10 Best Road Trips from Orlando
Escape to Florida This Weekend
The best road trips from Orlando, Florida will take you to the coast for dazzling beaches and to nature reserves for wildlife spotting. Family fun includes watching mermaid shows, rocket launches and manatees. But there’s also plenty of lively nightlife, including Cuban restaurants, sunset celebrations and street performers.
With its central Florida location, Orlando is within easy reach of serene golf courses, waterfront parks and natural springs, should you wish to escape the bustle of the city and its crowded amusement parks. Pack your bags and escape to historic parks, coastal towns and a legendary space centre on an exciting Florida road trip.
1. Cape Canaveral
Space, heights and a children’s classic
Categoría: Familias, Foto, Historia
Located 80 km east of Orlando, Cape Canaveral is an excellent choice for fun family activities. Budding astronauts will love the Kennedy Space Center, with its fantastic interactive exhibits and thrilling space shuttle simulator. Watch a rocket launch and visit enthralling space museums where you can learn NASA’s history and discover little-known facts about space exploration.
Climb the steps of Cape Canaveral Lighthouse for some breathtaking views over the ocean from the top of this magnificent, iron structure. And for a whimsical and enchanting experience, why not visit The Wizard of Oz Museum? You’ll follow the Yellow Brick Road on an immersive adventure that’s great fun for kids of all ages.
Cape Canaveral
2. Clearwater Beach
Spectacular scenery and watersports
Categoría: De aventura, Vida nocturna, Foto
The 2-hour drive to Clearwater Beach from Orlando will take you to Florida’s west coast and an idyllic beach. Soft, white sand stretches on and on, dotted with palm trees and parasols, and the calm, clear water glistens in a vivid, emerald-green hue, turning to deep blue the further you go from the shore. It’s a wonderful beach for sprawling out and soaking up the sun with a good book.
If you’re looking for water-sport adventures, this is a fantastic spot. Enjoy jet-skiing, parasailing or paddleboarding in these cool waters. As the sun goes down, Pier 60 comes alive with street performers and musicians for a sunset celebration. Head to this popular nightlife spot and enjoy the fun, friendly vibe.
Ubicación: Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key, FL 34228, USA
Teléfono: +1 727-464-7200
Clearwater Beach
3. Mount Dora
Small-town charm
Categoría: Ir de compras, Gastronomía en , Vida nocturna
Mount Dora is a quaint city in central Florida, known for its amazing antique shops. Stroll along the wide, tree-lined avenues of downtown and take in the eclectic window displays, stopping off to browse through all the vintage delights. Admire the pastel hues of the historic buildings in this small city and visit one of the amazing museums that showcase everything from modern furniture to local history and classic cars.
As it’s only 45 km from Orlando, it’s a short road trip, giving you plenty of time for a relaxing weekend camping by one of the lakes. Check out the waterfront restaurants at Lake Eustis for mouthwatering seafood dishes and sunset views over the water.
Mount Dora
4. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Unique shows and fun in the water
Categoría: Exótico, Familias, Foto
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park will delight all the family with its outstanding beauty and diverse activities. If you love the outdoors, this is a wonderful place to get close to nature. Swim in the natural spring on a hot summer’s day, rent a kayak and cruise along the water in total serenity or stroll along the trails admiring the peacocks you meet.
Kids will be thrilled to twist and turn down the huge water slides and splash around. They’ll love the mermaid show too. It’s a dazzling underwater performance that will astound everyone. Download the park’s app before visiting for the schedules of the events you’d like to see, then you can be sure to fit everything in.
Ubicación: 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606, USA
Horarios: Daily from 9 am to 5.30 pm
Teléfono: +1 352-610-5660
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
5. Tampa
Wild animals, cigars and tasty food
Categoría: Familias, Gastronomía en , Foto
Take Interstate 4 to Tampa and discover a vibrant city on Florida’s Gulf Coast. For family fun and photo opportunities, head to Busch Gardens. Explore over 300 acres of theme park, inspired by African animals. Kids will love the rollercoaster thrills and spotting giraffes and zebras on the Serengeti Safari.
