Many visitors come to Orlando for the theme parks and other activities and attractions and can make a whole trip just within the borders of the city. Some view a place as just a starting point for vacation adventures. There are several things to do and see in Orlando, but there are many activities, adventures, and sights to be seen that are just a short drive away. Don’t forget to bring your camera for these Orlando day trips!
Kennedy Space Center
Explore outer space! The center is just over an hour away and makes a perfect day trip for space buffs. Tour a variety of exhibits, including the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, the rocket garden, see the Saturn V Rocket, and marvel at the Hubble Space Telescope Theater. You can even have an “Astronaut Encounter” where you’ll meet an astronaut during a live presentation at Universe Theater, and they’ll even answer your questions and take pictures with you. You can hop in the rental car and drive yourself or join a tour that includes transportation to and from Orlando.
Manatee Encounter
There are several companies that offer trips to the Everglades that include a swim with the manatees. Most head to the Crystal River area of the Gulf Coast, one of the only places in the U.S. where it’s legal to swim and snorkel with the gentle giants. Your trip may include an onshore wildlife encounter where you’ll seek out alligators, flamingos, and many others in their natural habitat.
Airboat Ride
Venture out to the Everglades and board an airboat. You’ll tour through the water and Florida’s natural beauty on a one-hour boat ride where you’ll see alligators, birds, and native vegetation. Some companies even offer alligator handling demonstrations and other add-ons for a unique experience. Tours depart and arrive back at select Orlando locations.
Orlando Day Trips to Clearwater Beach
While known for the excitement of theme parks, Orlando’s central location means it’s not far from the beach either. Just two hours from Orlando, Clearwater Beach offers the sun, sand, water, and fun you want for a complete Florida experience. The full-day trip allows you to enjoy the area without sticking with a tour group that only offers a limited experience. Some tours even offer lunch at one of the beachside restaurants, or you can find the meal that satisfies your hunger. The 12-hour tour departs and arrives in Orlando from several locations around town.
Saint Augustine
Another popular day trip includes a bit of history along with it. The town is one of America’s oldest towns! The full-day, ten-hour excursion means you have plenty of time to enjoy the city and all it offers. Take a walk along the cobbled pathways, marvel as Spanish Colonial architecture and other historic landmarks, and more. Fuel up with delicious bites at waterside restaurants or catch a sightseeing cruise or a trolley tour of Old Town.
Jacksonville Jaguars Game
The full-day, 12-hour adventure is a football fan’s dream. Watch the home team from great seats. There are some tour companies around Orlando that will organize the trip to TIAA Bank Field, including transportation to and from the stadium, meaning you don’t have to worry about driving or parking, only enjoying the game.
Deep Sea Fishing
Clearwater Beach is a great destination for water activities of all kinds. Some may come exclusively for the things you can do closer to shore, like swimming or sunbathing, while others have come for the adrenaline-pumping experience of a fishing adventure on the deep seas of the Gulf. You could organize the whole thing yourself, driving the rental car, booking a charter, and obtaining everything you need like bait, tackle, and all the rest. Or, you could put the planning in the hands of an experienced tour group that plans everything from transportation to and from Orlando to hooking you up with a great charter boat that can arrange everything you need for a productive day on the water.
Enjoy Adventure Beyond Orlando
You know there are plenty of things to do and see, right in Orlando. From the theme parks to more off-the-beaten-path activities like Medieval Times Dinner Theater and Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! to unmatched shopping and dining, there’s something for everyone. Experience even more of Florida with day trips, but make sure to book your home base with a stay in a vacation home provided by Tropical Escape Vacation Homes. We offer cozy two-bedroom condo units if you’re on a solo or small-family journey, all the way up to ten-bedroom single-family homes for you and all your loved ones to explore Orlando and beyond. After the adventure of day trips in Orlando, kick back in an open living area, cook a delicious home-cooked meal in the fully equipped kitchen, or, in anticipation of another adventure, get a good night’s sleep in a private bedroom.
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