If you desperately need a vacation but only have a weekend, you might be wondering “what are some amazing day trips near me in Florida?” Fortunately, the Sunshine State is positively brimming with adventure, from small-town getaways to coastal retreats, quirky road stop attractions, and just about everything in between. The following is a list of Florida day trips that definitely deserve a spot on your bucket list.
- St. Augustine
Flickr/Evangelio Gonzalez With a unique blend of history, nightlife, beaches, a gator farm, distillery, winery, and lots of fun shops and restaurants, St. Augustine is the perfect place for almost anyone. Learn more about what makes this historic town in Florida so memorable. St. Augustine, FL, USA
- Gainesville
KlipschFan/Flickr This city isn’t just for UF students. Gainesville has a lovely historic district and lots of fun things for visitors to do. Check out the Florida Museum of Natural History, Hippodrome State Theatre, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens and much more. The nearby Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is not to be missed. Gainesville, FL, USA
- Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Flickr/Toni Holmes This beautiful park and National Natural Landmark offers snorkeling, swimming and scuba diving in crystal clear waters, but the most popular activity is tubing down the river. In fact, you could argue that Ichetucknee Springs is the best state park in Florida. Ichetucknee Springs State Park, 12087 Southwest, US-27, Fort White, FL 32038, USA
- Weeki Wachee Springs
Robin Wendell/Flickr Mermaid performers have been captivating audiences in Weeki Wachee Springs since 1947. Visitors can also enjoy its waterpark and boat rides. There’s truly so much to discover in Weeki Wachee. Weeki Wachee Spring, Florida 34606, USA
- Rainbow Springs State Park
Flickr/Bruce Bouley Rainbow Springs is home to beautiful water and wildlife. If you happen to live near Orlando and you’re wondering, “what are some great Florida day trips near me?” you’ll be delighted to discover that Rainbow Springs State Park is one of them. Rainbow Springs State Park, SW 81st Pl Rd, Dunnellon, FL, USA
- Dinosaur World
Flickr/Benny Mazur What kid doesn’t love dinosaurs? There are some great photo opportunities here, for sure. It’s located between Tampa and Orlando. No matter your age, there’s something so magical about visiting Dinosaur World in Florida. Dinosaur World, 5145 Harvey Tew Rd, Plant City, FL 33565, USA
- Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Flickr/Richard Link The Kennedy Space Center is one of the most interactive and exciting attractions for families in Florida. And even if you can’t make the trip there, the Kennedy Space Center hosts tons of virtual events so that everyone can participate. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953, USA
- The Everglades
Flickr/Marjolein Vegers Unforgettable nature, history and culture make this is a must-see state park for those in South Florida. For more information, check out these incredible photos from the Everglades in Florida. The Everglades, Florida, USA
- Lion Country Safari
Flickr/Duncan Rawlinson Florida’s only drive-through zoo, located in Loxahatchee, in Palm Beach County. It also has an amusement park. Would you take this drive-thru safari in Florida? Lion Country Safari Road, Lion Country Safari Rd, Florida 33470, USA
- The Florida Aquarium
Flickr/Richard Elzey Located in Tampa, The Florida Aquarium is fun for the whole family. In fact, you can even play with penguins at the Florida Aquarium! The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602, USA
- Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
Flickr/benji2505 Come swim with the manatees! And it’s only an hour and a half drive from Tampa or Orlando. It’s no mystery why a trip to the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge belongs on your ultimate outdoor bucket list for Florida. Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, 1502 SE Kings Bay Dr, Crystal River, FL 34429, USA
- Bok Tower Gardens
Flickr/Matthew Paulson When you visit the Bok Tower Gardens in Florida, you can look forward to beautiful gardens and bird sanctuary very close to Tampa or Orlando. Learn more about this fascinating attraction in Florida. Bok Tower Road, Bok Tower Rd, Lake Wales, FL 33853, USA
- The Dali Museum
Flickr/Matthew Paulson This museum in St. Petersburg houses the largest collection of Salvador Dali’s work outside of Europe. If you can’t visit in person, you’ll be delighted to learn that you can take a virtual tour of the museum. The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum), 1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
We hope we’ve helped provide an answer to the question “what are some day trips near me in Florida?” Are there any other fantastic day trips in Florida that you would add to the list? If so, be sure to tell us in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you!
Flickr/Evangelio Gonzalez
With a unique blend of history, nightlife, beaches, a gator farm, distillery, winery, and lots of fun shops and restaurants, St. Augustine is the perfect place for almost anyone. Learn more about what makes this historic town in Florida so memorable.
St. Augustine, FL, USA
KlipschFan/Flickr
This city isn’t just for UF students. Gainesville has a lovely historic district and lots of fun things for visitors to do. Check out the Florida Museum of Natural History, Hippodrome State Theatre, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens and much more. The nearby Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is not to be missed.
Gainesville, FL, USA
Flickr/Toni Holmes
This beautiful park and National Natural Landmark offers snorkeling, swimming and scuba diving in crystal clear waters, but the most popular activity is tubing down the river. In fact, you could argue that Ichetucknee Springs is the best state park in Florida.
