If there’s one thing we can be sure of here in the heart of Central Florida, it is that you will never be short of things to do, see or explore. With its theme parks as the prime attraction, there are still dozens of other options to keep you amused in this part of the Sunshine State.
The same is true of other places to visit within a relatively short drive of The City Beautiful. We’ve already flagged up the likes of Mount Dora, the Kennedy Space Center, Winter Park and Winter Garden in the past, but there are also a dozen or more other destinations that have much to recommend them, and we thought we would highlight a full selection of them.
From brilliant beaches to wonderful wildlife and cute towns to historic sites, Orlando is the gateway to a compelling array of experiences beyond Disney and Co, all just waiting to be discovered by those who like to get under the skin of their destination. Here are our Top 10:
Cocoa Beach: Simply the closest beach to Orlando (just 60 miles east of International Drive), this surfer hangout offers six miles of wide, open sands and easy access for day visitors. You can take surfing lessons, go kayaking or jet-skiing, or just soak up the beachfront bliss. A visit to the iconic, “One-of-a-kind” Ron Jon Surf Shop, which opened in 1963, is also compulsory, though!
Crystal River: Wildlife excursions don’t get any better than this Gulf Coast location 80 miles to the north-west and a true Floridian experience. This is a year-round hangout for manatees and the only place in the US where it is legal to swim in their waters, hence snorkel tours of Kings Bay and Three Sisters Springs are the main draw. Nearby Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is another gem, while the local seafood is some of the freshest in the state, including gorgeous scallops.
Daytona Beach: Arguably one of the most famous beaches in the world, Daytona is renowned as the birthplace of American racing, and the site of multiple world land speed record achievements, including by Britons Sir Henry Seagrave (1927) and Sir Malcolm Campbell (1935). Now a modern beachfront destination in its own right, it is the home of the annual Daytona 500 race, an iconic pier and the historic Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, as well as various annual festivals, including Biketoberfest each October.
DeLand: Voted Best Main Street in America in 2017, this truly charming town sits just 45 miles north of Orlando but offers a more old-fashioned vibe based on its Woodland Boulevard axis. Shopping and dining are the main attractions here, along with the Gilded Age Stetson Mansion, Stetson University and the historic Athens Theatre. There are more than 40 restaurants to choose from, while the St John’s River Eco Tours (in neighbouring Debary) are a scenic highlight.
New Smyrna Beach: Barely an hour north-east of Orlando on the Atlantic coast, the second oldest city in Florida (after St Augustine) boasts a lot more than just scenic beaches. It dates back to 1768 and a small British colony that ultimately failed but paved the way for a new era of settlement in the 19th century. Today, the small-but-cute New Smyrna Museum of History tells the full story of its creation and opens the door to a day of discovery that includes the ruins of the Cruger-dePeyster Plantation (a victim of the Second Seminole War), the Canal Street Historic District, the Bob Ross Art Workshop & Gallery, and scenic beauty of Smyrna Dunes Park. Dining is a real highlight, too, notably at the waterside Grille at Riverview, Norwood’s Restaurant & Treehouse Bar, beachfront Breakers Restaurant and eclectic Yellow Dog Eats.
Blue Springs State Park: Staying to the north-east of Orlando (just 50 miles from I-Drive), this expansive state park is another regular place to go manatee spotting in winter (including a record 729 in 2023!), but this time without getting wet. It costs just $6 per car to enter, and then there are several miles of hiking trails, kayaking, canoeing, paddle-boarding and boat tours from Blue Springs Adventures. It also makes for a great day out with DeLand.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge: Another day-trip to the east of Orlando, Merritt Island is a bird-watcher’s paradise, as well as a great place to spot alligators and turtles. Start at the Visitor Center (8.30am-4pm Tue-Sat, $10 per car) and learn about the Refuge’s role as a natural overlay of the Kennedy Space Center, then head out along the seven-mile Black Point Wildlife Drive. Stop for dinner on the way back at the locals’ favourite of Dixie Crossroads.
Lakeland: Antique hunters and architecture fans should definitely make a note of this fast-growing city 45 miles south west of Orlando. Featuring more than 100 vendors, the Lakeland Antique Mall is a vast emporium of all kinds of collectibles and bric-a-brac, especially for Disney fans, while the charming downtown area boasts more excellent shops as well as some fine dining. Equally iconic is Florida Southern College, with the world’s largest collection of building works by Frank Lloyd Wright, with its own Visitor Center and daily walking tours.
Ocala: Head north from Orlando, about 90 minutes along the Florida Turnpike and I-75, and you reach Horse Country. Ocala is actually a thriving equestrian destination, hence the fabulous World Equestrian Center and attendant hotel, which acts as the centrepiece of a wide variety of equine activities. This is also the place to enjoy another slice of Florida nature at Silver Springs, with its signature glass-bottomed boat rides over the crystal-clear springs, while the dining opportunities include downtown Ocala, where the elegant 18 South, speakeasy style Anti-Monopoly Drug Store and Ivy on the Square are all fab options among several dozen.
Ybor City: This historic district of Tampa is a 70-mile drive from Orlando but well worth the investment for a day of history, culture, entertainment and great food. The heart of Ybor City dates back to the 1880s as the Cuban-influenced Cigar Capital of the World, and its New Orleans vibe is well to the fore. It features the unique Ybor City Museum State Park, with the full background of the district, a bevy of authentic cigar shops, several breweries and the classic bakery, La Segunda. Here’s where you will also find the oldest restaurant in Florida, the 1905 vintage Columbia Restaurant, and all the Cuban sandwiches and coffee you could ever hope to try!
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