23 days in New York City, Orlando & Port Canaveral Itinerary

Writer Pearl Buck once called New York City “a place apart,” and this giant urban center remains unlike any other in the world.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art and 9/11 Memorial will appeal to museum buffs. Kids will appreciate attractions like Fire Island National Seashore and American Museum of Natural History. Venture out of the city with trips to Bronx Zoo (in Bronx), Jones Beach State Park (in Wantagh) and Ponquogue Beach (in Hampton Bays). The adventure continues: wander the streets of Fifth Avenue, stop by Tiffany & Co., make a trip to Central Park, and see the interesting displays at Museum of Chinese in America.

To find photos, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the New York City road trip planner.

Melbourne, Australia to New York City is an approximately 26-hour combination of flight and bus. You can also do a combination of train, flight, and bus. The time zone difference moving from Australian Eastern Standard Time (Victoria) (AEST) to Eastern Standard Time (EST) is minus 15 hours. Traveling from Melbourne in December, expect nights in New York City to be slightly colder, around 2°C, while days are colder, around 10°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Sat) to allow time to travel to Orlando.

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.

Head to Disney Springs and Modernism Museum Shoppefor plenty of shopping. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Stetson Mansion and Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Orlando: Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards (in Clermont), Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens (in Port Orange) and Ormond Beach (Andy Romano Beachfront Park & Ormond Beach). Pack the 29th (Sat) with family-friendly diversions at Walt Disney World Resort. Have a day of magic on the 30th (Sun) at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The adventure continues: make an unforgettable trip to Happily Ever After Fireworks, buy something for everyone on your list at The Florida Mall, get some fabulous bargains at Orlando Premium Outlets - Vineland Avenue, and stop by World of Chocolate Museum and Cafe.

For maps and tourist information, refer to the Orlando trip planner .

You can do a combination of bus and flight from New York City to Orlando in 6 hours. Other options are to fly; or drive. Plan for much hotter temperatures traveling from New York City in December, with highs in Orlando at 29°C and lows at 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel to Port Canaveral.

Get in touch with nature at Canaveral National Seashore and Enchanted Forest Sanctuary. Kids will enjoy NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and A Day Away Kayak Tours. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Port Canaveral: Titusville (American Space Museum & Space Walk of Fame & U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame), Black Point Wildlife Drive (in Merritt Island) and Jensen Beach (Walton Rocks Beach/ Dog Park & Walton Rocks Beach).

To see maps, traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Port Canaveral online road trip planner .

You can do a combination of taxi and bus from Orlando to Port Canaveral in an hour. Another option is to drive. In January, daytime highs in Port Canaveral are 24°C, while nighttime lows are 14°C. You will have some time to spend on the 11th (Fri) before leaving for home.