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While Orlando has endless entertainment, sometimes it’s nice to get out of the city, especially if you want to enjoy some peaceful nature. If you’re looking for getting out of the city, there are so many great places to see near Orlando.
Our favorite Orlando getaways are the many springs located nearby. The springs and the surrounding parks are great for not only swimming but exploring the nature and seeing all kinds of wildlife.
Other than springs, there are also amazing beaches, small towns, and parks that you can visit all in just a days trip. These are some of the best trips and experiences close to Orlando!
Mount Dora
Known as one of Florida’s most charming small towns, Mount Dora is just a short drive from Orlando. The town is a good mix of natural beauty and charming streets inviting you to explore. The restaurants, shops and museums make walking around the town a joy, many of which are located in historic buildings.
There is always something fun going on in Mount Dora, like their festivals and annual events. For a small town, they like to keep things lively while still having a relaxed atmosphere.
If there’s any restaurants that you try in Mount Dora, make it the Goblin Market or Pisces Rising. At Pisces Rising you get great views of the water with fresh seafood options. The Goblin Market features the best Caesar Salad with their specialty in-house dressing that is a delicious start to the rest of your meal there.
Blue Springs State Park
Imagine hundreds of gentle manatees swarming the water and you will get a picture of Blue Springs State Park. This happens during the winter months when manatees are seeking warm water during the cold months. The springs stay a consistent temperature year-round making them an ideal winter shelter for the manatees.
In the summer months, you can still spot manatees but they are fewer. This is the time to enjoy the water activities whether you like to swim or kayak. Bring your own kayaks or there are rentals available at the park for a worry-free day trip.
There is more wildlife to see at the park as you spend some time here. There are various birds, fish, turtles and even alligators many of which can be seen not only by the water but in the trails.
DeLand
Do you want to go skydiving in a small Florida town as a quick day trip from Orlando? Then, DeLand is the place to go that features a world-renowned skydiving destination. Since 1982, the skydiving center has been providing training for skydivers of all levels.
That means even if you’ve never went skydiving before, this is a great opportunity to do so. Seeing Florida from that perspective if you are an adventurer is thrilling.
If you choose not to skydive, the town is still on our best small towns to see in Florida list. The quaint town has a rich history that shows through its historic buildings such as the Athens Theater.
Bioluminescence In Indian River Lagoon
Seeing bioluminescence was definitely in my top 5 top experiences in Florida. It’s not something that you see every day and when you’re kayaking through it, it just feels magical.
There are only a few places in the world where you can see bioluminescence and Florida is one of them! It’s best to pick a dark night so that when you are in the water, you can see it really well.
Indian River Lagoon is the top destination for seeing bioluminescence although it can be seen in many places in Florida under the right conditions. It’s especially shines brightly in the Indian River Lagoon which is what makes it the ideal destination to see bioluminescence.
Going on a tour is the best way to experience this phenomenon as the guides lead you to the place where it’s seen best. During the tour, you join a group that is led by a certified Florida Naturalist.
Ocala National Forest
The Ocala National Forest is a large area sprawled across 387,000 acres of varied terrain. It’s known for its large areas of pine scrub forest but there are also highlands and coastal lowlands. The area is dotted with hundreds of swamps, lakes, and springs.
Well-known springs like Silver Glenn, Juniper Springs, Alexander springs and Salt Springs are all part of the forest. There are options for camping with a wide range of outdoor recreational activities and hiking at the Yearling Trail.
Crystal River
In Crystal River, at the Three Sisters Spring, you get the chance to see manatees up close by actually swimming with them. This is the only place in Florida where you can actually swim with manatees so make it a point to put it on your Florida bucket list.
The springs are stunning with water so clear that it’s very easy to see these creatures. A manatee viewing tour, takes you to the springs while providing a wetsuit to handle the cold water better.
The best place in town to eat is The Crab Plant where you can get buckets of steaming crab, a wide variety of other seafood, or their freshest catch of the day. They sell their fresh catches not only at their restaurant but at the seafood market next door.
Daytona Beach
For a beach day on the Atlantic coast, a day trip to Daytona Beach is a popular option. Whether you spend a day at the beach, or choose to explore the city, there are many things to keep you busy for the day.
Daytona is home of the legendary speedway so taking a tour of the tracks is a way to experience the early days of Daytona. For those looking for something more relaxing, taking a dreamy sunset cruise is as good as it gets in Florida!
Weeki Wachee
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is one of the oldest attractions in Florida. It’s also one of the most unique, since not everywhere can you watch a live mermaid show underwater!
This day trip is a thrill for the whole family from seeing the mermaids to swimming in the Buccaneer Bay springs. The water park area has slides and a splash pad for the little ones.
You can also go on a kayaking or paddleboarding trip down the springs if you want to get away from the crowds and explore the area. The park is open 365 days a year making it a great getaway no matter the day.
St.Augustine
As the most historic city in the state, St. Augustine is worth a visit from Orlando. It still has its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and the well-known Castillo de San Marcos fort. By getting a ticket to the fort, you will be able to learn about the long history of the area, see how the rooms were set up, and view the cannons at the top.
Although St. Augustine retains its historic charm and quiet town-like atmosphere, there are many things to do. Some of the top attractions to see are the St. Augustine lighthouse, Lightner Museum, Old Jail Museum and Villa Zorayda Museum.
Gainesville
Gainesville tends to fly under the radar as a destination in Florida but that’s what makes it a great place to visit. It’s a college city that still has its historic side with plenty of things to do.
The city’s downtown square is a great place to stroll and stop by to eat at any of its restaurants or coffee shops. There are many museums to see including the Museum of Natural History where exhibits showcase Florida’s wildlife, fossils, and the ecosystems.
Clearwater
For the best beach getaway from Orlando, Clearwater is the best day trip to make. It’s beaches are unrivaled with wide shorelines and soft white sand. The water here is warm and clear making it perfect for swimming with lifeguards on duty.
With plenty of nearby amenities, restaurants and attractions, Clearwater is a popular choice for a beach day. South of the busy Clearwater Beach you will find a quiet Sand Key with 95 acres of minimally developed area with beaches and parks to explore.
Bok Tower Gardens
South of Orlando, the Bok Tower Gardens is a beautiful place to see in just an hour drive from Orlando. Its mission is to inspire a better and more beautiful world which the gardens portray well.
At the center of the gardens, is the Bok Tower which is unique for its Carillon, an instrument of at least twenty three tuned bells. This makes it a singing tower of only about 185 carillons in North America.
The gardens are beautifully landscaped with seasonal flowers like azaleas, camellias, and magnolias. About 126 different species of birds live there and you can even meet the gopher tortoise and the eastern indigo snake.
Based out of Southwest Florida, Angela has explored many parts of Florida for many years. Her favorites are St. Augustine, the Florida Keys, and the Florida springs. She loves exploring Florida through food and finding hidden gems. She founded A Florida Traveler in hopes that her writing would helps others appreciate this beautiful state too and plan epic Florida vacations.