4-Day Florida Road Trip Itinerary
Even the most pressed for time road trippers can get a good dose of Florida favorites starting with Miami, heading through the Everglades, and capping it off in Key West. Four days are better than none, and here’s how to get it done without wasting a single minute of your vacation.
Days 1-2: Miami
Start your day exploring the art deco architecture of South Beach by walking along Ocean Drive as the morning sun blasts the pastel buildings and makes for some stunning scenery. Grab breakfast or brunch at one of the several al fresco restaurants along Ocean Drive. The earlier you get here the better, as parking is easier in the morning, and the crowds have yet to arise from their post-party slumber. Take an hour or two to soak in some rays at nearby Lummus Park.
Be prepared for the throngs-in-thongs to show up on the beach in earnest by around noon. That’s as good a time as any to towel off and start exploring the sights of central Miami. Hit the Design District and Wynwood Art District at the northern end of downtown first, to check out the galleries, boutiques, and restaurants that have sprouted up around these creative outposts. From there, keep the arts vibe rolling with a walk through the brand-new Pérez Art Museum Miami, one of the few real “sights” in downtown Miami. After that, head back to South Beach for a stylish night of dinner and drinks. Sleep it off in a tiny room in one of the several boutique hotels that are housed in vintage art deco buildings here.
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Shake off the previous night’s festivities with a café cubano in Little Havana. Take a little while to stroll through this Cuban-American enclave, making sure to make the tourist-required stop at Maximo Gomez Park, where you can watch Cuban senior citizens play dominoes. Sure, it may sound boring and weird, but it’s sort of a must-see.
From there, it’s just a few minutes’ drive into Coral Gables, where you can shop along the Miracle Mile or take a dip in the 1920s-era Venetian Pool. Nearby Coconut Grove offers more shopping. But, the beautiful Vizcaya Museum & Gardens is a far better way to spend the rest of your day. Treat yourself to an excellent, upscale Spanish dinner at Coral Gables’ Xixón Spanish Cuisine and then head back to your South Beach hotel for one more night.
Day 3: The Everglades
Pack some bug spray and sunscreen and head off for a day’s adventure into Everglades National Park. On your way, stop by Coral Castle in Homestead. An exquisitely weird and deeply romantic slice of Old Florida, the castle was constructed out of locally-quarried coral-stone in near-complete secrecy by a Latvian immigrant mourning a lost love.
From Homestead, it’s just a half-hour drive to the main entrance of Everglades National Park. Make sure to stop into Robert Is Here fruit stand and farm to grab some provisions and a fresh fruit smoothie. There’s only one road in and out of Everglades National Park. Visitors can make the circuit to the southernmost point of the park, Flamingo Visitor Center, and back in four or five hours. Although Flamingo is something of a destination (it’s here that you can take guided boat tours), there are several stops and smaller visitor centers along the route that are well worth exploring.
Make the hour-long drive (from the main entrance of Everglades National Park) to Key Largo and book a room.
Day 4: The Keys
There’s no way on Earth you can see all that the Florida Keys have to offer in just one day. Plan on heading straight for Key West. Take in some of the major sights along the way, including a photo-op on the Seven Mile Bridge, the gorgeous beach at Bahia Honda State Park, and Key deer-spotting on Big Pine Key.
Arrive at Key West in time for a late lunch and a drink. You’ll still have time to take in must-see spots like the Southernmost Point buoy and the shops and bars of Duval Street. Make sure you head to a good spot to catch the sunset (try the Crowne Plaza La Concha Hotel) and then prepare to partake in Key West’s raucous nightlife. Make sure you’ve got a room reserved, as you won’t want to be driving anywhere afterward. This itinerary doesn’t allow for the two things the Keys are best for—relaxing and fishing—but it does give a pressed-for-time traveler a good taste of the basics.
- Strategic itineraries for water sports lovers, wildlife fanatics, families with kids, foodies, and more, including a Key West getaway and a week-long road trip along the Overseas Highway
- Unique experiences and can’t-miss sights: Explore the fascinating coral reefs and shipwrecks of Key Largo or visit Hemingway’s house to meet the descendants of his legendary polydactyl cats. Spot colorful birds or canoe with gators in the Everglades. Venture through mangrove and pine forests inhabited by endangered species in the National Key Deer Refuge. Catch the sunrise on a secluded beach or dance the night away at Florida’s best clubs and bars
- Local flavors: Taste authentic Cuban chicken stew, fried plantains drizzled with honey, and flaky pastelitos in Miami. Sip refreshing mojitos and try award-winning key lime pie in Key West. Savor some of the best fresh seafood in the country or satisfy your adventurous side with fried alligator tail and conch fritters
- The best outdoor sports and recreation, including sailing, fishing, kayaking, biking, diving, and snorkeling along the only living barrier reef in the continental USA
- Expert insight and honest advice from Florida local Joshua Lawrence Kinser on when to go, how to get around, and where to stay, from historic inns and beachside B&Bs to budget motels and campgrounds
- Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout
- Thorough background on the landscape, climate, wildlife, and local culture
Exploring beyond the Keys? Check out Moon Florida Gulf Coast.
About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can’t wait to share their favorite places with you.
For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.
- Flexible itineraries including a 5-day family vacation, a baseball spring training trip, and a 10-day road trip covering all 700 miles of the Florida Gulf Coast
- The best spots for outdoor adventures like kayaking, hiking, biking, bird-watching, and fishing, and the best beaches for swimming, sunsets, and seclusion
- Top activities and unique experiences: Discover the vibrant performing arts scene in Sarasota or stroll through quaint riverfront towns and secluded island enclaves. Unwind on shell-scattered beaches or spot gators in the swampy Everglades. Ride the coasters at Busch Gardens, browse art galleries in Naples, or catch a college baseball game during Spring Training. Sail through the canals of Tampa, kick back at a beachfront oyster bar, and sip a local brew as the sun sets over the ocean
- Expert advice from Florida local Joshua Lawrence Kinser on where to stay, what to eat, and how to get around by car, bus, or boat
- Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout
- Background information on the Gulf Coast’s landscape, wildlife, history, and culture
For more of the Sunshine State, try Moon Florida Keys.
About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can’t wait to share their favorite places with you.
For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.
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