11 Great Day Trips from Orlando, Florida
11 Great Day Trips from Orlando, Florida
Whether you’re passing through Florida on a road trip or are looking for a break from the amusement parks in Orlando, you’ll find lots of great adventures just an hour or two outside of this city. I’ve come up with some great day trips from Orlando, Florida that are 1-2 hours away (one way) and links are provided if you want more information.
Here are 11 great day trips from Orlando, Florida:
LEGOLAND Florida
If your kiddos love LEGO’s and/or the LEGO movies, they will have a blast at LEGOLAND in Florida. In addition to the amusement park and water park, LEGOLAND Resort offers a LEGO themed hotel and beach retreat.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort // 1 LEGOLAND Way – Winter Haven, Florida 33884
About 1 hour from Orlando
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge & Three Sister Springs
Above photo via
The Manatee visit Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge from mid-November until late March. They do this to conserve their energy in order to survive the cold waters in the Gulf. You can watch the Manatees from the Three Sisters Springs boardwalk.
If you want to view the manatee underwater, you need to join a tour group, bring your own boat or kayak or rent one. You can even take photos of them while underwater! Be sure to watch the video of Manatee Manners before you visit.
The Refuge is also a natural area along the Gulf with areas for hiking and bird watching. They offer 2-hour boat rides out into the Gulf as well, but you might want to call ahead to make sure they are running on the day of your visit.
Read more info on programs for kids HERE.
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge // 1502 S.E. Kings Bay Drive – Crystal River, FL 34429 // 352-563-2088
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge WEBSITE
Three Sisters Springs – Wildlife Refuge & Tours // 123 NW US Highway 19 – City of Crystal River, 34428 // 352-586-1170
1.5 (one way) from Orlando
Cocoa Beach
Above photo via
Things the whole family will enjoy at Cocoa Beach:
- Relaxing at the beach
- West gate Cocoa Beach Pier
- Visit the Ron Jon Surf Shop
See more ideas and activities at Cocoa Beach HERE
1 hours drive East of Orlando
Devil’s Den Spring
Above photo via
Devil’s Den Spring is an underground spring inside a cave. The whole family will be fascinated when they see stalactites and fossil beds by scuba diving or snorkeling here. And the cave stays 72 degrees year round. They don’t allow general swimming, and access to the springs is for those snorkeling or scuba diving only. Anyone under the age of 18 must have a parent on site at all times.
Devil’s Den Spring // 5390 NE 180th Ave Williston, FL 32696 // 352-528-3344
Silver Springs State Park
Above photo via
Silver Springs is a State Park with a museum and glass-bottomed boat rides. The park offers lots of interesting history and wildlife information.
Admission to Silver Springs State Park is $2. Glass bottomed boat rides are $11 for adults and $10 for children. Kids 5 years and younger are FREE.
Silver Springs State Park // 1425 NE 58th Ave, Ocala, FL 34470-1189 // 352-236-7148
Silver Springs State Park WEBSITE
1.5 hours (one way) from Orlando
New Smyrna Beach
New Smyrna Beach is the perfect place to relax, build sandcastles, swim, or surf.
You can read all about the kid-friendly and family-friendly activities at New Smyrna Beach HERE.
1 hour (one way) from Orlando
Weeki Watchi Springs State Park
Above photo via
Why your kiddos will love it:
- River Cruises (where you may see manatees)
- Mermaid shows
- Wildlife Shows
- Lots of playgrounds, kayaking, and paddle boarding
2 hours (one way) from Orlando
Daytona Beach
Daytona is a great place to spend the day on the beach, but his city is full of lots of family-friendly activities:
- Sunglow Pier – Kids under 16 can fish from this pier without a license
- Daytona Boardwalk – Carnival rides and arcade games
- Daytona Lagoon – A water park along the boardwalk with go-carts, mini golf, and arcade games
- Tour the NASCAR International Speedway – Tour the infield and garages
…just to name a few.
1 hour (each way) from Orlando
Kennedy Space Center
The Kennedy Space Center is divided into Mission Zones where you can learn about space exploration from early conception to more modern space travels. Kids will love the rocket yard, the interactive, hands-on exhibits, and the playgrounds.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex // SR 405 Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899 // 1.855.433.4210
The Kennedy Space Center WEBSITE
1 hour (one way) from Orlando
Florida Aquarium
In addition to the beautiful sea creature exhibits and freshwater habitats, the Florida Aquarium has a splash pad for the little ones to play in (weather permitting). The splash pad is included in the price of admission. This aquarium also features sea life/animal-related films in its 4D theatre.
The Florida Aquarium // 701 Channelside Drive – Tampa, Florida 33602 // 813.273.4000
1.5 hours (one way) from Orlando
St. Pete’s Beach
In addition to the wonderful beaches, St. Pete’s offers these family-friendly attractions:
- Fort de Soto Park
- Captain Memo’s Original Pirate Cruise
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- Great Explorations Houghton-Wagman Children’s Museum
- Tampa’s Lowry Zoo
2 hours (one way) from Orlando
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About The Author
KristyB
Wife. Mom. Graphic Designer. Photographer. Professional Nap Taker. Part-time Traveler (with kids in tow, of course!)
