Day Trips from Orlando: Kennedy Space Center, Beaches & St. Augustine
Orlando sits in the middle of Florida, so both coasts are a day trip. East, an hour: the Kennedy Space Center, with the Space Shuttle Atlantis, the Saturn V and the launch-pad bus tour (from $69 with transport), and Cocoa Beach next door. West, two hours: Clearwater Beach’s white Gulf sand and dolphin cruises (from $88 with transport from Orlando). North-east, two hours: St. Augustine, the oldest city in the US, with its Spanish fort, trolley tour and ghost walks (from $79). North-west, 90 minutes: Crystal River, where you can snorkel beside manatees from November to March (from $61). And 45 minutes south, the Everglades headwaters and their airboats (from $28). Guided tours with hotel pickup cover all of them; a rental car makes the beaches easier.
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Day Trips from Orlando in Orlando — FAQ
What are the best day trips from Orlando?
Kennedy Space Center (1 hour), Everglades airboat rides (45 minutes), Crystal River manatees (90 minutes), Clearwater Beach (2 hours), St. Augustine (2 hours) and Cocoa Beach (1 hour). Miami and the Keys are too far for a comfortable day; treat them as an overnight.
Is the Kennedy Space Center worth a day from Orlando?
Yes — it is the top-rated attraction in Central Florida outside the theme parks. Allow a full day for the Atlantis exhibit, the Saturn V centre, the bus tour to the launch pads and the astronaut encounter. Tours with transport from Orlando start from $69; admission alone is about $72.
Which beach is closest to Orlando?
Cocoa Beach on the Atlantic is about an hour east and pairs with the Kennedy Space Center. Clearwater Beach on the Gulf is two hours west but has the whiter sand and calmer water; guided day trips from Orlando (from $88) include the drive and free time on the beach.