19 Best Weekend Trips From Orlando, Florida

1. St. Augustine

Saint Augustine, a city in the southeastern United States, was founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers and it is the oldest city in the country. It is on the Atlantic coast of northeastern Florida. The climate here is subtropical with mostly warm and sunny weather. It is about 110 miles (177.028 km) from Orlando and takes about two hours to reach.

The city is a treasure trove for lovers of history, with its captivating tourist attractions of historical significance. The quaint architecture dating back to the 1700s, the museums bringing history alive, fine dining, luxury shopping, enjoying the scenic beauty of the Matanzas Bay are some of the activities that tourists can enjoy on a day trip to this city. The living history museum Colonial Quarters reenacts historical events and provides interactive experiences. Weapons demonstrations at Castello and the Fountain of Youth bring back memories of the colonial era with musket and cannon-fire sounds.

2. Titusville

Titusville is located along the Indian River in the west of Meritt island. It is about 40 miles (64.4 km) from Orlando. The highlight of Florida’s Space Coast, Titusville is a unique place where scientific advancements like rocket launches cohabit with natural splendors like nests of sea turtles. The city is an ideal base for a trip to the Kennedy Space Center, where you can view memorabilia related to the space shuttle and experience a simulated ride into space. The Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum exhibits over 45 warbirds that provide insights into warbirds through the ages. Experience diversity of natural habitats at the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary as you follow the hiking trails and marvel at the wildlife and temperate as well as subtropical flora.

3. Cocoa Beach

Get away from the noise of the traffic and the jostling crowds in the city and come to Cocoa Beach, a nature lover and surfer’s paradise. Water activities that families can enjoy are endless, like surfing, parasailing and more. The Kennedy Space Centre located nearby offers adventures into outer space. You can kayak through the exotic mangrove tunnels and observe the Bottlenose Dolphins and West Indian Manatees, and enjoy the sights of colorful birds. Experience a taste of local culture with live music and sizzling cuisines at the Historic Cocoa Village. It is about 60 miles (96.5 km) from Orlando and takes about 50 minutes to reach.

4. Cedar Key

Cedar Key is a small city with a population of 800 people in Levy County, Florida. It used to be an old fishing village but has been developed and reconstructed as a tourist center with regionally famous seafood restaurants and two festivals annually; The Spring Sidewalk Art Festival and the Fall Seafood Festival attract thousands of tourists to the area. It is about 135 miles (217 km) from Orlando and takes about 2 hours to travel.

5. Sarasota

At a distance of 140 miles (225 km) Sarasota is about 3 hours’ drive from Orlando and the perfect destination for some family fun. Several colorful festivals like the Sarasota Film Festival, the Annual International Arts Festival, the Harvey Milk Festival, and the Sarasota Chalk Festival are major cultural attractions that draw tourists from all over the world. The Ringling Museum of Art exhibits countless striking works of art. Fine sand beaches with shallow waters offer the perfect beach getaways for families. Marine Laboratories, Botanical gardens and big cat sanctuaries offer fascinating encounters with diverse flora and fauna.

6. Tampa

Tampa is located in Hillsborough County, Florida, on the west coast of Florida near the Gulf of Mexico. It is located about 85 miles (137 km) from Orlando and it takes about 2 hours to reach. A seat of Cuban culture, mouthwatering food and vibrant nightlife, Tampa offers many attractions for travelers. You can have a fun-filled day of thrill at the African-themed amusement park Busch Gardens. Enjoy a unique perspective of the city with a ride on a speedboat on the bay. Party the night away at Ybor City, a hip urbane tourist spot. The Florida Aquarium and ZooTampa are other attractions that the kids will love.

