A Road Trip on I-95 Through Florida is an Adventure in Itself

I-95 runs 1,917 miles along the length of the eastand just about anything else entertaining you can
coast with over 300 miles of it in Florida. Startingthink of and I didn't even mention the sports teams,
near Jacksonville, running to Miami with maintheaters and performing arts centers. Between
thoroughfares such as I-10 to I-4 intersecting with it.Daytona and Orlando you'll find the turn to I-4 the
If you're going anywhere along the east coast ingateway to the west, of Florida that is. I-4 takes
Florida chances are some point you'll be on I-95.you straight across the state and leaves you off in
Known as the "East Coast's Main Street" I-95 servesthe Tampa St. Petersburg area.
the entire Northeast as well because it is anThe next significant area you come to down I-95 is
important factor in commerce and tourism, linkingcalled the Space Coast which includes a good portion
New England and the southern part of America. I-95of North Brevard County. Here, as the name
passes through more states than any othersuggests, is where you'll find the Kennedy Space
Interstate Highway.Center, NASA and Cape Canaveral, where they
There are many exits in Florida and they lead toshoot off the Space Shuttle. The Space Coast is also
some of the Florida's finest destinations. The firstwhere you'll find world famous Ron Jon Surf Shop, in
major city in Florida on I-95 across the boarder fromCocoa Beach. Cocoa Beach is called the small wave
Georgia is Jacksonville. Jacksonville is truly beautifulcapital of the east coast; there are several surfing
between the architecture and the bridges and thefests held here each year. It was also the home of
fact that the St. Johns River runs through it,the fictional characters Jeannie and Major Nelson,
necessitating the bridges, this place is spectacular.there is even an I Dream of Jeannie Lane. Port
One of the best things about Jacksonville is the river.Canaveral, which is the busiest cruise ship port in
You see they have these water taxis there that youFlorida, is located here too.
can take when you party around downtown or go toFrom here down I-95 there are many coastal towns
one of the Jacksonville Jaguar Games, I've donedotted along the way; Jupiter is one of note, Burt
both. Jacksonville Landing is the place to party on theReynolds once owned a dinner theater here and
river. You can eat drink and, in general, be merry. Ifthere is a great lighthouse and an inlet where boats
you were head off to the west this is where you'dare able to come inland. Jupiter is also considered the
leave I-95 for I-10 a road that takes you well intostart of South Florida.
Texas ends in L.A.We are coming to the end of our journey down
The next important stop down I-95 is historical St.Florida on I-95 as we reach South Florida. One of the
Augustine. Touted as the oldest city in America thisfirst things you'll notice when you're in South Florida,
place takes a good five day visit if you want to seebesides the subtropical climate, is the water. The
everything there is to see. You can spend a daywater down there is the same clear blue-green of
going through the historic shopping district alone.the Caribbean, so nice. Palm Beach is a popular town
They have sight seeing trains, ghost tours and arein South Florida, its where all the rich and famous
known for their many Bed and Breakfast lodges andfrom New York come to spend their winters, Donald
the food there is fabulous. They have a famousTrump has a home here. Palm Beach is full of
lighthouse there that recently has been listed asdesigner shop and swanky hotels. During the winter if
haunted, if you believe. Last time we were there weyou're from the North and you have money this is
took a carriage ride through the city at night, it wasthe place to see and be seen.
spectacular. One of the stops on the carriage rideFort Lauderdale is next down I-95 and was once
was by Flagler College; Henry Flagler was instrumentalknown as THE place to come for Spring Break. In
in the development of Florida all the way down to1960 there was a famous movie about 4 college
the Florida Keys, much like I-95.friends who come down for Spring Break called
Our next stop would have to be Daytona, Home of"Where the Boys Are" staring Connie Francis and
the world renowned Daytona international Speedway.George Hamilton, the song from the movie was
It's like this whole city is about speed and enginesactually pretty popular. Fort Lauderdale is still a great
and RPM's. Many people travel down I-95 many timesplace to visit any time of the year.
throughout the year for Speed Week, Bike Week,Now we come to our last stop, the place where I-95
Biketoberfest and other races or events. Theseends - Miami. Miami is an amazingly vibrant city with a
events bring the city many dollars along with thosepowerful Latin and developing European flare. Driving
people so the residence of Daytona put up with theinto the city you can feel the energy but that might
traffic and noise. One of my favorite things aboutjust be from the pulse of all the traffic. Miami offers
Daytona Beach is that you can drive on the beachthe best of everything that is South Florida -food,
which makes sense if you think about it because thefashion, water sports. They have a port there where
beach is where all this need for speed began all thoseyou can leave for a fabulous Caribbean Cruise; they
years ago.have several sports teams to enjoy including the
Don those ears and grab that Pixie dust because offwildly popular Miami Dolphins, Go Fins! The people of
of I-95, just a short drive west on State Road 528,Miami are a mix of people from all over the Latin
also called the "Beachline", and you're in Orlando aworld and many of them speak Spanish so it might
favorite vacation destination of people all over thebe good idea to pick up a few phrases if you're going
world. Orlando may very well be the theme parkto be down there for any length of time. Trust me
capital of the world. Disney has 4 theme parks therethis is a place where if you go you'll want to stay.
several resorts, two water parks and DowntownOne of the most famous residence in the area is
Disney a shopping, dining and entertainment venue.Gloria Estefan, she came over with her family when
Universal studios has two theme parks and tier ownshe was just a girl and is very involved in building up
downtown venue call City Walk, there are waterand promoting the Miami area.
parks, Thrill ride parks, dinner shows, souvenir shops