We’re going on a backroads road trip that takes in the best backroads destinations Florida has to offer. We’re leaving the crowds behind in favor of sun, sand, sea, and space adventures.
With its warm climate and year-round sunshine, Florida has a lot to tempt visitors to its shores. However, join us as we discover some of Florida’s hidden secrets, starting on the stunning Gulf Coast.
Head west with us to the white sandy beaches of Clearwater and the neighboring barrier islands. Here, the calm coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico will help you unwind as you can paddleboard, cycle, or rollerblade around these offshore islands.
Our first suggestion is to try a Clearwater Segway Tours experience, an excellent way for friends and families to discover the pristine Clearwater beaches and the vibrant surrounding sights along the way. These fantastic Segway tours take you around a 7.5-mile loop around Beachwalk, the downtown marina, and the historic Harbor Oaks areas of Clearwater.
Also, don’t miss the chance to meet Clearwaters’ famous aquatic wildlife in person with a Little Toot Dolphin Adventure Tour. These incredible tours even come with a 100% dolphin sighting guarantee for a chance to see these Clearwater locals in their natural habitat.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Yacht Harbor Inn.
Our second stop on our backroads tour of Florida means heading south along the coast to the city of Naples, the gateway to the Florida Everglades. Lined with miles of sandy white beaches in either direction, Naples is a truly relaxing Florida destination.
We suggest joining the team at Marco Eco Tours on one of their massive selections of kayaking excursions. Tour the Ten Thousand Islands off the coast of Naples, or head down the coast for a Mangrove Tunnel Kayaking eco-friendly tour.
If you prefer to keep your feet on dry land, head to the Naples Botanical Gardens. Founded in 1993, these 170-acre botanical gardens are dedicated to flora found around the world between the 26th latitude. With guided tours and food available from the Fogg Café, the botanical gardens are worth a visit before heading east on our next backroads stop across Florida.
Book your stay at Best Western Naples Inn & Suites.
Famous for its delicious seafood restaurants and oyster bars, Stuart is the third destination on our backroads tour of the Sunshine State.
First, we will visit the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, located just behind Stuart Beach on Hutchinson Island. As an interactive attraction, kids and adults can learn more about some of Florida’s incredible sea life. With guided tours, multiple exhibitions, and a chance to see a range of sharks and sea turtles up close and even stroke the stingrays.
After exploring Stuart’s local marine wildlife, treat yourself by taking an exciting boat trip with Island Princess Cruises. Located on the mainland, you can enjoy a Jupiter Island Lunch Cruise or a Stuart Sunset Cruise to end a perfect day in this fabulous city.
Book your stay at Best Western Downtown Stuart.
Leaving the coast behind, our next backroads trip takes us inland to Lake Okeechobee, the largest freshwater lake in Florida. Famed for its bass fishing, Lake Okeechobee is a great way to escape the hordes of tourists who head to the state for the theme park attractions.
Okeechobee provides visitors an excellent opportunity to explore the surrounding Florida Everglades and safely see some wild crocodiles in their natural habitat. Eaglebay Adventures take visitors out for an Everglades Airboat ride, escorting you through the marshlands of Eaglebay to Limpkin Creek and its impressively tall local Cyprus trees.
For an authentic Florida backroads visitor experience, head to the Fort Drum Crystal Mine for a chance to excavate a fossilized clam. This unique attraction allows you to hunt for ancient clams that have developed a honey golden calcite crystal interior that becomes fluorescent when placed under a black light.
Book your stay at Best Western Lake Okeechobee.
Our final stop on this backroads road trip is a genuine gateway to outer space. Heading back to Florida’s Atlantic east coast, we end our journey in Cocoa Beach.
Over the decades, Cocoa Beach has witnessed many historical launches from nearby Cape Canaveral, as NASA pioneered sending people into space and to the moon. Even if you’re too young to remember the Apollo missions, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is well worth a visit. Take the tour to see the rockets they used and stand next to the space shuttle Atlantis before exploring what space travel might look like in the future, too.
Our final suggestion must be a deep-sea fishing trip with Cocoa Beach’s Fin and Fly Charters. Take to the seas and try to catch some local Mahi Mahi dazzling colors, sailfish, and tarpon before heading home after your fantastic Florida backroads adventure.
Book your stay at Best Western Cocoa Beach Hotel & Suites.