Nothing says Florida quite like a cup of orange juice that was still hanging on the tree that morning. All over the state, roadside stands and grove shops let you grab just-picked citrus, fresh-squeezed juice, and treats like soft serve and key lime pie.
Some sit along busy highways, while others reward you for driving down a quiet country road. Here are seven Florida stops that are worth the trip when you want the real, sunshine-in-a-cup taste of the state.
1. Al’s Family Farms Citrus, Fort Pierce, FL
Housed in a classic barn on North Kings Highway, this Fort Pierce institution has built its name on juice that tastes like Florida is supposed to taste. The grapefruit juice and fresh-squeezed orange juice are the stars here.
Beyond the citrus, you can pick up homemade fudge and local honey, plus souvenirs to take home. There is an outdoor seating area, and the menu runs from breakfast plates to regular meals, all served counter-style.
The Sunshine Shake is a favorite, and the fresh orange juice keeps regulars coming back on their trips down south. It is a family-owned operation, and the prices stay fair.
Plan around the hours if you go. It opens Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 3:30 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM, with plenty of free parking and a kids’ menu for the little ones.
2. Joshua Citrus Inc, Arcadia, FL
Driving out into the country near Arcadia rewards you with a grove stand that feels like a proper day trip. Joshua Citrus sits on County Road 760, surrounded by the kind of rural Florida scenery you do not see much anymore.
The fresh citrus and juice are the main draw, and samples of fresh-squeezed orange juice and orange strawberry juice make it easy to taste before you buy. The soft serve ice cream is a well-loved bonus.
Families get extra reasons to linger. There is a tire swing and a playground for the kids, live music at times, and an adorable gift shop stocked with local goods and seasonings.
Hours run Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM. It is closed Sundays, so plan your country drive accordingly.
3. Showcase of Citrus, Clermont, FL
Picking your own oranges straight off the tree turns a juice run into an outing, and that is exactly the pitch at Showcase of Citrus in Clermont. The scenic groves come with an old-timey country store at the center of it all.
There is a serious range of pick-your-own citrus varieties, so you can wander the rows and fill up on whatever is ripe. Fresh-squeezed juice and citrus treats round out the visit, along with fresh orange juice and ice cream.
Kids get plenty to do, from a playground to farm animals to feed and even a monster truck on the property. It is the kind of relaxed outdoor spot where adults and children both find something to enjoy.
The store is open daily from 9 AM to 7 PM, with free parking on site. An appointment is required for some experiences, so it is smart to check ahead before you go.
4. Citrus Place, Terra Ceia, FL
A slice of old Florida still stands along US-19 in Terra Ceia, where Citrus Place has been a fixture next to a stretch of the state that has stayed mostly unchanged. It doubles as a juice shop and a classic roadside stand.
Fresh citrus drinks are the calling card, and the homemade key lime pie earns its own following. The soft serve ice cream is a favorite stop for anyone driving through the area.
During citrus season, the fruit shines, with oranges and other fresh produce filling the shelves. When citrus is out of season, the menu still delivers with hot dogs, sandwiches, candy, and that soft serve.
Run by a fourth-generation Terra Ceia resident, the shop leans casual and quiet. It is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 5:30 PM, with free parking and a friendly sample selection.
5. Sun Harvest Citrus, Fort Myers, FL
You can actually watch orange juice being made through the viewing windows at Sun Harvest Citrus in Fort Myers, which turns a quick shopping stop into a small show. It is a longtime road-trip favorite for anyone passing through Southwest Florida.
The shop stocks a wide variety of fresh citrus and produce, along with candy, cake, bakery items, and Florida-themed gifts. The 100 percent orange juice is what pulls people off the highway again and again.
Ice cream fans have their picks too, from vanilla orange to key lime, which pair nicely with a citrus haul. It is an easy in-and-out visit if you are short on time.
Open daily from 9 AM to 8 PM, with on-site parking, it is a simple stop to fold into a longer Florida drive.
6. Schacht Groves, Vero Beach, FL
Fans of small-batch citrus have a reason to drive to Vero Beach for Schacht Groves, a family farm that presses and bottles its juice right on site, one bottle at a time. That hands-on production has even landed the grove on television.
The setup pairs pick-your-own oranges with a gift shop stocked with fresh or frozen citrus, honey, pies, ice cream, and gifts. The produce market is well stocked, making it a solid one-stop for Florida goods.
Old Florida citrus is the heart of it here, and the store carries plenty of selections beyond the fruit itself. It stays a quick, easygoing visit if you are just after juice and oranges.
Hours are limited, so timing matters. It is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 5:30 PM and closed Sunday through Tuesday.
7. Florida Citrus Center, St. Augustine, FL
Pulling off I-95 near St. Augustine, you will find a produce market that mixes fresh citrus with a small surprise, a baby alligator tank. Florida Citrus Center leans into the classic roadside experience.
The shelves hold a great selection of fresh juice, citrus, preserves, jellies, jams, candied citrus, and condiments. Free samples of fresh citrus and orange juice make it an easy place to taste your way through the stock.
Beyond the fruit, there are citrus trees, souvenirs, and plenty of Florida gifts, so it doubles as a convenient stop for road-trippers looking for something authentic. The little gator tank keeps kids entertained while adults shop.
It keeps long hours, open daily from 7 AM to 9 PM, which makes it simple to work into an early start or a late drive up the coast.
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