Summer in Florida is hot and humid, but don't let that stop you from rolling back the convertible top (or rolling up the windows and cranking up the air conditioning) and taking a cruise. This year's annual Porsche Parade, a gathering of more than 1,000 Porsche owners from across the country run by the Porsche Club of America, is taking place in Boca Raton, so we thought we'd take the opportunity to share a few short drives Porsche owners and auto enthusiasts can consider when visiting the area.
1. Daytona Beach
Just three hours to the north of Boca Raton, Daytona Beach is home to famous Daytona International Speedway and known by many in the automotive circles as the World Center of Racing. Daytona Beach also has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country with plenty of water sports activities for the whole family.
2. Key West
If you want to head in the other direction, just three hours south of Boca Raton is Key West, the southernmost point in the continental U.S. Take a cruise down US-1 through the beautiful Florida Keys to enjoy great food, music and history. Also known as the Conch Republic, Key West is the historic home of many famous Americans. There you can visit the former homes of writer Ernest Hemingway and U.S. President Harry Truman.
3. Coral Gables
One hour south of Boca Raton is notable Coral Cables. Known as the “City Beautiful,” Coral Gables is home to more than 140 restaurants and gourmet shops. Park your vehicle when you arrive, because the pedestrian friendly city has a number of landmarks all within walking distance, including the famous Venetian Pool, the Biltmore Hotel, the Lowe Art Museum and the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
4. South Beach
If glitz and glamour are more your speed, head an hour south to Miami's famous South Beach. Take a cruise down the Collins Ave. strip to show off your ride before hopping into one of South Beach's happening nightclubs and celebrity-chef eateries. Take walk by the beach to see some of the famous art deco style homes, and keep your eyes open for celebrities; South Beach is a year-round vacation spot for the rich and famous.
5. Cape Canaveral
July marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission that first landed humans on the surface of the moon. What better way to celebrate than a drive to Cape Canaveral? Located about two-and-a-half hours north of Boca Raton on Florida's Space Coast, Cape Canaveral is home to NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where Apollo 11 blasted off on July 16, 1969. Nearby communities on Florida State Road A1A, like Cocoa Beach and Satellite Beach, offer restaurants and relaxing beach time.
