Disney World – Orlando Florida

Travel Tips: 5 Great Day Trips from Orlando, Florida 

Are you heading to Orlando, Florida to immerse yourself in Disney World and Epcot Center?

Once you’re happily ensconced in lively Orlando you might well find that after several days or a full week of exciting rides, massive crowds, long lines and bustling energy, you’ll needing a change of pace or some time off all the excitement to chill out and relax.

Luckily, the area surrounding Orlando is teaming with a huge variety of things to do and see. Orlando is situated in central Florida, one of America’s only semi-tropical regions, which is blessed with abundant nature and day after day of sunshine & bright blue skies.

Within two hours’ drive of Orlando there are several state parks with rivers and natural springs; internationally-acclaimed museums, art & culture; stunning beaches and marinas; and outdoor adrenaline adventures.

Here are five options for great day trips from Orlando for times when you need a change of pace from tourist-laden Orlando attractions.

Salvador Dali Museum – St Pete

 Museums, Art & Culture in St Petersburg

St Petersburg is one of Florida’s very first-established towns, steeped in history and now supporting a thriving arts community. Voted several years running as America’s #1 Mid-size City for the Arts, St Pete boasts the world-class Salvador Dali Museum, Chihuly Glass Collection, several other impressive museums and dozens of private art galleries specializing in everything from paintings to glass work, metal sculptures, handmade jewelry and ceramics.

In addition to art, St Pete has a beautiful setting along gorgeous Tampa Bay, lined by boat marinas and lush parks filled with walking paths, shady trees, small public beaches and stunning views across the harbor.

If you love art and unique towns, you’ll love a day in St Petersburg.

The small charming city is located just 2 hours southwest of of Disney World, beyond Tampa on the west side of Tampa Bay.

I’ve already written several posts about St Petersburg. Come learn more about St Pete here. Read more about the Salvador Dali Museum –  The Chihuly Collection or learn about great free things to do in St Pete.

sky diving at Zephyrlhills

Sky Diving at Zephyr Springs

Florida is one of America’s premier sky diving states. Drop Zones are located all over the state. One of the largest and longest-standing is Skydive City at Zephyrhills, which has been in continuous operation since 1990.

Coincidentally, Zephyrhills is located just one hour southwest of Disney World and slightly farther from central Orlando.

If you’ve ever dreamed of jumping out of an airplane, this might be your big chance!

I did just that while visiting my mom in St Petersburg, Florida, thus fulfilling a lifelong goal to sky dive. It was a fabulous experience.

If you’d like to hear what it’s like to take your first jump, check out my own story about taking my very first tandem jump – over at Sky City in Zephyrhills.

Passe-A-Grille Beach near St Pete

 Florida’s Glorious Beaches

Dozens of beaches are located within 1 hour and 2 hour drives from Orlando. Florida beaches range from quiet, remote state park beaches with little to no amenities to thumping party beaches backed by restaurants and bars, and every other type of beach in between.

Since Orlando is located smack in the middle of the state, you can easily reach beaches on Florida’s eastern shores at the Atlantic Ocean or on the west coast at the Gulf of Mexico. Decide which type of beach you prefer before picking one that’s best for you. Here are some suggestions:

If you’re looking for au naturale beaches, head east to Cape Canaveral National Seashore, 1 ½ hours drive from Disney World, closer from central Orlando.

South of Cape Canaveral are several more-developed beaches, running in a string down a super narrow sliver of land just offshore.

If you’re heading southwest to St Petersburg for art & culture, the city has a few small public beaches right in town. About 30-minutes further west on the Gulf Coast lie the long sweeping beaches of Passe-A-Grille, St Pete Beach, Treasure Island and others.

Tampa Bay Rays playing at Tropicana Stadium – Tampa – photo by Global Reactions on Flickr CC

 Ball Games at Tampa and St Pete

If you’re a fan of professional ice hockey, football, soccer or baseball, you might want to attend a game while you’re visiting Orlando. All four sports have professional teams in nearby Tampa and St Petersburg. With such a range of pro sports, no matter which month you visit Orlando, there’s likely to be a game on.

Major League Baseball team Tampa Bay Rays play at St Petersburg’s Tropicana Field during baseball season. They do spring training games at St Pete’s historic Al Lange Stadium.

North American Soccer League Tampa Bay Rowdies play at Al Lange Stadium during soccer season.

National Football League Tampa Bay Buccaneers play in Tampa at Raymond James Stadium during football season.

National Hockey League Tampa Bay Lightening play in Tampa at Tampa Bay Times Forum.

kayaking in mangroves

Enjoy the great outdoors at nearby Florida State Parks

Several Florida state parks, lakes and wilderness areas are located in the Orlando area. Here are three examples from the many choices for escaping into the great outdoors.

Lake Louisa State Park is the closest state park to Orlando, situated only 30 minutes’ drive northwest of Disney World. Several lakes within the park allow canoeing, kayaking and fishing. They also have several hiking trails, camping and picnicking.

Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve. If you’ve ever wondered what an American swamp is like, here’s your big chance. Green Swamp is located less than 1 hour west of Disney World. It’s noted for bird watching and consists of several different types of ecosystems, some unique to central Florida.

 Hillsborough River State Park. Also located less than one hour from Disney World, this park is centered around the lovely Hillsborgough River. The park offers canoeing, kayaking, picnicking, hiking, off road cycling.

Consult Florida State Parks website for full details on all the parks near Orlando.

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10 Great Outdoor Adventures in Florida

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