How to Explore Florida's East Coast
Florida’s east coast is hundreds of miles long, and from north to south, it offers something for everyone. There are sandy beaches, historic monuments and scientific hubs. There are surf spots, sunshine and wildlife galore. Here’s what to see next time you’re on Florida’s Atlantic coast.
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Tour Kennedy Space Center. NASA’s home base is a must-see for any Florida visitor. The center’s museums are comprehensive and include many fascinating relics of the space program. If you time your visit correctly, you might just get to see the Space Shuttle lift off (see Resources below) .
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Soak up some rays on Miami’s South Beach. This strip of sand is one of the country’s most famous beaches. Beware, however: families may feel a little awkward here. The bathing suits are generally tiny, and topless sunbathing is common (see Resources below).
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Visit St. Augustine, America’s oldest city. This quaint town on Florida’s northeastern coast was settled by the Spanish in 1565, and it’s full of sunlight, flowers, and historic buildings. Most historic of all are the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, built from 1672 to 1695, and Fort Matanzas National Monument, built from 1740 to 1742 (see Resources below).
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Learn to surf in Cocoa Beach. This beach town is home to the famous Ron Jon Surf Shop, the mothership for beach and surf aficionados (see Resources below).
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Park your car on the sand at Daytona Beach. Daytona’s wide, flat coastline is perfect for cruising, whether in your vehicle or your bathing suit. While in town, watch a car race at the city’s famous speedway (see Resources below).
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Sign up for a sea turtle walk. In the summer, loggerheads, leatherbacks and green turtles drag their heavy bodies onto Florida’s east coast beaches to lay their eggs in sandpit nests. Conservation groups offer guided walks to see these magnificent creatures.
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