7. Miami

The dream destination for every traveler, the awesome weather, sparkling beaches, lush tropical gardens, blazing nightlife, arts and culture of this city are sure to enthrall you. A lively arts scene, fascinating museums, and mouthwatering cuisines add to the allure of this vibrant city. The Art Deco History District with the pastel-colored buildings from the 1930s and 1940s and the bright neon signs charm tourists. Miami Beach, a long stretch of soft white sand washed by cerulean waters, offers the perfect site to soak up the famous bright Miami sunshine. The nights at the city are an endless party, humming with life. At a distance of about 236 miles (380 km) from Orlando, approximately a three and a half hour’s drive, it is sure to captivate you, offering memories of a lifetime.

Day trips from Orlando

If you only have a day to spare and want to explore the cities and attractions near Orlando, check out the options below!

11. Daytona International Speedway

For a real American experience, look no further than the Daytona International Speedway, home of the Daytona 500, the Coke Zero 500, the Rolex 24 and many other NASCAR events. Built in 1959, the Speedway is the oldest racing venue in the world. Throughout the year, the Speedway is host to some of NASCAR’s fastest cars and drivers, reaching high speeds on the steeply banked tracks. You can buy tickets in advance, or, for a real racing experience, reserve a campsite inside the sprawling complex where you can experience the thrill of stock car racing.

Daytona International Speedway

Price: from 143.69 USD

Duration: 15 - 30 minutes

Website:

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12. Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve

Take a trip to see what Florida looked like more than 400 years ago before Spanish settlers colonized it. The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve, separated into five separate tracts, is over 40,000 hectares (100,000 acres) of land nearly untouched by man. The preserve contains a variety of habitats and a dizzying array of plant and animal life including birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

The cypress ponds that dot the preserve can only be found in this part of Florida. Campsites are available year round (reservations required), and there are hundreds of miles of mixed use trails, perfect for hiking or biking. Fishing and frogging are fantastic year-round. Be sure to bring your bug spray.

Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve

Address: 28057 SR 471, 33597 Webster, FL

Travel Time: 6 hours 7 minutes drive away from Orlando (approx.)

Website: Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve

13. Ocala National Forest

The Ocala National Forest is the southernmost forest in the contiguous United States and is home to the largest sand pine scrub forest in the world. Camping is available year-round, and there are hundreds of miles of trails that wind through the longleaf pine sandhills and inland scrub. Bring a canoe and ply the slow moving blackwater rivers. Tannins from the decaying plants and cypress trees leave the water darkly transparent like a river of tea. For a real treat, take a dip in the bubbling water of Juniper Springs, an oasis in the midst of the desert-like scrub.

Ocala National Forest

Address: Pittman Visitor Center, 45621 State Road 19, 32702 Altoona, FL

Travel Time: 1-hour drive away from Orlando (approx.)

Website: Ocala National Forest

Juniper Springs Recreation Area

Address: SR 40 between Mill Dam and SR 19, 14.5 kilometers (9 miles) west of Astor and the St. Johns River

Travel Time: 1 hour 16 minutes drive away from Orlando (approx.)

Website: Juniper Springs Recreation Area

14. Crystal River Wildlife Refuge

Ever wanted to swim with manatees? Crystal River Wildlife Refuge offers one of the only places on earth to do just that. Created in 1983 specifically to protect the endangered Florida manatee, the Refuge is a natural marvel sitting at the headwaters of the Crystal River in Kings Bay.

From late fall to early spring, the manatees converge in Kings Bay where natural springs keep the water consistently warm. For a chance to get in the water with these gentle giants, book a trip at manatee tour and dive. But plan ahead and make reservations. This is an experience you won’t want to miss.

Crystal River Wildlife Refuge

Address: 1502 SE Kings Bay Dr., 34429 Crystal River, FL

Travel Time: 1 hour 33 minutes drive away from Orlando (approx.)

Website: Crystal River Wildlife Refuge

Manatee tour and dive

Address: 36 N.E. 4th Street, 34429 Crystal River, FL

Travel Time: 1 hour 32 minutes drive away from Orlando (approx.)

