Alberta to Florida- Help me plan!

[Mitchum]

This July my friend and I are driving down to Orland from Lethbridge. according to Google maps it will take roughly 48 hours to get there. We aren't really sure if were going to follow the tom tom route or if we are going to try to take a slightly less direct route in order to see more of America. so what im asking is is there any where we HAVE to see.

were both 18, so in America unfortunately we cant get into any bars, were looking for cool landmarks, beautiful scenery etc. ive only ever been in Idaho, Montana, and Nevada. So im relatively unfamiliar with the states, especially the western states. Were also both into Hardcore/metalcore/etc. The purpose of our trip is to go to Warped Tour in Orlando on the 29th if anyone knows of any Shows along the way/in the region that we should check out that would be awesome. This may also sound lame but on the way back we both want to hit texas. the two of us went to Peru last april and laid over in Houston and could leave the airport so we want more texas haha!

were also planning on trying the fast food joints we don't have up north, sonic,checkers,jack in the box, etc. any suggestions? we are leaving on the 22 of July and starting the long drive home on (i think) the 3rd of august. If there is any cool stuff going on between then in the Orlando area?

we also plan on not staying in hotels. were planning to sleep in the back of my truck or in a tent on the side of a road. so if there's any campsites in the Orlando area someone can recommend? or any good open fields haha.

thanks a lot everyone.

[Bubba1]

This July my friend and I are driving down to Orland from Lethbridge. according to Google maps it will take roughly 48 hours to get there. We aren't really sure if were going to follow the tom tom route or if we are going to try to take a slightly less direct route in order to see more of America. so what im asking is is there any where we HAVE to see.

were both 18, so in America unfortunately we cant get into any bars, were looking for cool landmarks, beautiful scenery etc. ive only ever been in Idaho, Montana, and Nevada. So im relatively unfamiliar with the states, especially the western states. Were also both into Hardcore/metalcore/etc. The purpose of our trip is to go to Warped Tour in Orlando on the 29th if anyone knows of any Shows along the way/in the region that we should check out that would be awesome. This may also sound lame but on the way back we both want to hit texas. the two of us went to Peru last april and laid over in Houston and could leave the airport so we want more texas haha!

were also planning on trying the fast food joints we don't have up north, sonic,checkers,jack in the box, etc. any suggestions? we are leaving on the 22 of July and starting the long drive home on (i think) the 3rd of august. If there is any cool stuff going on between then in the Orlando area?

we also plan on not staying in hotels. were planning to sleep in the back of my truck or in a tent on the side of a road. so if there's any campsites in the Orlando area someone can recommend? or any good open fields haha.

thanks a lot everyone.

Well, if you're going between Alberta and Orlando FL, anywhere in Texas is insanely out of your way.

It would help us to know more details, like what kinda stuff you're into. Realize that just Orlando and the area around it has a ton of amazing stuff to do besides a Rock Concert.

[Mitchum]

yeah i know Texas is pretty out of the way, but that was why i was thinking on the way back because Texas is straight south of Saskatchewan, which is next to Alberta.

anyways, yeah I realize i was kind of vague. uhh..were both kind if dorks. I like cars, mountain biking, photography. He likes hockey, kind of a car person...haha

We plan on going to disney World and he mentioned another theme park, universal studios? or is that in Cali? Im also not 100% sure but isnt there a sea world around there? Pretty much tourist stuff i guess haha. Hes been to Orlando as a kid before so he kind of has an idea, well a better idea than me.

[ProudNissanFreak]

^All those places you mentioned are in Orlando.

[naladude911]

imo drive along the east coast. go from alberta ---> ontario----->new york---->Jersey shore (its really nice in the summer)--->washington DC----->Florida then head up the middle of the united states on your return


btw dont expect anyone to be friendly with provencial plates. When we moved from Vancouver, our cars had British Columbia plates and people in New York kept giving us the finger

[Bubba1]

yeah i know Texas is pretty out of the way, but that was why i was thinking on the way back because Texas is straight south of Saskatchewan, which is next to Alberta.

anyways, yeah I realize i was kind of vague. uhh..were both kind if dorks. I like cars, mountain biking, photography. He likes hockey, kind of a car person...haha

We plan on going to disney World and he mentioned another theme park, universal studios? or is that in Cali? Im also not 100% sure but isnt there a sea world around there? Pretty much tourist stuff i guess haha. Hes been to Orlando as a kid before so he kind of has an idea, well a better idea than me.

