Florida is an amazing and beautiful state with a huge variety of entertainment options. Crowded beaches in Miami, Disney World in Orlando, and numerous water parks are great places to have fun and hang out. However, sometimes you want to take a break from your daily adventures and visit quieter places. Fortunately, Florida has enough of such sights, and you can easily find them when traveling in a rental car.
Pick up Routes car rental Orlando and you will have access to all the best in Florida. Orlando is located in the central part of the state, making getting to every corner convenient and hassle-free.
Well, if you’ve been long dreaming of a quiet and relaxing weekend in Florida, here’re some perfect places to go in a rental car…
Crowley Museum and Nature Center
Crowley Museum and Nature Center is located near Sarasota, and 138 miles away from Orlando. You need about 2 hours to get there in a rental car. Crowley is a huge complex, showing a reconstruction of the life of the first settlers in the United States.
There you will learn how the colonists lived, what they ate, how they ran their household, and what the level of medicine was. An experienced guide accompanies each visitor. He can answer questions not only about the life of the community, but also about the plants encountered and how they might have been used.
Crowley also offers an extensive children’s program. Young adventurers can improve their wilderness survival skills on a swamp trail full of real alligators. A whole day spent in the form of a character of that time helps to better understand the history and nature of Florida.
Address: 16405 Myakka Rd, Sarasota, FL 34240
Goodwood Museum and Gardens
The conserved and restored Goodwood Plantation is the origins of early 19th century Florida. Its grounds are full of iconic structures, including a mansion with a ground-floor terrace typical of the southern states, a former coach house, a water tower, and sheds for storing gardening tools and equipment.
However, the main attraction is the heated pool, which was the only one in Florida at that time. Around is a beautiful garden with flower beds, shrubs, and tall ancient trees with Spanish moss hanging from them.
It is known that the first mansion on this site was built in the 1830s by the brothers Hardy and Brian Crum. On the plantations around the house, they grew cotton and corn. For this, about 250 slaves were hired. Subsequently, the house changed several owners, and in the end, it became available to the public.
Now the Goodwood Museum and Gardens is a great location for a leisurely cultural sightseeing tour. Therefore, rent a car and go there on your next Florida road trip!
Address: 1600 Miccosukee Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32308
Everglades National Park
Florida’s nature isn’t just about endless beaches. Drive your rental car to the Everglades National Park to check it out. The territory of the park is a giant swamp with many hiking, cycling, and car routes laid through its arid places.
Come here to watch alligators. Reptiles like to crawl onto footpaths or lie in the grass right next to the paths. Other permanent residents of these places are blue herons.
Small airboat excursions are very popular in the Everglades. However, it’s much cheaper to hit the road along the bike route. While pedaling, you will have enough time to enjoy the wildlife around. You can also rent a canoe or kayak and explore the wilderness by following the map with the most interesting water routes.
Address: 40001 State Hwy 9336, Homestead, FL 33034
Jacksonville Museum of Contemporary Art
The Museum of Modern Art in Jacksonville is one of the best similar museums not only in Florida, but throughout the United States. Only works by contemporary artists from 1960 are collected there. Now the museum has about 1000 exhibits, and the collection is constantly growing.
The main task of the museum is to create a unique environment where you can fully immerse yourself in modern cultural trends. It succeeded! The foundation of the museum collection is the works of the forefathers: Pablo Picasso, Frank Stella, and Joan Mitchell. Their work is constantly on display, while the rest of the exhibit changes. The gallery also organizes exhibitions of recognized masters of our time.
If you want to surprise your brain, visit the Hall of Optical Illusions available in the museum. You will see many interesting things: from standard drawing illusions to the most complex computer graphics. It becomes unclear how all this happens, but it allows you to look at the world from a different angle and expand the range of your thinking.
Address: 333 N Laura St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Haulover Beach
If you still want to enjoy a beach holiday, then head to Haulover Beach. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida. It’s located on a thin spit of sand between Miami Beach and the peninsula.
Not only clean sand attracts travelers here. Another magnet is chic waves, which is why surfers from all over the world come there to ride the boards. These are great places for families. A variety of specially equipped picnic areas allow you to spend your time comfortably in a calm, relaxed atmosphere.
The blue ocean on sunny days merges with the sky, and this creates the illusion of endless serenity. Just cross the road and you will find yourself in a shady park. The courts and golf courses will captivate the parents, while the kids will like to go kiting. Despite its high popularity, Haulover Beach remains a fairly quiet place that allows you to find harmony.
Address: 10800 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33154
As you can see, Florida is a pretty versatile state where you can have a great time in different ways. The main thing is to organize your trip correctly. Use the Florida Road Trip Guide to prepare well for your journey and find even more great travel ideas to enjoy in the Sunshine State.
