Places to visit west Florida
Discussion
Clearwater Beach/Treasure Island is worth a punt, gorgeous beaches, where you can see wild dolphins swimming by, and Hulk Hogan's beach shop is along the main street too!
Everglades too, if you haven't already thought about it!
Miami is on the way to the Keys, make sure you stop and have a look at the Dezer Automobile Collection, it's incredible!
Everglades too, if you haven't already thought about it!
Miami is on the way to the Keys, make sure you stop and have a look at the Dezer Automobile Collection, it's incredible!
Some of the finest cars in the world ( especially rare Ferraris and Mercedes are in the Collier Museum in Naples....only open occasionally, but you might want to try to get in.
http://www.americaonwheels.com/Florida/collier_aut...
http://www.americaonwheels.com/Florida/collier_aut...
Matt Harper said:
Sanibel Island - Captiva
But I'd head to Cape Coral, hire a Boat and go across to the Green Flash on Captiva for lunch, moorings are right outside the restaurant. On the way watch Dolphins and Manatees. We stayed in Cape Coral for a week (On of those Villas that comes with a boat as part of the rental). So many canals and houses (and boats) to nose at...loved it.
RDMcG said:
Some of the finest cars in the world ( especially rare Ferraris and Mercedes are in the Collier Museum in Naples....only open occasionally, but you might want to try to get in.
http://www.americaonwheels.com/Florida/collier_aut...
Damn damn and more damn - our last day in Naples is September 30th - a Tuesday - a day they would be open if it wasn't for the fact that they are closed for the summer holidays until October 1st!!!!!!!!!http://www.americaonwheels.com/Florida/collier_aut...
We've just got back from a fortnight in Naples, one thing to do on the way down is go 'gator spotting on Turner River Road off the Tamiami Trail about 5 miles past Wootens. You can pay $40 a head for a 30 minute air boat ride to see next to nothing or have a drive down a dirt track, we spotted about half a dozen in a 2 mile drive. The wife s
t it when one crossed the road in front of us, I nearly ran the fker over!
t it when one crossed the road in front of us, I nearly ran the fker over!After Naples it's worth taking a detour off of the Tamiami Trail/'90'/'41' road that runs across the bottom of Florida (where I managed to drive 3 miles without touching the steering wheel - a great driving road it isn't) on to the old '94' Loop Road.
While you could technically drive the whole loop the road it can get really rough, especially at the Napels end. Stick to the main road and turn back on yourself - the turn is just after one of the bends so not too hard to find. Follow the road for 10 minutes and you'll find yourself on you own on a banjo-worthy dirt road with an alagator-filled stream next to you (and safely outside your air conditioned box).
That's about it so U-turn and carry on your way but nice to see some free, raw Florida, not the usual tourist-wrapped, gift-shopped version.
While you could technically drive the whole loop the road it can get really rough, especially at the Napels end. Stick to the main road and turn back on yourself - the turn is just after one of the bends so not too hard to find. Follow the road for 10 minutes and you'll find yourself on you own on a banjo-worthy dirt road with an alagator-filled stream next to you (and safely outside your air conditioned box).
That's about it so U-turn and carry on your way but nice to see some free, raw Florida, not the usual tourist-wrapped, gift-shopped version.
We have a place on Marco - I personally prefer Marco to Naples. Not quite as much going on, but I find it a much more relaxing place to be. There's a nice Marriott on the island if needed, along with boat rentals etc. It is personal however.
I always take the 41 as opposed to the 75 - there's a few things to see. Just make sure you're gassed up before you leave the area (if you're coming South on the 41 from Naples, the big junction with Collier is where I'd want to be gassed up from.
Remember the filth can (and do use!) speed detection mounted on the front of their vehicle and with you moving in the opposite direction. Don't ask how I know
(English-charmed my way out of that one!!).
Crossing on the 41, you'll come across a shed which is USA's smallest post office...if that's of any interest to you?!
When you head down to Largo, if you come off the 1 onto Card Sound, it's a slightly different route onto the key - personally, I prefer it.
I always take the 41 as opposed to the 75 - there's a few things to see. Just make sure you're gassed up before you leave the area (if you're coming South on the 41 from Naples, the big junction with Collier is where I'd want to be gassed up from.
Remember the filth can (and do use!) speed detection mounted on the front of their vehicle and with you moving in the opposite direction. Don't ask how I know
(English-charmed my way out of that one!!).Crossing on the 41, you'll come across a shed which is USA's smallest post office...if that's of any interest to you?!
When you head down to Largo, if you come off the 1 onto Card Sound, it's a slightly different route onto the key - personally, I prefer it.
If you have even a slight interest in Art then visit the Dali Museum in St Petersburg, most of Dalis major works are on display there and the guides are very good.
The Pier is worth a wander around as well.
Fort De Soto beach/national park is in the top ten beaches, it's not far from St Pete Beach.
The Pier is worth a wander around as well.
Fort De Soto beach/national park is in the top ten beaches, it's not far from St Pete Beach.
//j17 said:
After Naples it's worth taking a detour off of the Tamiami Trail/'90'/'41' road that runs across the bottom of Florida (where I managed to drive 3 miles without touching the steering wheel - a great driving road it isn't) on to the old '94' Loop Road.
While you could technically drive the whole loop the road it can get really rough, especially at the Napels end. Stick to the main road and turn back on yourself - the turn is just after one of the bends so not too hard to find. Follow the road for 10 minutes and you'll find yourself on you own on a banjo-worthy dirt road with an alagator-filled stream next to you (and safely outside your air conditioned box).
That's about it so U-turn and carry on your way but nice to see some free, raw Florida, not the usual tourist-wrapped, gift-shopped version.
http://www.floridapanther.com/articles/LoopRoad.htmWhile you could technically drive the whole loop the road it can get really rough, especially at the Napels end. Stick to the main road and turn back on yourself - the turn is just after one of the bends so not too hard to find. Follow the road for 10 minutes and you'll find yourself on you own on a banjo-worthy dirt road with an alagator-filled stream next to you (and safely outside your air conditioned box).
That's about it so U-turn and carry on your way but nice to see some free, raw Florida, not the usual tourist-wrapped, gift-shopped version.
That looks great!
We had planned to do the Turner River/Waggon Wheel/Birdon Loop but this one looks much more interesting. We are going the other way, from The Keys to Naples and from reading the article and what you have said am I right in thinking that that is the better end of the road? Might just turn off and go as far as we dare then turn around, I have no aversion to off roading - but not in a Corvette!!
Edited by Freddie328 on Thursday 21st August 08:39
Edited by Freddie328 on Thursday 21st August 08:42
Edited by Freddie328 on Thursday 21st August 08:43
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