Best Day Trips from Orlando

Orlando is known worldwide for the Walt Disney Resort and its incredible and diverse theme parks. But if you have the opportunity to visit the city for several days, you will discover that there are many things to see and do in and around Orlando, to fully enjoy your visit to Florida.

From helicopter flights to airboat rides or kayaking through wetlands full of life, to space adventures, swimming with manatees and the inevitable beach days at Clearwater Beach, there are many excursions you can do from Orlando, which will give you the chance to live unique experiences.

Everglades is an area of wetlands, swamps and forests located in southern Florida and covers about 1.5 million acres. Because of its enormous biodiversity and ecosystem benefits, it has been declared a World Heritage Site, Biosphere Reserve and Wetland of International Interest.

The way to get to know this enormous refuge of animals and plants is to take a hydrofoil, since it is an area composed mostly of streams, rivers and swamps. This site is the natural habitat of large alligators and crocodiles, which you can see up close on one of the most recommended airboat tours near Orlando. You can also take the guided walking tour with a park ranger, or even camp on site.

Many tour companies do not include a transfer from your hotel, so you will have to get there on your own. There are many ways to get to the Everglades from Orlando, such as by bus, plane or private transfer. Without a doubt, this is an excursion that the whole family can enjoy.

Navigating the Everglades is a highly recommended excursion if you will be in Orlando for at least 7 days, and you can dedicate a full day to visit this natural paradise. Another option is to take an excursion from Miami, or take the opportunity to visit this city, since it is very close to this natural area.

Details of interest

• Price: around 60 € per person. Children under 1 year free.
• Duration: about 4 hours.
• Means of transportation: hydrofoil.
• Advantages of this option: it is a unique opportunity to visit one of the most important biodiversity refuges in the world.
• Disadvantages of this option: does not include transportation from Orlando.

If you have rented a car in Orlando, you can join this Wild Florida safari and see up close the hundreds of animals that live in this gigantic park. It is a 4-hour tour where you can see animals such as zebras, antelopes, deer and bison in large green spaces. It is undoubtedly one of the best things to do with kids in Orlando.

In addition, you can see tropical birds in an aviary, and alligators and reptiles in Gator Park, where they are usually fed by the public. This is undoubtedly one of the best safaris in Orlando, as you can also take an airboat ride through the swamps and wetlands full of life in the south of the city.

It is a self-guided tour, and you will receive all the necessary indications to fully enjoy the experience. On site is the Chomp House Grill, a restaurant famous for its barbecue and the delicious Swamp Slushy ice cream dessert, combining mango, orange and passion fruit, which is not to be missed.

Details of interest

• Price: about 35 € per person.
• Duration: about 4 hours.
• Means of transportation: in your own car.
• Advantages of this option: you can walk at your own pace and contemplate the animals that inhabit the park.
• Disadvantages of this option: it can only be done in your own car.

Clearwater Beach is an idyllic beach of white sands and clear waters located about 170 km from Orlando. It is one of the best beaches in Orlando to visit, and a quieter alternative to the beaches of Miami Beach.

Full day tours that take you to Clearwater Beach usually start early in the morning, and include a transfer to and from your hotel or a meeting place.

Although they are usually done in large groups, they offer the possibility to customize the experience, as you can choose additional activities such as boat rides, dolphin watching or pirate ship rides.

It is an excellent proposal if you are visiting Orlando with children, as you can choose to spend time enjoying the beach, and/or do some of the fun activities they propose. Lunch is not usually included, but the local guide will take you to some of the best restaurants in town, where you will enjoy the most delicious dishes.

Details of interest

• Price: about 70€ per person approximately, and about 60€ for children.
• Duration: about 11 hours.
• Means of transport: bus.
• Advantages of this option: it offers a comfortable transfer to Clearwater Beach and the possibility of joining additional activities.
• Disadvantages of this option: lunch and additional activities have an additional cost.

A trip to the Kennedy Space Center is one of the activities not to be missed near Orlando, as it allows you to learn about the history and future of space exploration, and even feel the thrill of a liftoff, through a shuttle launch simulation.

Most of the tour companies offer you the entrance ticket with the transfer included from Orlando, which will be very practical, since the Kennedy Space Center is located about 80 km from the city. Keep in mind that this tour of the NASA facilities will take about 10 hours, so you will have to reserve the whole day to visit the Kennedy Space Center from Orlando.

