Tranquility happens with palm trees, blue water, white sands, scenic coastal towns, and fun attractions along the way.

A road trip is the best way to see the eastern side of the Sunshine State.  Explore the Sunshine State of Florida, use this post as inspiration to discover the top East Coast Florida vacation spots.

Be ready to see top tourist destinations, Florida East Coast cities, go off the beaten path, and find the best places to stop on an East Coast Florida road trip – today – tomorrow – or next weekend.

This is a sample road trip itinerary with multiple stops allowing you to customize the journey.

The first stop on the Florida A1A (Atlantic Avenue) road trip is touristy downtown Amelia Island, FL. This top tourist town is filled with cute shops, and wonderful restaurants, in a historic coastal setting.

Visitors stroll Amelia Island downtown, spend the day playing on the water, or visit top-rated Ferdinando Beach. These historic Sunshine State streets are packed with tourists during peak season.

If you are looking for travel less crowded, highly recommend a stay at one of Amelia Island’s exclusive high-end resorts. History seekers will enjoy an afternoon adventure to Fort Clinch State Park.

Booking ONLINE Accommodations:

Next stop – The peaceful, unspoiled beaches of Talbot Island State Park. Camping, fishing, biking, sunbathing, ocean wading, and biking are all popular Talbot Park activities. An inexpensive entrance fee is required, but well worth the visit.

Address: 12157 Heckscher Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32226 

Address: A1A North, Jacksonville, FL 32226

Tourists get to hop off Heckscher Drive and drive directly onto Huguenot Beach. This is the only 4×4 drive-able white beach sand in the city of Jacksonville, Florida. Locals love the coastline and white sands of Huguenot.

Huguenot Beach is one of the best places to stop on a Florida East Coast road trip and is a hidden gem.

Address: 10980 Heckscher Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32226 IMPORTANT – two parks with similar names exist. Ensure you GPS the beach on Heckscher!

Experience the Mayport Ferry as it transports both passengers and cars over the St. Johns River. The ferry at Mayport is a shortcut that connects Mayport to areas close to Florida’s Atlantic and Jax shorelines. 

Address: 4780 Ocean St, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 Cost: Car Weekday $7 Car Weekend $8.

Looking for a fun place to stop off Atlantic Avenue? Visit the cute town center between Neptune and Atlantic beaches.

This small-town beach community offers top dining, fun beach bars, and locally-owned shops.

When deciding where to stay off A1A Atlantic Avenue in Northeastern Florida – chose Jacksonville Beach. Jax Beach, Duvall County offers great nightlife, wide-open beaches, great beach hotels, resorts, and incredible fun.

Steve and I enjoy the Hampton Inn Oceanfront property, for ocean views, a tiki bar, and a resort-style pool.

Jax Beach as referred to by locals, has great beachfront accommodations.  A few I can personally recommend are, The Hampton Inn Oceanfront – Margaritaville Resort and SpringHill Suites by Marriott. 

Fall in love with the drive from Jacksonville Beach to St. Augustine.

The breathtaking 24-mile stretch of coastal highway A1A winds through beachfront residential areas, vacation rentals, pull-offs to nearby nature areas, and practically deserted beaches. Roll the window down, take in the fresh air, and explore.

Don’t miss pull-offs where wildlife refugees welcome road trippers with a phenomenal natural coastline.

Tourists vacationing in America’s oldest city, St. Augustine, will find amazing attractions and fun activities.

On this leg of the A1A journey, travelers should plan extra time. Saint Augustine offers so many great things to do, and see, and places to stay.

See this link for my review of the St. Francis Inn, St. Augustine, Florida.

Daytona Beach is a grown-up playground, with fantastic nightlife, oceanfront properties, and a carnival-like beach persona. Guests of Daytona have the added attraction of being able to drive on designated areas of the beaches.

Driveable beaches are one of the things that make Daytona famous. Another top attraction in Daytona, Volusia County, US – The Daytona National Speedway. Tours of the most recognizable racetracks in the USA are available daily. This is a Daytona must-visit destination.

1801 W International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Disney World is one of Florida’s most popular tourist destinations.  Important to note that Walt Disney World is located in Central Florida, not the coast.  Travelers making their final destination in Disney should continue no farther than Daytona Beach along A1A.

Plan an Afternoon stop at Florida’s famous beach pier in Cocoa Beach and the space coast. Cocoa Beach Pier is always a favorite tourist spot. However, the best reason to visit this Brevard County treasure is the lovely beaches and beachside restaurants. A top vacation destination for families with tons of things to do.

Lucky travelers may get the chance to see a SpaceX rocket launch from nearby Cape Canaveral. The best tour in the area will be found at the Kennedy Space Center and is a must-visit for families.

