Drive the Atlantic Coast
Start your engines and get ready for adventure! A drive along Florida’s Atlantic Coast will give you a world of experiences, from a historic village to pristine Palm Beaches, through small beach towns, and even the thrill of big cities and their electric energy. As you travel along the coastline, you will see such a variety of sights, making your memories bright this holiday season!
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Seeing as how you clearly like to drive, we will be recommending that you take the most scenic road of the Atlantic Coast: Florida State Road A1A. The A1A is Florida’s version of Route 66 - an old State Road that takes you from the tip-top of Northeastern Florida, along the coastline through various famous and historical cities, along natural beaches with no buildings in sight, through the heart of metropolises like Fort Lauderdale and Miami, down through the Florida Keys and to Mile 0 itself in Key West. Several highways were renumbered in 1945 to make up the A1A, and parts of the highway have been designated National Historic and Scenic Byways.
When you travel this highway, you will sense its history; you will feel the spirit of adventure guiding you down the road. It will add an extra element to your experience.
Daytona Beach
It is fitting that your road trip adventure should begin in Daytona, the home of one of the world’s most famous car races: the DAYTONA 500. It is also one of the most iconic Florida vacation destinations, thanks to its hosting a variety of attractions - and at the top of the attractions list is the beach! Suffice it to say, this is a pretty great start to any trip.
The beach for which Daytona is best known is a wide expanse of soft sand that is lapped by the waves of the Atlantic. Mild days mean you could spend all day at the beach, if you’d like - don’t forget that the public beach is one of the best-known beaches around the world! Choose your place in the sand along 23 miles of beach featuring easy access points for driving on in select areas or parking nearby. It’s easy to take a nice, long walk along the shore, or on the boardwalk and pier. The pier is a quintessential beach experience, with two of the most important parts of any vacation: fun and food.
But it isn’t just the beach that people find so attractive about Daytona - no, it is also the attractions off of the sand, like the Daytona International Speedway. If you’re road-tripping the Atlantic Coast, then you probably enjoy cars, which means you’re about to be in auto Heaven! The Speedway is an impressive arena that has held numerous historic races throughout its lifetime; you can practically feel the energy of the roaring engines and cheering crowds as you enter the Speedway. Take a 30-minute, All Access or VIP Speedway Track Tour and discover what makes Daytona International Speedway the World Center of Racing. While there, visit the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, too! It honors racing in all its forms, and is a fun, colorful and exciting exhibit the whole family will admire.
daytonainternationalspeedway.com
Daytona has an arts and culture side, too; here are plenty of fabulous museums and historic sites that pay homage to the colorful history of the area, including two of our National Historic Landmarks: the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and the Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation Home. As for museums, don’t miss the comprehensive collections at the Halifax Historical Museum located in the 1910 Merchants Bank Building, the thrilling exhibits at the Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Arts & Sciences that encompass several properties including the the largest collection of Florida themed oil and watercolor paintings in the world at the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art.
ponceinlet.org
cookman.edu
halifaxhistorical.org
moas.org
This day of exploration has been great, but you need to get a good night’s sleep! No worries, because Daytona has plenty of accommodations for you to choose from. Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort is one such choice, where understated yet elegant rooms overlook the Atlantic waves, and spacious beach cabanas make you feel like a real V.I.P. Kids can be kids at the D-Dawgs Kidzone, with video games, arts and crafts, and indoor/outdoor activities (and a chance for a parents’ night out thanks to child-minding services). Speaking of services, you will definitely enjoy the room service and the in-room amenities, including optional fruits, cheeses, chocolate-covered strawberries, and more. If you want to venture out of your room, there are onsite oceanfront bars and restaurants infused with local flavors of surf-and-turf and other delicious fares. Take advantage of one of their incredible packages to get you the most out of your stay.
daytonahilton.com
Cocoa Beach
Part of the epic Space Coast, Cocoa Beach is a destination in and of itself thanks to its legendary beachfront and beautiful historic village area. It doesn’t matter whether you’re stopping by for a day or a week, you will immediately feel at home here thanks to its welcoming community and friendly atmosphere.
The beachfront is the first place for you to stop and stretch your legs. Then, gather up your gear - be it lounge chairs, surfboards, or paddleboards - and head onto the sand. You could also take a stroll along the the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier, decked out with restaurants, bars, beach equipment, and prime fishing spots. The Pier is so beautiful that many brides host their wedding here! The Pier is part of the beautiful Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort, an unforgettable luxury experience that is great for the whole family. Relax on the beachfront under a resort umbrella attended by a beach concierge, or enjoy poolside service. Your unparalleled suite will offer all the comforts of home with fully equipped kitchens, sitting areas, and spacious bedrooms. Need to let the kids run off some steam? Send them off to the outdoor Wakulla Falls Water Park featured in the hotel.
