When you think of Florida, the first thing that may come to mind is theme parks. Florida vacations are popular because Disney World attracts millions of domestic and international travelers yearly. If you have ever visited Disney World in Orlando, you know why.
However, visiting the Magic Kingdom and other theme parks is only one of many fun things to do when vacationing in Florida. Experienced travelers may want to balance their itinerary with other day trips in Florida that provide unforgettable experiences.
See it all, and do it all when visiting Florida! You can incorporate many affordable day trips when you want a break from theme parks that can make your Florida vacation even more relaxing and memorable.
Plan Your Itinerary Before You Book Your Tickets
Planning your itinerary first is the best way to stay organized and on budget for your Florida vacation. While tickets to Disney World may be central to your vacation plans, you can explore a wide variety of destinations and activities in Florida, from theme parks to natural wonders.
Whether solo traveling or as a couple or family, spending sequential days in theme parks can be exhausting. The lines, crowds of people, and the parking can be overwhelming. If you plan to spend an entire week in Florida, you may want to plan some day trips and other fun events as a nice change of pace between visits to your favorite theme park(s).
Should You Stay In More Than One Hotel In Florida?
Does it make sense to book more than one hotel location? While going through check-in and unpacking more than once may seem like a lot of work, staying at more than one hotel for your Florida vacation can make sense, offering you convenience and a well-organized trip.
For example, Orlando is more than four hours away from the Florida Keys, and it takes just over three and a half hours of driving to visit Miami. If you plan on visiting areas like the Florida Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, or other destinations in southern Florida, spending that much time in your rental car may be challenging.
You may consider two hotels: one in Orlando and a reservation for accommodations closer to some of the fun activities in the southern tip of Florida. Spend less time in traffic and more time making memories.
Fun Day Trips To Take While Vacationing in Florida
Florida is an international vacation hotspot for many reasons. The tropical climate, white sandy beaches, and palm trees are the perfect backdrop for a limitless number of fun things you can plan to do on your trip.
Here are twelve fun day trip ideas you can consider when planning your Florida hotel reservations and vacation itinerary:
1. Florida Caverns State Park
There are a few places in Florida where you can hike through underground caves; however, the Florida Caverns State Park boasts limestone caverns where you can see spectacular rock formations formed naturally over thousands of years. This beautiful park is located north of the Florida Panhandle, near Marianna.
Nature lovers enjoy picnicking and bird-watching in the forested area. Clear springs, such as the Blue Hole Spring, which feeds into the Chipola River, are available for swimming in Florida Caverns State Park. Swimming conditions vary throughout the year, but kayak rentals are also available for visitors.
2. Tour The Everglades By Airboat
Many areas of the Florida Everglades are shallow and full of natural vegetation. That is why Everglades tours are usually conducted in airboats. They are safe and fast and provide tourists with up-close encounters with wildlife in natural habitats.
Remember your camera when you take an airboat tour. You will experience one of the most complex natural ecosystems in the world, with wildlife, including exotic birds, alligators, and turtles. Experienced guides also provide fun and exciting facts about the Everglades on your tour.
3. Key West Marine Sanctuary and Dolphin Sandbar
Want to get up close and personal with some of Florida’s most famous marine life? When you visit the Key West Marine Sanctuary and Dolphin Sandbar, the stars are the curious animals that inhabit the protected area.
There is no guarantee that you will see dolphins on your visit, but most tourists do. The Dolphin Sandbar is aptly named as a shallow sandy beach area where dolphins frequent and play. A boat tour can take you to the sandbar for a swim to explore the sanctuary’s coral reefs, beautiful tropical fish, and marine life.
4. Conch Train Tour In Key West
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. The Conch Train Tour in Key West, Florida, is a fun way to catch all the scenic views. It is an open-air train and guided tour through Key West, featuring historical homes, famous landmarks, and fun facts about local history.
It’s a miniature train, similar to what you would see in a theme park. However, the Conch Train Tour has points where you can hop on and off at stops to explore different areas of Key West on your schedule. There are cars on the Conch Train Tour that are wheelchair accessible.
6. Kennedy Space Center
If space is the final frontier, everyone who loves NASA finds their way to the Kennedy Space Center. Visitors can learn all about current and past space missions and see the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Walk through the Rocket Garden, where you can get up close to retired rockets and read more about the history of American space exploration.
