Suggestions for Road Trip to FL During Xmas
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 246
Suggestions for Road Trip to FL During Xmas
Need some suggestion for road trip from Atlanta to FL for Xmas break.
Went to Orlando for Universal before and trying to look for other places this time.
Suggestions & advices are appreciated !
Went to Orlando for Universal before and trying to look for other places this time.
Suggestions & advices are appreciated !
#5
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
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I guess that rules out the Keys, depending on what you mean by too long. I second the Tampa Bay suggestion. Plenty to do, better chance for warm weather than further north. A compromise on too long a drive.
#7
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Jupiter, FL
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Maybe Jacksonville Beach. Still colder.
#8
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Location: Jupiter, FL
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It looks like St Pete is about 7 hours from downtown Atlanta. Not sure if that is acceptable. Lots of stuff to do in the Tampa-St Pete area. Beaches, bars, museums, amusement parks, aquarium, etc.
#9
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Central Florida, US
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 634
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 246
I was looking at Destin and Panama City since they are more driver friendly (in terms of duration).
Anyways, do you think it will be a wise idea to visit both places at the same time or I should plan a trip for each place separately.
Thanks !
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 246
You could make a detour to St. Augustine and then take I-4 to Orlando. Nights of Lights is especially festive during the holiday season. http://augustine.com/event/nights-lights
The night lights actually looks pretty cool and worth a stay for it
Anything particularly fun that you will suggest to do in Orlando besides theme parks ? Thanks !
#12
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Location: Jupiter, FL
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Silver
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looks like that's my max max threshold lol
I was looking at Destin and Panama City since they are more driver friendly (in terms of duration).
Anyways, do you think it will be a wise idea to visit both places at the same time or I should plan a trip for each place separately.
Thanks !
I was looking at Destin and Panama City since they are more driver friendly (in terms of duration).
Anyways, do you think it will be a wise idea to visit both places at the same time or I should plan a trip for each place separately.
Thanks !
I'm also considering visiting Jacksonville and St. Augustine at the same time as I only drove pass Jacksonville before.
The night lights actually looks pretty cool and worth a stay for it
Anything particularly fun that you will suggest to do in Orlando besides theme parks ? Thanks !
The night lights actually looks pretty cool and worth a stay for it
Anything particularly fun that you will suggest to do in Orlando besides theme parks ? Thanks !
Orlando has a decent nightlife downtown. Winter Park has a great shopping area. And there is a ton of non theme park tourist stuff like go karts, gatorland, ice bar, putt putt golf, etc.
Also, the Gaylord Palms has their ICE! exhibit that is pretty cool. Huge holiday themed ice carvings in a giant 13 degree tent. Info on their website. Buy tickets in advance, so you don't sit in the line.
#13
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Central Florida, US
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 634
I'm also considering visiting Jacksonville and St. Augustine at the same time as I only drove pass Jacksonville before.
The night lights actually looks pretty cool and worth a stay for it
Anything particularly fun that you will suggest to do in Orlando besides theme parks ? Thanks !
The night lights actually looks pretty cool and worth a stay for it
Anything particularly fun that you will suggest to do in Orlando besides theme parks ? Thanks !
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 246
Destin has more "stuff" than Panama City. I would opt for that. Better restaurants, activities, beaches, etc.
If you visit Jax, there isn't much there. I would opt for either St Augustine, as suggested, Jax Beach, or Amelia Island, if you are into nature, biking, etc.
Orlando has a decent nightlife downtown. Winter Park has a great shopping area. And there is a ton of non theme park tourist stuff like go karts, gatorland, ice bar, putt putt golf, etc.
Also, the Gaylord Palms has their ICE! exhibit that is pretty cool. Huge holiday themed ice carvings in a giant 13 degree tent. Info on their website. Buy tickets in advance, so you don't sit in the line.
If you visit Jax, there isn't much there. I would opt for either St Augustine, as suggested, Jax Beach, or Amelia Island, if you are into nature, biking, etc.
Orlando has a decent nightlife downtown. Winter Park has a great shopping area. And there is a ton of non theme park tourist stuff like go karts, gatorland, ice bar, putt putt golf, etc.
Also, the Gaylord Palms has their ICE! exhibit that is pretty cool. Huge holiday themed ice carvings in a giant 13 degree tent. Info on their website. Buy tickets in advance, so you don't sit in the line.
since they are all nearby, should be able to visit all the places in one trip
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 246
Well, the theme parks are the reason most people come. However, there is one "attraction" that is not advertised and just a short drive north of Orlando. I'm talking about Blue Spring State Park http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/default.cfm which is the winter home of many manatees. You can see them in their natural habitat. This is a preview of what you are likely to see http://www.savethemanatee.org/savethemanateecam.html
thanks for the suggestion