In addition to riding the shuttle that simulates its liftoff, other interesting attractions are the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where the Saturn V rocket that has traveled to the moon is on display; the Visitor Center, where you can learn about space exploration with interactive displays and simulators; and its launch pads.

At the center you will find many interactive resources with which you can learn more about NASA and the universe. You will also have the option to add activities at an additional cost, such as having lunch with an astronaut or visiting a rocket assembly platform. Remember to book the tour in advance, as it runs about 3 times a week.

Details of interest

• Price: about 140 € per person including transfer.
• Duration: about 10 hours.
• Means of transport: bus.
• Advantages of this option: you have enough time to get to know the Kennedy Space Center in depth.
• Disadvantages of this option: it does not usually include food and beverages.

If you're looking for a refreshing and adventurous getaway during your visit to Orlando, be sure to take a tour to Crystal River, where you'll find yourself surrounded by stunning crystal-clear springs and abundant marine life. In addition, Crystal River is home to manatees, cute mammals that you can see up close.

These tours are full day tours and usually take place in a boat for about 50 people. They usually pick you up at your hotel or set a meeting point early in the morning, and drop you off at the same place on the way back. Please note that these safari-style tours from Orlando depart only a few days a week, so you must book in advance.

The activity includes diving with manatees, one of the most popular in Crystal River, where you can swim with them for a few hours. They provide all the equipment you need for the activity and you will have a professional instructor with you at all times.

Other activities that are usually included in these tours are an airboat ride on the Withlacoochee River, where you can see dolphins in their habitat; and a visit to Homosassa Springs State Park, where you can see native and exotic animals. The most complete also include breakfast and lunch at a country restaurant.

Details of interest

• Price: about 130 ¤ for adults and about 100 ¤ for children.
• Duration: about 12 hours.
• Means of transport: boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to swim with manatees and undertake other interesting aquatic activities.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is done in large groups of people.
• Recommendations: bring bathing clothes, towel, sunscreen and insect repellent.

Taking a helicopter flight is a thrill-filled activity that really requires no other reason to do it than to experience it for yourself. But in a setting like Orlando's major theme parks, it gets a lot more interesting.

Helicopter flights don't usually last long, but they are an intense experience. They can last from 8 to 60 minutes, depending on the route you choose. The flights depart from the town of Kissimmee, where you must arrive on your own. Up to 4 people can travel per flight, and children can also participate, if they are not afraid of flying.

There are many tours to choose from, such as the Old Town tour, which lasts about 8-10 minutes and flies over Fun Spot Kissimmee, The Big Orange, Old Town and the Disney complex; and the Downtown Orlando tour which, in addition to downtown, flies over SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Gatorland, Orlando Eye, Disney World and Old Town Kissimmee.

Whether you love the theme parks or not, flying over them in a helicopter is a unique experience that will allow you to get to know the city of Orlando from a unique and adrenaline-filled perspective. In addition, it is one of the activities included in the Orlando Tourist Card discounts so you can take advantage of the experience.

Details of interest

• Price: around 65 € for adults and children. Children under 3 years old ride for free.
• Duration: from 8 to 60 minutes approximately depending on the tour.
• Means of transportation: helicopter for 4 people.
• Advantages of this option: it is a unique way to get to know Orlando and its parks from the air.
• Disadvantages of this option: it does not usually include the transfer to Kissimmee.

St. Augustine, founded in 1565, is known for being the oldest city in the United States and for its colonial-era buildings. Visiting it transports you to another era, a past with an air of fairy tale, which will generate a great contrast with the modern and cosmopolitan Orlando. It is located 170 km from this city.

The tours to San Agustin are full day tours, about 10 hours. They leave early in the morning on some days of the week, and pick you up at your hotel or at a nearby meeting point. They are perfect to go with family or friends. Throughout the tour you will be accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who will provide you with lots of interesting information.

Once in St. Augustine, you will have free time to explore the city at your own pace, and you can opt for some of the additional activities that these tours usually offer. For example, you can hop on a streetcar to tour the city for an hour and a half, take a cruise along its rivers and the Matanzas Bay, or visit a museum, such as the Museum of Pirates and Treasures or the Museum of the Colonial Historical Center.

