Sometimes you just need to get outta Orlando. But where?! Here are 25 easy day trips within driving distance of The City Beautiful.

Mount Dora Estimated time: 42 minutes A quick ride north will take you from the overcrowded hell that is Colonial into this small town. It’s no wonder that this stop goes by the Antiques Capital of Florida; shops selling a variety of old-fashioned items line the streets. After you’re finished shopping for ways to up your home decor game, take a seat at Sugarboo’s BBQ for some well-priced home cookin’. Photo via aroundmountdora/Instagram
Apopka Estimated time: 29 minutes This one’s for all you nature lovers out there. Layer on the sunscreen and lace up your hiking boots to stroll through the 22-mile West Orange Trail that crisscrosses through neighborhoods, woods and orange groves. If walking isn’t for you, there’s the horseback trails at the Rock Springs Run State Reserve and the uniquely primitive campsites at Wekiva Springs. Each landmark is a day-long adventure all its own. Photo via _hollycockburn/Flickr
Sanford Estimated time: 32 minutes It may be tiny, but that doesn’t mean there’s not things to do. Sail away into the St. Johns River on a sternwheel paddleboat, live music and food included, or keep your landlubber self on shore. If you choose the latter, don’t ignore the vinyl/coffee combo that is Rabbitfoot or the polka-loving schnitzel experts at the Hollerbach’s Willow Tree. Many of the locations close soon after sunset, so plan accordingly. Photo via andrewphotog9/Instagram
Clearwater Estimated time: 1 hour 56 minutes Did you know the country’s No. 1 beach is right here in Florida? That’s right, TripAdvisor recently named Clearwater Beach the best in the nation. And it’s no wonder. With its powdery, soft sand and clear, shallow waters, Clearwater practically screams “relaxation.” But if you want a break from the sandy shores, check out Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise, where scallywags sing, dance and play games for the whole family. Or check out the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home to the world’s most famous dolphin, Winter, the marine mammal with a prosthetic tale who stars in the Dolphin Tale movie. Photo via clearwater.beach/Instagram
Sarasota Estimated time: 2 hours 4 minutes Although you might know the name Ringling from the circus, one of the famous brothers is actually the founder of Florida’s official state art museum, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota. The institution offers over 21 galleries of European paintings, Cypriot antiquities and contemporary art from around the world. But the museum isn’t the only place you’ll find masterpieces; the city is also widely known for its unique Sarasota School of Architecture, a regional style with many modern influences used to build many of the area’s houses, churches and public facilities. Photo via ally_eames/Instagram
Cassadaga Estimated time: 40 minutes When heading to this spooky city, it’s best to have the Ghostbusters on speed dial. If everything mystic, psychic and spiritual makes you go gaga, Cassadaga is the perfect town for you. Founded by spiritualists in the late 1800s, the town is now home to a variety of different mediums, psychics and healers. Want a glimpse into your future? Have your palm read, get a tarot card reading or have your handwriting analyzed. Or if the past holds more of your interest, stick around until dark and walk through the town’s energy hotspots, where spirits may manifest themselves long enough for you to snap a ghostly seflie. Photo via fancy_thehotcatlady/Instagram
New Smyrna Beach Estimated time: 1 hour 3 minutes New Smyrna Beach offers the perfect sandy getaway for every member of the family. Drive right onto the beach and swim, snorkel or scuba dive in turquoise blue waters. Or grab a board and take on the waves in one of the “one of the world’s top 20 surf towns” voted by National Geographic. Even your four-legged friends can have a blast at Smyrna Dunes Park, where leashed dogs are welcome to help you dig up some sand for the perfect castle. Photo via kiwi_marie_the_aussie/Instagram
Ybor City Estimated time: 1 hour 17 minutes Ybor City, once home to a booming cigar industry, is now a mixture of Cuban, Spanish and Italian culture. Columbia Restaurant, the oldest restaurant in Florida and the oldest Spanish one in the entire country, is just one of delicious options available for tourists. The TECO streetcar system makes it an easy shuttle ride away from Tampa, but with new restaurants and shopping complexes along 7th avenue to visit by day and bustling nightclubs to frequent after dark, there’s no reason to take the journey. Photo via Jason Raia/Flickr
