12 days in Florida Itinerary

Florida’s mecca of fun in the sun, the lively tropical metropolis of Miami is one of the world’s top vacation spots.

Miami is known for shopping, museums, and zoos & aquariums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: examine the collection at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, enjoy the sand and surf at Miami Beach & Boardwalk, take a stroll through Ocean Drive, and stroll around Lummus Park Beach.

To see ratings, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, use the Miami trip planning app.

Newark to Miami is an approximately 4.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Newark in December, things will get much warmer in Miami: highs are around 81°F and lows about 68°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Tue) so you can travel to Everglades National Park.

A vast expanse of pristine wetlands, Everglades National Park holds the distinction of being the largest tropical wilderness in the U.S. Overflow from Lake Okeechobee into the Florida Bay formed these wetlands, which are home to manatees, American crocodiles, Florida panthers, and an array of wading birds, land birds, and birds of prey.

Kick off your visit on the 27th (Tue): identify plant and animal life at Shark Valley Visitor Center.

For more things to do, reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Everglades National Park travel route planner.

Explore your travel options from Miami to Everglades National Park with the Route module. December in Everglades National Park sees daily highs of 80°F and lows of 71°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Wed) early enough to travel to Islamorada.

Islamorada, long recognized as one of the world's top spots for sport fishing, encompasses six islands in the Florida Keys.

Kick off your visit on the 28th (Wed): take in the architecture and atmosphere at San Pablo Catholic Church and then see what you can catch with a fishing tour. Keep things going the next day: enjoy the sand and surf at Sombrero Beach, then look for all kinds of wild species at The Turtle Hospital, then examine the collection at Crane Point Museum & Nature Center, and finally sample the tasty concoctions at Islamorada Brewery & Distillery - MM82.

For photos, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Islamorada online itinerary planner.

You can take a bus from Everglades National Park to Islamorada in 6 hours. In December, plan for daily highs up to 80°F, and evening lows to 71°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Key West.

Located just 140 km (90 mi) from Cuba, Key West is an island only about 6.4 km (4 mi) long and 1.6 km (1 mi) wide.

Key West is known for sightseeing, wildlife, and adventure. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: examine the collection at The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Key West Aquarium, steep yourself in history at Truman Little White House, and take in nature's colorful creations at Audubon House & Tropical Gardens.

To see reviews, more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, go to the Key West online trip builder.

You can drive from Islamorada to Key West in 2 hours. Another option is to take a bus. December in Key West sees daily highs of 79°F and lows of 71°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Mon) so you can fly to Tampa.

Tampa ranks among the country's most livable cities, attracting newcomers with its growing economy and status as a major port on the Gulf of Mexico.

On the 2nd (Mon), learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at ZooTampa at Lowry Park and then take a stroll through Ybor City. Here are some ideas for day two: find something for the whole family at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

To see where to stay, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Tampa trip itinerary builder app.

You can fly from Key West to Tampa in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry, taxi, and bus; or drive. Traveling from Key West in January, things will get little chillier in Tampa: highs are around 71°F and lows about 53°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Wed) so you can fly back home.