24 summer road trips from Orlando everyone should try once

Experience Cuban culture in Little Havana

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 3 hours 45 minutes
Described as a “vibrant Cuban neighborhood", Little Havana in Miami will submerge you in the Cuban culture with its authentic eateries, shopping spots, entertainment, and of course, coffee shops. Skip the chaos of South Beach and hit the streets of Little Havana instead.
Photo via Little Havana Art District /Facebook

Spend the day at Gasparilla Island State Park

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 3 hours 15 minutes
Located in Boca Grande, Gasparilla Island State Park is one of the many hidden gems Florida has to offer. Spend the day on the quiet beaches, book a cabin for the night, rent a canoe or kayak, or go bird watching in the park. The activities are endless and will keep you busy all day, or weekend, long.
Photo via myfloridapicks /Instagram

Indulge at the Chocolate Kingdom

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 30 minutes
You won’t have to travel far to indulge in some chocolatey deliciousness at the Chocolate Kingdom right here in Orlando. Go on a factory tour to see how the chocolate is made and then taste some for yourself. You can even make and customize your own chocolate bar - that’s something you can’t do every day. This is great way to satisfy your sweet tooth while learning something new in the process.
Photo via Chocolate Kingdom Orlando /Facebook

Slide down the new attractions at Daytona Lagoon

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 1 hour
Daytona Lagoon added two new waterslides after experiencing Hurricane Irma damage in 2017. The attractions to the lagoon include a thrilling half-pipe slide and a multi-colored four lane race mat slide.
Photo via Daytona Lagoon /Facebook

Hold a gator at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 1 hour 50 minutes
Alligators are no strangers to Florida, but have you ever held one? If you have the guts, head to St. Augustine’s Alligator Farm and Zoological Park to experience it first-hand. You can also check out some albino alligators and other animal exhibits, like “Lemurs of Madagascar” and “Wading Bird Rockery.”
Photo via St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park /Facebook

Check out the new exhibit at the Dali Museum

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 2 hours
Using cutting-edge artificial intelligence, Dali Lives gives visitors to the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg an opportunity to learn more about Dali’s life from the person who knew him best: himself. The experience opened on what would have been Dali’s 115th birthday, allowing visitors to interact with an engaging life-like Salvador Dali on a series of screens.
Photo via The Dali Museum

Take a fishing trip to Cedar Key

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 2 hours 30 minutes
If you like to fish and haven’t been to Cedar Key, start booking your next trip. The old-fashioned village of Cedar Key is both historic and a great place for fishing with its lush natural preserves. It’s also a great spot to grab some fresh seafood and spend the night in a quaint local hotel or bed and breakfast.
Photo via Living Cedar Key /Facebook

Float along Ft. Lauderdale waterways on its 15-stop water taxi

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 3 hours 30 minutes
There’s no better way to spend the day than on the Ft. Lauderdale Water Taxi breezing through the intercoastal waterways. The 15-stop hop-on, hop-off taxi is perfect for checking out all of the great parts of the city in one day without having to deal with the busy traffic and parking headaches.
Photo via Los Olas Boulevard

Spread your wings at Butterfly World

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 3 hours:
Butterfly World in Coconut Creek is one of the largest butterfly exhibits in the world. It is the result of one man’s “hobby gone wild” and includes three butterfly aviaries. The site was started in order to educate the public about butterflies and provide free butterfly gardening materials to expand the population. The mission has been wildly successful and Butterfly World continues to be a hot spot due to its abundance of the colorful creatures.
Photo via Butterfly World

Attend the sunset celebration at Mallory Square

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 7 hours 15 minutes
If you find yourself in the Florida Keys, make sure to check out the nightly Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square in Key West. The celebration happens nightly at sunset and offers quirky entertainment like cat acrobatics and fire jugglers. This has been a staple of Key West since the 1800’s, attracting festival-goers like Mark Twain. “See you at sunset!”
Photo via Mallory Square /Facebook

