keep an eye out for last-minute availability (sometimes a few spots open up the day before).

• Daytona Beach – Located not far from Orlando, Daytona Beach is home to one of the most famous race tracks in the U.S. — perfect for all motorsport fans! 24-hour races are often held here, so we wouldn’t recommend booking accommodation right next to the track if you value your sleep. 😅 Apart from the races, Daytona proudly boasts the “world’s most famous beach,” though in our opinion, that’s quite an exaggeration — it felt a little overhyped to us.
  However, one fun highlight — we managed to find a mini Florida Starbucks espresso cup here, which might interest you if, like us, you collect them. We couldn’t find this mini version anywhere else in Florida (regular size was easy to find, though).

• Siesta Key – In our opinion, the best place to do absolutely nothing in Florida. Gorgeous, wide beaches, stunning sunsets (unlike Miami, where you can only catch sunrises over the ocean — great for those who enjoy sleeping in), and delicious breakfasts at Toasted Mango Café, which we highly recommend. We loved this one-day stop!
  If you’re in the area, you can also visit Siesta Key Rum, a local rum distillery.

• Manatee Viewing Center – When the water cools down in the surrounding areas, manatees come here to warm up. You might also spot some sharks and even touch a stingray. Located near Tampa, along Florida’s west coast.
• Loggerhead Marinlife Center – A sea turtle rescue hospital — worth a visit if you’re traveling from Miami to Orlando. Admission is free, but we encourage you to donate a small amount to support their mission of helping these animals. Sick turtles are treated at the center and then released back into the wild!
• Biscayne National Park – A national park where most of the area lies underwater. Near the Visitor Center, there are several walking paths and boardwalks to explore. You can also book boat tours — but be sure to make a reservation in advance. It’s a great short stop if you’re driving from Miami to Key West.

• Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park – Technically part of Miami, but worth mentioning separately. At the tip of the Key Biscayne peninsula, you’ll find a charming lighthouse and a quiet beach. The whole Key Biscayne area feels totally different from the rest of Miami — very clean, green, and well-maintained. It’s clear that wealthier residents live here. Plus, driving back to the city, you’ll cross a scenic bridge with stunning views of Miami’s skyline.

• Juanchi’s Burgers – To wrap it up — a food recommendation straight from Miami! Tomek loves trying burgers in every country we visit, and Florida was no exception. If you want a delicious, budget-friendly burger, we highly recommend Juanchi’s. Quick, friendly service and tasty food! We especially loved the Home Run Burger and the sweet potato fries.

Would you add anything to this list? Do you have your own Florida hidden gems? Let us know! 🌴