Florida - where to go Everglades, Miami, Keys?

[BabyInWaiting]

Would love some advice...
Family of 6 (me, DH, 3 DCs 10/8/1, DM) are booked to travel to Orlando in last 2weeks of August. It will be hot but it’s booked now (Expedia flights so no changes) and we went 6 years ago in August and enjoyed the parks being quieter and we need to go in school holidays.
So we have 10 nights at cabana bay hotel - prob only doing universal parks as cost of Disney is too much atm for us. Then 5 nights left.
But my DM isn’t a big Disney /Parks fan. So we want to explore some of the natural beauty of Florida after the park binge. Any places you would recommend? Thinking Everglades or Florida keys or Miami? But know it will be very hot! Youngest is only 1 so want it to be doable. DH is from desert in California and can’t understand my concern for the heat!
We love a road trip. Have done California 2 years ago - sf, Yosemite, la, lv. Last year New York and DC so not put off my bit driving. We loved Yosemite and the forest hikes around Maryland.
So 5 nights. I have booked cheap Miami airport hotel for now as seemed a good base. But easily changeable. Any tips please?

Also do you think universal pass for 10 days is enough parks? We did 4 Disney parks last time but wondering if Universal is much smaller.
Thank you!!

Which airport will you use to return to the UK?.

If you are flying back to the UK from Orlando, I would instead consider spending those five nights in Clearwater or St Petersburg rather than the Keys or Miami. Its a drive of around 4 to 5 hours to Miami from Orlando and its another 3 hours on from Miami to the start of the Keys. Most of the road down through the keys is single lane. Its a long way to go for those few days.

The two Universal parks are large in their own rights with a lot of walking around involved. As you are in that area for 10 days you will have more than ample time to see the two parks. You also have their water park Volcano Bay too which is near to the Cabana Bay hotel.

Would DM & your older DC be up for Kennedy Space Centre? Amazing place to visit if space if your thing. You could head out Cocoa Beach direction, maybe day tripping to some of the lakes and forests between Orlando and the coast.

*space is

Yes flying out of Orlando to return home. Good point about drive times. I googled drive to Miami and it said 3.5 hours but prob need to add traffic. Will look into Clearwater thanks
Really regretting going in August as reading online it seems it’s so hot people barely leave the house! The Everglades are extremely hot it seems. Not sure if we can drive through them and still see parts?
Thank you for the Kennedy tip. They might be interested. Sounds like a cool place

Clearwater is amazing. Put it on your list for sure. Just a lovely beach. Tepid sea that doesn't get too deep. Lots of space and low key stuff around. Classic national park - defo worth a long day.

We are doing the same at the same time and staying near Clearwater for a few days on the beach. All the resorts are different on that coast.

This is similar to what we are staying I think I'll need a rest before going home

www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=914

Check out Anna Maria Island. Utterly beautiful and I much prefer it to Clearwater. Siesta Key, Sanibel and Longboat Key are lovely too
I personally hated Miami I found it ridiculously expensive and just felt dirty / grimy
I'd love to go to the Keys so if you don't mind the drive that could be a good option

We drive don’t to the keys from Orlando last August.
We have teens not small kids.
We stayed half way down near Marathon.
It was amazing. The food at the roadside restaurants was amazing BUT it was very very hot.
It took quite a long time to drive there but it was easy.
We flew back from Miami
Personally I would do the gulf coast ( Clearwater etc)
its gorgeous and not too far from Orlando.
We have stayed at the Marriott and Hilton in Clearwater and had an apartment just down the coast in Treasure island another time.
It was right on the beach. We could lay in bed an watch the dolphins in the morning.
We stayed in sunset vistas.

Sanibel is gorgeous, we also love the area around Naples. I have touched on the Everglades in August and it is hot but amazing, doable if you are prepared. Kennedy is great also and mostly inside!

St Pete beach area on the gulf coast is beautiful. Gorgeous beaches, lots to do or you can just relax and unwind with a cocktail. Only about an hours drive from Orlando

Thank you for all the tips. Beaches sound lovely

We stayed at/on? Marco island and it was lovely, did a day trip to the Everglades and wasn't too far to drive back to the airport

@ihatethecold did you say you drove to the keys from Orlando? How far did you go?

Sorry for the questions... we are also looking at driving to the Keys and trying to figure out what's doable in late aug - early sept.

We drove about half way down from Orlando.
It was an easy drive. We stopped north of Miami to eat in a little Cuban cafe.
I would happily do it again.
The Keys were very hot and it’s not easy to swim in the sea because it’s on a big reef. We swam in a swimming pool everyday instead.
The drive from the mainland through the Keys takes much longer than you imagine but it’s absolutely beautiful.
We stayed on Duck key at Hawks key villas.
It was fab.
We ate at nearby restaurants every night along from our resort. We had the best food of the whole holiday in the Keys.
Much healthier and fresher than Orlando.

We drove to Key west for the day. I loved it there and will definitely return one day.

Sounds fab! Thanks!

Hey all. I would honestly look at Clearwater. It's good value and amazingly beautiful. There's a huge choice of accommodation and the competition keeps the prices down. After all that time in the theme parks you are going to need some chill out time...but there's amazing experiences around there like swimming with dolphins etc. I had a quick look and I have beautiful beach villas etc from £300 up to £5000 per week for all of you so lots of choice. And loads of hotels too if that's what you prefer.

Great rentals in Marco's Island too....you'll have an amazing time there too!! £500 a week will get you a lovely villa there. 🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅🌅

Hope it helps...www.facebook.com/bestfamilyholidays

May be a bit late- did you decide- but Anna Maria Island is beautiful and only 2 hours from Orlando.

I found Clearwater fun (Street performers) but not beautiful. Anna Maria is beautiful. Watch out of swimming there though. Some parts get deep and it be gets choppy. Sanibel and Captiva were lovely. I loved The Keys the most though. The drive there was amazing and the laid back vibe was fun. Think we drove there from Miami. Miami was good fun but I wouldn't go for longer than a day or two. Oh, my husband found the driving through Miami quite terrifying!

Another vote for Anna Maria island