The Ultimate South Florida Road Trip from West Palm Beach to Key West

When it comes to vacationing in South Florida, why limit yourself to just one destination? Take a Florida road trip down the Overseas Highway to Key West, crossing 42 bridges and the sparkling aquamarine sea. Or travel by high-speed rail via Brightline, which connects West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. The journey can be just as exciting as the destination.

Plan your ultimate South Florida road trip with our guide to the very best of West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Key West.

Start: West Palm Beach

Begin your journey browsing the CityPlace al fresco shopping center, one block south of famed Clematis Street with its rows of buzzing restaurants.

For a decadent Champagne brunch, head to the rooftop at Restoration Hardware, located near CityPlace. Wind your way through their luxury furniture showroom and end your exploration on the rooftop with a lobster roll and a fizzy cocktail.

white exterior of the flagler museum — Get a history fix at the Flagler Museum. (Photo: Getty Images)

Get your arts and history fix at the Norton Museum of Art, where you’ll find the works of 19th-century European masters, and the former estate of Florida railway magnate Henry Flagler at what is now the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum.

Boca Raton

The perfect beach day awaits at Boca Raton’s oceanfront Red Reef Park, home to a golf course, the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center and a boardwalk trail. Here, South Florida’s famous sugar-white sands and cooling blue seas lead to a coral reef just offshore that’s perfect for snorkeling.

For a dose of culture, the Boca Raton Museum of Art‘s collection spans modern and contemporary works and African and pre-Columbian art, as well as photography. It also boasts an impressive sculpture garden.

Stop by the Farmer’s Table for farm fresh cuisine in a chic yet cozy setting. They also dish up healthy meals to go, perfect for road trippers. Think local swordfish tikka masala, grass-fed burgers, and Florida avocado and citrus salad.

Fort Lauderdale

Often called “the Venice of South Florida,” Fort Lauderdale is composed of a series of canals connecting the Intracoastal Waterway to the Atlantic Ocean. Hop aboard the city’s Water Taxi for a tour and a unique perspective.

sunset in fort lauderale along the intracoastal — Be sure to see the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale. (Photo: Getty Images)

Hop off at the Stranahan House and stroll along Las Olas Boulevard until you reach The Wharf. Soak up Fort Lauderdale’s dockside vibes at this nautical-themed open-air restaurant on the New River, which includes five unique food concepts, four bars and live music daily.

Just off the beaten path of Las Olas, Apothecary 330 is a hidden Spot tucked inside the artisanal pizzeria Pizza Craft where you’ll enjoy classic cocktails in a sophisticated setting, as well as house-made pasta and wood-fired pizzas. We can’t think of a finer pairing on an evening out!

Miami

Miami’s downtown has transformed into a hot spot for culture, dining and nightlife. Stop by popular local’s spot Lost Boy for an afternoon beer and a game of billiards or darts.

Overlooking Biscayne Bay at Museum Park, the inspired architecture of the Pérez Art Museum Miami is as captivating as its thought-provoking contemporary collection, which highlights 20th- and 21st-century art of the Americas.

For dinner, head to Garcia’s Seafood Grille & Fish Market, a Miami institution serving up fresh seafood since 1966. Grab a table on the deck overlooking the Miami River and choose from the day’s fresh local catch, such as grouper, snapper, stone crab, conch, mahi-mahi, lobster and more.

End: Key West

Once you’ve arrived in Key West, keep the adventure going with a boating excursion. Fury Water Adventures offers everything from snorkeling to sunset sailing, parasailing and Jet-Skiing. Whatever you do, don’t miss the famous sunset celebration, whether at Mallory Square or out at sea.

carts on wheels selling souvenirs in key west — See a sunset and shop for souvenirs at Mallory Square in Key West. (Photo: Getty Images)

For dinner, make reservations at Santiago’s Bodega, tucked away in Bahama Village, for a refined interpretation of Spanish tapas in a romantic setting. Must-order items include beef tenderloin with bleu cheese butter and the brandy flambéed halloumi cheese.

Just one block off of famed Duval Street, the Green Parrot is a locally loved watering hole with live music, a great jukebox, trippy decor, pool tables and a fun-loving crowd that spills onto the sidewalks into the wee hours.