Website: Manatee Tour and Dive

15. Gatorland

A trip to Florida wouldn’t be complete without experiencing firsthand the state’s alligators and crocodiles—without getting eaten, of course. The best place to do that is Gatorland, an amusement park and zoo dedicated to the sharp-toothed reptile. Here you can become a crocodile trainer for a day, or wrestle one of these ferocious creatures to the ground. The more adventurous can go behind the scenes and tour the Alligator Breeding Marsh where hundreds of hungry alligators will go crazy for dinner—just be glad it’s not you. For a thrill you’ll never forget, take the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line and soar over the hungry ‘gators below.

Gatorland

Address: 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail, 32837 Orlando, FL

Travel Time: 25 minutes drive away from Orlando (approx.)

Website: Gatorland

16. Lake Apopka

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Northwest of Orlando lies Lake Apopka, a bird watcher’s paradise. Whether hiking, biking, or horseback riding, here you’ll find hundreds of species of birds nesting, mating, and living in this marshy floodplain at the headwaters of the Ocklawaha River. A 32-kilometer (20-mile) multi-use trail on the north shore will take you on a tour of the lake’s edge where you’ll see herons, egrets, warblers, flycatchers, among over 350 bird species that use this lake throughout the year. If hiking isn’t your thing, on weekends you can take the 17-kilometer (11-mile) Wildlife Drive that meanders through the eastern portion of the property.

Lake Apopka

Address: 2803 Lust Road, 32703 Apopka, FL

Travel Time 32 minutes drive away from Orlando (approx.)

Website: Lake Apopka

17. Sea Spirit Fishing Charters

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If fishing is your sport then you’ve come to the right place. Central Florida has some of the best deep sea fishing around. Charter the Sea Spirit and enjoy the thrill of reeling in a big amberjack, barracuda, tuna, swordfish, or mahi-mahi. Or snag a smaller grouper or mackerel to take back to your hotel for a tasty dinner you caught yourself. Whatever kind of fishing you want to do, the crews at Charter the Sea are experienced and knowledgeable and ready to help you make your deep sea fishing excursion a once in a lifetime experience.

Sea Spirit Fishing Charters

Address: 4884 Front Street, 32127 Ponce Inlet, Florida

Travel Time: 1 hour 12 minutes drive away from Orlando (approx.)

Website: Sea Spirit Fishing Charters

18. Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach, often ranked as one of the best beaches in the United States, has over 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) of pristine white sand beaches. The town itself was named Florida’s best beach town in 2013, and one step on the sand, or across the beach walk, will tell you why. Pier 60, with a playground, snack bar, souvenir shop, and a fishing pier, is a favorite hangout for locals and visitors alike. Every night, Sunsets at Pier 60 includes performers, artists, and musical acts for visitors to enjoy as they watch the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico. If you’re looking for a relaxing day lounging in warm, soft sand, and enjoying one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Clearwater Beach is the destination for you.

Clearwater Beach

Travel Time: 1 hour 49 minutes drive away from Orlando (approx.)

Website: Clearwater Beach

19. Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral

No trip to Central Florida would be complete without a visit to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex at Cape Canaveral. Nearly every manned American space flight since 1968 has taken off from Kennedy Space Center, including the Apollo missions, the space shuttles, SkyLab and the new SpaceX program. Visitors to Kennedy can take a bus tour of both historic and working launch facilities.

Visit the Vehicle Assembly Building where spacecraft are put together before being shot into the stratosphere. Or take a behind the scenes tour of Launch Complex 39 from where most of the Apollo and all the Space Shuttles took flight. If you plan your trip well, you might be able to actually witness a launch. The Visitor Complex is the closest you can get, and it’s well worth the trip to witness a sight like no other on Earth.

Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral

Address: Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953, United States

Website: Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

Price: From 65 USD

Explore Florida

Stunning beaches, charming cafes, adrenaline-pumping watersports, astonishing wildlife, and exciting theme parks - Orlando offers diverse attractions for travelers. What’s even better is that you can go on trips to nearby areas of the city and have a great time as well!

Whether you want to spend some quality time with your significant other or strengthen the bonds in your family, head out to any of the places listed above. Rejuvenated in mind, body, and soul, you are sure to bring back memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.