Last Updated on July 24, 2023
While many of us may initially think of our favorite restaurant or coffee establishment when we think of a Florida drive-thru, did you know there are some unique drive-thru options throughout the Sunshine State?
For example, a Florida drive-thru where you can see wildlife, get groceries, or pick up adult beverages. Ahhhh, Florida life!
Table of Contents
- Beverage Castle, Winter Haven
- Farm Stores, Central West & South Florida
- J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Island
- Lion Country Drive-Thru Safari, West Palm Beach
- Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville
- Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee
- Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari, Kenansville
7 Unique Drive-Thru’s Across Florida:
Beverage Castle, Winter Haven
Beverage Castle in Winter Haven is one-stop drive-thru shopping. It is known primarily as a place to pick up liquor, beer, and wine.
You may be surprised that you can grab dairy products, canned goods, spices, and a healthy, light snack from Beverage Castle.
If you have your kids (or grandkids) with you after spending a day at Legoland Florida/Cypress Gardens, there’s nothing easier than a drive-thru, especially if you’re caught in one of our famous Florida thunderstorms.
If you’re staying in the area, they deliver, too.
Certainly, amp up your home bar with a new bottle of liquor or a tasty spirit from Beverage Castle. For cool, refreshing H20, Beverage Castle’s got you covered too.
Craft a flavorful meal with some of their gourmet seasonings and spices.
There are other drive-thru beverage stores throughout the state: Lakeland, Auburndale, and Dade City, to name just a few.
Beverage Castle Address: 3096 Cypress Gardens Rd, Winter Haven, FL 33884
Farm Stores, Central West & South Florida
Surely you’d love to pick up fresh groceries and never have to leave your car.
If you live in South or West Central Florida, that dream can become a reality at Farm Stores!
They are an excellent quality, drive-thru bakery, grocery, and cafe in one fast and friendly location.
All you do is drive up, pick a lane, order your groceries or ready-to-eat food, and the employees grab your items and load them up in your car.
They have multiple locations in West Central and South Florida, including:
- Clearwater
- Tampa
- St. Petersburg
- Melbourne
- Sarasota
- Greenacres
- Ft. Lauderdale
- Cooper City
- Hollywood
- Miami (multiple locations)
- Miami Beach
- N. Miami Beach
- Hialeah (multiple locations)
- Sweetwater
- Pinecrest
- Palmetto Bay
- Cutler Bay
- Homestead
- Tallahassee
- Lantana
It’s a perfect place to stop before hitting a park or attraction, especially if you have screaming or napping children.
For locations, visit the official Farm Stores website.
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Island
The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Sanibel is open again after Hurricane Ian paid an unwelcomed visit in 2022.
This Refuge allows you to see wildlife from the comfort of your car (or bicycle).
You can spot over 245 species of birds and 35 types of mammals, along with lizards, alligators, turtles, and more.
What’s more, the refuge was created to protect the endangered and threatened wildlife of Sanibel Island and to provide feeding, nesting, and roosting areas for migratory birds.
The Wildlife Drive is open daily, except Fridays, between 7 am and 5 pm. It takes about 40 minutes to drive the four-mile, one-way road. You must obey the 15 mph speed limit.
The road is also open to walkers and bicyclists. If you are interested, they offer a 90-minute guided tram tour.
Dogs are allowed on Wildlife Drive, Indigo Trail, and the Bailey Tract as long as they are kept on a leash no longer than six feet and under control at all times.
The best time to visit is during low tide. Stop by the Visitor and Education Center to see when the tide will be low along the drive.
The cost for the Wildlife Drive is $10 per vehicle.
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge Address: 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel, FL 33957-3032
Lion Country Drive-Thru Safari, West Palm Beach
Located in West Palm Beach, Lion Country Safari is on 600 acres and home to over 1,000 animals. It opened in 1967 and is considered a beloved Florida roadside attraction.
You can print out your own “Jambo Guide” at home and play the audio to accompany your tour when you arrive.
The tour is 90 minutes and is split into seven sections.
- Las Pampas
- Ruaha National Park
- Kalahari Busheveldt
- Gir Forest
- Gorongosa Reserve
- Serengeti Plains
- Hwange National Park
You’ll see zebras, chimpanzees, rhinos, giraffes, and more. Keep your eyes open for lions.
Tickets can be purchased online on Eventbrite.
Lion Country Safari Address: 2003 Lion Country Safari Rd, Loxahatchee, FL 33470
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville
In Titusville, at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, you can see amazing wildlife along the Black Point Wildlife Drive from your car.
Overall, this is a 7-mile tour that will take you approximately 40 minutes to drive through.
You can spot waterfowl, alligators, river otters, bobcats, snakes, and more.
By all means, pick up a self-guiding brochure (available near the drive entrance). It provides information on things to look for.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Address: 987 Scrub Jay Way #32782, Titusville, FL
Make it a day trip by checking out our favorite things to do on Florida’s Space Coast.
Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee
There are two fantastic scenic drives within the Big Cypress National Preserve, where you can see plenty of Florida wildlife.
You can take the 27-mile Loop Road through cypress and pine forests.
Another option is the 17-mile Turner River Loop that takes you by open prairies and wading bird-feeding areas.
You can download guides ahead of time for both scenic drives that include directions and details of what you can see down to the 0.1 miles.
Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari, Kenansville
Lastly, a unique drive-thru in Central Florida is Wild Florida.
Wild Florida encourages you to buckle up for your wildest car ride yet in their drive-thru safari.
You can drive through their safari park and spot over 100 native and exotic animals roaming freely.
It’s fun to identify species from all over the world like giraffes, zebra, eland antelope, scimitar oryx, American bison, mouflon sheep, and more.
Not only does Wild Florida have a drive-thru safari, but they also have airboat rides, a gator park, and animal shows and encounters.
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