Florida vacation tips

[Bullitt]

Me and my family are travelling to Florida next summer. June 24 to July 10. I see we will be there on 4th of July, so that will be fun!
We are renting a house in Orlando the first week, and in Cutler Bay Miami the last week. Gonna visit places like Universal, Daytona 500, Kennedy space center, Everglades, Key West and South Beach Miami. Ofcourse there will be a mandatory trip to DMC Florida in Naples.

Does anyone have any tips on places to see, places to eat, car museums etc?
The greasier and bigger the food, the better it is! ;)

Regards
Svein

[NJP548]

Svein,

You can check out George's Music in Orlando and see the DeLorean rotting away in the parking lot.

http://www.georgesmusic.com/georges-music-orlando-fl.html

-Nick

[louielouie2000]

If you drive through the Keys versus flying into Key West, give yourself plenty of daylight. It takes about 4 hours to make the slow drive from the south side of Miami to Key West, but the scenery is unforgettable. Stopping at Bahia Honda State Park is my favorite way to break the trip up, and the beaches on the Atlantic side of the park are probably the most beautiful of any place in Florida. The charter boats to go snorkeling/scuba diving on Looe Key reef are also nearby. If you have time to take the day trip out to Fort Jefferson from Key West, do it. If you like tours, I recommend the Key West Lighthouse (the view from the top is amazing), Hemmingway House, and the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum. Drinks at Sloppy Joe's in Key West is a must, as is lunch at B.O.'s Fish Wagon (definitely big & greasy!). Have fun on your trip, I'm jealous!

[Bullitt]

If you drive through the Keys versus flying into Key West, give yourself plenty of daylight. It takes about 4 hours to make the slow drive from the south side of Miami to Key West, but the scenery is unforgettable. Stopping at Bahia Honda State Park is my favorite way to break the trip up, and the beaches on the Atlantic side of the park are probably the most beautiful of any place in Florida. The charter boats to go snorkeling/scuba diving on Looe Key reef are also nearby. If you have time to take the day trip out to Fort Jefferson from Key West, do it. If you like tours, I recommend the Key West Lighthouse (the view from the top is amazing), Hemmingway House, and the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum. Drinks at Sloppy Joe's in Key West is a must, as is lunch at B.O.'s Fish Wagon (definitely big & greasy!). Have fun on your trip, I'm jealous!

Thanks!

Did not have much info on the key west part so I Appreciate it. Yep we are driving.

Svein

[Bullitt]

Svein,

You can check out George's Music in Orlando and see the DeLorean rotting away in the parking lot.

http://www.georgesmusic.com/georges-music-orlando-fl.html

-Nick

Yeah! I forgot about that! 😊

Svein

[David T]

Look up fantasyofflight.com There is also Cape Canaveral. Probably the best place to look is Florida's tourism bureau for all of the attractions in the State.

[Dangermouse]

I would recommend not over-estimating how much you can do/see in a day, particularly if you have kids with you. I have "done Disney" with young and teen kids and they just aren't as co-operative as you might think :)


Each of the parks at Universal/SeaWorld/Disney etc is a full day, as is Kennedy and Daytona (Though maybe you can do those in the same day)

Key West is a full day, as will be DMCF, and the Everglades

In June/July it will be ridiculously humid and you will need "swimming pool time"

In Miami, check out Super Car Rooms to eat with an exotic, including a D with red interior http://www.miamisupercarrooms.com/

(but not sure how kid friendly they are )

[Bullitt]

I would recommend not over-estimating how much you can do/see in a day, particularly if you have kids with you. I have "done Disney" with young and teen kids and they just aren't as co-operative as you might think :)


Each of the parks at Universal/SeaWorld/Disney etc is a full day, as is Kennedy and Daytona (Though maybe you can do those in the same day)

Key West is a full day, as will be DMCF, and the Everglades

In June/July it will be ridiculously humid and you will need "swimming pool time"

In Miami, check out Super Car Rooms to eat with an exotic, including a D with red interior http://www.miamisupercarrooms.com/

(but not sure how kid friendly they are )

Hi!

Me and my wife dont have kids, but my sister do. (My parents are also with us) I guess they will spend a day at the pool while Me, my wife, my sisters oldest son and perhaps my dad drive to Naples. We have two cars.
Not so sure yet if we are going to Disneyland. Me and my wife was in Disneyland last year in California. But I know we are going to Universal. Yes, I know most of them are day trips. Im afraid we need to get a motel/hotel on our trip to Key West so we can get the full experience. Was not planning on spendig to much time at Daytona. (It will be mostly me going there anyways, with maybe my wife, dad and sisters oldest son)
We are all going to Key West, Everglades, Kennedy, Universal. I guess me, my wife, my sister and her husband will have a kid free night out in Miami while my parents babysit. I must see the Art Deco style hotels on South Beach. (Because Scarface, Gta Vice City, Miami Vice :P)

I have been 3 trips to the US earlier, First Chicago-Tulsa, Second in the south, and third the west coast. We have always found some awesome places to eat. But have not yet managed to track down some real cool places for Florida. As I said, The bigger and Greasier the better. So any places with food challenges would be awesome. Not that im planning to try, but they usually have something good and fun to eat. I have been to Big Lou`s Pizza, Heartattack Grill, and Big Texan Steak Ranch.

