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jorv13's avatar
jorv13
Explorer
Sep 15, 2013

Florida must-sees - advice please!

Hi

We (family of 4 - 2 children 7 and 10) in a class a motorhome are currently planning a road trip around Florida next April. We are starting and finishing in Orlando and so far are visiting Sebasitian Inlet SP, Miami and the Keys, planning to drive through the Everglades and then we're not sure where to stop on the coast on our way back up. Our last two nights are in Anastasia SP. We prefer SPs to commercial RV sites as we don't need cable/wifi etc and are happy dry camping now and again. We like the look of Weeki Wachi an Crystal River -where else should we try and visit. Sanibel? Myakka River? Cedar Keys? Tarpon Springs?

All tips very gratefully received.

Thanks

Jo

23 Replies

  • Cedar Key is just a small town on the Gulf, probably not worth the trip. I'd add Homasassa Springs SP to your list. They have the remains of an old zoo inside and you will be sure to get a close look at Manatees. Manatee Springs SP is a good place to see and swim in a major spring, they have a nice campground too. They may have manatees there in the winter.

    Myakka River is a good spot to camp and to see lots of alligators and they have a walk up in the tree tops on suspended bridges. If you camp there then run into Sarasota for the Ringling Museum. Sarasota has good beaches too.

    Tarpon Springs has the fishing boats and is tourist oriented. Might be worth a stop if you can catch one of the festival weekends that they have.

    I think the panhandle would be a bit farther than you will want to travel in a limited time.

    If you take US Hwy 41 across the southern tip of the state then stop at the Shark Valley entrance of the Everglades NP. Take the tram ride or rent bikes and do their loop road. Lots of birds and gators to be seen.
  • You didn't mention the "best part" of Florida--at least for us: the Gulf Coast. Two of our favorite parks are St. Andrews at Panama City and Fort Pickens Campground at Pensacola. St. Andrews is on a peninsula between Grand Lagoon and the Gulf. It shares with Fort Pickens one of the best beaches in all the world--crystal white sand and emerald green water.

    These may be too far off your intended route, but they are the kind of campgrounds you would like.

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