I-95 Through Florida - So Much to See and Do

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
near Jacksonville, running to Miami with mainteams, theaters and performing arts centers.
thoroughfares such as I-10 to I-4 intersecting with it.Between Daytona and Orlando you’ll find the
If you're going anywhere along the east coast inturn to I-4 the gateway to the west, of Florida that
Florida chances are some point you'll be on I-95.is. I-4 takes you straight across the state and leaves
Known as the “East Coast's Main Street" I-95you off in the Tampa St. Petersburg area.
serves 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
major city in Florida on I-95 across the boarder fromShop, in Cocoa Beach. Cocoa Beach is called the small
Georgia is Jacksonville. Jacksonville is truly beautifulwave capital of the east coast; there are several
between the architecture and the bridges and thesurfing fests held here each year. It was also the
fact that the St. Johns River runs through it,home of the fictional characters Jeannie and Major
necessitating the bridges, this place is spectacular.Nelson, there is even an I Dream of Jeannie Lane.
One of the best things about Jacksonville is the river.Port 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 whereare able to come inland. Jupiter is also considered the
you‘d leave I-95 for I-10 a road that takes youstart of South Florida.
well into 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
place takes a good five day visit if you want to seeSouth Florida, besides the subtropical climate, is the
everything there is to see. You can spend a daywater. The water down there is the same clear
going through the historic shopping district alone.blue-green of the Caribbean, so nice. Palm Beach is a
They have sight seeing trains, ghost tours and arepopular town in South Florida, its where all the rich
known for their many Bed and Breakfast lodges andand famous from New York come to spend their
the food there is fabulous. They have a famouswinters, Donald Trump has a home here. Palm Beach
lighthouse there that recently has been listed asis full of designer shop and swanky hotels. During the
haunted, if you believe. Last time we were there wewinter if you’re from the North and you have
took a carriage ride through the city at night, it wasmoney this is the 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 Beach,“Where the Boys Are” staring Connie Francis
Home of the world renowned Daytona internationaland George Hamilton, the song from the movie was
Speedway. It’s like this whole city is aboutactually pretty popular. Fort Lauderdale is still a great
speed and engines and RPM’s. Many peopleplace to visit any time of the year.
travel down I-95 many times throughout the yearNow we come to our last stop, the place where I-95
for Speed Week, Bike Week, Biketoberfest andends – Miami. Miami is an amazingly vibrant city
other races or events. These events bring the citywith a powerful Latin and developing European flare.
many dollars along with those people so theDriving into the city you can feel the energy but that
residence of Daytona put up with the traffic andmight just be from the pulse of all the traffic. Miami
noise. One of my favorite things about Daytonaoffers the best of everything that is South Florida
Beach is that you can drive on the beach which–food, fashion, water sports. They have a port
makes sense if you think about it because the beachthere where you can leave for a fabulous Caribbean
is where all this need for speed began all those yearsCruise; they have several sports teams to enjoy
ago.including the wildly popular Miami Dolphins, Go Fins!
Don those ears and grab that Pixie dust because offThe people of Miami are a mix of people from all
of I-95, just a short drive west on State Road 528,over the Latin world and many of them speak
also called the "Beachline", and you’re in OrlandoSpanish so it might be good idea to pick up a few
a favorite vacation destination of people all over thephrases if you’re going to be down there for
world. Orlando may very well be the theme parkany length of time. Trust me this is a place where if
capital of the world. Disney has 4 theme parks thereyou go you’ll want to stay. One of the most
several resorts, two water parks and Downtownfamous residence in the area is Gloria Estefan, she
Disney a shopping, dining and entertainment venue.came over with her family when she was just a girl
Universal studios has two theme parks and tier ownand is very involved in building up and promoting the
downtown venue call City Walk, there are waterMiami area.
parks, Thrill ride parks, dinner shows, souvenir shops