Florida road trip - not theme parks

[takeonyou]

Any great stops in Florida on the way to the Keys? We are planning on hitting the Everglades and Kennedy Space Center on the way hone. Any other must sees or must dos?

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[sushi]

If you're going to see the space center, Merritt Island is a beautiful nature preserve.

Are you doing turnpike or 95?

By no theme parks do you also mean you wouldn't be interested in miami metrozoo or parrot jungle and things like that?

[caddywompus]

St Augustine, Daytona Beach, Fort Clinch in Fernandina Beach......

[jenmjm]

I agree with St. Aug. Downtown isn't too far from the exit off 95.

[marsh127]

If you like wine, there is a winery called Schnebly down in Homestead.  The grounds are pretty nice and some of the wines are good.  What made it unique to me is the wines are all tropical.  Avocado, lychee, mango, etc. Sounds weird, but we liked a few of them actually.  We didn't really go anywhere else, but it's in a historic area called Redland and there are a few different things there. 

[bettyfinn]

What is your route and are you open to driving down one side of the coast (I95) and up the other one (I75)? Because there is a lot to see on either side of the state (and some stuff in the middle that isn't a theme park). Also, do you want (non theme park) attractions, activities or beaches? I'm a native and there are so many things to do and see in Florida that it will depend on your route and what types of things you'd like to do. In my top 5:

- swimming with the manatees in Crystal River (west side of the state)
- visiting Cocoa Beach, including Kennedy Space Center
- downtown St. Augustine
- the drive through the lower keys
- recreational boating in the Atlantic

Everglades is in my top 10; rent a bike and ride through Shark Valley and/or go on an airboat ride. Or rent a canoe!

Schnebly's is a good stop on the drive down as it is close to the end of the mainland. Also at the end, just before the 18 mile stretch, is Robert is Here, a fruit stand where you can get fresh shakes made out of all sorts of tropical fruit like jackfruit. A bit further north is Knauss Berry Farm which is also known for its shakes and sticky buns.

[mrskorb]

Take the TP rather than 95.