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Costa d'Este Beach Resort & Spa in Vero Beach
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Road trip from Miami: The 12 best places to stay, mapped

The best hotels, motels, and B&Bs within driving distance of Miami

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Costa d'Este Beach Resort & Spa in Vero Beach
| via Costa d’Este

Miami offers year-round sunshine— except for yesterday’s swampy disaster that saw flooding reach the knees—and an array of engaging activities but sometimes the city can be too much to handle.

Sometimes you need to get away for a night, or three, and recharge. In May, we featured a map comprised of 10 small Florida towns Miami residents need to visit, a list that ranged from vibrant little cities like Key West to peaceful enclaves like Cedar Key.

Today we tighten the scope and hone in on a dozen specific places to stay all across Florida, featuring a variety of hotels, motels, B&Bs, and even a campsite. Many of these are located within cities on the aforementioned map of must-see small towns.

If we missed any of your go-to weekend getaways outside of South Florida, please share your favorites in the comments or on social. Also be sure to check out Eater Miami’s 14 Restaurants Worth a Day Trip Beyond Miami.

Note: Our map is ordered from south to north, beginning in Key West.

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Atlantis House

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This gem in Key West is Trip Advisor’s No. 1 Bed and Breakfast for a reason: It’s awesome. You’re offered an array of activities, from massages in your room to snorkeling tours and fresh catch dinners. It’s in a prime location that offers a close walk to the downtown action but enough distance for some peace and quiet.

Ocean House

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Islamorada is more suited for travelers looking for less action and more relaxing, days that involve chilling on the sand or hanging by the pool. Ocean House offers a private beach. Considering it’ll take a little under two hours to drive from Miami (in no traffic), I highly recommend grabbing some fresh seafood at Keys Fisheries in Key Largo on the way down.

Lemon Tree Inn

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Heading to the west coast? The Lemon Tree Inn was designed with old Florida influence and is located in the heart of Old Naples, near galleries, shopping, restaurants, and the beach. Among the amenities is a courtyard garden.

Sundy House

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Situated in the heart of Historic Delray Beach is this enchanting 12-room inn sitting inside an acre of tropical gardens. Each room is uniquely themed and its weekend brunch is highly touted.

Palm Island Resort

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This southwest Florida beachfront resort features old Florida architecture and is situated near a slew of state parks, offering an ideal spot to unplug.

Old Colorado Inn

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This adorable inn within the "Sailfish Capital of the World” offers a prime location in the center of Historic Downtown Stuart, which is comprised of dining, shopping, and entertainment by the water.

Costa d'Este Beach Resort & Spa

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A couple hours north of Miami sits this beachfront resort in Vero Beach. The area is booming with historic buildings, peaceful beaches, and an array of wildlife. Costa d'Este is comprised of 94 guest rooms and suites, many of which overlook the ocean.

Beso Del Sol Resort

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Here’s a charming waterfront resort in Dunedin overlooking Caladesi and Honeymoon Island on the gulf coast, featuring site pools, a hot tub, a tiki bar and grill, and complimentary bikes. Some gorgeous beaches lives nearby and you’ll also find plenty of festivals and boutique shopping.

Black Dolphin Inn

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Located in New Smyrna Beach is this lovely waterfront inn with mid-century modern interiors, courtyards and a dock. She overlooks the Halifax river and features a great room downstairs with a bar, sitting area and a breakfast room housing a popular Southern-style breakfast on the weekends.

Rainbow Springs State Park

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Feverish campers should look to Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon. There are 60 total sites for camping. Enjoy bass fishing, swimming, and tubing.

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Bayfront Westcott House Bed & Breakfast

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Our second furthest option is among the top B&Bs in St. Augustine. Ideal for a romantic getaway, each room within this bayfront gem is decorated with period antiques and many feature jetted tubs, fireplaces, and outdoor seating. A gourmet breakfast is served in the morning morning while hors d'ouevres are offered in the evening.

The Fairbanks House

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If you’re looking for more of a road trip, The Fairbanks House in Fernandina Beach is about a six-hour drive from Miami’s core. There’s an elegant mansion and private cottages enveloped by large Oaks, fifty-foot Magnolias, and a butterfly garden.

Atlantis House

This gem in Key West is Trip Advisor’s No. 1 Bed and Breakfast for a reason: It’s awesome. You’re offered an array of activities, from massages in your room to snorkeling tours and fresh catch dinners. It’s in a prime location that offers a close walk to the downtown action but enough distance for some peace and quiet.

Ocean House

Islamorada is more suited for travelers looking for less action and more relaxing, days that involve chilling on the sand or hanging by the pool. Ocean House offers a private beach. Considering it’ll take a little under two hours to drive from Miami (in no traffic), I highly recommend grabbing some fresh seafood at Keys Fisheries in Key Largo on the way down.

Lemon Tree Inn

Heading to the west coast? The Lemon Tree Inn was designed with old Florida influence and is located in the heart of Old Naples, near galleries, shopping, restaurants, and the beach. Among the amenities is a courtyard garden.

Sundy House

Situated in the heart of Historic Delray Beach is this enchanting 12-room inn sitting inside an acre of tropical gardens. Each room is uniquely themed and its weekend brunch is highly touted.

Palm Island Resort

This southwest Florida beachfront resort features old Florida architecture and is situated near a slew of state parks, offering an ideal spot to unplug.

Old Colorado Inn

This adorable inn within the "Sailfish Capital of the World” offers a prime location in the center of Historic Downtown Stuart, which is comprised of dining, shopping, and entertainment by the water.

Costa d'Este Beach Resort & Spa

A couple hours north of Miami sits this beachfront resort in Vero Beach. The area is booming with historic buildings, peaceful beaches, and an array of wildlife. Costa d'Este is comprised of 94 guest rooms and suites, many of which overlook the ocean.

Beso Del Sol Resort

Here’s a charming waterfront resort in Dunedin overlooking Caladesi and Honeymoon Island on the gulf coast, featuring site pools, a hot tub, a tiki bar and grill, and complimentary bikes. Some gorgeous beaches lives nearby and you’ll also find plenty of festivals and boutique shopping.

Black Dolphin Inn

Located in New Smyrna Beach is this lovely waterfront inn with mid-century modern interiors, courtyards and a dock. She overlooks the Halifax river and features a great room downstairs with a bar, sitting area and a breakfast room housing a popular Southern-style breakfast on the weekends.

Rainbow Springs State Park

Feverish campers should look to Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon. There are 60 total sites for camping. Enjoy bass fishing, swimming, and tubing.

via Rainbow Springs

Bayfront Westcott House Bed & Breakfast

Our second furthest option is among the top B&Bs in St. Augustine. Ideal for a romantic getaway, each room within this bayfront gem is decorated with period antiques and many feature jetted tubs, fireplaces, and outdoor seating. A gourmet breakfast is served in the morning morning while hors d'ouevres are offered in the evening.

The Fairbanks House

If you’re looking for more of a road trip, The Fairbanks House in Fernandina Beach is about a six-hour drive from Miami’s core. There’s an elegant mansion and private cottages enveloped by large Oaks, fifty-foot Magnolias, and a butterfly garden.