FLORIDA EAST COAST ROAD TRIP: 25 BEST STOPS

The Florida East Coast road trip is one of the most scenic drives you may ever take. You can start your drive from the southern part of Florida, for instance from Miami going up towards Fort Lauderdale, Daytona Beach, and Jupiter, finishing right at the top, in Jacksonville.

HALLANDALE BEACH OCEANFRONT

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Surrounded by luxurious condos and hotels, as well as lifeguard towers in beautiful colors, Hallandale Beach Oceanfront looks like a postcard picture. There are paid garages but street parking is not available. The beach is wheelchair accessible and open to the public.

FORT LAUDERDALE

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Fort Lauderdale is known as the Venice of America—the boats and yachts parked in the waterways and in front of big mansions are beyond breathtaking. Similarly, the beautiful white sand beaches with blue water are a magnet to this city. There are so many things to do in Fort Lauderdale, you might need to spend a full day or two to properly enjoy your Florida East Coast adventure.

LAUDERDALE BY THE SEA

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Lauderdale by the Sea is a town that sits between Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale. The beaches are very beautiful, and the cafés and restaurants are bonused with live music and gourmet lobsters. Diving is the main reason why people go to Lauderdale by the Sea. Others will go there to snorkel as there are so many different and colorful species of tropical fish—if you get lucky you see a turtle.

POMPANO BEACH

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Pompano Beach will remind you of a blockbuster movie full of big boats and yachts. “The heart of the Gold Coast”, so they say. Everybody knows that you go to Pompano Beach for the fine dining, the scuba diving, the snorkeling, and the shopping—all make what Pompano Beach is now. The beauty of the fishing pier attracts people to Pompano Beach.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

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The city of Lighthouse Point also sits on the Florida East Coast. The main attraction here is the Hillsboro Inlet lighthouse which stands near Hillsboro Beach.

DEERFIELD BEACH

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This, not overcrowded beach, is also found on Florida East Coast. People go to Deerfield beach when they want very clean water and a clear beach with not many people. There are plenty of places to dine, shop, fish, surf, wakeboard, cable ski, and skate. Quiet Waters Park is known for skating.

BOCA RATON

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The city of Boca Raton is known for its beautiful parks, beaches, and big golf courses. Be sure to go to Red Reef Park and see the beautiful butterfly garden, turtle sanctuary, as well as take a walk following the trails— all these are right in the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. You are fine to museums downtown Boca Raton. Make sure you spare some time to visit the Spanish River Park and enjoy the breeze.

DELRAY BEACH

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At Delray Beach, you will have the pleasure of not only basking in the sun at one of Florida’s most beautiful beaches but also be introduced to the world of art. Here at Delray Beach—especially in Pineapple Grove Arts District—there are many galleries showcasing art pieces from different artists. The food in the restaurants will not disappoint. USA Today name Delray Beach as the most fun small town in America.

WEST PALM BEACH

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West Palm Beach is a city on Florida East Coast that neighbors Palm Beach. Lake Worth Lagoon separates West Palm Beach from Palm Beach. Palm Beach Waterfront Activity Station is where you find boats and other essentials for water activities. For food, you can stroll through the seafood restaurants on the waterfront or go to downtown restaurants and bars.

PALM BEACH

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Palm Beach is a town on Florida East Coast known for its palm-lined boulevards and beautiful blue watered beaches—the famous and most celebrated ones being Palm Beach Municipal Beach and R.G. Kreusler Park. Shopping places and restaurants are trendy and chic while the waterfront is decorated with big beautiful mansions. As you go further north, Juno Beach Park and Pier are nice beaches.

JUPITER ISLAND

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Jupiter Island is known for having some of the wealthiest people in America. It is part of Port Saint Lucie and people go there mainly for two attractions—Hobe Sound Beach, Jonathan Dickinson State Park, and Nature Conservancy Blowing Rocks.

STUART

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The city of Stuart is another place that you want to make a stop at. Here you will find Sailfish Splash Waterpark, House of Refuge at Gilbert’s Bar (showcasing shipwrecked sailors), as well as Stuart Heritage Museum. Go to Seabranch Preserve State Park for a butterfly garden and walking trails. If you want to swim and fish, head over to Bathtub Reef Beach.

HUTCHINSON ISLAND

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Known for its beautiful beaches, nature preserves, and parks, Hutchinson Island deserves a visit. The island consists of two islands that are separated by the Fort Pierce Inlet—North Hutchinson Island and South Hutchinson Island.

FORT PIERCE

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Fort Pierce is known for its beautiful beach found in Fort Pierce Inlet State State Park, where people go to swim and to surf. There is also a national Navy Seal Museum that exhibits artifacts, weapons, and vehicles that the Navy used in the past. Another popular place is the art museum, The A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery. When you feel like just relaxing and want to stroll, head over to Heathcote Botanical Gardens.

VERO BEACH

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Another gem in Florida, Vero Beach highlights the importance of nature and wildlife. It is a perfect place for a sun and sand holiday. After relaxing and sunbathing, you can explore and indulge in nature. Hiking and biking trails are visible. For food and shopping, head over to their Main Street.  

SEBASTIAN

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Grab something to eat at the colorful Mulligan’s Beach House in Sebastian. The Caribbean inspired dishes, especially seafood, will make your mouth melt. Opening hours are 8 am to 12 am, Friday and Saturday, and 8 am to 10 pm all other days. It is located at 806 Indian River Drive, Sebastian.

PALM BAY

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Palm Bay is a city that sits right along the Indian River. The main attractions here are Andretti Thrill Park and Indian River.

MELBOURNE

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There is not much to see in Melbourne, apart from its lovely colorful downtown with authentic restaurants serving seafood. As you go up towards Palm Bay you will see a lovely array of mansions with beautiful boats and yachts parked on the docks.

COCOA BEACH

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Known for its surfing hotspots because of the big waves,  Cocoa Beach is basically a surfer’s paradise. Surfing shops provide both die hard and last minute visitors with gear to use. Even if you just want to lay on the beach and enjoy the sun, you will not feel like you don’t belong—all sorts of people with different interests go to Cocoa Beach. Lori Wilson Park and Canaveral National Seashore are some of the highlights.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT PARK

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Lighthouse Point Park in Ponce Inlet is another popular spot. The lighthouse has an Observation tower which will give you access to magnificent views. Also, enjoy walking trails if you like exploring and keeping fit.

DAYTONA BEACH

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When you visit Daytona Beach, you will find beaches where you can drive your car and ride your bicycle on the sand. Surfing, swimming, and board walking—all can be experienced at Daytona.

FLAGLER BEACH

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If you want to fish and surf, Flagler Beach and Pier are perfect spots. This little city comes alive because of the colorful buildings, surfers, and early risers fishing on the pier. Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area is a marine protected area at Flagler Beach. Here you can enjoy the beach and other activities such as kayaking and fishing.

ST. AUGUSTINE

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St. Augustine Beach, especially where St. Johns County Ocean Pier is located, is where you would want to start from. The lighthouse and beautifully painted buildings add to the ambient scenery that people who are getting married seek after. History and culture prevail in St. Augustine—St. George Street might offer good insights. Then head over to Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve for beach time. Crescent Beach and Anastasia State Park are equally beautiful.

JACKSONVILLE BEACH

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Right at the top of Florida East Coast, you will find Jacksonville City. There is not much to do here—if you compared it to Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and other lively cities on the east coast. Jacksonville Beach and St. Johns River are a few attractions that are highlighted. If you have time, you can go to the nearby Amelia Island—here you can visit the pirate-themed Fernandina Beach.