Meet the mermaids at the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 1 hour 45 minutes
Whether you believe in mermaids or not, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is home to the Weeki Wachee mermaids who put on a show for all visitors. The spring is so deep that the bottom has never been found, and the waters of the Weeki Wachee River wind for 12 miles along the Gulf of Mexico. Come experience it for yourself - all skeptics and believers are welcome.
Photo via Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

Check out Florida’s newest state park

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 2 hours 10 minutes:
Florida’s newest state park, Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, is located in High Spring, about 20 miles from Gainesville. The park strolls along the Santa Fe River and houses six natural springs full of crystal-clear water perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. The spot also offers concession stands and great hiking trails, so you’ll be covered for a day of fun.
Photo via Discover Real Florida /Facebook

Meet the manatees on the Crystal River Manatee Tour

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 1 hour 30 minutes
See some sea hippos on one of the Crystal River Manatee Tours in Crystal River. These tours are both educational and entertaining, and there are several different tour options available, including airboat tours, guided paddle board tours, and sunset tours. You can even snorkel with the manatees if you want to be right in the action.
Photo via Crystal River Trolley & Manatee Tours /Facebook

Fulfill your Instagram needs at the Bok Tower Gardens

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 1 hour 30 minutes
The Bok Tower Gardens is a historic landmark that tourists and locals flock to alike. The ornate Singing Tower and surrounding greenery makes for the perfect Instagram photo op. The gardens are open 365 days a year and house beautiful nature trails and other attractions, such as the Pinewood Estate and the Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden.
Photo via meowcourtney /Instagram

Go glamping at Danville Bed and Breakfast

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 45 minutes
If you want to experience nature at its finest but aren’t a fan of camping, Danville Bed and Breakfast is your place. This mini resort near Orlando offers classic touches with its vaulted ceilings and bygone era decor in the middle of natural lands that house lakes, gardens, and old country roads. The site is also a popular for weddings and other events.
Photo via Danville B and B /Facebook

Check out the “Gone With The Wind” memorabilia museum

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 1 hour 30 minutes
If you are a Gone With The Wind fan, visiting the memorabilia museum and showroom in Plant City is a must. Most of the memorabilia is available for purchase and make you feel like you stepped on the movie set. Some of the items for sale include Bradford plates, retired Franklin Mint items, and retired Dave Grossman creations.
Photo via Gone With The Wind /Facebook

Visit the World’s Largest Shell Factory

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 3 hours
Ft. Myers is home to the world’s largest shell factory: The Shell Factory, Nature Park & Fun Park. The business was started by Harold and Mildred Crant, a Florida couple with a passion for collecting and selling shells in nearby Bonita Springs. Now, the factory attracts visitors from all over the country and recently opened a nature park and fun park that include over 400 critters and a game room, year-round Christmas house, and a full-scale dinosaur exhibit.
Photo via Shell Factory & Nature Park

Dip in the sparkling water at Juniper Springs

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 1 hour 20 minutes
One of the oldest and most popular recreational spots in Florida, Juniper Springs, located in the Ocala National Forest, is known for its sparkling waters, campground, and scenic hiking trails. There are hundreds of tiny springs and paths to explore, and the park is shaded by great oak and palm trees. This is a great spot to spend the day outdoors.
Photo via Juniper Springs Recreation Area /Facebook

Catch a show at the popular Mahaffey Theater

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 1 hour 45 minutes
This hot spot in St. Petersburg hosts an eclectic event schedule with music, entertainment, and political figures all making stops at the theater. Some people to recently perform at the venue include magicians Penn & Teller and band Interpol. Coming up this summer are Todd Rundgren, Dane Cook and more.
Photo via Mahaffey Theater /Facebook

Get a history lesson at the Presidents Hall of Fame

Estimated driving distance from Orlando: 30 minutes
You can find the Presidents Hall of Fame nearby in Clermont and get the history lesson you probably need. The museum includes displays models of iconic sites such as the White House, the State Dining Room, the Oval Office, and more. It also features life-size models of many U.S. presidents and a collection of gowns worn by former first ladies.
Photo via Presidents Hall of Fame