Everyone enjoys the fun, interactive exhibits at the Kennedy Space Center. Hop into a flight simulator and experience the sensations of being launched into space! A bust tour takes visitors to the official launch pads, and depending on the schedule, you may even get to meet some astronauts.
7. Orlando Retail Outlet Shopping Tours
You could drive yourself to some outlets and malls, but when you take an official Orlando shopping tour, you hit all the good spots (and find incredible deals!). These tours are affordable and allow you to relax and let someone else drive.
Some of the most popular brand names you can find at Orlando retail outlets include:
- Nike
- Adidas
- Michael Kors
- Coach
- Polo Ralph Lauren
- Kate Spade
- Tory Burch
- Tommy Hilfiger
- Under Armour
- Levi’s
Treat yourself to some retail therapy. Orlando retail outlets are the real deal, offering savings of over 50% off in some cases. It’s a great place to shop for clothes or get a head start on your holiday gift list.
8. Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park is 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. This protected wildlife area is a group of small islands with unforgettable crystal blue waters and natural beauty. It is a prime destination for snorkeling and diving, with abundant coral reefs teeming with marine life and exotic birds.
Traveling to Dry Tortugas requires a boat taxi or seaplane rental from Key West, but the beautiful beaches are worth the trip.
9. Seashell Hunting At Sanibel Island
Almost everyone who visits Florida takes home a little jar of seashells. It is a tropical vacation tradition! Sanibel Island is one of the best places to find beautiful shells. It is a fun activity for kids and grownups alike.
After a high tide or storm, you will find an incredible abundance of shapes, sizes, and colors. The shape of the Sanibel Island shore is perfect for accumulating shells. In Florida, there are some parks where removing coral and seashells is illegal. Consult with a local guide or shop for more information.
Make sure your shells are empty and do not contain any life forms. If you travel internationally, you must declare seashells with customs officials. Inspect your shells and rinse them thoroughly before packing them in your suitcase.
10. Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee
Grab your rental car and head to this open-air safari park, where you and your family can see exotic animals roaming freely in their habitats. This day trip is an animal lover’s dream come true. You get an unobstructed view from your vehicle, complete with an audio narration while you take your tour (available on the website).
During your Lion Country Safari, you will see the following animals:
- Lions
- Giraffes
- Zebra
- Rhinoceroses
- Wildebeests
- African Elephants
- Antelopes
- Gibbons
- Birds
Families with young children will enjoy the splash park, petting zoo, and other fun activities. The speed limit for vehicles on safari is eight mph, and the tour takes about 90 minutes to complete.
11. Venetian Pool in Coral Gables
Built in 1923, the Venetian Pool in Coral Gables is a fresh, cool spring-fed public pool with incredible architecture. The design is Mediterranean Revival, with stunning tile mosaics, landscaping, and arches that make it feel like a European spa and tropical lagoon.
The Venetian Pool was built on top of a limestone rock quarry. Real estate developer George Merrick (who designed and built Coral Gables) created a public space where locals could gather and swim. In 1924, it was transformed into the Venetian Casino and sometimes drained to accommodate orchestra concert performances on the pool’s floor.
Fresh water is a nice change from swimming in chlorinated pools. There are also beautiful waterfalls and caves (grottos) where you can swim, float, and relax. There is also a separate children’s pool.
The Venetian Pools in Coral Gables, Florida, were recently added to the National Register of Historic Places, making it the only public pool in America with this designation.
12. The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg
If you love contemporary art, you are probably a fan of Salvador Dalí. The museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, Dalí Alive 360°, is a sensory experience you won’t forget, as you are immersed in a dome with light, sound, and the artist’s creative genius.
There is a new feature where you can talk to the late Salvador Dalí. The AI installation will answer questions using his voice in intriguing ways that reflect the artist’s unique personality and philosophies on life and art.
The Spanish artist passed away in his home in 1989, but the spirit of his creativity lives on through this immersive art installation. Guided tours last approximately one hour.
We hope you have enjoyed our suggestions for Florida vacation day trips. There are many more exciting adventures, so consider what you want to do before you book your Florida hotel accommodations. Make the most of your time while visiting The Sunshine State.
