Welcome to The Sunshine State! There are so many travel destinations and exciting places to visit throughout the state, which makes hopping in a rental car and taking a road trip around Florida a perfect vacation plan.
The Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a great place to start. Once you land, pick up your MCO car rental, and start the first leg of your epic Florida road trip.
This historic city is the oldest continuous city in the USA, and a memorable first stop on your road trip. St. Augustine is full of history, and you can take advantage of several tour options there. Some not-to-be-missed attractions include:
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument: A Spanish fort that was used for more than 205 years. Visitors marvel at the unique building material—coquina, limestone made up of shell fragments.
Ponce de León’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park: Enjoy drinking from the Fountain of Youth, visiting a replica of Timucua village, and reliving history with cannon demonstrations, a blacksmith shop, and more.
Colonial Quarter: A living museum that takes you through what it was like to live in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries in St. Augustine.
St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum: This is a perfect attraction for kids and families. Once you’ve purchased your ticket, you can take advantage of a complimentary 1-hour tour through 300 years of pirate history with Captain Mayhem.
What trip to Florida would be complete without paying a visit to the state’s best known residents—alligators.
During your visit, take advantage of one of the educational tours to learn more about the park and the animals and plantlife that live there. Shark Valley, Eco Pond, and the Anhinga Trail all offer excellent opportunities to get an up-close look at the alligators. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the park’s safety rules.
You might be surprised to discover that the Everglades support a diverse ecosystem with around 750 species of animals including manatees, birds, and more. Of course, this also includes mosquitos, so don’t forget to pack a strong bug-repellent of your choice.
Next, it’s time to head south—way south. Take the Overseas Highway down to Key West (don’t forget to snap some incredible pictures on the famous 7 Mile Bridge along the way), and then take a seaplane or ferry to the national park.
Dry Tortugas is one of the best snorkeling spots in the state. The coral reef hasn’t suffered as much damage as many other tourist-spots have, and the water is beautiful and clear. You might catch glimpses of angelfish, moray eels, nurse sharks and more. Along the shore, you may even get to see sea turtles as they come to land to lay their eggs.
Aviary fans will enjoy birding in the park, as around 300 species of birds (some part-time and others year round) call the islands their home.
Avis Rent a Car in Orlando offers a wide selection of cars and options to make your road trip easy to plan. Our e-toll service makes handling the toll roads in Florida simple, and you can make sure you’re getting the best price available with our Best Rate Guarantee.