A Tampa to Miami road trip is not very long, but there are plenty of places to visit throughout the Sunshine State. You will start heading out from Tampa. At this point, you can enjoy the Gulf Coast beaches or thrilling attractions in the area. When you pass by Orlando, there are plenty of things to see and do. After all, the "City Beautiful" is often called the "Vacation Capital of the World." Finally, your trip will conclude in Miami. This South Florida city is well-known for its delicious foods, exciting nightlife, and exclusive shopping districts.
When planning your next road trip itinerary from Tampa to Miami, you should consider stopping by a few national parks. There are three national parks in Florida, and they are all close to your route. If you want to learn more about these spots, please visit RVshare’s national parks guide.
Biscayne National Park
If you want to enjoy the best of Florida, then you should head to Biscayne National Park. This national park will amaze you with its blue waters and unique coral reefs. With its proximity to Miami, this is one of the few national parks where you can see an urban landscape from the grounds. The park covers over 172,000 acres of land and water, and it only takes an hour to get here from Miami. If you want to check out the shallow-water shipwrecks and reefs, you will need to get in the water. There are also boats that you can rent to get a closer look at the natural landscape. This seagrass ecosystem is home to many native species, including bottle-nosed dolphins that love to bob in and out of the water.
Everglades National Park
Florida is home to one of the most famous national parks in the United States. Everglades National Park is the largest tropical wilderness in the country as it covers over 1.5 million acres of pine flatwoods, coastal mangroves, and sawgrass marshes. Beyond its size, the park also holds the notable distinction as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within the protected park, you can find many endangered animals and other wildlife, such as manatees, Florida panthers, and American crocodiles. Everglades National Park is a popular spot for visitors. It is estimated that over a million people visit the park to boat, bird-watch, or backcountry camp.
Dry Tortugas National Park
For a unique experience, you might want to head down to the Florida Keys. Dry Tortugas National Park is only accessible by boat or seaplane. If you travel by ferry, it is a 70-mile trip to this remote location. Dry Tortugas National Park consists of seven islands and several coral reefs. On the island, you will find Fort Jefferson, a 19th-century fortress. The crystal-clear waters are the perfect place to see the sea life up close and personal. This spot is an excellent place to swim, boat, fish, or snorkel. Windjammer Wreck is the most accessible and popular location near the island if you want to check out the shipwrecks.
On your Tampa to Miami RV road trip, you will find that there are many Florida state parks on the route. You will want to visit RVshare’s Florida state park guide for a more detailed description of these areas.
Bahia Honda State Park
Located near Homestead, this tropical paradise was founded in 1961. Bahia Honda State Park covers about 524 acres. While you are there, you will want to hit the beach and enjoy some fun beachcombing activities. If you want to get into the water, Bahia is a great spot to snorkel or swim. There is also a historic bridge that once connected Bahia Honda Key to Spanish Harbor Key. This park has plenty of recreational opportunities, such as hiking and boating. For those who want to see the local wildlife, Bahia Honda is an excellent spot to see tropical fish, sea turtles, bottle-nosed dolphins, and giant rays.
Blue Spring State Park
Manatees are some of Florida's most treasured residents. If you have always wanted to see one up close, you should head over to Blue Spring State Park in Orange City. During the winter, the manatees will seek warmer waters, and they usually head to Blue Spring. You can often see over 300 manatees relaxing and warming up in the waters. When the manatees have left, you can still view other forms of wildlife, including herons, turtles, and alligators. Throughout the year, there are recreational activities at the park. Many people will swim in the waters or take a paddleboard out for some fun. For those who want to stay above the water, there is a boardwalk that will allow you to view the manatees.
Anastasia State Park
Outside of St. Augustine, you will find Anastasia State Park. This park encompasses over 1,600 acres of sand dunes, beaches, and marches. Many people head here to see the native birds that flock to the area, including warblers, roseate spoonbills, eagles, ospreys, and painted buntings.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
This 335-acre African-themed park is located in the city of Tampa. It features many notable thrill rides and roller coasters, including the tallest free-standing drop tower in North America and the tallest launch coaster in Florida. Along with the thrill rides, you can check out the animals and reptiles in the 65-acre Serengeti Plain exhibit.
Gatorland
This 110-acre wildlife preserve is just outside of Kissimmee. It has been called the "Alligator Capital of the World" with its extensive collection of crocodiles, alligators, and other animals. You can see the gators from the observation tower or boardwalk. There are plenty of shows during the day, including alligator feedings and wrestling presentations. Gatorland also offers educational programs to help visitors learn more about these reptiles.
Pérez Art Museum Miami
This contemporary art museum is located in the downtown district of Miami, and it is in a 20-acre area known as Museum Park. Its permanent collection contains over 1,800 pieces, including 20th- and 21st-century art from Africa, Western Europe, and the Americas. This museum is very popular as it broke attendance records during the first months of opening to the public.
Bayside Marketplace
This open-air shopping center is located in downtown Miami. Along with retail stores, the Bayside has live music, bars, and restaurants. There are also plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy throughout the year.
From Tampa to Miami, you will pass through many cities and towns. You might want to stop off and explore the best offerings of these locations. During your trip, there are several campgrounds and dump stations for you to relax and stay sanitary on the road.
Lakeland
When you are in Lakeland, you can head northeast to the thrilling theme parks in Orlando or head west and take a relaxing day at the Gulf Coast beaches. Lakeland also has a historic antique district filled with dealers, specialty shops, art galleries, restaurants, and museums. For those who want to camp out for the day, you can find a few campgrounds in the area.
Kissimmee
Kissimmee is close to several major theme parks, including Universal Studios Orlando and the Walt Disney World Resort. The city lies along the shores of Lake Tohopekaliga, and you can find plenty of water sports to occupy your time. The Kissimmee Waterfront Park is home to a fishing pier, walking paths, and playgrounds. When you are done for the day, you can find several campgrounds located near the city.
West Palm Beach
On the Atlantic coast of Florida, you will find West Palm Beach. For many people, they consider this city to be the recreational and cultural center of the state. One of the major draws is the shopping district in the downtown area. However, the beach should not be missed on your next vacation. At the end of the day, you don't have to look far to find a campground to relax in for the night.
You can enjoy the spectacular views of Florida on your road trip from Tampa to Miami. If you are ready to book your trip, don't forget to rent an RV for your next vacation. At RVshare, you can find a wide selection of vehicles in Tampa or Miami. When you book with RVshare, you will have a stress-free time on your Tampa to Miami road trip.
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