Florida’s coastline offers more than just stunning beaches; it’s a paradise for seafood lovers too! Imagine spending a day exploring charming towns, natural wonders, or historic sites, then capping it off with a mouthwatering seafood feast.
These eight day trips combine the best of Florida’s attractions with restaurants that serve the freshest catches from local waters.
1. Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks And Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill
Stroll through this charming Greek community where sponge divers settled in the early 1900s. Watch boats unload their bounty and shop for natural sponges in the quirky boutiques lining the historic docks.
When hunger strikes, Rusty Bellies serves grouper so fresh it was swimming that morning! Their smoked fish spread and stone crab claws (in season) are local favorites worth the drive alone.
2. St. Augustine’s Historic District and O’Steen’s Restaurant
America’s oldest city captivates with cobblestone streets and centuries-old architecture. Tour Castillo de San Marcos, ride a trolley past colonial buildings, or hunt for treasures in eclectic shops.
However, locals know the real treasure is O’Steen’s unpretentious seafood haven. Their crispy fried shrimp, served with secret orange dipping sauce, has drawn devoted fans for generations – including many who plan entire trips around these perfectly breaded delicacies!
3. Everglades Airboat Adventure And Camellia Street Grill
Zoom across sawgrass prairies on an exhilarating airboat ride where alligators sunbathe and rare birds soar overhead. The primordial beauty of America’s largest subtropical wilderness will leave you breathless.
Just minutes away in Everglades City, Camellia Street Grill offers open-air dining with mangrove views. Their stone crab claws and gator bites provide the perfect taste of local flavors while you watch dolphins play in the water below your table!
4. Key Largo Snorkeling And Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen
Beneath the turquoise waters of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park lies a technicolor wonderland. Snorkel among vibrant coral formations where rainbow-hued fish dart between your fins and gentle sea turtles glide by.
Afterward, Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen welcomes with Key Lime decor and mouthwatering conch fritters. Their legendary Key Lime pie – tangy, sweet, and topped with mile-high meringue – provides the perfect ending to an underwater adventure!
5. Sanibel Island Shelling And The Island Cow
Wake up early for the “Sanibel Stoop” – the hunched position shell-seekers adopt while combing beaches for perfect specimens. This barrier island’s east-west orientation creates a natural scoop collecting shells from Caribbean currents.
When your collection bag gets heavy, waddle over to The Island Cow. Their grouper sandwich topped with fried green tomatoes offers a delicious twist on Florida flavors. Grab a seat on the quirky cow-themed patio where tropical birds serenade your seafood feast!
6. Cedar Key Kayaking And Tony’s Seafood Restaurant
Paddle through mangrove tunnels and around tiny islands in this Old Florida fishing village untouched by high-rises or chain stores. Dolphins often accompany kayakers while ospreys dive dramatically for fish overhead.
Tony’s award-winning clam chowder awaits hungry paddlers! This creamy masterpiece has won world championships three times. Paired with fresh-caught mullet smoked out back, it’s worth the journey to this remote Gulf hamlet where time seems wonderfully stuck in the past.
7. Amelia Island Horseback Beach Ride And Timoti’s Seafood Shak
If riding horses along pristine shoreline sounds like heaven, gallop to Florida’s northernmost barrier island. Guided equestrian tours take you trotting through gentle surf while shorebirds scatter and dolphins play offshore.
Timoti’s Seafood Shak serves the perfect post-ride reward: wild-caught shrimp baskets and lobster rolls bursting with sweet meat. Their casual outdoor seating welcomes sandy feet, and the key lime cheesecake squares might have you planning a return trip before you’ve even left!
8. Naples Botanical Garden And USS Nemo
Wander through 170 acres of tropical paradise showcasing plants from around the globe. The Caribbean garden’s vibrant flowers and the Asian garden’s serene water features offer perfect backdrops for memorable photos.
Just minutes away, USS Nemo serves seafood with unexpected international twists. Their signature miso-broiled sea bass has developed such a cult following that fans drive across the state just to taste it! Paired with their ginger-infused cocktails, it’s the sophisticated finale your garden adventure deserves.
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