Melbourne is the perfect transition into the Southeastern sector of the Florida Coast. Here the weather starts to heat up, but unlike many other Florida cities, Melbourne is laid back. Life seems to go by a little slower in Melbourne with a tropical drink in hand.

Eastern Florida road trip stop at McKee Botanical Gardens is the best way to spend the day in downtown Vero Beach. Situated on an 18-acre property the Mckee Botanical Gardens is a tropical flower lovers’ paradise.

Besides the beauty of the botanical gardens, Vero Beach -Indian River County, USA offers guests lovely sunny outdoor spaces, shopping, family-owned restaurants, and art galleries.

Paddleboarding, kayaking, wildlife watching, and boating are all favorites when traveling to Jupiter Florida, and Palm Beach County, FL.

For those travelers like myself who prefer dry land, check out the traveler’s favorite Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum Tour.  

500 Captain Armours Way, Jupiter, FL 33469

Maybe it’s because I’m from New Jersey, but Boca Raton is my top pick for resort destinations in Southern Florida.

Could it be that I noticed so many familiar distinctive Jersey accents?

But let’s talk about Boca Raton Palm Beach County, FL – My top resort town offers upscale amenities, fabulous bars, and a gorgeous beach atmosphere.  Don’t Miss Mizner Park!

Spend an exciting day on the open waters, even if you have zero fishing ability.

Deerfield Beach in Broward County, Florida offers several charter fishing tours. Take a break from the road and get out on the Atlantic Ocean waters.

We used a discount fishing tour company that only costs $99 per person. See the Review!

Fort Lauderdale is famously known for breathtaking beaches, nightlife, bars, dining, outdoor attractions, and a historic riverfront.

Guests of this most popular travel destination will find no shortage of top-rated things to see.

Plan extra time on this eastern Florida road trip because there is no way to pack in all the fun in one day. For this leg of your sunny vacation plan and book activities in advance.

Bonnet House Museum and Gardens

Fort Lauderdale Beaches

Las Olas Boulevard

Visit Lauderdale by the Sea

A recent discovery for Steve and me is The Seminole Hard Rock Casino and Hotel. If you have not heard of this gaming paradise, you can’t miss the guitar-shaped hotel glittering the Hollywood, FL skyline.

For adults looking for an escape from the beaches and some gambling excitement, this stop on the journey is waiting for you.

The final stop on this Eastern Florida road trip ends in magnificent Miami, Florida, Dade County. Miami is the place for luxury, high-class resorts, and decadence. Luxury for the upscale bars, art deco pastel homes, fine dining, and possible celebrity sightings.

Everything about Miami is fabulous, making this final stop before heading down to the Florida Keys perfect.  Most popular attractions in Miami, Florida include South beach, Wynwood Walls, and the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

Amelia Island is a beautiful barrier island off the coast of Northeast Florida. Amelia Island is a great place to start your road trip. This island is known for its white-sand beaches, historic districts, and charming shops. Spend your first day exploring the island, whether you’re swimming, sunbathing, or biking along the beach. In the evening, enjoy a leisurely dinner at one of Amelia Island’s many fine restaurants.

St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States. This town is full of history and charm. Be sure to visit the Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century Spanish fort. Another popular tourist attraction is the Fountain of Youth. You can also explore St. Augustine’s historic district, with its cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial architecture.

Daytona Beach is known for its world-famous speedway. There is more to this city than just racing. Daytona Beach is also home to beautiful beaches and a lively nightlife scene. Popular tourist attractions include the Museum of Arts and Sciences and the Daytona Beach Pier.

Cocoa Beach is a great place to visit if you’re interested in space exploration. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is located nearby. You can also go for a swim at the beach or take a boat tour of the Indian River Lagoon.

Fort Lauderdale is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches, canals, and nightlife. You can spend your day swimming, sunbathing, or boating in the Intracoastal Waterway. In the evening, enjoy a show at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts or head to one of Fort Lauderdale’s many nightclubs.

Miami is an exciting city with something for everyone. You can visit the beach, explore the Everglades, or shop at one of Miami’s many malls. You can also visit the Pérez Art Museum Miami, the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, or the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

Key West is the southernmost point in the continental United States, and it’s a great place to relax and enjoy the laid-back Keys lifestyle. Spend your day swimming, sunbathing, or fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum or the Key West Lighthouse. In the evening book a romantic sunset cruise.

This is just a sample itinerary, and you can customize it to fit your interests and time constraints.

No matter how you choose to spend your time, you’re sure to have a great time on your 7-day Florida road trip from Amelia Island to Miami, with a bonus ride to Key West.