Ten Days in Florida - Road Trip

[Mazdarese]

Matt Harper said:

Mazdarese said:

We are hoping to get to the drag strip in Orlando on Friday night

Cool - Friday nights are RWYB, but they won't let you race a rental car. Keep an eye on the weather, needless to say, they don't run in the wet - and finally a quick note on the environment.
Orlando Speedworld is out east of the city in Bithlo FL. The area is a little 'back-woodsy'.
After you're finished at the track, I would advise against hanging-around for a beer/dinner out there. Head back a little closer to civilization and folks with multiple teeth and footwear.

If you're lucky, you will see some terrifyingly fast street cars. Sadly, I'm working in CA this week and won't get home until late Friday - I'd have taken a ride up there myself, otherwise.

Let me know if you'd like any non-tourist oriented tips on places to see/drink/eat in the area, while you are here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX6fvC7NL-E

Edited by Matt Harper on Monday 12th September 16:50

Thanks for your help with this Matt. We took a detour on our way back up to Orlando from Miami, and popped into the raceway at about 17:00 to see what time it all started (18:00 apparently). By the time we'd got into Orlando and checked into the hotel ( Grand Bohemian, very nice), we couldn't be bothered driving back out to Bithlo

We had dinner at Urban Flats that night, which was a bit 'meh' to be honest. We were both knackered though so didn't fancy anything too extravagant. However, the next day on the way to the airport we needed some lunch. Golden Corral looked ok from the outside, but Sweet Jesus why didn't you warn me about this place?! $7.99 for an eat-as-much-as-you-like buffet? We could have guessed what it would be like I suppose!

I'm too tired to do a full write-up of the trip for those that are interested, but highlights were:

• San Augustine - nice for a day
• Ocala National Park - we took a detour down a backroad and saw a bear
• Pine Island - quiet, ace.
• Marco Island, less quiet, also ace.
• Boat trip at Clearwater - saw dolphins playing in the wake of our boat, ace.
• Airboat ride at Everglades City - ace, drifting fun. Didn't see any gators though
• St Petersburg - Vinoy resort hotel nice, cool city, nice restaurants and bars
• Miami - still not convinced, but had nice lunch
• Palm Beach - an unreal amount of money around there.
• Naples - not sure really. Mrs A had bad toothache so we didn't see much of it.

[mattdaniels]

Thom987 said:

I'd pay a visit to Sarasota. Nice people, good restaurants and good beaches nearby. We stayed in Boca Grande for a few days and I would highly reccomend it.

This. I've did the trip a few years ago now, but the couple of days in Sarasota were excellent. Kennedy Space Center is always worth a visit and make sure you go and drive an airboat in the Everglades.

[Lets Torque]

I used to live a couple miles outside of Sarasota (Bradenton) and Sarasota is lovely.

[WWESTY]

Another vote for Sarasota. Long Boat Key is one of our favourite spots in the world!!