ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 25, 2025) — Pack your bags and buckle up. WUCF’s Florida Road Trip returns this fall with eight brand-new episodes, premiering at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, on WUCF and airing weekly for eight consecutive weeks.
The new season will be broadcast statewide, inviting viewers across Florida to discover the Sunshine State’s rich history, culture and character.
Hosted by Emmy® Award-winning journalist Scott Fais, now in his second season as host, Florida Road Trip explores the people and places that have shaped Florida's identity, from the well-known to the often-overlooked.
“Florida Road Trip brings our state’s stories to life. It’s a way for Floridians to see themselves, their neighbors and their communities in a whole new light,” said Jennifer Cook, executive director of WUCF. “We’re proud to share these powerful local stories with audiences across our state.”
The series began in 2017 with a simple idea: help Floridians connect more deeply with the communities around them. It launched under the original name Central Florida Roadtrip. What started as a regional series quickly struck a chord with viewers, and by 2022, the journey expanded statewide.
Since then, Florida Road Trip has continued to celebrate all things Florida through compelling storytelling and historical exploration.
This season’s eight featured destinations include:
• Orlando (Sept. 18) – From Greenwood Cemetery to Little Vietnam and the Wells’BuiltHotel
• Coral Gables (Sept. 25) – Historic villages, Biltmore Hotel and the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
• Sanford (Oct. 2) – From steamboats to a thriving historic downtown
• Fort Myers (Oct. 9) – 2,000 years of history from the Calusa to Thomas Edison
• University of Central Florida (Oct. 16) – A journey from space-age roots to one of the nation’s largest universities (premiering during UCF’s Homecoming Week)
• Collier County (Oct. 23) – Cattle towns, roadside zoos and this unique slice of Southwest Florida
• Ocala (Oct. 30) – Horse country, Silver Springs and drag racing legends
• Nassau County (Nov. 6) – Revolutionary war stories, Gullah Geechee heritage and the legacy of the American Beach
New episodes will premiere on Thursdays at 8 p.m. beginning Sept. 18, with encore broadcasts to follow. Each episode also will be released for free online viewing the following day.
WUCF Passport members, those who support the station with a donation of $5/month or $60/year, will receive early access to binge four episodes on Sept. 18, followed by the remaining four on Oct. 16. WUCF Passport is a streaming service of PBS and WUCF programs, streamed from anywhere and anytime you like.
“Whether you’ve lived in Florida your whole life or are just getting to know it, this season is packed with discoveries,” said Heather Bailey, executive producer of Florida Road Trip. “We’re excited to share the untold stories, cultural roots and local pride that make Florida truly one of a kind.”
To explore episodes and learn more, visit www.floridaroadtrip.org
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About WUCF: WUCF serves as the region's trusted source for educational programming, arts, culture and local storytelling. As Central Florida's only PBS affiliate and home for jazz, WUCF offers free, accessible content that enriches lives, fosters curiosity and strengthens the community. Guided by the mission "We Change Lives," WUCF is committed to connecting, inspiring and empowering audiences across all platforms. To explore WUCF's impact and programming, visit www.wucf.org.
WUCF Media Contact:
Christine Dellert Mullon
407.718.0199
