21 awesome day trips within driving distance from Orlando

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 you’ll ever experience at the Daytona International Speedway. Also, there’s 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 Orlando’s Fun Spot except this is right on the beach.

Photo via bgbmotorsports/ Instagram

Devil’s Den
1 hour and 31 minutes from Orlando

Things to do: Get more underground than you already are at Devil’s Den. These springs are famous in viral FB videos you’ve probably seen shared by now because of how rad they are. The 33 million-year-old fossil beds are something to brag about after you’ve 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 state’s largest public display of bamboos as well as the Southeast’s largest herb garden at Kanapaha Botanical Garden. Eat pizza inside of a bus full of repurposed decorations like keys, sunglasses and bottle caps at Satchel’s Pizza. If you’re into spookier things and love a good sunset view, then head to the world’s largest occupied bat colony inside UF’s 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.

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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

Solomon’s Castle
2 hour and 10 minutes from Orlando

Things to do: One man’s 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 Dora’s Museum of Speed, full of muscle cars and classic dream cars like Danny Zuko’s 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

Ocala National Forest
1 hour 4 minutes from Orlando

Things to do: Day trips aren’t only people-exclusive. Take a trip with your horse to Ocala National Forest where you can ride on various trails. If you just want to spend time floating around, then go to Alexander Springs where you can kayak in a river under subtropical shady plants. Not interested in bringing your horse or your paddles? Well, if you have an ATV or motorcycle, you can ride along the 125-mile OHV trailhead from dawn to dusk.

Photo via lorangatanggg/ Instagram

Tampa/St. Petersburg
2 hours and 3 minutes from Orlando

Things to do: Get surreal at the Dali Museum while viewing the largest collection of Salvador Dali’s art work outside of Europe. If craft brews are your game, then definitely hit up the local breweries with delicious homemade beers that are being seen across Florida. They’re also a great way to turn up before or after a Tampa Bay Rays game.

Photo via sabrinatouristguide/ Instagram

Flagler County
1 hour and 14 minutes from Orlando

Things to do: Sommeliers would probably never dream of sipping slushy wines, but when in Florida, it sounds like a great idea. You can do just that at the Flagler Beachfront Winery, which make wines oceanside. They also have an array of craft beers and cocktails if wine isn't your thing. The Princess Place Preserve is a nearby spot full of trails for you and equestrians alike, fishing opportunities, water sports and wildlife viewing.

Photo via Flagler Beachfront Winery/ Instagram

Silver Springs State Park
1 hour and 39 minutes from Orlando

Things to do: With 5,000 acres of undeveloped land visitors at Silver Springs State Park can enjoy picnicking, fishing and hiking trails, and the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center are open to the public for those wanting to learn more about the land's history and animal life. For those feeling a little more adventurous, you can hop on a horse and head out on the equestrian trails or ride one of the glass-bottom boat tours.

Photo via ocalalife/ Instagram

Old Town
30 minutes from Orlando

Things to do: Old Town has unusual stores galore, with places solely selling magnets, "as seen on TV" products, soap and kawaii stuff straight outta Japan. There’s also a plethora of fair-style attractions such as go-karts, a speedy Flying Bob’s ride and an arcade where you can buy plush toys with tickets you’ve won. There are also bars and even an outside mechanical bull for your drunk self to rodeo on.

Photo via myoldtownusa/ Instagram

Merritt Island
1 hour and 3 minutes from Orlando

Things to do: Stop at Kennedy Space Center and get your education on. Become one with nature at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, where Florida scrub jays are said to land on the heads of visitors hiking along the trail. Feel like trying your luck? Take a ride on Victory Casino Cruise that leaves out of Port Canaveral and test your skills with blackjack, craps and roulette.

Photo via natalie_serena/ Instagram

De Leon Springs
52 minutes from Orlando

Things to do: Wake up early, leave with an empty stomach and head to these springs that have swimming, canoeing, kayaking and even boating opportunities along the St. John’s river. At the Old Spanish Sugar Mill nearby, you can make your own delicious pancakes in a Korean BBQ kind of way.

Photo via theconsciousvisitor/ Instagram

Lake Placid
2 hours and 4 minutes from Orlando

Things to do: Good wine is always worth the trip, so driving to Henscratch Farms Winery is a fun weekend trip. You can learn all about wine-making, and possibly even stomp some grapes to make it yourself. The nearby lake is supposedly haunted by a lady who died in it, whose body wasn’t found until it came up 30 years later completely well-preserved, and there's also a haunted hotel called the Stagecoach Inn.

Photo via Henscratch Farms Winery/ Instagram

St. Augustine
1 hour and 52 minutes from Orlando

Things to do: Historical views are abundant in USA's oldest city. The Castillo de San Marcos is worth a trip, being the oldest masonry fort in the U.S., a national monument and supposedly haunted. The antique lighthouse is worth passing by as well -- you can view the city and go through the connected Maritime Museum to learn about the city’s history and connection with Ponce de Leon.

Photo via ku_ulei/ Instagram

Clearwater
1 hour and 50 minutes from Orlando

Things to do: Clearwater is known not only for its sandy white beaches, but also for its movie-star dolphin Winter, who has a permanent residence in the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. As you drive up along the coast a make a stop at Honeymoon Island and take the ferry to Caladesi to experience your own private island for an afternoon. Feeling some gyros or dolmades? Stop at the Tarpon Springs sponge docks and check out their Greek restaurants, and make sure to take home a natural sponge as souvenir.

Photo via shoppkmadison/ Instagram