Day Trips from Orlando, Florida

Daytona Beach, situated on the Atlantic Coast, is best known as the location of the Daytona International Speedway, which hosts the Daytona 500 NASCAR race every February. The city is undoubtedly at its busiest during this time, but it's a fantastic place to visit during the rest of the year as well. Popular activities include strolling along the Daytona Beach Pier, enjoying the summer concerts held at the Daytona Beach Bandshell, and go karting at the Daytona Lagoon water park. The beach itself is excellent for swimming and surfing, but it also features hard-packed sand that can be used to driving in certain areas.

Outer space undeniably holds a mysterious appeal, and the Kennedy Space Center is an incredible place to get a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most fascinating aspects of space exploration. Learn about some of history's most important astronauts in the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, stand in the mission-command center of the rocket that landed on the moon, or take a stroll through the Rocket Garden, where you can see an incredible collection of rockets from various NASA missions. To make your experience even more interactive, hop aboard the Shuttle Launch Experience to see how it would feel to blast off into space.

Set along the St. Johns River, Blue Spring State Park (video) is a beautiful destination that also happens to be one of the largest winter manatee refuges in the state. The 72-degree water is perfect for swimming, but visitors can also take a guided boat cruise down the river, rent a canoe or kayak, or hike along the Pine Island Trail. Swimming is not permitted between November and March when the manatees come to spend the winter here, but lucky swimmers might get a glimpse of one during the off-season, and snorkeling equipment is available for rent if needed.

Blue Springs State Park, 2100 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763, Phone: 386-775-3663

Occupying a spectacular 250-acre property that includes Iron Mountain, one of the tallest peaks on Florida's peninsula, the Bok Tower Gardens are a wonderful place to relax. The centerpiece of the property is the 205-foot Singing Tower, a carillon with 60 bells that was built on the garden's highest point. Short concerts are held twice a day, but even if you don't manage to catch one, you can enjoy the beauty of the property's 50-acre contemplative garden, go for a walk along the Pine Ridge Nature Trail, or take a guided tour of the Pinewood Estate mansion.

1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853, Phone: 863-676-1408

Florida spoils you for choice when to comes to beautiful beaches, but if you're looking for soft white sand and turquoise water, few places can compare to Clearwater Beach. The waterfront boardwalk offers plenty of wonderful seafood restaurants and cafes, but the real draw here is the warm, inviting water, which is perfectly suited to swimming no matter what the time of year. Thrill seekers can also go parasailing, stand-up paddleboarding, or jet skiing, but if you'd rather relax and lounge on the beach, it's easy to rent a beach chair or even a private cabana.

Located along the coast of Central Florida, the Crystal River Springs are known for their wonderfully warm water, which remain at a temperature of 72 degrees year-round. The springs attract approximately 600 manatees migrate here for the winter when the water temperature in the Gulf of Mexico begins to drop, and it's one of the only places in the world where you can swim with these gentle giants. There are a handful of springs to choose from, but the best is the Three Sisters Spring, which features a boardwalk, kayak rentals, and guided snorkeling tours.

123 NW US Highway 19, Crystal River, FL 34428-3930, Phone: 352-586-1170

De Leon Springs isn't as well-known as many of the other springs in Central Florida, but it's located on a beautiful 625-acre state park that makes the perfect day trip destination. Swimming in the warm spring water is one of the most popular pastimes here, but the water is also great for scuba diving, snorkeling, and canoeing or kayaking. If you'd rather stay on dry land, you can stroll past centuries-old cypress trees on the short, paved Nature Trail, or if you're looking for a bigger challenge, go for a hike on the Wild Persimmon Hiking Trail.

Founded in 1876, the city of DeLand is fondly known as the "Athens of Florida", a nickname it received because of its rich history and culture as well as its pioneering spirit. It's the proud home of the elegant Stetson University, but tourists are more likely to enjoy visiting the Stetson Mansion estate, browsing the exhibits in the Museum of Art - DeLand, and exploring the city's downtown streets. If you want to spend some time outside, you can take a boat ride out to Hontoon Island or rent a canoe and go for a paddle in the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge.

A mysterious sinkhole that was created when the roof over an underground river caved in, Devil’s Den is a prehistoric spring dotted with stalactites, fossils, and other rock formations. Visitors must descend a flight of stairs to get in the water, which remains a comfortable 72 degrees year-round and is primarily used for scuba diving. Snorkelers are welcome in the water as well, but due to the spring's small size, swimmers are not permitted. Scuba and snorkel equipment is available for rent if you don't have your own, and facilities include changing areas, cabanas, and picnic tables.

5390 NE 180 Ave, Williston, FL 32696, Phone: 352-528-3344

Disney World is one of the biggest attractions in all of Florida, and with its convenient location only 16 miles away from Orlando, it's a wonderful place to go for a day trip. Spread out over almost 40 square miles, the park boasts more attractions than you could ever see in a single day, but that also means there's truly something for everyone. Visit Cinderella Castle, get your heart pumping on one of the many thrill rides, or snap some photos with the park's costumed actors. On a hot day, you'll also probably want to cool off in one of the two water parks.