cocoabeachpier.com
westgateresorts.com
Many people don’t realize that there’s a whole other side to Cocoa Beach: Historic Cocoa Village is a quaint little beach town with a big arts and culture scene. First settled in the 1880s, the village offers historic, tree-lined streets for afternoon strolls, beautiful boutiques and vintage shops, and memorable restaurants. Take in some live music at one of the local venues, or enjoy one of the village’s lovely events like the Shop Small Sip & Stroll - walk through the village shops enjoying a glass of wine or beer (Nov 30). Visit the Winter Art & Craft Holiday Bazaar (Dec 7 and 8) for two days of holiday cheer enjoying arts and crafts - children and pets welcome!
visitcocoavillage.com
The Palm Beaches
The Palm Beaches have been a luxurious vacation destination for many decades, and while offering respect to the past, they are always perfecting the present. Of course, no matter the popular travel trend of the day, it is always the beaches that draw visitors: nearly 30 tropical beach parks span 47 miles along the Atlantic Ocean, from Jupiter Beach to Boca Raton, and you could literally choose a beach based on your mood.
The cultural offerings of this area are endless, from sensational seasonal festivals, to museums and theaters, to science centers and botanical gardens. Walk amongst the exotic blooms of the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach. While it may come as a surprise, you will discover here the century-old connection between Japan and South Florida, beginning when a group of young Japanese farmers created a community in the area. At Morikami, you will be presented with Japanese cultural experiences that include the museum’s exhibitions rooms, surrounding an open-air courtyard, which chronicles the Yamato Colony farmers. The Morikami Collections house more than 7,000 Japanese art objects and artifacts, including a 500-piece collection of tea ceremony items, more than 200 textile pieces and fine art acquisitions. The 16 acres that surround Morikami’s two museum buildings include expansive Japanese gardens with strolling paths, resting areas, our world-class bonsai collection and lakes teeming with koi and other wildlife.
morikami.org
If you’ve brought your furry friend along with you on your road trip, you have come to the right place! Posh pets and their parents cannot pass up a stay at Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, a beautifully contemporary oceanfront accommodation that leads way to a private white-sand beach and features panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. They provide boutique rooms and suites, two delightful onsite restaurants, a dazzling swimming pool, and a world-class spa. And, of course, there is the best part: they are pet-friendly, allowing up to two dogs per room for an extra fee (service animals, however, are always welcome free of charge). Now you and your pup can live in luxury!
tidelineresort.com
Boca Raton
Known by the locals as “Boca,” this area has everything to offer: beaches and golf courses, wondrous art museums, jazz clubs and concerts, shopping mall, with 220 upscale and elite specialty shops, and downtown specialty shops and boutiques. Part of Palm Beach County, Boca Raton also has the kind of top-class hotels you’d expect from the area.
The Boca Raton Museum of Art serves as the official art museum, as well as the cultural heart, of the city. The Museum in Mizner Park, The Art School in its historic home on Palmetto Park Road, and its Artists’ Guild, together form an expanded creative campus that generates an immersive experience. You will find many thought-provoking exhibits. Clifford Ross: Waves is a major survey of photographs by Clifford Ross including an installation of large-scale photographs from his Hurricane Wave series captured by the artist in the surf during extreme weather (Nov 5-Mar1, 2020). Don’t pass up the chance to see Maren Hassinger: Tree of Knowledge, which involves a residency with sculptor and performance artist Maren Hassinger, who will create an installation inspired by Boca Raton’s Pearl City neighborhood (also Nov 5-Mar1, 2020). In addition to its exhibitions, the museum offers events throughout the year that engage all ages. bocamuseum.org
Boca Raton Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, is one of the finest examples of a luxury hotel available on the Atlantic Coast. Gracing the Florida coastline and local Mediterranean-inspired historic village surrounding, the resort offers charming and sophisticated guest rooms with views of the Atlantic Ocean, Intercoastal Waterway, or the luxurious marina.As a guest of the resort, you also have access to the Boca Beach Club. This dual access to both properties provides an array of fun activities for guests of all ages - so you can enjoy golf, surfing, boating, tennis, and even an entertaining children’s club. Hungry? No worries! You can dine at one of their 11 award-winning restaurants. Indulge yourself at the Waldorf Astoria Spa, voted the No. 1 spa in the country by Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards.
waldorfastoria3.hilton.com
Pompano Beach
Perfectly located between Palm Beach and Miami, Pompano Beach is often called "the Heart of the Gold Coast." Known for its excellent boating and fishing, the area is accentuated by an offshore living coral reef accessible to scuba divers and snorkelers.