[blueshark66]

While you're on the Gulf coast, not too far north of Naples is a town called Venice. My parents lived there for years - wonderful place. Go eat at Sharky's on the Pier. Its right on the beach and has great food. It's named Sharky's because the beaches in that area are known as one of the best places to find/collect shark's teeth. We've found hundreds of them over the years. Another favorite place to eat in Venice is Captain Eddy's.

Have fun!

[Lenny]

Some of the best things in Florida are inland and I don't mean Disney. I have dived in probably 30 different springs in Florida, the springs in Florida are beautiful, crystal clear. If I had to pick one to play in it would be the Ichetucknee River.
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Ichetucknee-Springs

You can rent tubes and there is a shuttle to take you back to your car. Get there early they only allow so many people on the river and then they close it. You don't need scuba gear although a mask and snorkel would be nice.

[Bullitt]

Thanks guys!
Keep em coming!

Svein

[Jonathan]

If you're going to be there June/July, you could go see a baseball game either in Miami (the Marlins) or in Tampa (the Rays). If it was March, I'd say go see a spring training game, but that's not the case. Hockey and basketball will be done by then and football won't have started yet.

I used to go see Dodgers spring training in Vero Beach when I was a kid. I remember eating at a place called Joe's Crabshack somewhere in that area. The baseball facility got moved to Phoenix a few years ago, but I would imagine the restaurant is still there.

If you are over near Tampa or Sarasota, some other ideas are the LEGOLAND park (https://www.legoland.com/florida/about-us/about-legoland-florida/), the Ringling Brothers Circus museum (Sarasota) (https://www.ringling.org/circus-museum) and the Sarasota Car Museum (http://www.sarasotacarmuseum.org/about-us/).

If you're going to eat in that area, you could try a place called The Dry Dock (http://www.drydockwaterfrontgrill.com/). It is on Long Boat Key just off St. Armand's Circle which is right at the water (the gulf side) on the edge of Sarasota. There won't be any eating contests there, but it is very good (and somewhat expensive too). They have a grouper specialty, but I don't know for sure it will be in season when you're there. I think you can go out in a charter fishing boat too from that place and if you wanted to make a day of it, come back and have them prepare what you caught.

If you do go out that way, you can't miss the "kissing sailor/nurse (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconditional_Surrender_(sculpture))" war time statue that is on display right at the bay and on the mainland side of the bridge. That's a real nice area too if you go for a walk over the bridge or in that little marina area.

At the very end of the state/country/roads in Key West, you can check out the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum (http://www.melfisher.org/museum.htm). Shipwreck stuff and whatnot. I was there years ago and they had a huge hunk of gold bar that was safely enclosed in a big case, but still had openings to let you reach in and pick it up to feel the weight. That area is a cruise ship docking spot if I'm not mistaken.

Last time I checked, the Fantasy of Flight place was closed unfortunately.

[Lenny]

Here's a photo that popped up on my Facebook page about Ginny Springs. It gives you an idea of how clear the springs are. It's about 45 minutes from the Ichetucknee River, I posted earlier.
https://www.facebook.com/902958203101740/photos/a.1152524914811733.1073741828.902958203101740/1288614051202818/?type=3&theater

[DMC-81]

Svein,

You can check out George's Music in Orlando and see the DeLorean rotting away in the parking lot.

http://www.georgesmusic.com/georges-music-orlando-fl.html

-Nick

Ha! I realized that I drive by the back of this store twice a day on I-4, so today I stopped in. The car is the owner's, and the employee said that it was one of George's favorite cars, so he's sharing it with the customers. As usual, it was drawing attention. It is a 10,000 series vin, and it had a turbo emblem on the back. The employee said that indeed it is a turbo car. Sadly, as a road going car, it's weather beaten and in need of a full restoration, but surprisingly it was undamaged and seemed complete. Who am I to judge how an owner wants to use or not use his car. :dunno:

The employees were friendly and customer focused. If you are into music, the store has great reviews.

47959
Sorry for the orientation...

[Chris Burns]

Ha! I realized that I drive by the back of this store twice a day on I-4, so today I stopped in. The car is the owner's, and the employee said that it was one of George's favorite cars, so he's sharing it with the customers. As usual, it was drawing attention. It is a 10,000 series vin, and it had a turbo emblem on the back. The employee said that indeed it is a turbo car. Sadly, as a road going car, it's weather beaten and in need of a full restoration, but surprisingly it was undamaged and seemed complete. Who am I to judge how an owner wants to use or not use his car. :dunno:

The employees were friendly and customer focused. If you are into music, the store has great reviews.

