Top Places to See When Driving from Blaine, Minnesota to Jacksonville, Florida

Driving from Blaine, Minnesota to Jacksonville, Florida offers a unique blend of adventure, beauty, and history. The journey brings plenty of opportunities to explore breathtaking natural landscapes, historical landmarks, and bustling cities. If you’re planning a road trip along this route, we’ve put together a list of top places to see.

Before we head off, let's review the route we're taking. The route will go through Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and finally, Florida. Get ready to hit the road and make this trip one for the books.

Explore Natural Wonders

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Located between Tennessee and North Carolina, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the hottest spots to see in Southern Appalachia. Take the drive, sit back, relax, and let the journey go through stunning mountains vistas. As you drive through the park, you'll experience old-growth forests, rushing waterfalls, and diverse wildlife.

Ruby Falls

Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Ruby Falls is a stunning sight to behold. Only a short way from the highway, a quick detour takes you to this majestic waterfall is 145 meters underground. Once down there, you’ll witness the towering natural wonder of an underground waterfall that majestically cascading through a vertical cave. If you enjoy cave tours, you can explore the cavern at a faster pace.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island located off the Georgia coast, which from first glance, looks like it belongs in the Caribbean. The Atlantic Ocean hugs this pristine, unspoiled coastal island, which draws visitors and locals alike. Take a stroll through Driftwood Beach, which is unique due to a mixture of shifting tides and hurricanes. The beach is full of amoniticaly big trees that have shifted their position over time and are now have become a popular spot for pictures.

Cape Canaveral

Cape Canaveral is a well-known destination and home to America's space program. Take a tour through Kennedy Space Center with a NASA expert, and you get to learn about the space shuttles, and the history of flying into space. Cape Canaveral is host to some great dining and entertainment options.

Okefenokee Swamp

Lastly, take your time to explore the Okefenokee Swamp, located in southeast Georgia. It is the largest blackwater swamp in the United States and home to many species of wildlife like black bears, alligators, and gopher tortoises. It is also one of the last remaining homes to the ESA-protected eastern Indian bats.

Visit Historical Sites

Lincoln Home National Historic Site

Abraham Lincoln started his political career in Springfield, Illinois. Today, there is a six-block building that is home to many Lincoln sites, including the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. You can take a guided tour that takes you exploring Lincoln's life and the historic town. It is more than 150 years since Abraham Lincoln was elected and still holds his memory alive and dear.

Fort Pulaski National Monument

One of the best-preserved coastal fortifications of the Civil War is in Savannah, Georgia. Fort Pulaski was built during the 19th century and was named after General Casims Pulaski. The park consists of a Visitor Center, Museum, Lighthouse, Picnic Area, and nature trails. Take a guided ferry tour to the fort and learn about coastal defenses and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

Mammoth Cave National Park

Drive into Kentucky and head to Mammoth Cave National Park. It is a 400-mile-long cave system, and a good portion of the entire is exploring is still ongoing. Tours are also available for the daring and courageous. Camping is allowed in the area if you need an overnight stay.

St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine is the oldest city in Florida and home to the country's oldest fort, Castillo de San Marco. Castillo de San Marco was built between 1672 and 1695 and served as a military base. Today the fort is a national monument and a popular tourist destination. Take a walk through the historic district, visit the old jail, and taste some delicious Floridian cuisine.

The Everglades National Park

The Everglades National Park in Florida is the largest freshwater marsh in the United States. The wildlife habitats over 1.5 million acres of unspoiled wilderness full of alligators, bald eagles, and more. Take an airboat tour through the channels of the Everglades and get up close with this Florida treasure.

Conclusion

The drive from Blaine, Minnesota to Jacksonville, Florida is a long one. But with so many amazing sites to see, why would you want to fly or take a shorter route? Pack your bags, grab the car keys and embark on a journey you’ll never forget! Make sure to stop by these locations in our guide and you would have missed some amazing sights only a few hundred miles away.