FLORIDA TRAVEL GUIDE
Off the Beaten Path Places, Culture, and History
This Florida travel guide helps you navigate a state that is changing culturally and geographically faster than any other in the USA. The population has increased from 5 million in 1960 to almost 22 million in 2019.
Many new Floridians drive to work or vacation on the interstate highways or toll roads. This means they never get a chance to see Florida the way it was not so long ago.
They miss out on that other Florida, what we call Old Florida. It’s a serene place of natural wonders, beaches, historic sites and towns that have somehow escaped the frantic growth of recent years.
What they see instead are thousands of other unhappy people in vehicles creeping along on multi-lane highways. They see hundreds of ugly billboards on both sides of the highway as they lurch along with other cars all in a hurry.
Sometimes they can’t even use their cruise control because traffic is stop and go. The one finger salute has become the universal language of the crowded Florida highway. A simple trip is no longer any fun.
REMEMBER THE NOSTALGIA OF THE FAMILY RIDE?
Not many years ago, the family ride was a tradition in much of America, including Florida. Mom and Dad and the kids would pile into the car or station wagon and just ride around.
People believed a car was for pleasure, not just a machine to get them to work or run errands. They were not going anywhere in particular. It was just a ride to see new sights usually within few miles of their homes.
A lot of these rides were on Sunday afternoons after church. It was called “the Sunday drive”, and it was a part of American culture for most of the twentieth century
The pleasure was in the ride itself, not in the destination. In fact, there were usually no destinations unless you count stopping at an ice cream store or drive in for a treat.
This ride was not on the busy interstates or toll roads. It was on the roads less traveled because you were not in a big hurry.
The fun was in the anticipation and excitement of seeing a hill ahead and wondering what you will see on the other side. What kind of new and interesting cars you might see, people you might wave at or toot a friendly honk on the horn.
You slowed down to look at interesting old homes, historic markers, cows in a field, lakes, rivers, trees. Your joy was in what you were seeing, not just driving to get somewhere. You were not in a hurry. You just wanted to enjoy the pleasure of the ride.
That ride is what this Florida travel guide is all about. It is loaded with maps and suggestions for scenic drives, and none of these suggestions involve traveling on the interstate.
If you do want your ride to go somewhere, if the destination is important, then we have you covered there too.
This website is your Florida travel guide. Its pages are loaded with information on day trips, road trips, towns, parks, festivals, tourist attractions, lodging, Florida history, heritage, and culture. Hundreds of maps are provided with clearly marked routes.
Information is also identified with Florida's geographical regions: Northwest, North Central, Northeast, Central East, Central, Central West, Southwest, Southeast, the Everglades, and the Florida Keys.
We also have day trip information about things to do and places to visit within 100 miles of selected Florida cities, similar to the one you see above for Orlando.
The other cities are Pensacola, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, The Villages, Gainesville, Tampa, and south Florida including West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and the Florida Keys including Key West.
If you are interested in particular themes for your Florida adventure, we have information on attractions where you can find fun things to do and see based on your particular interest.
Examples include theme parks such as Walt Disney World, beaches, water based activities, performing arts centers, fresh water springs, hotels, and restaurants,
We have information on our recommended hotels, motels, resorts, and small inns. Many of these charming places are off the beaten path, away from the crowds and noise, but provided with the amenities you need to enjoy your vacation.
Enjoy your travel in the Sunshine State. We are confident our Florida travel guide will make your trip even more enjoyable.
FLORIDA TRAVEL GUIDE NEW AND UPDATED POSTS
Recent Articles
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St Cloud, Florida: Home of The Catfish Place
Nov 17, 19 12:12 AM
St Cloud Florida was originally developed as a retirement community for Civil War veterans of the Union Army.
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Crescent City, Florida: On Beautiful Crescent Lake
Nov 16, 19 11:50 PM
Crescent City is a small village on the western shore of Crescent Lake. The Lake drains into the St John River
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Tampa Florida Day Trips And One Tank Trips 100 miles Or Less
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There are many Tampa Florida day trips that will take you to places you will enjoy. All day trips are within 100 miles of Tampa.
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Monticello, Florida: Named For Thomas Jefferson's Virginia Home
Nov 16, 19 10:25 AM
Monticello Florida is a lovely small north central Florida town 20 miles east of Tallahassee.
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Florida Cracker Recipes: Lessons in Culinary History
Nov 14, 19 11:04 PM
Early pioneer Florida Crackers lived in a harsh land. They lived off the land and had simple recipes.
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Florida Cracker Restaurants. Good Southern Cooking
Nov 14, 19 08:49 PM
Florida cracker cuisine is distinctly Southern. Fried chicken, cornbread, collards, fried catfish, and more.
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Patrick Smith: Author of "A Land Remembered"
Nov 14, 19 07:51 PM
Patrick Smith (1927-2014) spent most of his adult life living in Merritt Island. He is a famous Florida author.
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Popular Road Trips Through Old Florida
Nov 14, 19 04:58 PM
These popular Florida road trips will give you an in-depth understanding of the diversity of the various regions of the state.
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Jacksonville: City on St. Johns River is Largest in Florida
Nov 14, 19 10:49 AM
Jacksonville has the largest land area of any Florida city. It is a town rich with history
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Florida Road Trip: Old Towns on the St Johns River
Nov 13, 19 10:25 AM
Old Florida towns on the St Johns River: a journey through Florida history.
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Homosassa, Florida: Old Fishing Village and River Heritage
Nov 13, 19 09:57 AM
Homosassa is on the river of the same name whose headwaters are in the springs of the same name.
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101 Best Florida Road Trips Off the Beaten Path with Maps
Nov 12, 19 10:31 AM
Florida road trips on the back roads are more fun and relaxing than ones on the interstates or turnpike.
WEBSITE AUTHOR
Mike Miller has lived in Florida since 1960. He graduated as a civil engineer from the University of Florida and has lived and worked in most areas of the state. His love of Florida is reflected in the pages of this website. Mike is the author of 18 separate Florida travel books that can be previewed or purchased at Amazon.
Mike has logged more than 2,000,000 miles in 35 different vehicles on the Florida back roads
Our Facebook page has more than 74,815 followers who love off the beaten path Florida: towns, lodging, road maps, festivals, attractions, scenic road trips, day trips, history, and more.
Take a look and if you enjoy what you see, please give us a like.
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