Are the winter months feeling dark and long? Are you craving some sunshine to top up your Vitamin D levels? Good news! In Florida, it’s sunny all year round and there are plenty of exciting activities to take your mind off of the colder months.
If you’re already thinking about planning your 2023 vacation, we’ve got you covered. Our blog covers 25 of the best Florida day trips for all types of travelers. We break down Florida into five different themes to give you an array of diverse experiences to enjoy. If you want to visit Florida with a top-rated tour company, check out RFA’s Tours from Orlando and please get in touch if you have any questions.
Best Florida Day Trips at the Beach
We can’t recommend the best day trips in Florida without talking about the beach! The white sandy shores and crystal clear waters are ready and waiting for a perfect day out. Florida has many of the best beaches in the US, so we wrote a blog just about the prettiest beaches in Florida. But here is a summary of our top picks.
1. Soak up the Sun at Clearwater Beach
For a blissful day of sun and sand in the heart of Florida’s gorgeous Gulf Coast, look no further than Clearwater Beach (pictured above)! With sea temperatures reaching up to a bathwater-warm 84 degrees and plenty of family activities, you won’t want to leave. This is our favourite beach in Florida and we run several tours and day trips to Clearwater Beach from Orlando.
2. Absorb the Vibes at South Beach, Miami
One for the younger crowd is South Beach, Miami. Known for its glamorous party scene, modern art, and Instagram-worthy art deco architecture, this beach is a must-visit.
3. Chill Out at Fort Lauderdale Beach
Aside from the beautiful palm trees and sparkling sand, Fort Lauderdale Beach is close to many attractions for the whole family, including Butterfly World and the Museum of Discovery and Science.
4. Keep it Classy at Siesta Key Beach
Located directly on the Gulf of Mexico, Siesta Keys is an eight-mile-long paradise. The island contains plenty of high-end restaurants and shopping spots, and is famous for its white quartz sand.
5. Soak Up Some Culture at Delray Beach
This lesser-known spot on the southeast coast of Florida has plenty of activities for culture lovers from the Japanese Gardens to the lakeside Morikami Museum, not to mention the beach itself!
Best Florida Day Trips with Wildlife
Florida is well known for its diverse flora and fauna, Florida has many creatures to get to know (from a distance!) and is the manatee capital of the world. Meet the whole jungle on a day trip in Florida! And if you’d I’d like to shop around for even more great experiences, browse our range of Nature and Wildlife Tours in Florida.
6. Go Manatee Snorkeling at Crystal River
If you want to get up close and personal with these gentle sea cows, why not try our Manatee Tour at Crystal River? Here in Nature’s Fish Bowl, there are plenty of new friends to encounter.
7. Explore Clearwater Marine Aquarium
If you prefer to stay dry while meeting new creatures, take a day trip to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. With dolphins and otters to stingrays and sharks, this educational, exciting day trip is great fun for the whole family.
8. Enjoy The Central Florida Everglades
Visit this unaltered territory on a day trip to the Florida Everglades! If you’re brave enough, try our Boggy Creek Airboat Adventure to spy alligators, turtles, and native birds in their natural environment.
9. Visit Wild Florida Wildlife Park
Another great one for the family, Wild Florida is home to hand-feed the park’s giraffes, visit the 14-acre Gator Park, and more! Book a day trip on our Real Wild Florida Adventure to meet more than 100 exotic and native animals.
10. Tour The Turtle Hospital in Marathon
If you’re looking for something a little different, visit this working veterinary hospital that helps to rehab injured turtles. The hospital helps to care and cure its permanent and temporary residents before releasing them into the wild.
Manatee 2 Photo Credit (Carol Grant-Oceangrant Images Discover Crystal River Florida).jpg
Best Florida Day Trips for Sports Fans
Florida has more sports than you can shake a baseball bat at! From hockey, motorsports, fishing, baseball, and football, you can take your pick of these heart-racing day trips. As they proved increasingly popular, we created a range of Sports Experiences in Florida, covering tickets, transportation, and a combination of both.
11. Enjoy an NBA Orlando Magic Game
For world-class basketball, look no further! Join us on our NBA Orlando Magic Game Tour, with tickets and transport included.
12. See NFL Jacksonville Jaguars Play
If you’re more of a football fan, why not head on our Orlando to Jacksonville Jaguars Tour? Kick off the 2023 season in style.
13. Cast Your Line and Go Deep Sea Fishing
If you prefer your sports at a calmer pace, this Clearwater Beach & Deep Sea Fishing Tour is a real catch! See what you can reel in for lunch.
14. Catch a Hockey Match with the Florida Panthers
Head to the FLA Live Arena to see the Florida Panthers on their home ground. Make sure to check the game schedule before you go!
15. Visit Daytona International Speedway
Daytona needs no introduction. This international speedway is known worldwide for its breakneck speeds and epic race days. Catch a race on a Florida day trip.
Best Florida Day Trips for Entertainment
After all those activities, you may want some downtime on a Florida day trip. Whether it’s strolling around a museum or reconnecting with your childhood, we’ve got you covered.
16. Discover the Titanic: Artifact Exhibition in Orlando
Experience what it was like on the most famous ship in history. With over 300 artifacts, costumed actors, full-scale room recreations, and gala dinners, your heart will go on and on about this day trip.
17. Embrace Your Inner Child at Universal Studios
Meet your favorite movie characters and experience the highs of roller coasters and rides in Universal Studios. Fun for the family or Disney adults, this day trip is a must for film lovers.
18. Bend Your Mind at the Museum of Illusions
This immersive experience is like no other! From optical illusions to mind-bending magic tricks, you’ll be scratching your head at the Museum of Illusions.
19. Step into the Past at Medieval Times
If you want to cheer for jousters and eat like a King, this family dinner theater experience will have you cheering like a Medieval reveler.
20. Feel the Magic at the Wizard of Oz Museum
There’s no place like home, but there is a magical place that’s pretty close. Journey down the yellow brick road to Oz and click your heels through this magical, movie-inspired museum.
Best Florida Day Trips in Space
We couldn’t give you a list of the best day trips without including Florida’s celestial history.
21. Experience the #1 Kennedy Space Center Tour
Tour the past, present, and future of NASA’s space exploration by taking one small step on our #1 Kennedy Space Center Tour.
22. Meet an Astronaut!
If you’d like to meet those who walk amongst the stars, you can Chat With an Astronaut at the Kennedy Space Centre. Perfect for your budding astronauts.
23. Check out the Wings Over Miami Air Museum
This museum is great for aviation enthusiasts and education trips, as the Miami Air Museum honors aviators and veterans who pioneered civilian and military aviation.
24. Take to the Skies Hangliding at Wallaby Ranch, Orlando
If you’d like to take to the skies yourself, why not try hand gliding? Wallaby Ranch has been open seven days a week since 1991 and is one of the first full-time aerotow hang gliding flight parks in the world.
25. Learn Your History at the National Naval Aviation Museum
With attractions, movie screenings, scavenger hunts, and cockpit training, the National Naval Aviation Museum is a must-do day trip for the aviation lovers amongst us.
Phew! That’s the end of our 25 best day trips around Florida. Have you started picking your favorites? Whether you’re a city slicker or a beach bunny, our guide has something for everyone to enjoy in and around Orlando.
If you’re ready to start planning your 2023 vacation, why not get in touch? Our local team has decades of experience in planning the perfect day trips in the Sunshine State. From mangroves and wildlife to rooftop bars and vibrant nightlife, we’re here to make your Florida experience unforgettable.
