Orlando is the theme park capital of the world, but the guests who get the most out of a Central Florida vacation are the ones who look beyond the park gates at least once. Within a two-hour drive of most FunStay Homes vacation rental communities in Kissimmee and Davenport, you can swim in crystal-clear springs, walk streets that predate the United States, watch rockets launch from the same coastline where astronauts trained, and sit on beaches that consistently rank among the best in the country.
This guide covers the best day trips from your Orlando vacation home, organized by drive time and trip type, so every member of your group finds something that pulls them away from the pool for a day.
Browse Orlando vacation home rentals at FunStay Homes and use your private pool home as the perfect base for exploring all of Central Florida.
Why Orlando Is the Perfect Base Camp for Florida Exploration
Central Florida’s geography is a day-tripper’s dream. Orlando sits almost exactly in the middle of the Florida peninsula, placing you within striking distance of both coasts, several of the state’s top natural attractions, and two of its most historically significant cities.
How Far Can You Reach From Kissimmee and Davenport?
| Destination | Drive Time | Best For |
| Cocoa Beach / Space Coast | 60 to 70 minutes | Beach day, rocket launches |
| Kennedy Space Center | 60 minutes | Families, science lovers |
| St. Augustine | 100 to 110 minutes | History, architecture, coastal dining |
| Clearwater Beach | 90 to 100 minutes | Gulf Coast beach day |
| Blue Spring State Park | 45 minutes | Manatee viewing, kayaking |
| Kelly Park / Rock Springs | 40 minutes | Natural lazy river tubing |
| Bok Tower Gardens | 60 minutes | Gardens, nature, quiet day |
| LEGOLAND Florida | 45 minutes | Young children |
| Mount Dora | 40 minutes | Small town charm, boutique shopping |
| Tampa | 90 minutes | City dining, waterfront, Busch Gardens |
The advantage of staying in a private vacation home near Disney rather than a hotel is that you have a full kitchen, laundry, and private pool to return to after a long day out. Pack a cooler from the grocery store, hit the road early, and come home to your own space instead of a resort lobby.
Florida Natural Springs: The Day Trip Every Orlando Family Misses
Florida’s freshwater springs are one of the most spectacular natural features in the entire southeastern United States, and most Disney visitors never visit a single one. The springs maintain a constant 72 degrees year-round, which makes them cooler than the Gulf in summer and warmer than the air in winter.
Kelly Park at Rock Springs Run (40 Minutes from Kissimmee)
Kelly Park is the most popular natural spring day trip from Orlando, and for good reason. The spring run at Rock Springs creates a natural lazy river that winds through a jungle canopy for about 30 minutes per float. Visitors bring their own tubes or rent from vendors just outside the park entrance.
Arrive before 9:00 AM on weekends. The park reaches capacity and closes its gates by mid-morning during the summer months. Entry is $5 per vehicle.
Blue Spring State Park (45 Minutes from Kissimmee)
Blue Spring is Florida’s premier manatee viewing site from November through March. Hundreds of West Indian manatees migrate up the St. Johns River to warm in the 72-degree spring water during cooler months. Swimming is closed during manatee season but open the rest of the year, and the spring run is exceptional for kayaking.
Even outside manatee season, Blue Spring delivers one of the most beautiful, clear-water spring environments within an hour of Orlando.
Wekiwa Springs State Park (30 to 40 Minutes from Kissimmee)
Wekiwa Springs is the closest major spring to the Orlando tourist corridor. Visitors can swim in the spring head, rent a canoe or kayak, or hike 13 miles of nature trails. Entry is $6 per vehicle.
It runs quieter than Kelly Park on most days, which makes it a better choice for families with younger children who want a calm swim in clear water without the tube traffic.
Beaches Within 90 Minutes of Your Orlando Vacation Home
One of the most common surprises for first-time Central Florida visitors is how close both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts are. You can leave your vacation home after breakfast and be on the beach before noon.
Cocoa Beach and the Space Coast (60 to 70 Minutes)
Cocoa Beach is the closest Atlantic beach to the Kissimmee and Davenport vacation home corridor. The drive takes about an hour on the Beachline Expressway (SR 528). The beach itself is wide, uncrowded compared to South Florida, and backed by a casual strip of surf shops, restaurants, and bars.
The bonus here is the Kennedy Space Center, just 20 minutes north of Cocoa Beach. If you are already making the drive, a combined beach morning and Kennedy Space Center afternoon makes for one of the best full-day excursions in Central Florida.