Their December events calendar is highlighted by the Winterfest Boat Parade (Dec 14). Hosted by the Seminole Hard Rock, the parade is labeled the “Greatest Show on H20.” Attended by locals and visitors from around the world - over a million viewers! - it is a unique Atlantic Coast tradition that includes a 12-mile parade of beautifully decorated boats.
winterfestparade.com
Enjoy life beneath the waves when you go diving off Pompano Beach. Pompano Dive Center has a mantra of maximum freedom and adventure within the bounds of safety and consideration for the marine environment. Centrally located in the Sands Harbor Marina on the Intracoastal Waterway, they offer a full line of SCUBAPRO inventory, internationally recognized PADI and SSI instruction, tank fills, and dive charters. For younger swimmers and those not SCUBA certified, they also offer excellent snorkeling adventures.
pompanodive.com
If you love an accommodation with great water views, then you’ll love the Sands Harbor Resort & Marina. With marina and Intercoastal Waterway views from all rooms and suites on this five-acre resort, you’re sure to enjoy your stay. Spacious, clean rooms are accentuated by the natural light, and you will be graciously attended by top-notch staff. Their marina caters to guests cruising into Pompano Beach aboard their own boats, with dockage for 50 boats of up to 100 feet.
sandsharbor.com
Fort Lauderdale
Visitors from around the world flock to Fort Lauderdale for its sunny beaches, dazzling attractions, and thrilling arts and culture scene. You can be a part of the beach life culture by carousing around the oceanfront - or, you can get to know the heart of the city better by visiting the Riverwalk.
The vibrant community centered around the New River is best seen from the unforgettable Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale. Not only is this a wonderful place for visitors, but also for the community. You can have fun and get fit with Riverwalk Recreation, which offers a variety of activities like kayak rentals, guided bike tours, yoga classes, and more. For something a bit more leisurely, you can relax in the Riverwalk Linear Park, visit a shop along the river, or dine at a waterfront restaurant.
goriverwalk.com
riverwalkactivities.com
A big port city on the Atlantic Coast of Florida, Fort Lauderdale is a cruise capital. Port Everglades sees thousands of international tourists coming and going every day. For those sailing out of the port, we encourage you to stay a little longer in the city to enjoy incredible hotel and resort deals thanks to so many special offers for cruisers from local accommodations. Lago Mar Beach Resort and Club, which sits on 10 acres of beachfront property and sports the largest private beach in the city, offers a delicious deal with their “Bed and Breakfast Special,” which includes a breakfast buffet for two so you can fuel up before your cruise.
porteverglades.net
lagomar.com
Miami
Recognized around the world as one of the hottest vacation spots, Miami offers something for everyone: sunny beaches, flavorful eateries, trendy nightlife, plush hotels, and a vibrant arts and culture scene.
Do not be overwhelmed by the magnitude of Miami’s offerings; instead, use the beginning of your stay to take a tour of the city and get a feel for the kinds of places that you want to visit. Miami Tour Company offer half and full day tours of the city aboard an air-conditioned bus complete with luggage storage and in-seat cell phone chargers! There are several tour options, with add-ons like lunch or attraction tickets, and they also include plenty of perks with your tour price.
miamitourcompany.com
One of the most stylish hotels in the area is the SLS Brickell, with an exterior looks like a colorful art piece, and which boasts designs by Philippe Starck and amenities by Ciel Spa. Guest rooms feature clean lines and immaculate decor with contemporary furnishings, minibars, and rainfall showers that make it easy to relax. Two award-winning chefs bring their talent to SLS Brickell with Bazaar Mar by Chef José Andrés, and Fi'lia by Chef Michael Schwartz. uests can indulge in a full menu of services from Ciel Spa and enjoy full access to a state-of-the-art fitness center. You will also be within walking distance of all of Brickell’s offerings, and a short drive in any direction to Miami’s best attractions.
slsbrickell.com
More of the Atlantic Coast
Imagine a place where exotic natural Florida beauty meets the stately elegance and history of the Old South. This place is Martin County, and it has something that any traveler can enjoy: shopping in a boutique, sunbathing on an Atlantic beach, taking an eco-tour, taking a scenic road trip, discovering arts and culture, or exploring with your pet. Whatever part of Martin County you explore, the memories you make will last for a lifetime.
discovermartin.com
Assisting anyone coming into Florida through Port Everglades Cruise Port or the Fort Lauderdale Airport, the Rodeway Inn and Suites Fort Lauderdale is not only budget-friendly, it’s pet-friendly! They offer free shuttle service between the Fort Lauderdale cruise hotel, the airport, and the cruise port. Save time and money by combining your hotel stay with their onsite, long-term vehicle parking. If you need to stay between travel connections, book one of their Dayrooms.
hotelftlauderdale.net
The Hollywood Motor Lodge has been known as a cozy little getaway in Florida’s Hollywood for more than 50 years — and now, it has been renovated into a boutique hotel: Quality Inn & Suites Hotel Hollywood FL. Located on Hollywood Boulevard, they offer exceptional guest room amenities and an appealing outdoor ambiance that includes the fortuitous Fountain Of Well Wishes for anyone traveling into Florida through the Port Everglades cruise port or the Fort Lauderdale Airport.
hotelhollywoodfl.com
Join the Young at Art museum in celebrating their 30th anniversary! YAA is an Interactive Art Museum perfect for all ages, where you can ride a New York City subway, visit a cave and discover a dig in ArtScape, STOMP to the rhythm, build sand sculptures and recycled puppets in GreenScapes, learn about faraway customs in CultureScapes, and explore the world of Alice in WonderScapes. YAA also offers art classes, exhibitions, and special events annually.
youngatartmuseum.org
