Printable View
Would any one like to suggest an exciting route for a 5 day road trip from Houston, TX to Miami, FL and back?
I am looking to drive along on an exciting route other than the regular one. Any pointers for certain places to visit along the route are welcome.
Welcome to the RTA Forum!
I guess the key question is what do you consider to be an "exciting route?" Without knowing anything about your or your interests, and the answer to that question, It's going to be difficult to provide much in the way of specific advice.
5 days gives you quite a few options, but you'll have to provide some guidance first.
Hello!
Is 5 days the total amount of time for your trip, or just for the drive? Houston to Miami and back by the most direct route is almost 2400 miles. If you plan to spend even a single day in Miami, you'll have to drive close to 600 miles on each of the other four days, and there really won't be any time for scenic detours. Google maps says you can make that drive in 34 hours--but in the real world, it takes a fair bit longer. For safety's sake, you shouldn't try to drive much more than 10 hours in a day--especially on a multi-day road trip. If you can dig up a little more time for this, it will be a much better experience!
Rick
OK.
You want exciting!
Are you SURE you want exciting, because I have it!!!
Head down the Gulf coast of Florida on I-75 and as you approach Bradenton, head for Myakka State Park. It is only 15 minutes off the exit.
Now, don’t see the general part of the park that all the tourists do. That’s boring. You’ll only see about 30 alligators.
No.
Get there when they open at 8am. Head to the Ranger Station and ask for one of the 30 daily permits to enter the wild area of the park. First come, first served; no reservations accepted. If you have a kayak, you can go that route, otherwise you can take a 2 1/2 mile hike. They will give you a map to the secret entrance and the code for the keypad to open the gate. Your destination in either case is DEEP HOLE.
By Kayak or on foot, you will reach Deep Hole, a large deep sinkhole. For some reason alligators are drawn to this geological oddity. Lots of alligators, and I mean LOTS of alligators. They surround the shore of the hole and infest the waters. It is not for the faint of heart.
I remember my first visit. I got the 30’th permit, the last permit of the day. I was the last to visit the Hole. I was all alone and cautiously approached the edge of the hole. I stopped counting at 100 alligators. HUGE alligators. They were everywhere, and I kept looking around to make sure that none blocked my path to the distant trees! I almost had a heart attack when about 20 jumped into the water! I think they were after a bird but that was enough for me.
Oh, if you think that sounds exciting, bring a kayak! Been there done that too. Nothing like watching these behemoths quietly surface next to you!
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/myakka-river-state-park
Here is a video I took just after the alligators jumped in. Some days there are over 200 alligators here. Nothing between you and the alligators. Get as close as you dare!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3cJ00z8xZqc
Is that exciting enough for you?