What to Do at Cocoa Beach
- Surf or take a beginner surf lesson at Ron Jon Surf Shop
- Walk the Cocoa Beach Pier for Atlantic views and waterfront dining
- Watch for rocket launches from Cape Canaveral, which occur throughout the year
- Grab fresh seafood at Grills Seafood Deck and Tiki Bar
Clearwater Beach (90 to 100 Minutes)
Clearwater Beach on Florida’s Gulf Coast consistently ranks among the top beaches in the United States. The water is warmer, calmer, and more turquoise than the Atlantic side, which makes it the better option for families with young children who want to actually swim.
The drive is longer but fully worthwhile for a Gulf Coast day. Plan to leave by 8:00 AM to maximize beach time and avoid afternoon traffic returning toward Tampa.
Kennedy Space Center: One of Florida’s Best Day Trips for Families
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is a genuine world-class attraction that most Orlando visitors overlook. The center allows visitors to explore NASA history, enormous rockets, and interactive exhibits, making it one of Florida’s best day trips.
The Space Shuttle Atlantis display alone is worth the drive. The orbiter is displayed at an angle as if still in flight, with visitors walking beneath its payload bay. Interactive simulators, astronaut encounters, and bus tours of the active launch facilities fill a full day without feeling rushed.
Kennedy Space Center Fast Facts
- Distance from Kissimmee: approximately 60 miles
- Drive time: 60 to 70 minutes via SR 528 East
- Hours: daily, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (seasonal variations)
- Admission (2026): $75 adults, $65 children ages 3 to 11
- Key exhibits: Space Shuttle Atlantis, Apollo/Saturn V Center, astronaut encounters, launch bus tours
Pair it with a morning at Cocoa Beach and an early dinner at the pier for a full-day excursion that covers beach, space history, and a Florida sunset over the Atlantic.
St. Augustine: America’s Oldest City, 100 Minutes from Orlando
St. Augustine, founded in 1565, is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the United States. Its cobbled lanes, 17th-century fort, and Spanish-style architecture feel worlds away from modern Orlando.
This is the best cultural and historical day trip available from an Orlando vacation home base. The drive is about 100 minutes each way, but the city rewards the effort completely.
What to See in St. Augustine
- Castillo de San Marcos: A 17th-century stone fortress on the waterfront, free with National Parks Pass or $15 per adult
- St. George Street: The main pedestrian historic corridor with boutiques, galleries, and cafes
- Flagler College: An architectural landmark housed in a former Gilded Age hotel
- The Lightner Museum: A stunning building filled with Victorian art, antiques, and curiosities
- Vilano Beach: A quiet beach just across the bridge for a quick swim after sightseeing
Allow a full day. Arrive by 10:00 AM, spend the morning exploring the historic district on foot, eat lunch at one of the restaurants along St. George Street, and head home by 4:00 PM to avoid heavy traffic on I-4 and I-95.
Natural Florida: Wildlife, Gardens, and Charming Small Towns
Not every great day trip involves a beach or a major attraction. Central Florida is surrounded by natural environments and small towns that offer a completely different pace from the theme park corridor.
Bok Tower Gardens (60 Minutes South via US-27)
Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales combines 250 acres of cultivated gardens with the 205-foot neo-Gothic Singing Tower, which houses a 60-bell carillon. The grounds are immaculately maintained and entirely peaceful. Carillon concerts play at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM daily.
Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children. It is the right choice for guests who want a genuinely quiet, beautiful day away from crowds.
Mount Dora (40 Minutes Northwest)
Mount Dora sits 35 to 40 minutes northwest of Orlando at 184 feet above sea level. Historic downtown features cobblestone streets, restored buildings, boutique shops, and majestic live oak trees. The town hosts over 30 festivals annually and sits on the edge of Lake Dora with waterfront views that feel nothing like the tourist corridor.
It is a strong half-day option. Drive up in the morning, walk downtown, eat lunch at a local restaurant, and be back at your vacation home pool by early afternoon.
Gatorland (20 Minutes from Kissimmee)
For a uniquely Florida wildlife experience that is close to the vacation home corridor, Gatorland in south Orlando offers gator shows, a zipline above hundreds of alligators, bird rookeries, and hands-on encounters. It runs quieter than the major theme parks with shorter wait times and a fraction of the cost.