With its mild year-round climate, Tampa is an excellent choice for dining al fresco, especially in Ybor City. Due to its cigar-industry history, this is a lively neighbourhood full of Latin American eateries. Feast on an incredible Cuban sandwich in a century-old bakery or delicious empanadas (baked turnovers) in a Cuban bistro. Keep an eye out for the colourful roosters which wander freely in this neighbourhood too.
Tampa
6. Homosassa
Incredible wildlife
Categoría: De aventura, Foto, Familias
Homosassa is a lovely road trip to escape to nature. Located around 140 km west of Orlando, it’s known for its popular state park and springs. Take a small boat tour along the calm river, with its spectacular, overhanging greenery. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot elegant whooping cranes, deer and flamingos.
Kids will love trying to catch sight of the scarier animals too, including alligators and black bears. The guides are great at answering questions from inquisitive little minds on Florida’s native wildlife, and the big draw of Homosassa is seeing manatees in their natural habitat. These huge, but gentle, mammals, known for their gloomy expressions, begin to gather in the springs once the cooler weather arrives.
Homosassa
7. Kissimmee
A charming city
Categoría: De aventura, Foto, Vida nocturna
Kissimmee is a 30-minute drive south of Orlando, making it easy to access on a short road trip. It’s often overlooked as a tourist destination, with people merely passing through on their way to the region’s amusement parks around Orlando. But it’s a beautiful town, blending modern attractions with breathtaking nature and it’s well worth a visit.
Golf enthusiasts will find world-class golf courses in Kissimmee where you can try for a hole-in-one beneath glorious Florida sunshine. Or head to Lakefront Park for a picnic by the water and amazing sunset views. Adventure-seekers can try ziplining and hot-air ballooning to take in views of this pretty city from dizzying heights.
Kissimmee
8. Bradenton
Museums, galleries and pristine beaches
Categoría: Foto, Historia, Económico
Beach lovers should head to Bradenton for swathes of soft sand and sweeping views over the Gulf of Mexico. After soaking up the sun, visit downtown for a thriving local arts scene to get your culture fix. Browse fascinating natural history exhibits in The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature. Discover ancient fossils and watch manatees being cared for, then go stargazing in the planetarium, which will thrill all budding astronomers.
On a sunny day, the Village of the Arts attracts large crowds. Stroll along leafy streets where quaint cottages from the 1920s and 30s have been lovingly restored. Admire the vibrant hues of the façades and discover wonderful art galleries and pottery studios, as well as unique eateries.
Bradenton
9. Lake Wales
A National Historic Landmark and a ghostly spot
Categoría: Económico, Foto, Exótico
If you’re looking to escape city life, Lake Wales is a lovely choice. It’s a small city, abundant in nature, and just 1 hour’s drive south of Orlando. Stroll through the immense Bok Tower Gardens, inhaling the sweet aroma of citrus groves or relax on a bench by the serene duck pond.
The Singing Tower is an excellent spot for photos of the coquina, marble and ceramic tile structure, and you’ll be enchanted by the sounds of 60 bronze bells sounding out over the gardens. For something a little different, head to Spook Hill for a fun optical illusion based on a ghoulish legend. Follow the instructions on the notice by the road and get ready to be spooked.
Lake Wales
10. St. Augustine
Fantastic food and views
Categoría: Foto, Gastronomía en , Historia
St. Augustine offers a beautiful blend of history and architecture, as well as world-class beaches and restaurants. As the country’s oldest city, it’s no surprise to find a wide choice of museums and historic sites, including a popular pirate and treasure museum. Spanish and French influences remain in the city, and you can indulge in international culinary delights, such as spicy Menorcan clam chowder.
A fun way to tour the city is by horse-drawn carriage. You’ll ride in front of huge mansions with impressive, Spanish-colonial architecture and alongside long stretches of golden sands. Plan on visiting St. Augustine Lighthouse too. This historic structure, with its distinctive black and white stripes, provides far-reaching views over the city and the ocean.
St. Augustine
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