Tampa Estimated time: 2 hours 3 minutes There’s something for everyone in this bustling city. Baseball fans can go for a seventh-inning stretch at a Rays game while sealife enthusiasts can gaze at octopi extending their tentacles at the Florida Aquarium. Ravens & Rockers lures the alternative scene in with their clothing options, and the downtown area is host to an Oxford Exchange for the fancy folks out there. Photo via kenmariekittler/Instagram
St. Petersburg Estimated time: 1 hour 51 minutes Two hours of driving is something any art lover will be okay with if it means arriving at this museum-packed city. There’s the Morean Arts Center, the Florida CraftArt and most notably the Salvador Dalí Museum, where you can learn about the dude who thought it was totally okay to have an anteater as a pet. Once all that exploring and surrealism spurs up an appetite, take a peek at the Mazzaro Italian Market for drinks, pasta and an insane amount of cheese. Photo via Salvadir Dali/Facebook
Ocala Estimated time: 1 hour 16 minutes Contrary to popular belief, there’s more to this city than the retiree-heavy population. The people there might drive slowly, but speed is the name of the game at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, which features more than 300 cars and drag race memorabilia. If you’re searching for a more a natural experience, there’s always the Silver Springs State Park where a glass bottom boat tour can give you a look at the underwater creatures that swim through the crystal clear water. Photo via saraleclaire77/Instagram
Tarpon Springs Estimated time: 2 hours If you’re looking for that little piece of Athens right here in Florida, look no further than Tarpon Springs, which has one of the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any city in the country. The plentiful sponge industry brought in thousands of immigrants, and now the city is home to some of the best greek restaurants and bakeries in the nation. Take your gyro to go and take a stroll along the sponge docks for an authentic city experience. Photo via WalterPro4755/Flickr
Cape Canaveral Estimated time: 52 minutes Cape Canaveral has become almost synonymous with launching spacecraft. Hundreds of people have flocked to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center to watch rockets and satellites be blasted beyond our atmosphere. Even though the space program isn’t launching manned space missions from the coast anymore, the Space Center is still a great place to witness the history of our exploration of the galaxy. But space shuttles aren’t the only vehicles that travel out of the cape. Cruise ships, including the popular Victory Casino Cruises, also sail away from the same shores, just without the need for rocket propulsion. Photo via kriegerderraik/Instagram
Cocoa Beach Estimated time: 1 hour 5 minutes Reenact Point Break (minus the whole, ya know, robbery thing) by bringing along your board to this popular surfing destination, but make sure to check out online surfing reports to know when’s the best day to catch some waves. Pick up some sex wax at Ron Jon Surf Shop once you’re there and finish the gnarly day off at the energetic Heidi’s Jazz Club. Photo via ryanblusway/Instagram
Cross Creek Estimated time: 1 hour 35 minutes If you grew up watching Gregory Peck portray Penny Baxter in The Yearling, you’ll want to visit the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings House, the location where the source material was written many decades ago. Continue your literary journey by skimming your eyes over the filled up bookstore shelves around town and conclude your old-school day by browsing through the wide collection of antique shops. Photo via newtonphotographics/Insta
Dade City Estimated time: 1 hour 22 minutes It’s kumquat central over there yonder. In fact, there’s a whole festival dedicated to the sweet and sour fruit, but even if your miss the January event, there’s still plenty to do. Dine in at the retro-looking Lunch on Limoges for a seafood- and dessert-friendly menu or eat at Kafe Kokopelli, housed in an old Ford Motor Company building. Delve deeper into the town’s history by stopping on over at the Pioneer Museum & Village where you’ll learn all about pioneer living. Photo via thedailynest/Instagram
