Take the road from Jacksonville, FL, in a luxurious BMW X5 to go on adventurous weekend getaways to astonishing destinations. Wander through the oldest fort in the state, stick your toes in the sand along the Gulf of Mexico, and escape to an island bordering the pristine wilderness of the Everglades’ Ten Thousand Islands.
3 Great Weekend Getaways in Driving Distance of Jacksonville, FL
1. Discover St. Augustine’s Fascinating Spanish History
Just over 40 minutes from Jacksonville, St. Augustine, commonly called the “Nation’s Oldest City,” has a delightful European flavor. Visit the impressive Castillo de San Marcos with its imposing gray towers and impenetrable stone walls, Florida’s oldest fort, built by the Spanish in the 17th century to defend the Atlantic trade route, on the shores of Matanzas Bay at 11 South Castillo Drive.
The fascinating Pirate and Treasure Museum, next to the fort, is a treasure trove of ill-gotten booty and displays the most extensive authentic collection of pirate artifacts and treasures in the world. If you feel adventurous, zipline over the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park on Anastacia Island at 999 Anastasia Boulevard. It’s the only place on earth where you can see every species of alligator and crocodile.
2. Uncover the Beauty of Englewood’s Beaches and Untouched Wilderness
Take a four-hour drive to Englewood, famous for its beautiful beaches, including the sandy Manasota Beach at 8570 Manasota Key Road. Here, you can laze the day away on the beach, canoe or kayak on the azure blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and even search for shark teeth! For a more active adventure, hit the trails through the black mangrove forest in the breathtaking 210-acre Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center at 570 Bay Park Boulevard.
Another must-see destination is the incredible Myakka State Forest at 2000 South River Road, which runs along the Myakka River and stretches over untouched pinelands, wetlands, hammocks, and prairies. Explore this vast expanse of wilderness on 40 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails and paddle along Myakkahatchee Creek that flows into the Myakka River.
3. Explore the Mangrove Jungles of the Everglades around Chokoloskee Island
The quaint Chokoloskee Island, just over five hours from Jacksonville, also sometimes called “Florida’s Last Frontier,” borders the Thousand Islands and the Gulf of Mexico and is not only renowned for its breathtaking beauty and outstanding outdoor activities in the mangrove jungles of the Everglades but also for having more ghosts than living souls that make nocturnal visits to the historic Ted Smallwood’s Store.
Get settled in the motel, one of the chalets, or the campground at Chokoloskee Park and Marina at 1150 Hamilton Lane and explore the awe-inspiring Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge at 12085 SR 29 South in Immokalee. The refuge stretches over 35,000 acres of fresh and saltwater marshes and mangrove islands, home to manatees, loggerhead turtles, dolphins, and otters.
Go on an unforgettable road trip to amazing destinations and discover Florida’s fascinating history and unique beauty. To safely get where you want to go, call Tom Bush BMW Orange Park today for a maintenance appointment, and the qualified BMW technicians will ensure your vehicle runs perfectly.
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