So, you're hitting up I-95, one of America's oldest highways, and wanna know what to do and see along the way. You've come to the right place, my friend! I-95 is the main highway that travels up and down the East Coast of America, pretty parallel to the Atlantic Ocean, so you're never really too far away from the beach on an I-95 road trip. Some of the major cities you'll pass through include Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Richmond, Savannah, Jacksonville, and Miami. Ready to hit the road? Here's some of the top attractions to see along I-95, from Florida to Maine.
Starting in southern Florida, just outside Miami, you'll stumble upon Coral Castle in Homestead. Built by an eccentric heartbroken man, entirely by hand, Coral Castle is full of mystery and wonder, and it's definitely an essential roadside attraction just off I-95.
Or, if you want the relaxation of a day at the beach minus the crowds, then hit up the Venetian Pool. The Venetian Pool was originally built to be for Coral Gables, one of the country's first planned communities back in the 1920's. The pool is filled with fresh water every day, straight from artesian wells. It's drained every night and refilled every morning, so you know that you're swimming in really clean water. And if you're worried about water conservation, fear not! They drain the water back into the aquifer and allow it to go back through the natural ground-filter process.
Once you've had your fill of the city, head up to Butterfly World in nearby Coconut Creek. It's the largest butterfly park in the world, and has displays of bugs, birds, and, of course, loads and loads of beautiful flowers to enjoy as well. Natural beauty right off I-95; perfect!
At the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary you can wander along trails featuring various wildlife habitats, and all sorts of different native animals, including eagles, panthers, crocodiles, snakes, and more. The landscape will change drastically as you drive up the coast, so soak up the sun and unique wildlife while you can!
Mel Fisher's Treasure Museum is a great maritime museum that features exhibits that include archaeological treasures from 18th century shipwrecks. Mel Fisher is a real-life Indiana Jones who has spent more than 20 years recovering lost artifacts from Davy Jones' Locker. Here, you can see gold, gem-studded jewelry, old coins, and more.
Then head over to Titusville to get a bus tour of NASA's Kennedy Space Center and if you have time, hit up the United States Astronaut Hall Of Fame. Come early, because the tours are always popular and fill up fast!
The Ponce Deleon Inlet Lighthouse is the perfect place to get off I-95 stretch your legs, especially if you decide to tackle the 200+ step stairway to the top! But, the view is absolutely worth it. There's also a small museum onsite.
From Titusville, it's just a short drive to St. Augustine, America's oldest city, founded in 1565. Here you'll find one of the best preserved historic districts in the country, not to mention loads of great little restaurants and bars. From Castillo De San Marcos (which is a stunning fortress that's believed to be very haunted) to Fort Matanzas National Monument and the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, there's also plenty of historic places to explore here.
If you're feeling up for a bit more climbing, stop at St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum and ascend its 219 steps to the top of their 165 foot tall tower. The views of downtown St. Augustine and America's oldest port are amazing. There are also exhibits here covering the country's maritime history, and a gift shop.
If you're looking for a hotel in St. Augustine, the St. George Inn, the Carriage House Bed and Breakfast and Casa Monica are fantastic options!
Then, before leaving the Sunshine State, hit up Jacksonville Beach to soak up a little bit more sun and walk the boardwalk. Parking's usually easy to find if you get there early, and there are lots of restaurants and places to get a cocktail right on the beach, which is awesome.
And if you want to visit some cute furry friends, the Catty Shack Ranch is a fantastic place to see lions and tigers and other big cats. Run mostly by volunteers and filled with cats that might not otherwise have a home, it's an attraction kids are guaranteed to love.
For a fun little side trip off I-95, head to Cumberland Island National Seashore. The only way to visit Cumberland Island National Seashore is to hop on the ferry at St. Marys. While there's nowhere to buy food or supplies on the island (pack accordingly), you'll find campsites, hiking trails, and wild horses roaming around!
If you have time to visit Tybee Island Lighthouse and Museum, you should definitely make the quick detour from Savannah. Tybee is a beautiful island, and a it's very popular destination for Midwesterners to road trip to during the summer months.
You're not in Georgia too long while traveling on I-95, so without further ado, we come to South Carolina! Make your first stop the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia. This amazing museum is housed in a massive former textile mill, and features four floors with over 70,000 exhibits. There are some nice hotels in Columbia as well if you need to catch some Z's: Victorian Elegance Inn, Murrayfield and the Hilton Columbia Center are among the many places to book a room.
Then, for something completely different, travel just under an hour to the UFO Welcome Center in Bowman. Built in 1994, this structure quickly became a popular tourist attraction in the town. The 42-foot-wide flying saucer is built out of wood, fiberglass, and plastic, and for a small fee, you can meet the owner and peek inside.
Stretch your legs at Santee State Park, which has an abundance of catfish in its waters. In addition to fishing, there's also plenty of hiking and camping is offered. You can also drive a little longer to the equally-awesome Woods Bay State Park.
Once you cross the border to North Carolina, you can pull over for a couple hours (or more) at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville. This is a fantastic military history museum. It's beautifully laid out and features loads of exhibits chronicling the fascinating achievements made over the years in regards to airborne and special operations.
While in Virginia's state capital, you can check out a 54-acre public park called Belle Isle. In order to access Belle Isle, you have to park and walk under a bridge. There's a pedestrian bridge that takes you underneath the highway. It's a bit of a hike so be sure to pack towels and plenty of water, but it's worth it for the views alone.
The Berkeley Hotel, the Jefferson Hotel and Linden Row Inn are some of the best hotels in Richmond!
Once you reach Virginia, head over to Richmond to visit the historic Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. This is a perfect place for families, or for anyone who loves botanical gardens and butterfly exhibits. It's kid-friendly and there's a cool splash pad for hot days (so bring a bathing suit), and picnic tables.
Next, hit up Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. It's one of the best memorial parks around commemorating the Civil War. There's loads to do in Fredericksburg as well, if you're a history buff. You can see the Mary Washington House, the Kirkland Monument and grab a delicious coffee at Hyperion Espresso in downtown Fredericksburg.
95 ends at the Houlton–Woodstock Border Crossing, and the road continues on into Canada, where you can cross the border into New Brunswick. And there you have it! Pat yourself on the back, because you just visited all of the major attractions along I-95!
