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5 Orlando Day Trips Worth the Drive

Need a break from theme parks? Explore these Florida locales

Weeki Wachee city in Florida known for mermaids show and crystal clear waters
Weeki Wachee
Julie Hewitt / Alamy Stock Photo
By
Sarah Sekula
 
AARP
Published April 18, 2022

Ask any Floridian about Old Florida, and it will trigger a smile. Why? Because if refers to the slow-paced parts of the Sunshine State where life is about strolling through hundred-year-old oak groves, gazing at majestic native birds or taking a boat ride past grand landscapes.

A quick side trip from Orlando provides all that — plus kitschy plastic flamingos and freshly squeezed orange juice — and more.

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1. Sarasota: Go beaching and spot sea turtle nests

With famous silky white sand, sand-sculpting contests and sea turtles galore, there’s a lot to love about Sarasota’s beaches, southeast of Orlando on Florida’s Gulf Coast. From May through October, mama sea turtles (up to 6,000 of them) make their way to Sarasota County for nesting season, and you can tag along with a turtle patroller to play citizen scientist for the morning. Longboat Key Turtle Watch leads free public turtle walks on Longboat Key in June and July. You’ll help spot turtle tracks and check nests for hatches.

And Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is great for plant lovers. With gargantuan banyan and bamboo trees, waterfront views and a café serving delectable light bites, you can easily spend the whole afternoon in botanical bliss.

Sarasota is also famous for The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, a spectacular 66-acre bayfront complex that includes a Circus Museum and an impressive collection of European masterpieces.

Drive time: Approximately 2.5 hours

2. St. Augustine: Get a dose of history with a side of nature

Rich history and natural beauty make quite the combo in the nation’s oldest city, which is more than 450 years old. One of the best ways to take it all in is by getting out on the water. St. Augustine Eco Tours show guests the less-explored areas of this scenic city. And there are plenty in the 73,000 acres of gorgeous protected landscapes, from salt marshes to mangrove estuaries. Plus, dolphins, spoonbills and turtles often make cameos.

Don't miss the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, which used to protect St. Augustinians from invading British troops. Featuring four bastions (diamond-shaped corners) and rows of cannons, it’s the only extant 17th-century fort in North America and one of only two fortifications in the world made of coquina limestone.

Drive time: Approximately 2 hours

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3. Weeki Wachee: Meet real-life mermaids

Drop into a Florida fairytale at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park where mermaids (synchronized swimmers with slip-on tails) have been entertaining folks — including Elvis Presley and Jimmy Buffett — since 1947. Just pop into the (wheelchair-accessible) underwater theater and be amazed as mermaids gracefully glide through the water. Afterward, take a dip in the clear, natural springs where the water temperature is a refreshing 72 degrees year-round. Or take a riverboat cruise where it’s not uncommon to see bald eagles, blue heron, wild turkey and brightly colored fish.

Drive time: Approximately 2 hours

4. Merritt Island: Experience nature’s glow-in-the dark light show

There are only a few places in the world where you can witness the magic of bioluminescence — and Merritt Island is one of them. From May to November,

A Day Away Kayak Tours offers nighttime paddling tours through the glowing waters of the Indian River Lagoon via kayak. This incredible phenomenon is all thanks to a large concentration of single-celled bioluminescent organisms that light up like fireflies in the water. The organisms leave a sparkly swirl of blueish green as your paddle cuts through the waves, creating a glow-in-the-dark light show. Be prepared: jumping mullet occasionally streak through waters and crash-land in your kayak. (Wheelchair and walker users can be accommodated, with the paddling done by guides.)

Drive time: Approximately 1 hour

5. Crystal River Homosassa: Swim with manatees

Flipper-kicking your way alongside these underwater beauties is a must-do. Your best bet for an up-close encounter? Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge near the Gulf of Mexico. From November through March, when the surrounding sea temps are chilly, you will see hundreds of the burly creatures (some tipping the scales at 1,500 pounds) taking refuge in the 72-degree springs. Don’t worry: If you visit during a different time of the year, you still have a shot at seeing manatees — just not as many. It’s known as the manatee capital of the nation, after all.

If you'd prefer to stay dry, opt for Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, a 200-acre preserve nearby where you can take a leisurely boat ride through the rain forest and potentially spot some of the park’s resident manatees. Keep your eyes peeled for flamingos, blue herons and otters. The (wheelchair-accessible) elevated boardwalks lead to more wildlife-spotting opportunities.

Drive time: Approximately 2 hours

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Ian Dagnall / Alamy Stock Photo

7. Kennedy Space Center

A great multigenerational outing, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex gives visitors an up-close look into America’s space program. You should plan to spend a large part of the day here, as the complex is expansive. Grandkids will have a blast at the interactive exhibits organized by space missions and at the outdoor Rocket Garden. Leave enough time to take the two-hour guided bus tour, included in your admission, which will take you past two giant launch pads and the Vehicle Assembly Building, one of the largest buildings in the world. The lines for the bus can get long in the afternoon, so plan accordingly. The center is in Cape Canaveral, about 30 miles east of Orlando. If you don’t have a car, Gray Line Orlando and Florida Dolphin Tours offer transportation to the visitor complex. Regular admission is $57 for adults, $47 for children (3-11), $50 for 55 and older.

Drive time: Approximately 1 hour 

8. Visit downtown St. Petersburg for art and more

Home to The Dali Museum and the dazzling new St. Pete Pier — complete with a rooftop tiki bar, bayfront beach with Adirondack chairs for lounging and an eco-discovery center dedicated to Tampa Bay marine life — downtown St. Petersburg makes for a great day trip west of Orlando. Among the other museums that have opened here in recent years are the James Museum of Western Wildlife & Art, showcasing art from the western U.S., and the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement. St. Pete’s main waterfront drag is Beach Drive, which is lined with boutiques and cafes where tables spill out onto the sidewalk and brunch is as popular as dinner.  

Drive time: Less than two hours 

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