These excursions also usually include a delicious lunch at a seafood restaurant located on the coast, which offers a very nice panoramic view of the ocean. It is a perfect tour to enjoy old and picturesque buildings, cobblestone streets and some of the best beaches in and around Orlando.

Details of interest

• Price: about 80 € per person.
• Duration: about 10 hours.
• Means of transportation: bus for about 14 people.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know one of the oldest cities in the USA.
• Disadvantages of this option: optional activities have a separate cost.

About 30 miles from Orlando is the Econlockhatchee River, in a wonderful area of wetlands and marshes that is home to a great biodiversity. The river, about 87.7 kilometers long, runs through the Little Big Econ Forest, making it an ideal place to take a kayak tour and enjoy one of the most fascinating natural environments in the U.S.

These tours are conducted in small groups and accompanied by a professional and knowledgeable guide, who will provide you with all the necessary instructions. They also provide you with the kayak and all the equipment you need. It is an excursion that can be done every day of the year and usually starts early in the morning.

Without a doubt, this kayaking tour on the Econlockhatchee River is one of the best activities in and around Orlando, during which you will be able to see alligators, crocodiles, turtles and a large number of birds. Please note that this is not a kid-friendly activity, and you will need to bring insect repellent, sunscreen, bathing suit, change of clothes, and towel.

Also, these tours usually include lunch and car transportation back to the starting point. Many do not include transportation from Orlando, so you will have to get to Chuluota (35 km from Orlando) on your own. A good option is to hire a private transfer to ensure you arrive in time for the tour.

Details of interest

• Price: about 60 € per person.
• Duration: about 5 hours.
• Means of transportation: kayak. May not include transportation from Orlando.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know the marsh and wetlands area around Orlando and see its wonderful flora and fauna up close.
• Disadvantages of this option: Requires a certain level of physical fitness. Children cannot participate.

Around Orlando there are also interesting theme parks to visit, such as Island H2O and Tree Trek Adventure Park, which are located in Kissimmee, about 35 km from Orlando. You can visit both on the same day, but I recommend you start your excursion early to enjoy both without watching the clock.

Island H2O is one of the main theme parks in and around Orlando, where you can enjoy slides and pools, while enjoying interactive options that allow you, for example, to change the music, lights or share photos on social networks.

Tree Trek Adventure Park is an aerial park located in a pine forest, where you can wall climb, fly on a zip line or swing on large logs. It offers some 94 challenges with different levels of difficulty, and 6 possible courses. Please note that they are not suitable for children under 7 years old.

The entrance fee to these parks does not include transportation, so you will have to get to Kissimmee on your own. The bus from Orlando arrives in about 25 minutes, as this city is quite close.

Details of interest

• Price: about 60 ¤ per person per park.
• Duration: about 3 hours each park.
• Means of transportation: does not include transfer from Orlando.
• Advantages of this option: you will visit two of the most fun parks near Orlando.
• Disadvantages of this option: does not include transportation, food and beverages.

About 100 miles from Orlando, you will find this geological formation known as a karst fenster or cenote. It is a place where you can practice scuba diving and snorkeling, and contemplate a great variety of fish and turtles, ancient rock formations and fossils dating back more than 33 million years. This is a great option if you will be in Orlando for at least 5 days or if you are especially interested in these sports.

This diving excursion can be done all year round, between 9am and 4pm. You have a time limit to stay in the cenote, which is usually 90 minutes. To snorkel you don't need to have previous experience or equipment, as you can rent it on site. Please note that children under 6 years old cannot enter Devil's Den, for safety reasons.

On the other hand, only people with certification can dive in these waters, but if you are interested in this practice, it is a good place to take classes, since Devil's Den is a natural wonder not to be missed, with its subway river of about 15 meters deep and its 22 °C of constant temperature, ideal to enjoy in springtime in Orlando.

Details of interest

• Price: snorkeling costs about 17 € per person and about 11 € for equipment rental. Diving costs about 35 € for adults and about 46 € for equipment rental.
• Duration: the time limit is usually 90 minutes.
• Means of transportation: no transfer included.
• Advantages of this option: it is a perfect opportunity to practice snorkeling in a unique environment.
• Disadvantages of this option: children under 6 years old cannot participate.