Ichetucknee Springs State Park, 12087 Southwest, US-27, Fort White, FL 32038, USA
Robin Wendell/Flickr
Mermaid performers have been captivating audiences in Weeki Wachee Springs since 1947. Visitors can also enjoy its waterpark and boat rides. There’s truly so much to discover in Weeki Wachee.
Weeki Wachee Spring, Florida 34606, USA
Flickr/Bruce Bouley
Rainbow Springs is home to beautiful water and wildlife. If you happen to live near Orlando and you’re wondering, “what are some great Florida day trips near me?” you’ll be delighted to discover that Rainbow Springs State Park is one of them.
Rainbow Springs State Park, SW 81st Pl Rd, Dunnellon, FL, USA
Flickr/Benny Mazur
What kid doesn’t love dinosaurs? There are some great photo opportunities here, for sure. It’s located between Tampa and Orlando. No matter your age, there’s something so magical about visiting Dinosaur World in Florida.
Dinosaur World, 5145 Harvey Tew Rd, Plant City, FL 33565, USA
Flickr/Richard Link
The Kennedy Space Center is one of the most interactive and exciting attractions for families in Florida. And even if you can’t make the trip there, the Kennedy Space Center hosts tons of virtual events so that everyone can participate.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953, USA
Flickr/Marjolein Vegers
Unforgettable nature, history and culture make this is a must-see state park for those in South Florida. For more information, check out these incredible photos from the Everglades in Florida.
The Everglades, Florida, USA
Flickr/Duncan Rawlinson
Florida’s only drive-through zoo, located in Loxahatchee, in Palm Beach County. It also has an amusement park. Would you take this drive-thru safari in Florida?
Lion Country Safari Road, Lion Country Safari Rd, Florida 33470, USA
Flickr/Richard Elzey
Located in Tampa, The Florida Aquarium is fun for the whole family. In fact, you can even play with penguins at the Florida Aquarium!
The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602, USA
Flickr/benji2505
Come swim with the manatees! And it’s only an hour and a half drive from Tampa or Orlando. It’s no mystery why a trip to the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge belongs on your ultimate outdoor bucket list for Florida.
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, 1502 SE Kings Bay Dr, Crystal River, FL 34429, USA
Flickr/Matthew Paulson
When you visit the Bok Tower Gardens in Florida, you can look forward to beautiful gardens and bird sanctuary very close to Tampa or Orlando. Learn more about this fascinating attraction in Florida.
Bok Tower Road, Bok Tower Rd, Lake Wales, FL 33853, USA
This museum in St. Petersburg houses the largest collection of Salvador Dali’s work outside of Europe. If you can’t visit in person, you’ll be delighted to learn that you can take a virtual tour of the museum.
The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum), 1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
1. St. Augustine
2. Gainesville
3. Ichetucknee Springs State Park
4. Weeki Wachee Springs
5. Rainbow Springs State Park
6. Dinosaur World
7. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
8. The Everglades
9. Lion Country Safari
10. The Florida Aquarium
11. Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
12. Bok Tower Gardens
13. The Dali Museum
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Florida Day Trips July 28, 2021 Beth C. What are some must-visit places in Florida? Whether you’re a resident of the Sunshine State or simply passing through for a vacation, you’ve likely wondered “what are some day trips near me in Florida?” As you’ve learned in the article above, there are so many to choose from! Of course, that list is by no means an exhaustive one. Some additional must-visit places in Florida include Key West, Mount Dora, the Butterfly Rainforest in Gainesville, Captain Hiram’s Resort, Devil’s Den, Blue Spring State Park, the St. Augustine Lighthouse, Silver Glen Springs, and White Springs. Learn more about these must-visit places in Florida.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Florida Day Trips
July 28, 2021
Beth C.
What are some must-visit places in Florida? Whether you’re a resident of the Sunshine State or simply passing through for a vacation, you’ve likely wondered “what are some day trips near me in Florida?” As you’ve learned in the article above, there are so many to choose from! Of course, that list is by no means an exhaustive one. Some additional must-visit places in Florida include Key West, Mount Dora, the Butterfly Rainforest in Gainesville, Captain Hiram’s Resort, Devil’s Den, Blue Spring State Park, the St. Augustine Lighthouse, Silver Glen Springs, and White Springs. Learn more about these must-visit places in Florida.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Whether you’re a resident of the Sunshine State or simply passing through for a vacation, you’ve likely wondered “what are some day trips near me in Florida?” As you’ve learned in the article above, there are so many to choose from! Of course, that list is by no means an exhaustive one. Some additional must-visit places in Florida include Key West, Mount Dora, the Butterfly Rainforest in Gainesville, Captain Hiram’s Resort, Devil’s Den, Blue Spring State Park, the St. Augustine Lighthouse, Silver Glen Springs, and White Springs. Learn more about these must-visit places in Florida.