Disney World is enormous and awesome, but it's expensive. Same goes for Universal Studios which is also in Orlando. And there is also a Sea World there.

You might want to check out their websites so the prices don't shock you and to see which parks within their property you'd like to visit if you're only staying 1-2 days. July in Orlando is hot/humid, and Disney has some first rate water parks among their attractions. I know Disney and Orlando have options for camping.

Something interesting to consider. If you drive an hour or so east from Orlando, you're at the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Canaveral, the Kennedy Space Center, girls in bikinis, beautiful beaches, surfing, fishing, boating, girls in bikinis. It's also not gonna be as expensive as Disney/Universal. Plus being from that part of Canada, you might find a few days at the beach a great way to beat the heat.

If you're into ice hockey, I'm afraid the southeastern US in July is not gonna have much for you. But if you're into cars, there are several big racetracks not far out of your way like Daytona, Talledega, Road Atlanta, Barber Motorsports. You could always see if any of the tracks have any spectator events during you visit, like you're doing for that concert in Orlando

Texas is a great state to visit, and I've been there many times. But I think you really oughta rethink about length/time of diversion versus the benefits of going there. It's only an index finger on the map, but that is a much longer ride than you think.

Good luck, and make sure your truck's a/c works well.

[Bubba1]

btw dont expect anyone to be friendly with provencial plates. When we moved from Vancouver, our cars had British Columbia plates and people in New York kept giving us the finger

Uh Nala, it's not the BC plates, Most people that meet you seem to want to give you the finger.

[driverdriver]

By any chance are you or your friend a CAA/AAA member? They have some amazing maps, planning and travel guides with well known and little known landmarks/attractions. Years ago I used them to plan a roadtrip from Toronto to LA.

[zacmil]

Well if you're wanting some nice scenery, my home state of Kentucky can be pretty great. I-75, which is one of the major north-south roads in this part of the country (it goes from Michigan (I think) down to Florida), runs straight through the state. If you do decide to come through, do yourself a favor and don't stay on the interstate the entire time. Get a good map or directions (for the most part we're pretty friendly) and enjoy some of the more scenic twisty-turny roads.

[nissangirl74]

Just FYI: Texas in July is probably going to be fairly horrible.

June through August in Houston is very hot and humid, often with regular afternoon thunderstorms. The average daily high temperature peaks at 94 °F (34 °C) at the end of July, with an average of 99 days per year above 90 °F .The average relative humidity ranges from over 90 percent in the morning to around 60 percent in the afternoon. The temperatures in the summer in Houston are very similar to average temperatures seen in tropical climates, such as in the Philippines and Central America. The values of relative humidity results in a heat index higher than the actual temperature. The hottest temperature ever recorded in Houston was 108 °F (42 °C) on September 4, 2000. Heat stroke can strike people who stay out of doors for long periods of time during the summer so hydration is essential for outdoor work and recreational activity. Houston's heat and humidity made air-conditioning an essential element in Houston's early survival, and it continues to be important in day-to-day life.

If you have the time, stop off in Savannah GA. Absolutely beautiful, good people, fantastic food, lots of cool stuff to see. It's kind of laid back but it would be beautiful that time of year and it's right near the beach.

[Mitchum]

I appreciate all the help so far, we have determined Texas is out. were deffinatley going to try to get down to cape canavril and check out that NASA launch place.

Also, if anyone knows of any ridiculous food places in Orlando/area, like man vs food style. Ive never seen any BBQ like that up here before and id love to try some.

[Jesda]

Blue Ridge Parkway might be doable if you're willing to take a bit of a detour.

http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/