Orlando offers a variety of attractions, from thrilling theme parks and lush gardens to diverse dining options and peaceful parks. While the city is full of awesome experiences, those seeking to venture beyond Orlando have plenty of options. Here are 10 fun day trips from Orlando, Florida.
Day Trips from Orlando
While you can do many great day trips from Orlando, these are just a few fun ones to get you started.
Under One Hour
Some may be considered part of Orlando, but they are their own city. These are all under an hour if you are coming from downtown Orlando. Times may vary depending on where you are coming from and traffic.
Mount Dora
If you haven’t been to Mount Dora, you are missing out! From strolling through downtown Mount Dora to exploring the cute lighthouse at Grantham Pointe, there are several fun things perfect for the whole family.
DeLand
I’ve been to DeLand several times, and each time I’ve been it seems to be getting better. With beautiful shops in Artisan Alley to new additions such as the Sidecar Market and Bar, DeLand is a must for anyone who loves cute shops, bars, historic tours, and murals.
Eustis
Another city that seems to be blossoming is Eustis. I always thought there was nothing, but disc golf. How wrong I was. Downtown Eustis has the cutest downtown with a few murals decorating the walls, and a new Eustis market with some unique vendors, and shops worth visiting. Plus there are also events worth checking out.
Sanford
For the longest time, Downtown Sanford has been one of my favorite places to visit. They have a German restaurant and market, a retro bookstore, cute antique shops, free rides in the trolley, awesome events, and the St. Johns Rivership lunch cruise.
Under Two Hours
There are plenty of other spots to go to for under an hour, but if you really want to expand your day trips and don’t mind driving, here are some ideas for under two hours.
Cocoa Beach
We may not have beaches in Orlando, but we do have access to beaches an hour and a half away. Cocoa Beach is a popular city to go to for the beaches, but that’s not all they also have Junk Food Bakery, The Dinosaur Store, Ron Jon Surf Shop, and more!
Lakeland
If you’re looking for a more family-friendly city to visit, then Lakeland is the place to go. Lakeland has many fun museums, gardens, parks, and antique stores.
Now you may not see antique stores as fun, but if you love all things Disney, the Lakeland Antique Mall has all sorts of Disney goods for a fraction of the original price.
Plus Lakeland also has the Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre.
Leesburg
There is a nice mix of nature and history in Leesburg, while you’ll find many cute shops and a retro ice cream shop – Mystic Ice Cream in downtown Leesburg, you’ll also find plenty of nature – Haynes Creek Preserve, Venetians Garden Park, and more.
Saint Cloud
Downtown Saint Cloud reminds me a bit of Leesburg. They have a good selection of shops and they have one of my favorite coffee shops. While this downtown isn’t quite as big as Mount Dora, it does have its charm, especially when you go to the farmers market.
Ormond Beach
The vibes in Ormond Beach are unique and has become one of my favorite places to visit. This beautiful city has so many hidden gems, but also a lot of beautiful views. Plus there are plenty of museums, restaurants, and fun state parks to check out.
Melbourne
If you find yourself in Melbourne do not skip out on Eau Gallie and Downtown Melbourne. Eau Gallie is an art district full of beautiful murals, a park with sculptures, and a gallery, while Downtown Melbourne has a lot of charming shops and restaurants.
Not your thing? No problem. There is also the Andretti Thrill Park, a performing arts theatre and you can also observe Manatees at Crane Creek Promenade.
Titusville
While you won’t find much to do in Downtown Titusville, you will find a good selection of museums and parks. From the Valiant Air Command, Inc. Warbird Museum to the American Space Museum, Titusville has a lot to offer visitors for the day.
Brooksville
With cute French Creperie, farms, attractions, and historical homes, Brooksville has a bunch of unique things to do. This is a great day trip for anyone who loves exploring new places and unique attractions. It is also great for family adventures as there are plenty of things for kids and adults.
As mentioned these are just a few day trips you can do from Orlando. If you’d like a glimpse of what these trips look like, you can find videos and photos on my Instagram or Facebook.