From beach retreats to outdoor adventures, these Florida destinations offer the perfect fall escape without the long drive.

As summer winds down and students head back to school, family trips and vacations become more difficult to fit into the busy schedules that fall brings. Fortunately, families can still enjoy a getaway by staying within a few hours of home. Weekend trips to other areas of Florida offer the flexibility to explore without traveling so far that getting back in time for weekday responsibilities becomes a challenge.

To help with this, the Orlando Family Magazine team put together a list of locations within a day’s drive of the Orlando area.

Palm Beach

Called “America’s First Resort Destination,” Palm Beach is located about two and a half hours from Orlando and offers plentiful activities for families, couples and solo travelers alike. Stay at the Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa, where beach access, two outdoor pools, a full-service spa, a fire pit and multiple dining options—from convenient room service to casual and oceanfront restaurants—provide everything needed for a relaxing getaway. For those looking to stay active, take a walk or bike ride along the Lake Trail for views of yachts and waterfront mansions, play a round of golf with the ocean as your backdrop or visit Phipps Ocean Park, which features a boardwalk to the beach and a shaded picnic area.

Key West

The country’s southernmost point offers unique experiences for visitors of all ages and interests. Visit the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden, where you can picnic and even bring the dog. You can enhance your experience with smartphone tours in either audio or text formats and visit the Garden Education Center with its nature walk, Native Plant Nursery and a speaker series for those looking to learn about the area’s natural flora. For the literary enthusiasts among the group, visit Ernest Hemingway’s Home and Museum, where cat lovers can look out for the well-known six-toed felines that live around the site. Meanwhile, foodies will love the range of food tours available on the island, and thrill-seekers can snorkel or participate in many different watersports. 

Gainesville

If you’re looking to stay a little closer to home, Gainesville is less than two hours away while still offering new and exciting experiences. Explore the area’s many natural springs for swimming, tubing, diving and snorkeling, or hike, camp, spot wildlife or try geocaching at O’Leno State Park. The city also boasts more than 150 stores for shopping enthusiasts and hosts a variety of seasonal events and festivals, including the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire and October’s multi-day music festival, The Fest.

Everglades

Anyone looking to connect with nature can make the four-hour trek to the Everglades region for a true outdoor adventure. Explore Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, home to one of the largest remaining stands of old-growth bald cypress forest in North America, visit neighboring Big Cypress National Preserve to spot alligators in their natural habitat, or take an official tram tour through Shark Valley in Everglades National Park, where visitors can see a diverse array of wildlife and native plants.

Silver Springs State Park

Open for over 100 years and only about 90 minutes from Orlando, this is a National Natural Landmark spanning 4,660 acres on the border of the Ocala National Forest. Within its boundaries is one of the largest freshwater springs on Earth, from which the park derives its name. Visitors can hike, bike or camp, take a glass-bottom boat tour or experience the Silver River in a kayak or canoe. For those with disabilities, the park has a wheelchair-accessible glass bottom boat that offers tours from Thursday to Monday, and service animals are welcome. Patrons interested in history can visit the pioneer village at the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center. 

St. Petersburg and Clearwater/ Gulf Coast

The Gulf Coast, encompassing the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan area, offers travelers a wide range of activities, attractions and amenities. Spend your stay at the Clearwater Beach Sheraton Resort on Sand Key, where guests can enjoy access to a private white-sand beach and pool deck complete with an attached bar and café for cocktails and snacks. Beyond the resort, watch the sunset from Pier 60 while enjoying live entertainment, or discover marine life at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where visitors can take photos with dolphins and feed stingrays.

Lake Wales

Not only does Lake Wales offer unique sights and photo opportunities, but it is also a perfect destination for adrenaline junkies seeking adventure. Beyond luxury tents for pioneer-style camping and miles of hiking trails, visitors can go horseback riding, fish in multiple freshwater lakes and spend a leisurely afternoon at Bok Tower Gardens. They can also visit Spook Hill, the legendary and supposedly haunted site, take an airboat ride or even go skydiving.

Melbourne Beach

This city offers something for education seekers, adventurers and travelers looking to stay active during their visit. Snorkel, fish or relax on the beach, hit the golf course, or enjoy an evening stroll while taking in the sea breeze. Head to the Brevard Zoo to see more than 900 animals in naturalistic habitats, or explore the history of space exploration at Kennedy Space Center.

Safety Harbor

Perfect for those looking for a little rest and relaxation, Safety Harbor provides visitors with waterfront parks to explore and a walkable downtown filled with shops, art galleries, restaurants, breweries and cafés. Visitors can also discover historic sites like Espiritu Santo Springs, a mineral spring once believed to be the Fountain of Youth. Engage further with the local culture at the Safety Harbor Museum & Cultural Center and the Safety Harbor Art and Music Center.

Falling Waters State Park

Further from home in Chipley, Falling Waters State Park has a boardwalk called Sink Hole Trail that marks the path to the Florida’s tallest waterfall. Just a few miles south sits a butterfly garden, a lake for swimming and a scenic place for picnics. The area also features an amphitheater and full-facility campsites for those looking to spend the night surrounded by nature.

Fernandina Beach

Fernandina Beach features pale brown sand that is packed firmly enough near the water’s edge for bike rides. Dogs are welcome on the beach, making it a great spot to enjoy a day in the sun or play a game of volleyball. For those looking to spend time off the sand, visitors can play a round of golf, reserve a table at a waterfront restaurant or rent a bike to explore the history and charm of Amelia Island.

Dunedin

This series of beach islands and outdoor trails gives visitors plenty to explore, depending on their interests. Rent a fishing boat, get out on the water by paddleboard or hike the miles of available nature trails. The downtown area features local businesses, small shops and eateries, with a bike-friendly layout that makes it easy to stay active while exploring the town. Visitors can also discover the area’s Scottish heritage through local events celebrating its culture, while sports fans can visit the spring training home of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Flagler Beach

Warm, friendly and inviting, Flagler Beach offers uncrowded shores that are perfect for surfing, fishing or searching for shells along the sand at Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area. Bring your dog along to enjoy one of the canine-friendly beaches and stay at one of the area’s pet-friendly hotels. Dine on a rooftop with ocean views while enjoying live music, or stroll through the one-of-a-kind shops downtown.

Longboat Key

Those looking to enjoy saltwater fishing while staying in a luxury setting should look no further than Longboat Key. Sunbathe on the white-sand beaches, play a round of golf or shop at the island’s dozens of retail stores. Families can also visit the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium to get up close with resident manatees, sharks and other marine life. For a dose of culture, stop by the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

BREAKOUT BOX SIDEBAR

Discover Florida’s Agricultural Adventures

This fall, finding a memorable day trip is as easy as exploring Florida’s farm country. Through the Florida Agritourism Association’s mobile app, residents can discover charming farms, seasonal events and hands-on experiences that bring them closer to the people, places and flavors of the Sunshine State.