New York to Miami - The Atlantic Coast Route

This route starts you off in New York, heads southreally live up to its name.
along the east coast and finishes in Miami.Continuing south west and into South Carolina, you
So you are in New York, the biggest city in the US.will arrive at Charleston some 270kms later. On the
Undoubtedly you'll have a huge amount to see andway to Charleston you will pass through Myrtle Beach
do here before you set off on your trip. Go see theand Francis Marion National Forest.
Empire State, visit the Statue of Liberty, go shoppingCharleston is known as The Holy City due to the
on 5th Avenue, take a walk through Central Park,large number of steeples you can see overlooking
and soak up the atmosphere in Times Square.the city. There are a huge number of attractions to
Atlantic City is located about 200 kms to the southsee in this city including Fort Sumter, the Citadel, and
of New York. Most of the journey would be on thethe French Huguenot Church to name a few.
Garden State Parkway. Just inland of Atlantic CityMoving on you will pass by Hilton Head Island on your
towards the city of Philadelphia you could take someway to Savannah about 170 kms from Charleston.
time to visit the million-acre Pinelands NationalHilton Head Island is a very popular tourist destination;
Preserve.its beaches are renowned but it is especially famed
Atlantic City is probably best known for the fact thatfor its many fantastic golf courses (in particular
gambling is legal and you can visit a large number ofHarbour Town Golf Links).
casinos here. There's more to the city however, it'sSavannah was the first settlement founded in
located on the Jersey coast and there's a beautifulGeorgia way back in 1733. The historic district is very
beach to enjoy. The boardwalk between the beachpopular with tourists as it one of the few town
and the city is very popular and a great way to docentres to survive almost untouched since the 19th
some people watching and moving betweencentury. So during your visit be sure to visit any of
attractions.the town squares such as the original four public
Driving on just 150kms down the coast along Oceansquares which were Johnson, Ellis, Telfair, and Wright.
Drive will get you to Ocean City. The roadway hereContinuing south it's just 175kms to the Florida
goes over a number of coastal islands, many ofborder, with another 50kms to the centre of
which are interesting places to do some bird watchingJacksonville.
or visit on the many beaches. You will need to takeOnce you get to Jacksonville, Florida's largest city,
the Cape May-Lewes/Lewes-Cape May ferry toyou will have plenty to see and do. Some sights
Lewes.worth checking out include the Fort Caroline National
Ocean City is a small city on the coast of MarylandMemorial, dedicated to the original French fortress in
(not to be confused with the Ocean City in Newthe area; Hemming Plaza, with its post modern
Jersey which you will actually pass on your wayarchitecture; and the Jacksonville Landing which is a
south from Atlantic City). The main attraction of thepopular area for fine dining and to do some shopping.
city is the high quality 10 Mile Long Beach. Get someHeading south again you will come to Daytona Beach
accommodation over looking the beach and simplyafter about 150kms.
relax for a while.Daytona Beach is a very popular destination for fans
Another 150kms to the south of Ocean City is theof NASCAR and Daytona 500 racing. So with this in
resort of Virginia Beach. After crossing the bordermind it might be good idea to visit the Daytona
into Virginia you will be passing quite close toInternational Speedway. It's an interesting visit even
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge which isif there's no race on the day you visit. Other
certainly worth a visit if you are into bird watching.activities you can avail of include Robert Strickland
The journey will take you through the 30kmShooting Range, where you can shoot all sorts of
Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel (there is also a $10guns you would never normally get to; and the
toll) which is an experience all of its own.Museum of Arts and Sciences, with its Chinese,
When you come back to the mainland after theAfrican and Cuban art; and many more.
Bridge/Tunnel, you will come to Virginia Beach. ThisYou have an option here to take a detour inland and
city is reputed to have the longest pleasure beach invisit Disneyland in Orlando. Either way, when you
the world. Surfing is a popular option here, as isreturn to the Atlantic Coast Route you will end up
Dolphin and Whale watching. You might also visitpassing Cape Canaveral, where if you are lucky you
nearby Norfolk which has a number of attractionsmight see a Shuttle launch.
that might be worth visiting including the ChryslerAbout 240kms south of Cape Canaveral you will
Museum of Art, the Naval Station Tour or thearrive in West Palm Beach. This town is the start of
Nauticus - National Maritime Center.a metropolitan area that extends all the way south
Located about a 2 hour drive to the south in Northto Miami! All together this area has a population of
Carolina is Kitty Hawk.almost 6 million. While in West Palm Beach you could
Kitty Hawk is the site of the Wright Brothers firstvisit any of the many beautiful beaches; or perhaps
flight of a heavier air aircraft in 1903. The Wrightgo snorkelling on Breakers Reef.
Brothers National Memorial is the main attraction ofContinuing south through the Miami-Fort
the area. You can also enjoy a variety of activitiesLauderdale-West Palm Beach Metropolitan area you
here including Hang Gliding in Jockey's Ridge Statewill get to Miami after about 110kms.
Park which has some of the highest dunes on theMiami is a very multicultural city with over 30%
east coast.Cuban, over 30% Non-Cuban Hispanic, and 40%
The next city on this trek south is Wilmington, someeverything else. Some interesting sights to visit
400 kms to the south and west of Kitty Hawk.include the Ancient Spanish Monastery, which was
The city of Wilmington is famed for its beautifuloriginally built in 1141 in Spain but was moved to Miami
beaches, wonderful food and the welcoming naturein the 50s; there is also Dolphin Stadium, home
of its residents. The one must see attraction forground of the Miami Dolphins American Football team;
anyone passing through the city is the USS Northand there is loads of other things to see and do.
Carolina Battleship Memorial. Fans of the tv showsThis is the end of the Atlantic Coast Route though
Dawson's Creek and One Tree Hill will enjoy the cityyou will have the option of carrying on to Key West
as well, as these shows are shot here. You mightwhich is 250kms to the south and west of Miami
also visit the nearby Cape Fear, though it doesn'talong the Florida Keys.