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I’m looking forward to swimming with the manatees (that was on my radar) but now I also have to add snorkeling at Devil’s Den Spring! Thanks!
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Thank you, Jenn! I’m rooting for you!
I want to go to LegoLand and I want to see mermaids! Going back to Florida is definitely on my list. There’s just so much fun stuff to do there!
Yes, Candice! There is no shortage of fun in Florida!
Wow, these are must visit places,especially the beaches. They look awesome,super-clean and less crowded.
Great post dear
Thank you! You are too sweet.
OMG! This makes me want to visit Orlando. Especially the mermaid shows! Thanks for making this post, I already bookmarked this post.
Thanks, Monica! Hope it helps with your trip planning!
Awww! Legoland is in my original hometown. It’s Winter Haven BTW, not Windhaven. I’ve been to several of these places, but haven’t been to others. Devil’s Den looks really cool!
Thanks for letting me know! I fixed it! Some days I just don’t get enough coffee!
I Have been to Florida once in my teens and we visited kennedy space centre. I would love to check out Dayton beach and Devils Den Spring one day.
I would love to take the kids to Kennedy Space Center, Shannon! We were able to visit Daytona Beach. It was a cool town. I’m working on those posts now.
Ooooo these all look so fun! I’m bookmarking for my next trip down to Florida 🙂 Thanks for sharing! The state park looks beautiful.
I hope these help with your travel plans, Megan! There are so many fun things to do around Orlando.
How Fun! We have been wanting to try out Lego Land. Somehow I always end up at Disney when I go to Orlando though!
I know – Disney is hard to resist! But we loved LEGOLAND so much!
All of these look like amazing spots to go to. I’m pinning this to my road trips board!
I know! I wish I could spend a month in the Orlando area. There’s so much to do!
So many fun places to visit in Orlando! Would love to take my son to Legoland and Kennedy Space Center given the chance, 🙂
Those are two really fun places! Your son will have the time of his life!
We went to Orlando on our honeymoon.I wish I had known about all these places then!
wow all of these locations look and sound so amazing. I know that I would really enjoy the crystal river national wildlife refugee, what a special place! And silver springs state park looks great.
Those are two great places to visit! You’re surrounded by nature and you might see some manatees!
KSC is awesome for the family. Did you know if you are an educator they have an area for educators to look through resources? Check the website before going to plan accordingly, but I think you will enjoy!
Thank you so much! I’m checking into that!
Never been to Florida. But this is on my list for sure. My husband and I are actually thinking of doing a layover there for a few days next time we go to Caribbean. Definitely going to check out at least 1 or 2 of these places.
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That sounds like a great trip, Amal!
My grandchildren would love Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, Florida Aquarium, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, WEEKI, WATCHI Springs and The Kennedy Space Center I already know I love St. Pete’s. I have not been there in decades though. Thanks for the memories!
Thanks for visiting the blog, Gladys! I hope you and the grandkids get to see those mermaids in Florida soon!
Love visiting Florida when I can. It did visit the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and loved seeing the Manatees up and close.
Yeah, the manatees are pretty awesome!
Florida is a great place to visit. We’ve always had an amazing time there. I think it’s time to take our grandson. He’s 15 and not been to Florida!
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Your grandson would love it – especially all the theme parks!
Looks like some fantastic places!
I have never been to Florida. I would love to see the mermaids. Pinned!
Thanks for the share, Veronica! I hope you get to visit Florida soon!
Oh all of that looks like a ton of fun. I think I may have gone on the Silver Springs tour but that was a long time ago.
We went to Disney World and Silver Springs when I was a kid (well a tween), and I remember more about Silver Springs for some reason. There were gumball machines with animal food and the squirrels would come right up to us. And, we all loved the glass bottomed boat ride.
I have been planning a trip to Florida for quite some time now and would love to include couple of these places in my itinerary.
I hope this list helps with your planning, Vasundhra!
I have never been to the United States and never really know all the interesting places that locals get to see. I would definitely love to visit some day
I hope you get to visit, Doreen! There are so many national parks, beaches, and man-made attractions!
I loved this post, so informative and Cocoa beach looks incredible! Lots of great ideas to take on board 🙂
Thanks, Elizabeth! Yes, the Florida beaches are awesome!
I need to visit Orlando! I’ve only ever been to Tampa, but I need to explore other parts of Florida, as well. 🙂
Some of these attractions on the list are also an hour (or much less) from Tampa. I’ve been to Tampa (mostly the beaches and Busch Gardens) and I loved it too!
I am heading to florida in may and although I have disney tickets I would love to visit some of these, specially with the mermaid shows!!
I hope you do get to see the mermaids, Sian! You’ll only be about an hour away!
Thank you for the tips, KristyB. I was just planning a trip down to Florida…..so you answered a lot of questions!
Hope these help! Have a great trip!