SEARCH THIS WEBSITE

Your Guide to Off the Beaten Path Florida

Millions of people visit Florida every year and never really see it.  They travel down to the state to Orlando or Tampa or Miami on the Interstate or Turnpike and are missing the real Florida.

I-95 in Miami on a Good Day When Traffic is Moving

What they see is a crowded multi‑lane highway slashing through the woods and swamps with billboards on both sides promoting theme parks, souvenirs and smiling lawyers.

Every interchange seems to have the same gas stations, chain restaurants and tourist traps. It all the same scenery.

These Interstate travelers miss the other Florida: the serene place of natural wonders, historic sites and towns that have somehow escaped the frantic growth.

That takes a bit more time and a handy guide such as Florida Backroads Travel.

Fork in the Road in Citrus County

The first Interstate highways in Florida didnʹt begin to rear their ugly heads until the early 1960s, and I was lucky to live here when all travel around the state was on the back roads.

I created Florida Backroads Travel to tell you about those roads less traveled and guide you along the way.

This website is loaded with information on day trips you will enjoy, and maps are provided with routes clearly marked for you so you can enjoy the back roads without getting lost.

Mural in Hollywood, Florida

You will visit small towns and hear a bit about their history and will also be told about festivals, wineries, museums, heritage sites, beaches, parks, smaller attractions and quaint local restaurants and authentic old Florida inns.

New and updated articles are added to the website every day.

Naples Botanical Gardens

The website also has a section with about 250 attractions based on themes of interest.

Examples include museums, botanical gardens, outdoor adventures, Seminole culture, and many others.

Please dig around in this website to your heart's content.  You will unearth countless treasures.

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. Venice, Florida: Locomotive Engineers Put It on the Right Track

    Nov 13, 18 05:38 PM

    Venice Florida has old world charm in a beautiful tropical setting. Its beaches are among the best in Florida. The beaches are why Venice is known as the "Shark Tooth Capital of the World". Don't worr…

    Read More

  2. Mandarin, Florida. Historic Village on the St Johns River

    Nov 13, 18 02:50 PM

    Mandarin is famous as the Florida home of Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin". Mandarin was named after the Mandarin Orange by an early settler in the area named Calvin Reed.

    Read More

  3. Montverde, Florida: Historic Town On Lake Apopka

    Nov 13, 18 11:23 AM

    Montverde, Florida is a quiet town of less than 1,000 people on the west shore of Lake Apopka. It is about 23 miles west of Orlando.

    Read More

  4. Sarasota Florida: Circus, Art and Elegance By The Sea

    Nov 12, 18 07:50 AM

    Sarasota is an irresistible combination of natural beauty and cultural advantages. It's heritage of cultured and intelligent pioneers has made Sarasota a unique place.

    Read More

  5. Melbourne Florida: Beautiful City On The Space Coast

    Nov 11, 18 07:42 PM

    Melbourne, Florida is a small city on the Indian River Lagoon in Central East Florida. It was named after Melbourne, Australia.

    Read More

  6. Naples, Florida. Naples on the Gulf

    Nov 11, 18 07:39 PM

    Naples Florida is a small city with an interesting history and a vibrant artistic and cultural life. There is also golf and the Everglades.

    Read More

  7. Florida Universities and Colleges: Something for Everyone

    Nov 11, 18 06:52 PM

    Florida universities and colleges range in size from giants like the University of Florida in Gainesville or the University of Central Florida in Orlando, down to the tiny new school of Ave Maria Univ…

    Read More

  8. Florida Tales Around the Sunshine State

    Nov 11, 18 06:46 PM

    Florida tales are short stories, novel summaries, and fragments from our visitors. They are colorful glimpses of Old Florida and present times in the Sunshine State.

    Read More

  9. Florida Culture is a Diverse Mix of Old and New

    Nov 11, 18 06:45 PM

    Florida culture mirrors that of the United States but with some important differences contributed by immigrants from the Caribbean and Latin America.

    Read More

  10. Eustis, Florida Is Named For A Seminole War General

    Nov 11, 18 06:35 PM

    Eustis, Florida is a thriving small town on the eastern shore of Lake Eustis in Central Florida. It is named for a Seminole War general.

    Read More

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.  He has a love of Old Florida that 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 a variety of vehicles on the Florida back roads

OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

Over 67,000 followers can't be wrong. Learn about off the beaten path Old Florida, historic towns, attractions,  festivals, scenic drives and more.

Like Us On Facebook

20181026