Most visitors to Florida’s north Atlantic coast will want to begin where it all started: St. Augustine. Located almost midway between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach, it provides a suitable base of operations and the majority of the area’s fully-fledged sights. A full day in Old Town allows you to see most of what St. Augustine has to offer. Jacksonville isn’t much of a destination in and of itself, despite its size, but if you’re in town for a Jaguars game or a banking conference, a half-day given over to exploring downtown would certainly be warranted.

Fernandina Beach and Jacksonville Beach offer little in the way of sights but are comfortable and affordable enough to provide as much rest and relaxation as one may need; spend a day, a week, or a month, and let the ocean do its work on you. The same goes for non–NASCAR fans or motorcycle enthusiasts who visit the beaches in and around Daytona.

The Space Coast area is typically tacked on as an afterthought to vacations in nearby Orlando, with many visitors opting to take a day away from the theme parks to dip their toes in the ocean or check out Kennedy Space Center. Nonetheless, nature lovers will find the area to be a haven and should allow at least a full day each to explore the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and the Canaveral National Seashore.