18 days in Florida Itinerary

For most people, any mention of Orlando immediately conjures up images of sprawling theme parks filled with characters plucked right out of popular animated movies.

Go for a jaunt from Orlando to Kissimmee to see Boat Tours & Water Sports about 34 minutes away. Have a day of magic on the 18th (Sat) at Walt Disney World Resort. Pack the 19th (Sun) with family-friendly diversions at Universal's Islands of Adventure. Next up on the itinerary: get in on the family fun at Universal Orlando Resort.

To find ratings, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Orlando tour itinerary maker site.

Chicago to Orlando is an approximately 5.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from Chicago to Orlando due to the time zone difference. Plan for much hotter temperatures traveling from Chicago in December, with highs in Orlando at 77°F and lows at 59°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Mon) so you can go by car to Crystal River.

The jewel of Florida's Nature Coast, Crystal River spreads around spring-fed Kings Bay, known for maintaining a constant 22 C (72 F) temperature all year long.

Start off your visit on the 21st (Tue): identify plant and animal life at Alpaca Magic USA, then explore the activities along Homosassa River, and then see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour.

To find ratings, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Crystal River trip planning site.

You can drive from Orlando to Crystal River in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Orlando in December, Crystal River is a bit cooler at night with lows of 52°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Tue) so you can drive to Miami Beach.

Separated by water from the neighboring city of Miami, Miami Beach sits on a barrier island between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

On the 22nd (Wed), see the interesting displays at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, then admire the natural beauty at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, then have fun at Lock & Load Miami, and finally examine the collection at Lock & Load Museum. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 23rd (Thu): view the masterpieces at Garman Sculpture Works, head outdoors with JP Outfitters Inc., then enjoy the sand and surf at South Beach, and finally visit Art Deco Historic District.

To find photos, where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Miami Beach online journey planner.

You can drive from Crystal River to Miami Beach in 5.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or take a bus. Traveling from Crystal River in December, expect Miami Beach to be a bit warmer, temps between 81°F and 68°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Thu) to allow time to 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.

On the 24th (Fri), head outdoors with Osceola panthers and then identify plant and animal life at Shark Valley Visitor Center. On your second day here, take in the waterfront at West Lake Trail, then identify plant and animal life at Nine Mile Pond Canoe Trail, and then identify plant and animal life at Mahogany Hammock.

For more things to do, ratings, maps, and tourist information, use the Everglades National Park driving holiday planner.

You can take a bus from Miami Beach to Everglades National Park in 4 hours. In December in Everglades National Park, expect temperatures between 80°F during the day and 71°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Sat) so you can take a bus to Key Largo.

The northernmost island of the Florida Keys, Key Largo provides stunning scenery, a number of watersports opportunities, and plenty of areas to relax on vacation.

Take a break from Key Largo with a short trip to Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park in Islamorada, about 32 minutes away. The adventure continues: observe the fascinating underwater world at Island Dolphin Care, cast your line with a fishing tour, identify plant and animal life at Capt. Sterling's Everglades Eco-Tours, and see the vivid underwater world at Spiegel Grove.

To see other places to visit, traveler tips, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Key Largo trip itinerary maker website.

You can take a bus from Everglades National Park to Key Largo in 2.5 hours. Plan for slightly colder nights when traveling from Everglades National Park in December since evenings lows in Key Largo dip to 66°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Tue) early enough to drive to Marathon.

A tiny city just 16 km (10 mi) long, Marathon is spread across several islands in the middle of the Florida Keys.

On the 29th (Wed), take in the architecture and atmosphere at San Pablo Catholic Church, see the interesting displays at Crane Point Museum & Nature Center, then kick back and relax at Sombrero Beach, and finally identify plant and animal life at The Turtle Hospital. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 30th (Thu): identify plant and animal life at National Key Deer Refuge, then relax and rejuvenate at SpaTerre at Little Palm Island Resort, and then identify plant and animal life at Marathon Garden Club.

To find ratings, photos, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Marathon vacation app.

You can drive from Key Largo to Marathon in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In December, daily temperatures in Marathon can reach 80°F, while at night they dip to 71°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Thu) 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 wildlife, adventure, and museums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: examine the collection at The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, admire the natural beauty at Audubon House & Tropical Gardens, observe the fascinating underwater world at Key West Aquarium, and identify plant and animal life at Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory.

To find traveler tips, maps, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Key West road trip app.

You can drive from Marathon to Key West in 1.5 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. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Mon) early enough to travel back home.