Orlando to Key West Road Trip: The Best of Florida in a Campervan

Starting in Orlando

Worth a visit:

Walt Disney World Resort: The premier theme-park attraction of Orlando – experience the magic of Disney at this huge park. Tickets start at US$109 per day.
Universal Orlando Resort: The home of many entertainment wonders including an immersive Harry Potter experience. Tickets start from US$109 per day.
Kennedy Space Center: The main launch centre of NASA, this attraction isn’t to be missed if you’re a space buff. An adult ticket costs US$57 for the day.

Where to eat:

Wine Bar George ($$$): Known for its extensive wine list, this restaurant is a favourite among locals and visitors.
Hunger Street Tacos ($$): Just a few minutes from Orlando’s centre, this Mexican restaurant serves some of the finest food in town.
Winter Park Biscuit Company ($$$): Everything at this place, even the sauces, is plant-based. If you’re vegan, this is your mecca.

Park here for the night:

Indulge your inner tourist

Located in central Florida, Orlando is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Nicknamed 'the City Beautiful', it attracts an incredible number of visitors each year because of its major events, conferences and tourist attractions.

The two best-known attractions in the Orlando area are the Walt Disney World Resort and the Universal Orlando Resort. Both have put Orlando on the map and made it one of the most visited cities in the world.

While it’s famous for its theme parks, the rest of the city is also well worth a visit. World-class dining, shopping and entertainment make Orlando a great place to start your road trip.

West Palm Beach

Worth a visit:

Norton Museum of Art: With over 7000 works of art on display, this gallery has something for everyone of every taste. The museum is free to visit but does host ticketed exhibitions.
South Florida Science Museum and Aquarium: If you’re travelling with the kids, this is a must-see attraction. General admission for an adult is $18.95.
Lion Country Safari: Florida’s only drive-through safari, this is one of the best attractions in the area. Tickets start from $30 for the day.

Where to eat:

Kitchen ($$): Owned by a husband-and-wife team, this restaurant is second to none for quality cuisine.
Agora Mediterranean Kitchen ($$$): A beautifully decorated Turkish restaurant with offerings to have your mouth watering.

Shop till you drop

With a reputation for fine dining, exquisite shopping, and West End-quality entertainment, West Palm Beach has it all. Located on Florida’s Atlantic coast, this city offers visitors year-round entertainment, all within a stone's throw of some of the best beaches in the world.

The city centre of West Palm Beach is home to four entertainment and retail districts: Antique Row, Northwood Village, Rosemary Square and Clematis Street. Each one is lined with lively bars, boutiques and nightclubs that welcome visitors and wow them with local culture.

If you’re after the pace of Miami but on a smaller scale, West Palm Beach is a must-see.

Miami, baby!

Worth a visit:

Miami Beach (Free): The beach is what makes Miami one of the best spots to visit in the world. Take some time to soak up the sun or frolic in the waves.
Everglades National Park (Free): This park covers 1.5 million acres of swampland and is home to a stunning array of wildlife.
Fort Lauderdale (Free): Just a 30-minute drive from Miami, Fort Lauderdale is a perfect way to get out of the city and see the surrounding area.

Where to eat:

Makoto ($$): Modern Japanese dishes that are exquisitely presented keep locals and tourists flocking to this restaurant.
The Surf Club Restaurant ($): Nostalgic American food with a 1950s slant.
Taquiza ($): This restaurant has perfected the taco. If you’re a fan of Mexican food then this is the place for you.

Start your van adventure where summer never ends.

Located in south-eastern Florida, Miami is a coastal metropolis with a lot to offer. It’s a leader in finance, culture, the arts, commerce and international trade, and it’s also one of the largest majority-minority cities in the US, with over 70% of its population being Hispanic.

The city is known for its beautiful beaches, fantastic cuisine, Cuban coffee, warm climate and Latin American influences. More than 14 million tourists visit the area each year, which means over 10% of its workforce is employed in tourism.

While Miami is largely man-made, it also has some of the world’s most impressive natural attractions, such as Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park.

Key West

Worth a visit:

Key Largo: The first of the Florida Keys, this island is also home to the world’s largest artificial reef.
Marathon Key: If wreck and reef diving is your thing, then you can’t miss a stopover in Marathon Key.
Great Florida Barrier Reef: Book a snorkelling tour and experience the third-largest reef in the world.

Where to eat:

Blue Heaven ($$): A mix of American and Caribbean cuisine, this restaurant is a great option if you’re vegetarian.
Garbo’s Grill ($): This permanent food truck is one of the best in the city for fusion food.
The Lobster Shack Key West ($$$): A must for anyone who loves lobster.

Time to dive in

Key West is a US island city that's part of the Florida Keys archipelago. To get there in a Campervan you'll need to take the ferry, which is an experience in its own right, with plenty of interesting pit stops along the way.

Key West is famous for its conch-style, pastel-hued houses and its coral reefs – a major draw for divers and sightseers. Whether you're into the local wildlife or want to get your adrenaline fix with watersports, this is the place for you.

Visitors flock to the area from all over the world to soak up the atmosphere and wonder of this small city. Its nightlife is something else too, with many a partygoer hitting the town every night.