Day Trip Planning Tips for Orlando Vacation Home Guests
Planning a successful day trip from your Orlando vacation home comes down to timing and a packed cooler.
Before You Leave Your Vacation Home
- Pack drinks and snacks the night before. Florida convenience store and attraction pricing is steep.
- Load the route into your navigation app before you leave. I-4 congestion near downtown Orlando and the SR 528 toll plaza can add 20 to 30 minutes if you hit it at the wrong time.
- Check park capacity and hours. Blue Spring, Kelly Park, and Wekiwa Springs all close at capacity during peak weekends.
- Apply sunscreen before you leave home. It is easier than applying it in a parking lot with kids.
- Check for active rocket launches at Kennedy Space Center’s website if the Space Coast is on your itinerary. Launch dates shift frequently, but witnessing one from Cocoa Beach is unforgettable.
Matching the Day Trip to Your Group
| Group Type | Best Day Trip |
| Families with kids under 8 | Kelly Park, LEGOLAND, Gatorland |
| Families with tweens and teens | Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach, St. Augustine |
| Groups wanting a beach day | Clearwater Beach (Gulf) or Cocoa Beach (Atlantic) |
| Groups wanting nature and quiet | Blue Spring, Bok Tower Gardens, Wekiwa Springs |
| Groups wanting history and food | St. Augustine, Winter Park, Mount Dora |
The FunStay Homes experiences page offers additional local activity recommendations for guests staying across Orlando’s top resort communities.
Make Your Orlando Vacation Home the Base for All of It
The best Orlando vacation is not just seven days at the theme parks. It is a few park days, a beach morning on the Gulf or Atlantic, an afternoon floating a spring run, a full-day drive to St. Augustine, and evenings back at your own private pool home with room for everyone to breathe.
FunStay Homes manages vacation rental properties across Orlando’s top resort communities, including Windsor Hills, Windsor Island, ChampionsGate, Solterra, and Storey Lake. Every home delivers a private pool, full kitchen, and fast Wi-Fi so you can pack your cooler, head out early, and come home to everything you need at the end of a great Florida day.
Search available homes at FunStay Homes, call 1-689-202-3626, or check out top family-friendly activities in Orlando for more local inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions About Day Trips from Orlando
What is the closest beach to Disney World and Kissimmee vacation homes?
Cocoa Beach on Florida’s Atlantic coast is the closest beach to the Kissimmee and Davenport vacation home corridor, at approximately 60 to 70 minutes by car via SR 528. Clearwater Beach on the Gulf Coast is the closest white-sand Gulf beach, at 90 to 100 minutes.
Can you see manatees on a day trip from Orlando?
Yes. Blue Spring State Park, about 45 minutes north of Kissimmee, is the best manatee viewing location accessible as a day trip from Orlando. Manatees are present in large numbers from November through March. Crystal River, about 90 minutes northwest, offers guided tours where visitors can swim near manatees year-round.
Is Kennedy Space Center worth a day trip from Orlando?
Kennedy Space Center is one of the most underrated day trips from Orlando and is fully worth the drive. The Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibition alone justifies the visit. Plan 5 to 7 hours to see the main attractions comfortably, and combine it with a morning at Cocoa Beach for a full-day excursion.
How far is St. Augustine from Orlando vacation homes?
St. Augustine is approximately 100 to 110 minutes from the Kissimmee and Davenport vacation home corridor via I-4 East to I-95 North. The city is best experienced as a full-day trip, arriving around 10:00 AM and returning by late afternoon.
What natural springs are within an hour of Orlando?
Three excellent natural spring parks sit within an hour of the Kissimmee and Davenport vacation corridor: Kelly Park at Rock Springs Run (40 minutes), Blue Spring State Park (45 minutes), and Wekiwa Springs State Park (30 to 40 minutes). Entry fees range from $5 to $6 per vehicle. Arrive before 9:00 AM on peak weekends to avoid capacity closures.
Are these day trips suitable for families with young children?
All destinations in this guide are family-friendly. The natural springs, Gatorland, LEGOLAND, and Cocoa Beach are particularly strong choices for guests with children under 10. St. Augustine and Kennedy Space Center work best for children ages 8 and older.
What is the best day trip from Orlando that most tourists miss?
Kelly Park at Rock Springs Run is the most spectacular local day trip that the majority of Orlando tourists never discover. Natural spring tubing through a jungle canopy for $5 per vehicle entry is one of the genuine hidden highlights of Central Florida. Arrive early on weekends.
