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Road Trips from Orlando
January 18, 2022

Road Trips from Orlando

Grab your shades and some SPF—it’s time for an Orlando road trip! Venture beyond the city limits and amusement parks to check out more of what the Sunshine State has to offer. These destinations offer everything from historical monuments and museums to sunny seaside beaches, all within an easy drive from Orlando.

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Cape Canaveral

1-hour drive from Orlando

Another great stop along Florida’s Atlantic coast, Cape Canaveral is the home of the Kennedy Space Center. Great for kids, families, and wannabe astronauts of all ages, the space center gives you an up-close look at rockets and NASA’s outer space adventures over the decades. 

Cocoa Beach has sun and sand to spare, and nearby Port Canaveral offers great views from the Exploration Tower observation deck. Outdoorsy types will love a stopover at the Canaveral National Seashore—24 miles of undeveloped beaches teeming with hundreds of bird and plant species.

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Crystal River & Three Sisters Springs

1-hour, 30-minute drive from Orlando

Wildlife tours and raw Florida wilderness make Crystal River a nature lover’s paradise. Known as the Manatee Capital of the World, the city lies on the gulf coast, with a wildlife refuge that shelters manatees year-round. Walk along the boardwalks for views of marine mammals and the natural springs that feed Kings Bay. 

To the northwest, you’ll find Crystal River Archeological State Park, featuring remains of an early Native American settlement. Take a drive to Crystal River to experience Florida’s wildlife and natural surroundings like nowhere else.

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St. Augustine

1-hour, 45-minute drive from Orlando

St. Augustine is the oldest European-settled town in the country, and it’s a must-see for history buffs. Museums like the Colonial Quarter and the World Golf Hall of Fame showcase both the city’s 450-year history and its modern character. 

You’ll also find monuments including the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, a 17th-century fortress perched on the coastline. The city’s Spanish colonial architecture gives it a distinctive flair that feels like stepping back in time. Just keep an eye out for the ghosts rumored to haunt this historic city!