Top Day Trips from Orlando According to Locals

Your Orlando journey is certain to be jam-packed with adventure and excitement, and you may be wondering how you are going to find the time to do anything more than what you planned. You chose Tropical Villas Orlando for your vacation accommodations, however, and we don’t do anything halfway, which is why we thought maybe we could tempt you with some day trips, encouraging you to take a mini vacation within a vacation and see all that this part of the world has to offer. This guide to the top day trips from Orlando will show you a side of Florida you may not have thought about, giving you even more ways to fill in any blank spots on your vacation itinerary!

A Day at the Beach

Orlando offers pretty much everything you could ever want from a vacation destination, except for the fact that is lacking beaches. That doesn’t mean you have to skip out on white sands and salty waters altogether, however; that just means you can add a day trip to Cocoa Beach to your vacation itinerary. Located just under an hour’s drive away from your Florida sanctuary, you can spend the entire day soaking in the serenity of the sea, splashing in the surf, and finding your center, something you will especially appreciate after some time spent in the chaos of Disney.

The Small Town Charms of Mount Dora

Main Street in Disney is supposed give off the vibe of small-town America, but if you want to experience a legitimate and charming all-American small town, a visit to Mt. Dora should be added to your schedule. Located just about 40 minutes outside of town, there isn’t anything specifically extra about this area, but we promise you will fall in love as you explore the historic district, shop antique stores and flea markets, and if you hang around long enough, maybe take part in a Mt. Dora ghost tour! 1921 Mt. Dora, an upscale restaurant housed inside a renovated home built in 1921 (what a coincidence!) offers a fine dining experience that would add a little extra shine to your small-town shenanigans.

Find the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine

We’re moving a little further out on this day trip of excellence, pointing our guests in the direction of the St. Augustine, known as the oldest continually inhabited European-established settlement and also for being where the mythical fountain of youth is located. The history of St. Augustine truly is a rich one, and if you love ghost stories, you will love this town. The oldest wooden schoolhouse in the US resides here, established in 1702 and rumored to be haunted, and paranormal enthusiasts may remember a certain episode of a certain ghost hunting television series where the St. Augustine Lighthouse was investigated. Offering one of the most exciting “catches” on video, we still get goosebumps when we watch the show and have visited many times, hoping to have an encounter ourselves! And since we are on a kick of enjoying the oldest of everything, why not have dinner at the Columbia restaurant, serving Spanish style food from one of the state’s oldest restaurants, having opened its doors in 1905.

Follow the Train Tracks to Winter Garden

We’re moving closer to Orlando with a road trip to Winter Garden, home of the Central Florida Railroad Museum. The lemon drop yellow building was once a railroad depot, so it’s only natural that today it holds decades of fascinating train paraphernalia. Offering tree-lined streets, a farmers market that allows leashed dogs AND cats, and a charm that is very similar to that of Mt. Dora, spending a day in Winter Garden may be one of your favorite activities. The Hangry Bison is our favorite dinner spot, serving up a menu filled with hearty and delicious bison based meals, but if you aren’t sure about eating bison, they also serve chicken, beef, and pork dishes.

Kiss Me in Kissimmee

You may not have realized this, but Kissimmee, located just minutes away from Orlando, is closer to Disney than Orlando is, and it is where we offer some of our most popular vacation rentals. Of course, if you are staying in Kissimmee, that isn’t going to be much of a road trip, but we will give you a few ideas on how to spend your day there anyway. Historic downtown Kissimmee is popular with travelers offering charming shops, delicious restaurants, and the Monument of States, a pyramid shaped monument built from stones that were harvested from all 50 states. The 1881 Restaurant & Bar, also located in its historic downtown area is a wonderful place to enjoy a fantastic steak and as you might have guessed, the building it is located in was built in 1881.

Plan Your Getaway Now

The best road trips begin and end at the doorstep of our Tropical Villas Orlando retreats. Reserve your favorite property with us today!