Escape Orlando with these 4 easy road trips

Daytona Beach

Beyond bikers and spring breakers, this world-famous beach town features history, character and waves for days. A quick one-hour drive northeast from Orlando, this location on the Atlantic Coast is perfect for a day trip or semi-staycation.

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Streamline Hotel

140 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach
A 44-room restored yet historically accurate boutique hotel with a saltwater pool and rooftop bar. Don’t miss the vintage stock car racing memorabilia.

Photo via Streamline Hotel

Daytona Arcade Museum

176 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach
Missing your fill of Galaga, Street Fighter II or Donkey Kong? Unlimited play on all games all day, and a rotating selection of local microbrews. Game over!

Photo via Daytona Arcade Museum/Facebook

Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier

1200 Main St., Daytona Beach
Built in 1925, this 600-foot wooden pier is the most recognizable landmark on Daytona Beach. Walk out at sunset and look back at the lights.

Photo by Jenny De Witt

Museum of Arts and Science

352 S. Nova Road, Daytona Beach
This place has it all: A giant sloth skeleton (yeah, they’re Florida natives), Napoleon’s bed, hundreds of teddy bears, the best Cuban art collection, and the only place in the country to see an original Coca-Cola bottle. Follow the boardwalk to natural wonder, and don’t skip the planetarium show.

Photo by Jenny De Witt

Kale Cafe

116 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach
Fresh pressed juice bar with creative vegan cuisine. Don’t miss the chalkboards of veg facts lining the long walls. Fave: papaya chia smoothie.

Photo via Kale Cafe Juice Bar & Vegan Cuisine

Macker Seafood

600 Mason Ave., Daytona Beach
Fresh ocean fish and shellfish caught at Matanzas Inlet, near Marineland. It’s SHRIMPTASTIC! No, really. You can order that.

Photo via Macker Seafood/Facebook

Tia Cori's Tacos

214 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach
Elote, elote, elote, torta, sope, ceviche, elote, elote, elote, taco, elote, flan.

Photo by Jenny De Witt

Donnie's Donuts

200 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
Slightly up the road but so worth the extra mile or two. Creative, delicious cake donuts used as a vehicle for mouthwatering toppings – and they sell out fast.

Photo via Donnie's Donuts/Facebook

Starbucks

110 S. Ocean Ave., Daytona Beach
OK, OK, yeah, but hear us out: It’s got a fantastic beach view and free parking. Grab your drink of choice and sit outside on the covered porch to feel the breeze.

Photo by Jenny De Witt

Atlantic Sounds Record Shop

138 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach
This 37-year-old record store has something for everyone. Come away with an album or cassette that you didn’t know you needed, but have to own – like for instance, the vintage album of cat sounds we may or may not have purchased.

Photo via Atlantic Sounds/Facebook

Moxie Vintage

114 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach
Stop in to meet Daniel and style yourself up from his creative displays of vintage and retro fashion and unique ephemera. No selfies allowed in the store, by the way. Tip: Pick up a vintage woven straw beach bag.

Photo via Moxie Vintage/Facebook

Downtown Farmer's Market

105 Orange Ave., Daytona Beach
Set alongside the Halifax River, pick up local eggs, produce, seafood, and plants on Saturdays from 7-11 a.m. Then stroll the Sweetheart Trail, part of the 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway that stretches from Maine to Florida.

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Sarasota

This Gulf Coast city is just two and a half hours from the City Beautiful and it’s so charming, you may never want to leave. Sink your toes into its powdery sand, and you’ll definitely start making plans to return … or maybe even retire here. Current real estate prices might be a rude shock back to reality, though.

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The Ringling Circus Museum

5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota
This is a must-see: circus history told through handcrafted miniatures and interactive displays that amaze kids and kidults alike. How many of you can fit in the tiny car?

Photo via The Ringling/Facebook

The Yoga Shack

514 Central Ave., Sarasota
If your idea of play is actually hard work on a yoga mat, go here for great instruction, small classes and zero pretention. They’re on the MindBody app to make things simpler.

Photo via Yoga Shack/Facebook

Sarasota Farmers Market

1 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota, 941-225-9256
Saturday mornings downtown until 1 p.m., head to the Big Red Bus for locally roasted coffee and start your stroll. Don’t miss: fish tacos, the breakfast burrito guy or the smoked fish dip. Eat that with crackers on the beach later – they’ll pack it on ice for you.

Photo via Sarasota Farmers Market/Facebook

Lido Beach and Park

At the end of Lido Key, the lesser-trafficked area where the Bay meets the Gulf, there’s a playground, picnic area, parking and sandy dunes. Try it instead of the packed public beach or Siesta Key.

Photo by Jenny De Witt

Sarasota Jungle Gardens

3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, 941-355-5305
Established in 1939, the Jungle Gardens are a true old-Florida roadside attraction. See flamingos, alligators, exotic fruit trees, and “two bearded dragons, a skink and a creamsicle snake.”

Photo by Jenny De Witt

Cock & Bull Farmhouse

975 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota
Dog-friendly, 40 taps and 500-plus bottles. It’s a hike but if you’re looking for local and unique brews from everywhere, this is the place – plus there’s an outdoor beer garden, fire pit and live bands (that don’t play covers).

Photo via Cock & Bull/Facebook