21 awesome day trips within driving distance from Orlando
You don't need a horde of vacation days to reach these destinations. Weve rounded up a few easy jaunts you can take this weekend guaranteed to please nearly any type of Orlandoan out there.
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Crystal River Springs
1 hour and 36 minutes from Orlando
Things to do: Bordering 20 miles of the northern Gulf Coast, these springs are a delight for photographers and nature lovers. Manatees are abundant at the Three Sisters Springs and there are seven miles of hiking trails.
Photo via elenashark/ Instagram
Daytona
1 hour from Orlando
Things to do: Drift over to East Orlando and feel cars zoom past you faster than youll ever experience at the Daytona International Speedway. Also, theres a museum inside many people forget exist full of race car history. Or get a little taste of boardwalk fun with the amusement rides over at Daytona. With a roller coaster, go-kart track and arcade, it kind of seems like Orlandos Fun Spot except this is right on the beach.
Photo via bgbmotorsports/ Instagram
Devils Den
1 hour and 31 minutes from Orlando
Things to do: Get more underground than you already are at Devils Den. These springs are famous in viral FB videos youve probably seen shared by now because of how rad they are. The 33 million-year-old fossil beds are something to brag about after youve scuba or snorkeled around them.
Photo via devilsden.com
Gainesville
1 hour and 45 minutes from Orlando
Things to do: Head to the swamp area of Florida, where you can view alluring flowers and the states largest public display of bamboos as well as the Southeasts largest herb garden at Kanapaha Botanical Garden. Eat pizza inside of a bus full of repurposed decorations like keys, sunglasses and bottle caps at Satchels Pizza. If youre into spookier things and love a good sunset view, then head to the worlds largest occupied bat colony inside UFs campus and see bats swooping low and out into the night.
Photo via kanapahagardens/ Instagram
Ormond Beach
1 hour and 12 minutes from Orlando
Things to do: Nature photographers could come out with a full portfolio after visiting the Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail full of marshes, creeks, island dunes and critters all around. Views like these are also abundant at Tomoka State Park, where visitors can camp, hike, and boat around the waters.
Photo via emmyaward9/ Instagram
DeLand
48 minutes from Orlando
Things to do: Sometimes called "the Athens of Florida," DeLand is full of vintage architectural detail to spot on its antique buildings and homes. Hontoon Island State Park is a nice visit for adventure seekers, but be cautious of bears. If you feel like shopping for a gift to take home, check out the DeLand Indie Market at Artisan Alley.
Photo via flo_diggy/ Instagram
Bok Tower Gardens
1 hour and 13 minutes from Orlando
Things to do: Tucked away in Lake Wales is Bok Tower Gardens, a tower standing since 1929 with a 60-bell carillon whose chiming can be heard every day at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Inside there are eight levels full of history on how the tower came to be and a room where bells can be viewed, as well as access to the top. The tower is surrounded by beautiful gardens which house endangered plants, pollinating plants and gorgeous landscapes. There are also two trails which are going to leave you wanting to come back.
Photo via pixl8ted1/ Instagram
Solomons Castle
2 hour and 10 minutes from Orlando
Things to do: One mans dream came true as he created this shiny castle covered in aluminum hidden in woodlands. The castle also has 80 stained glass windows throughout, which could make for a fun game trying to see them all. Nearby on property, there's a pirate ship-themed restaurant visitors can get a bite at after walking through the castle.
Photo via jeremylowe138/ Instagram
Mount Dora
45 minutes from Orlando
Things to do: Hit up the Renninger's antique mall and flea market, which has vintage furniture dealers, oddity vendors, clothing shops and produce stalls among more, then head into Mount Dora's downtown full of wondrous antique shops. If you want to experience pure ecstasy, then Mount Doras Museum of Speed, full of muscle cars and classic dream cars like Danny Zukos from Grease, is a must on your day-trip bucket list.
Photo via erika_bennettblog/ Instagram
New Smyrna Beach
1 hour and 2 minutes from Orlando
Things to do: Once part of the Cruger-dePeyster Plantation, the Sugar Mill Ruins sit on a 17-acre historic site, the last vestiges of a coquina sugar factory that was raided during a war between the Seminole Indians and the United States. Nearby is the Eldora State House, a restored building of the Eldora community, which spanned four distinct periods of local history. Not feeling too historical? Then stop by one of the remaining few Florida beaches that still allows cars on the sand.
Photo via jonsadventures/ Instagram