Editor’s Note: These are unusual times, with some of our properties currently closed. No matter what you do, practice safe travels and rest assured we’re working around the clock to keep you safe.
Say Florida and some think Mickey, while others hear the sound of the waves washing ashore. Neither is wrong.
The Sunshine State is also the most Southeastern state. With 825-miles of shoreline, it sits snug between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. As home to the world-famous Orlando attractions, glitz and glamour in Miami and the unspoiled beauty of the Everglades, things to do in Florida are vast and varied.
Program this short Florida road trip to experience the different flavors of Florida as you make your way from Orlando to Alligator Alley and finish up on the Gulf shoreline.
4-Day Florida Gulf Coast Road Trip
Day 1 - Orlando
Orlando is the ideal launch-site for this quick getaway. Choose from four Hilton Grand Vacations properties for the resort that suits your travel style. Check-in starts at 4 p.m., which will give you time to scope out the area before getting settled.
There’s something for every mood, and we've teamed up with preferred local businesses to offer Owners and select guests a variety of different discounts. Peruse our partners to help decide what to do in Orlando before your check-in to your Hilton Grand Vacations Orlando resort.
Day 2 - Orlando
With so much to do in Orlando, you must first ask, "to theme park, or not to theme park."
If you chose the latter, read 5 Fun Things to Do in Orlando and Beyond for great ways to spend your time in The City Beautiful.
Whether your travel party consists of omnivores or plant-based foodies, we've got two Orlando food guides to help you choose where to eat in Orlando.
HGV Picks: 9 Great Places to Eat in Orlando
5 of the Best Vegan Restaurants in Orlando
Enjoy the resort one last night before hitting the road first thing in the morning.
Day 3 - Fort Myers Beach
Start the morning on your terms by enjoying a home cooked breakfast in your fully-equipped kitchen, room service or a sit-down, full-service, morning meal at the resort restaurant.
There's not much between Orlando and Fort Myers, which is southwest just over three hours, so you'll want to fuel up and grab some snacks before hitting the road.
Arrive in Fort Myers and try your hand at shelling, a favorite local pastime. Then dust the sand off your feet and grab a bite, before check-in at Seawatch on The Beach Resort at 3 p.m.
Settle into your spacious 1-, or 2-bedroom suite and head out to explore your home away from home. This quiet resort is steps away from the sand and is home to an activity center and tennis court and provides the ideal backdrop to spend time being as active or laid-back as you please.
Day 4 - Marco Island
Start your day on island-time, with check out at 10 a.m. Marco Island is just 48 miles south on 1-75, so you're free to start the morning at an unhurried pace.
Before you leave town, stop at Heavenly Biscuit, a local favorite known for their cinnamon rolls and biscuit breakfast sandwiches.
"The wait is usually a little long, and there is often a line out the door starting from 7:30 a.m. However, the food in our opinion is worth the wait."
Check-in at The Club Regency of Marco Island is at 3 p.m., which allows you to get acquainted with this Gulf of Mexico barrier island.
Opt for sights or activities that let you move and stretch. Here are just a few things to do in Marco Island.
Get a taste of wild Florida at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, home to 110,000 acres from Naples to the western Everglades of unspoiled mangrove forest, uplands and protected waters.
Immerse yourself in nature along hiking trails, visit the environmental learning center* or try your hand at a popular way to experience Mother Nature, Geocaching.
If you're looking to escape the heat, explore Southwest Florida's rich history and learn about the Calusa Indians at the Marco Island Historical Museum. See regional artifacts dating back to the late 1800s, and pick up souvenirs in the gift shop, which offers a unique collection of local goods.
If you prefer greens over sand, you're in luck. One of the benefits of staying at The Club Regency of Marco Island is its location — central to many of the local golf courses where you can improve your handicap.
The Club Regency has more than just location going for it. This cozy Gulf Coast gem has everything you need to enjoy the rest of your time on the island.
Thrill-seekers can get their kicks with the rental watersport equipment, while travelers looking for a little R+R can take a dip in the heated pool or whirlpool. And look no further than the poolside barbecues when your stomach starts to rumble.
When you're ready to retire for the evening, your spacious 2-bedroom suite and screened lanai is just the spot to watch the sun sink into the Gulf.
Read Discover Two Utah National Parks Plus Two Cities with Serious Buzz on This Four-day Road Trip for more short road-trip inspiration.
*This attraction is temporarily closed due to COVID-19.