47959
Sorry for the orientation...

Yea the last time I visited Orlando I had to tell them everything about the car that I knew of it. I see it everytime I'm in town and usually take a ton of pics. I know it's insane, but it's still a Delorean.

I call him George. Lol.

[Bullitt]

Ha! I realized that I drive by the back of this store twice a day on I-4, so today I stopped in. The car is the owner's, and the employee said that it was one of George's favorite cars, so he's sharing it with the customers. As usual, it was drawing attention. It is a 10,000 series vin, and it had a turbo emblem on the back. The employee said that indeed it is a turbo car. Sadly, as a road going car, it's weather beaten and in need of a full restoration, but surprisingly it was undamaged and seemed complete. Who am I to judge how an owner wants to use or not use his car. :dunno:

The employees were friendly and customer focused. If you are into music, the store has great reviews.

47959
Sorry for the orientation...

Im stopping by to see it! ☺

[DMC-81]

Im stopping by to see it! ☺

Cool. Also, it looks like you have chosen great places and got some good suggestions. For places to eat I have 2 suggestions if you are in the International Drive area:

For a carnivore's paridise: Fogo de Chao (https://fogodechao.com/location/orlando)

For a nice dinner in a great upscale atmosphere The Capital Grille (http://www.thecapitalgrille.com/locations/fl/orlando/orlando-i-drive/8025)

[Bullitt]

Thanks!

Today it's exactly a half year till im going!

Merry Christmas from Norway everybody!

[Timeless]

While in Naples check out the REVS Institute: http://revsinstitute.org/

I live a few minutes from DMCFL and it's always good viewing for D's especially Proto-1.
47982

[DMC-81]

While in Naples check out the REVS Institute: http://revsinstitute.org/

I live a few minutes from DMCFL and it's always good viewing for D's especially Proto-1.
47982

Hi there,

How is DMCFLs stock of DeLoreans for sale these days? When I was there in July, there were only 2 in the showroom, stacked on a rack in the corner, and the only cars in the lot were customers cars awaiting service. As a car guy, I didn't mind wading thorough closely packed Lamborghini's and other hardware (like a mint Grand National) to see Proto 1 and the concours car again, but if I was shopping for a D, it would be great to have had a selection like when I bought my car there in 2013. Perhaps it was just a low stock period...

[Jonathan]

Hi there,

How is DMCFLs stock of DeLoreans for sale these days? When I was there in July, there were only 2 in the showroom, stacked on a rack in the corner, and the only cars in the lot were customers cars awaiting service. As a car guy, I didn't mind wading thorough closely packed Lamborghini's and other hardware (like a mint Grand National) to see Proto 1 and the concours car again, but if I was shopping for a D, it would be great to have had a selection like when I bought my car there in 2013. Perhaps it was just a low stock period...

Good question. I'd be curious about that too. Just general for sale stock really, DMC FL or otherwise.

I was last there right about now in 2014 (for the Christmas holidays). There were probably about a dozen outside in a row, all of varying condition, and all for sale if I'm not mistaken.

47983

[Timeless]

I would guess about 10. As of a few days ago a few are outside that needed resto, and a few inside for sale under their 20/40/60K program.

http://www.gulfcoastmotorworks.com/dmc-shelby-superformance-florida?make=DeLorean

[DMC-81]

I would guess about 10. As of a few days ago a few are outside that needed resto, and a few inside for sale under their 20/40/60K program.

http://www.gulfcoastmotorworks.com/dmc-shelby-superformance-florida?make=DeLorean

Cool, good to hear. :thumbup:

[DMC8182]

Depending on your route, the Tallahassee Antique Car Museum is outstanding. Yes they have a D there, but also a number of nice cars of all vintages. The museum is a private collection and has al kinds of interesting stuff. Google it!

Cecil Longwisch

[Morpheus]

Now that DMCFL is moving to Orlando, you should definitely visit the new shop...

[GCMW Deloreans]

Good question. I'd be curious about that too. Just general for sale stock really, DMC FL or otherwise.

I was last there right about now in 2014 (for the Christmas holidays). There were probably about a dozen outside in a row, all of varying condition, and all for sale if I'm not mistaken.

47983

We now have a Delorean only showroom with upwards of 20 cars inside. Proto 1 is the center piece and is flanked by some really awesome Deloreans including two Concourse level cars and an original 77 Mile car. Check us out on Facebook, just search Gulfcoast Motorworks and you will see the pictures of how the new showroom is laid out.

I try to have at least 6 cars for sale at all times. Feel free to contact me anytime.

thanks,
Mike