DeLand Estimated time: 47 minutes If you’re into theaters built in the 1920s in Italian Renaissance fashion, we have a place that fits your oddly specific needs. There’s almost always a show happening at this historic spot. While you wait for your concert or play to begin, buy something at an antique store or be your hipster self in one of the city’s killer cafes. Photo via Rain0975/Flickr
Fernandina Beach Estimated time: 2 hours 50 minutes Located on Amelia Island, this getaway might be a little far, but it’s worth the trip. c lets you walk through the 19th century in by taking a trek along the fort itself, where you might just run into some locals dressed for the Civil War. If a historical tour isn’t your thing, take a natural one instead with a horse ride along the beach. End the day with a shopping trip along historic Centre Street and a satisfying sweet treat from Fantastic Fudge. Photo via ameliasmermaid/Instagram
Lake Wales Estimated time: 1 hour 9 minutes Lake Wales is a charming historic town home enriched in Florida’s sometimes spooky past. If you can stand Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds give Bok Tower Gardens a try. The bird sanctuary, home to over a hundred species, also offers other delights like the Singing Tower, with puts on a 60-bell recital daily and the beautiful meandering gardens. For those seeking a scarier thrill, Spook Hill delights guests with an unnatural optical illusion. Just put your car in neutral and watch as spirits guide your ascent uphill. Photo via Paul Hamilton/Flickr
Melbourne Estimated time: 1 hour 12 minutes If you’re looking for a break from your latest Netflix binge, try getting reacquainted with the great outdoors in Melbourne. With beautiful beaches the Sebastian Inlet State Park is perfect for all your aquatic activities, from fishing to dolphin tours. Or, if you’d prefer to stay dry, check out the Brevard Zoo, where you get up close and personal with giraffes that lap treats from your hands like trained dogs, or the Space Coast Stadium, where you can buy some peanuts and crackerjacks and enjoy America’s favorite pastime. Photo via ~Ealasaid~/Flickr
Ormond Beach Estimated time: 1 hour 10 minutes Ormond Beach is Daytona’s quiet, more mature cousin. Skip the spring break crowds and instead immerse yourself in an escape to Old Florida. The beaches are popular and can get a little crowded, so if you’re looking for other options, try the Casements, John D. Rockefeller’s old winter home, or The Loop, a scenic drive through Florida’s past under a canopy of spanish moss filled with natural wildlife. Photo via The Casements/Facebook
Plant City Estimated time: 1 hour Jurassic Park isn’t the only place you can find giant prehistoric reptiles; Plant City is home to over 200 life-sized dinosaurs. Unleash your inner paleontologist while you dig for fossils in a boneyard, mine for gems and snap a selfie with a Stegosaurus. If dinos don’t appeal to you, maybe chocolate covered strawberries will. Starting March 3, you can find this sweet treat and many others at the annual Florida Strawberry Festival, which also features strawberry rides, exhibits, contests and meet and greets with Mr. Berry, a giant smiling fruit that just might haunt your dreams. Photo via WalterPro4755/Flickr
St. Augustine Estimated time: 1 hour 47 minutes Sure, there’s the Castillo de San Marco and Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, but chances are that you’ve been there and done that. Walk through St. George Street instead and find a surprising mix of stores and eateries. Buy a sword and some vintage clothing or be that asshole who dares their friend to try the hottest sauce at the Pepper Palace. Once the cover of night falls upon the city, take the award-winning Ghostly Experience tour. Photo via staugustinebuzz/Instagram
Stuart Estimated time: 2 hours 6 minutes When a place makes it onto Esquire’s “50 Coolest Small Towns in America” list, you know it’s something worth checking out. The historic downtown is equally entertaining to explore and beautiful to look at. Stumble upon the wide selection of concerts performed throughout the year, step into one of the many art galleries available for your viewing pleasure or whisk your line out at a solid fishing spot. Photo via Mitch Kloorfain/Flickr
Weeki Wachee Estimated time: 1 hour 42 minutes Bring your childhood crush on Ariel to the real word with a visit to the Weeki Wachee Springs. These mermaids have been going at it for 60 years, currently presenting guests with their own version of The Little Mermaid. There’s more to the place than these fish-tailed swimmers, however. There’s also Buccaneer Bay, the only water park in Florida that’s fed with spring water. Photo via weekiwacheesprings/Instagram