The Ultimate Road Trip: Top Places to See When Driving from Auburn, Indiana to Sarasota, Florida

Are you planning the ultimate road trip from Auburn, Indiana to Sarasota, Florida? This journey can lead you to beautiful beaches, historic landmarks, and charming towns. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, this trip has something for everyone. In this “best of list” format, we’ve put together the top places to see when driving from Auburn, Indiana to Sarasota, Florida. Buckle up, and let’s hit the road!

Exploring Kentucky

Your road trip begins in Auburn, Indiana, and your first stop should be Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville is famous for its horse racing and bourbon, but the city offers more than just that. The Louisville Mega Cavern is a must-visit destination, especially if you’re traveling with kids. This underground attraction features zip-lines, bike trails, and a challenging ropes course.

Next, head south to the Mammoth Cave National Park. This park is home to the world’s longest cave system and is worth spending a day exploring. Be sure to take a guided cave tour to learn about its formation, history, and inhabitants.

Crossing Tennessee

As you continue south, you will enter Tennessee, where you can find scenic beauty and charming towns. First on your list is Nashville, Tennessee, which is known as the “birthplace of country music.” Take a tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Grand Ole Opry, where you can enjoy live music.

Next, visit Chattanooga, Tennessee, where you can find the iconic Lookout Mountain. This mountain offers breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding mountains. You can also visit Ruby Falls, an underground waterfall and cave system. The kids will love the Incline Railway, which is a steep funicular railway that takes you up to the top of Lookout Mountain.

Enjoying the Sunshine State

As you enter Florida, the sun, sea, and sand await you! Your journey will take you past Orlando, where you can visit world-famous theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld Orlando.

Continue toward Tampa Bay, Florida’s largest open-water estuary, and visit the Tampa Bay History Center. This museum offers an interactive experience to learn about Tampa Bay's past. Next, head to St. Petersburg, where you can visit the Dali Museum, which houses the works of Salvador Dali and is a dream come true for art lovers.

Finally, you will reach your final destination, Sarasota, Florida. This city is known for its white sand beaches, its famous circus heritage, and world-class museums. Sarasota is also home to the Ringling Museum of Art, which is a tribute to John Ringling, known as the greatest showman on earth.

Top 5 Places to See on Your Road Trip

1. The Louisville Mega Cavern, Kentucky – Explore this underground attraction that has zip-lines, bike trails, and a challenging ropes course.
2. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky – The world’s longest cave system will leave you with a fascinating experience.
3. Lookout Mountain, Tennessee – Take the incline railway up to the top of Lookout Mountain and enjoy the breathtaking views and interesting cave systems.
4. Tampa Bay History Center, Florida – Discover the history of Tampa Bay through interactive exhibits.
5. Ringling Museum of Art, Florida – Enjoy the art collection of John Ringling, the greatest showman on earth, at the Ringling Museum of Art.

Conclusion

Driving from Auburn, Indiana to Sarasota, Florida, you can explore some of the most unique and interesting destinations across America. From horse racing and bourbon in Kentucky to underground caves in Tennessee to beaches and museums in Florida, there is no shortage of things to do and see. We hope this list will inspire you to hit the road and discover the beauty of America's southern states. Happy travels!