What do Miami, Florida, and Houlton, Maine, have in common?
Not a whole lot, except each city is at an endpoint of I-95. When you consider the substantial differences between the humble Maine town and the colorful Florida metropolis—starting with the climate—you begin to realize exactly how much ground I-95 covers. And if you routinely drive south for the winter, you likely know certain stretches of this 1,900-mile highway a little too well. If that’s the case, the next time you’re headed home from a warm Southern vacation, why not break up the trek with some snowbird destination side trips along the way?
Don’t get on I-95 right away
Take your time and watch the sun set off the Key West shoreline.
It may be time to leave your balmy snowbird destination, but why rush to get on the interstate? Florida’s Highway A1A starts in Key West and runs by the sea almost as far north as the Georgia border. Take as much or as little of it as you wish—and use this ocean route to clear your head if the interstate’s getting you down.
Be a Swamp Thing
Explore the swamps of Florida in the small town of Yeehaw Junction.
Alternatively, break up your journey through Florida by heading inland. Highway 27 runs through the Everglades and then north to Lake Okeechobee. From Okeechobee, a number of state highways (714, 70) lead back to I-95. If you’re not in a rush, Hwy 441 leads through a tiny town named Yeehaw Junction, a great place for a unique, “look where I am!” photo op next to the town’s welcome sign.
Ground control to Major Tom
To the moon! Stop by the Kennedy Space Center complex to feel like an astronaut.
Space geeks rejoice: Cape Canaveral, Florida, is just a handful of miles east of I-95! Break up your northward trip with a few hours at this snowbird destination in the presence of hulking rocket boosters and the actual space shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Since you’re in the area, why not spend the night in Cape Canaveral?
Make new memories in an old city
Grab a burger and fries at Savannah, Georgia’s, Green Truck Pub, a beloved local joint. Photo Credit: Green Truck Pub
Savannah, Georgia, is a great snowbird destination detour—it’s a sleepy Southern town with a deep history and lovingly preserved architecture that predates what you encounter in other Georgia cities. Plus, it’s the home of Green Truck Pub, a world-class burger joint where you can substitute a veggie patty on any of the excellent offerings. Pro tip: Green Truck’s jukebox is no joke.
Take an extended coastal detour
If you’re in a position to take a truly leisurely pace, try Highway 17, which runs up coastal South and North Carolina, eventually rejoining I-95 in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Along the way, stop and explore the snowbird destination port cities of Charleston, South Carolina—which has great walking tours—Wilmington, North Carolina, and Norfolk, Virginia, as well as the historic North Carolina towns of Washington and Edenton—that, or get a biker tattoo in Myrtle Beach. Whatever’s your speed.
See the South Carolina low country
Get out and stretch in Beaufort, South Carolina, where you can see the antebellum mansions in the downtown historic district.
Take your time on your journey and enjoy a snowbird destination detour to Beaufort, South Carolina. Stunning antebellum mansions are one of this charming city’s most distinctive features, though in more recent history many scenes in Forrest Gump were filmed here. Oh, and by the way, don’t be a total tourist—this South Carolina town is pronounced Byew-fert, while the one in North Carolina is Bow-fert.
Taste the South
You may not realize it, but as you pass through eastern North Carolina on I-95, you’re rocketing through a nexus of flavor. Our advice? Stop! Stop for the sake of your taste buds and try eastern NC barbeque, a unique marriage of pulled pork and vinegar (trust us here). Parker’s Barbecue and Bill Ellis’ Barbecue in Wilson are time-tested, locally beloved establishments. If Eastern NC barbecue doesn’t do it for you, we understand; there are all kinds of tastes out there—but that’s a barbecue story for another article.
Receive greetings from Asbury Park
If the Jersey Shore had royalty, Bruce Springsteen, aka “The Boss,” would be it, and Asbury Park was his main hangout.
If you’re in New Jersey, you have returned to the land of four distinct seasons. A little break from the interstate will do you good—especially if you still have a long way to go. Why not visit Asbury Park, the beach town so memorably romanticized by The Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen? While in this snowbird destination you can visit the Stone Pony, the legendary music joint where locals like Springsteen and Bon Jovi frequently took the stage.
Make one more stop before home
Take one final look at the sea, especially if you’re headed north through Rhode Island and still haven't gotten where you need to go. Newport is a great snowbird destination detour known for its lavish mansions, but there are also some affordable ways to explore this elegant city. Nearby, Middletown offers a number of fun things to do for travelers just passing by or perhaps looking for a stopover. Plus, there’s seafood to write home about at Flo’s Clam Shack.