Florida vacation

[SwissCraft1291]

Hello TT

I am on vacation in Florida for the first 3 weeks in January 2023. Does anyone want to show me the area a little? I have a car and am very flexible. Fishing, hunting, going out, discussing boats etc.

I don't want to visit the typical tourist attractions, but meet great people, have fun evenings, see new things and get to know my favorite vacation country even better.

Greetings from Switzerland

[osmonet]

Hello TT

I am on vacation in Florida for the first 3 weeks in January 2023. Does anyone want to show me the area a little? I have a car and am very flexible. Fishing, hunting, going out, discussing boats etc.

I don't want to visit the typical tourist attractions, but meet great people, have fun evenings, see new things and get to know my favorite vacation country even better.

Greetings from Switzerland

make sure to visit the boarding school in orlando if you want a ski or wakeboard set

[lakedrum03]

make sure to visit the boarding school in orlando if you want a ski or wakeboard set

+1,000,000 on this.

[d2jp]

What part of Florida will you be spending most of your time in? Example: Pensacola vs Jax vs Orlando vs Tampa vs Miami is quite different, both in distance and vibe….

[SwissCraft1291]

make sure to visit the boarding school in orlando if you want a ski or wakeboard set

Thanks for your recommendation. I will keep the boarding school in mind.

[SwissCraft1291]

What part of Florida will you be spending most of your time in? Example: Pensacola vs Jax vs Orlando vs Tampa vs Miami is quite different, both in distance and vibe….

I fly to Orlando and spend the first weekend there.

After that I am absolutely free. I have a car for the whole duration of the stay and am used to driving 300-400 miles per day. So longer distances would not be a problem. My goal is to visit the Keys for sure. But as I said, I am open to any suggestions.

I don't want to spend the typical influencer-duckface-sightseeing-Instagram vacation. I'm more of a bass pro store kind of guy.
So I could also see myself sitting by a lake all day, casting a line and philosophizing about the world over a beer.

[GatorBaitWake]

If you are going to drive to the Keys you will pass right by us! So book a set with us if you have time.

Gator Bait Wakeboard School
Marcos
(305) 282-5706

[d2jp]

Disclaimer: I don't live in FL, but travel there for work (and vacation), with numerous accounts in the area you're talking about, including Key West I'm in FL quite a bit. I've made the drive from Orland to Key West, there is PLENTY to see in-between. I will skip Orlando with the exception of adding a stop by Performance Ski and Surf if you're a watersports gearhead. I enjoy skiing at McGinnis Ski School outside of Ft. Lauderdale, Ann is really cool and usually has some demo gear to borrow (assuming you're a skier). She has a cool place to hang out and have a beer or two next to her ski lake. Even if you're not skiing you might ask if you can just come watch the skiers and hang out. Southport Raw Bar in Ft. Lauderdale is more of local crowd, informal, laid back and good place for beer and oysters. I always stop in Miami Nautique's pro shop, and continue over to South Beach and hang out, cool places to eat and people watch. If you really want to see a more 'remote' area of rural FL, drive over to Clewiston, FL and visit the Roland Martin Tiki Bar and Grill on Lake Okeechobee. It's connected to a pretty good sized tackle/outdoor shop too. If you're looking for the non-instagram, drink a beer and solve the worlds problems, this is the place. About a 3hr round trip from the FL Turnpike/95/441 area. Key West...pretty hard not to have fun there. I like the Green Parrot (for no particular reason) and always enjoy Ft. Zachary Taylor State Park in Key West, plenty of places to hang in the shade and they have a kiosok that sells beer and some food!
Beyond that, I'm sure others here have lots of recommendations. Have Fun!

[John Johnson]

You can't go wrong with making a trip up to the panhandle to see 30A - Alys, Seaside, and Rosemary Beach(es). Great place to walk around, chill, get great drinks and meet to friendly folks. Florida really is like three different parts of the country all rolled up into one. I visited West Palm for work a few months ago and had a blast as well.

[SwissCraft1291]

Thanks for the great inputs guys! I will now get to work and mark all these spots in my google map.

Since last year my Pro Star has gone up in flames, I only stood on the boards 3-4 times this year. To start the ski / wakeboard year 2023 in Flordia would be cool.

I really appreciate your tips!

[waterlogged882]

If you like knives, visit the Randall Made Knjfe Co. in Orlando, FL.

A highly sought after knife to the knife enthusiast. Typically a 5-6 year waiting time on custom builds.

.

[ATLX30]

It you go to the panhandle, stop in Carrabelle and Apalachicola. Both are great little fishing towns with lots of fresh seafood and oysters. Oyster City Brewing in Apalachicola should definitely be on your list. St. George Island is also worth a visit. The 30A area is great, but Carrabelle and Apalachicola are a lot more laid back if that is what you are looking for.

[trickskier]

While in Orlando check out Old Town on US 192 just east of I-4. They have car shows every Friday & Saturday night on Main Street. I highly recommend going to The Columbia Restaurant in Celebration, FL (SE Orlando) for lunch. Get a Cuban Sandwich & a 1905 Salad! I love Key West! It will be an all day drive from Orlando. Watch your SPEED once you enter the Keys! I like the Hot Tin Roof Restaurant in Mallory Square. Hog's Breath Saloon and Sloppy Joe's are a must!!! If you like racing go to Daytona International Speedway. Depending on how much you want to spend you can purchase a Ride-A-Long ticket or Drive a real NASCAR Race Car on the High Banks of Daytona International Speedway. They will let you get up to around 150 MPH. St. Augustine is the Oldest City established in America and has a lot of History.

[Huckelfin]

Since last year my Pro Star has gone up in flames

Uhhhh What?

[SwissCraft1291]

If you like knives, visit the Randall Made Knjfe Co. in Orlando, FL.

A highly sought after knife to the knife enthusiast. Typically a 5-6 year waiting time on custom builds.

Thanks for your exciting input. Have visited the website. Orders are currently being taken for 2027!!! Crazy!