Florida August Itinerary-Any Suggestions?

Question

Hi there, I used this forum to come up with the below itinerary. If you spot something that doesn’t make sense, or have different ideas please let me know! I would also appreciate general advice on what to do and see please!

Day 1. Arrive in Tampa at 4PM Airport Hotel

Day 2. Visit Tampa stay at Airport Hotel

Day 3. Move to St Pete’s & overnight

Day 4. Beach day stay at St Pete’s

Day 5. Beach day stay at St Pete’s

Day 6. Move to Everglades & overnight

Day 7. Visit Everglades park & overnight

Day 8. Move to Key West & overnight

Day 9. Key west visit & overnight

Day 10. Key west visit & overnight

Day 11. Move to Miami & overnight

Day 12. Miami visit & overnight

Day 13. Miami beach day & overnight

Day 14. Leave Miami

We will start the holiday on 3rd August and wanted to avoid Orlando parks despite having a 4 year old who is very interested in Disney, we simply cannot deal with the idea of queues in the scorching heat.

We will have a car from day 1 to 11, we plan to use Uber in Miami (or maybe walk sometimes)..We only planned a walking food tour for Key West, if there are suggestions for museums and landmarks, or tours to join, would be great to hear!

Thanks all!

Answer

Your Florida August itinerary is well-structured and balances city visits, beach time, and natural attractions. Here’s some detailed feedback and suggestions to enhance your trip, especially traveling with a 4-year-old while avoiding the Orlando parks in the heat.

Tampa (Days 1–2): Arriving late on Day 1 and staying near the airport is smart. On Day 2, you can explore Tampa’s highlights without a rush:

Busch Gardens: Even if avoiding big queues, there are kid-friendly rides and animal exhibits that are less crowded early morning.
The Florida Aquarium: Perfect for a 4-year-old, offers indoor exhibits and touch pools—great for avoiding the heat.
ZooTampa: Another option with interactive exhibits and shaded areas.
Davis Islands or Tampa Riverwalk: Nice for a short walk, a playground stop, and maybe a casual lunch.

St. Pete (Days 3–5): Staying in St. Pete gives you great beach access:

St. Pete Beach or Pass-a-Grille: Excellent for kids, shallow waters, and plenty of shaded spots.
Salvador Dali Museum: Worth a brief visit if the family enjoys art; it’s air-conditioned and manageable for a toddler.
Fort De Soto Park: Stunning beaches, playgrounds, and nature trails—great for a family beach day.
Local dining: Try casual seafood spots along the beach for kid-friendly meals.

Everglades (Days 6–7): Driving from St. Pete to Everglades is doable, but plan for stops as it’s several hours:

Everglades National Park: Consider an airboat tour for wildlife spotting—children often enjoy seeing alligators in a safe environment.
Shark Valley Visitor Center: Offers a tram tour, boardwalk, and short walking trails suitable for kids.
Lodging: Staying near Everglades City or Homestead is convenient for early morning excursions.

Key West (Days 8–10): Driving down the Keys is scenic, but plan for multiple breaks to avoid long stretches with a 4-year-old:

Duval Street Walking Food Tour: A good choice; consider booking a shorter version if your child might get restless.
Hemingway Home & Museum: Kid-friendly if they enjoy cats and quirky history; short visit.
Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory: Indoor, air-conditioned, and perfect for children.
Southernmost Point & Lighthouse: Quick photo stops along the way.
Beach time: Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park has calm waters for kids.

Miami (Days 11–13): Using Uber and walking is a smart move to avoid city traffic and parking:

Miami Beach: Lummus Park or South Pointe Park for family-friendly beach time.
Little Havana: Short cultural walk and Cuban cuisine tasting.
Wynwood Walls: Outdoor murals—quick visit if your child can handle a bit of walking.
Museum option: Frost Science Museum has interactive exhibits suitable for children.
Everglades day trip: Already planned? Could also do a shorter airboat tour closer to Miami if needed.

General Tips:

Start days early to avoid afternoon heat, especially with a young child.
Pack plenty of water, snacks, sun protection, and light clothing.
Consider shorter driving segments and plan a few playground or park stops for the 4-year-old.
Reserve key attractions or tours in advance, especially in Key West and Miami in August.

Overall, your itinerary is realistic and balances driving, sightseeing, and downtime. Adjusting for breaks and air-conditioned indoor activities will make it more comfortable for your young child while still enjoying the highlights of Florida.

Florida August Itinerary-Any Suggestions?

More Florida (FL) Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions