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15 Amazing Weekend Getaways from Orlando for Families
Your family deserves a weekend getaway from Orlando with all that crazy work/school craziness! Whether you want to spend a holiday away or use a good ol' fashioned weekend to get out of town, we've included wonderful weekend trips...all within a four-hour drive from Orlando. These family-friendly trips will keep children and parents entertained, happy, and refreshed to return to the hussle and bussle of everyday life.
Whether you like the action of Daytona Beach or the serenity of Jekyll Island (or some hybrid in between), we've got great weekend trips from Orlando that everyone will love!
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Need more weekend ideas in Central Florida? Take the kids camping at the Best Florida Campgrounds; enjoy a staycation at these awesome Family Resorts in Florida; or go for splashy fun at the Best Hotel Water Parks in Orlando.
Weekend Getaways from Orlando for Families
1. Daytona Beach, Florida
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour
Popular for both its picturesque beach life AND cool attractions, Daytona Beach makes an excellent weekend trip from Orlando for any family. There's always something happening along the Daytona Beach Pier and boardwalk, a concert to see at the Daytona Beach Bandshell, as well as swimming, surfing, and more water activities. Want to skip the sand for a day? Tour Daytona International Speedway, visit the Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS), zip across Daytona Beach Zipline Adventure, and even more!
Note: Daytona Beach is a major spring break destination for college kids, and may not be the right weekend trip to bring the family during that time. In addition, this beach town hosts the Daytona 500, one of NASCAR's biggest races, so plan around those dates.
Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) is a fun attraction for kids of all ages! Photo courtesy of MOSI and Visit Tampa Bay
2. Tampa Bay, Florida
Distance from Orlando: 1.5 hours
Head to the Gulf Coast of Florida with a quick drive to Tampa, where your family will be exhausted from all the kid-friendly activities and attractions. Start your weekend at the Glazer Children's Museum (for younger kids), Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (for older kids), Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) for all ages, The Florida Aquarium, Zootampa at Lowry Park, and more. Enjoy the sand and sun at one of the many Tampa beaches, take a stroll along the Tampa Riverwalk, or even book a pirate ship tour. If you have the time, visit Weeki Wachee Spring State Park for mermaid fun!
3. Amelia Island, Florida
Distance from Orlando: 3 hours
This Jekyll Island beach is filled with driftwood, hence the name: Driftwood Beach. Photo by Charlotte B
4. Jekyll Island, Georgia
Distance from Orlando: 3.25 hours
5. St. Augustine, Florida
Distance from Orlando: 2 hours
Part of Florida's "Historic Coast," this idyllic beach town offers beauty, history, and fun. St. Augustine is first and foremost a beach paradise, with swimming, kayaking, boating, and much more. Families can even board a pirate ship for a tour of the waters with all their mateys! Beyond the pristine waters, a weekend trip to St. Augustine can include a visit to Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum, Potter's Wax Museum, St. Augustine Alligator Farm, and much more.
6. Cocoa Beach, Florida
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour
7. West Palm Beach, Florida
Distance from Orlando: 2.5 hours
West Palm Beach has beautiful beaches for relaxation and sunbathing. Explore Clematis Street for trendy shops and cafes or visit the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum for a cultural experience. Families can partake in a drive-through safari experience at Lion County Safari or take a scenic bike trip on the Lake Trail. Whether it's shopping, culture, or beach time, West Palm Beach provides a relaxing and entertaining weekend trip from Orlando.
8. Treasure Coast, Florida
Distance from Orlando: 2.25 hours
The Treasure Coast is situated just north of West Palm Beach in southeastern Florida. This area offers a treasure trove of attractions, including clean public beaches, a children's museum, parks, and impressive resorts. Visit Blowing Rock Preserve to observe waves crashing over the rocky Anastasia limestone shoreline, learn about Florida's coastal wildlife and ecosystems at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, and enjoy a Pontiki Boat Tour along the beautiful intracoastal waterways.
9. Miami, Florida
Distance from Orlando: 3.5 hours
With the extension of the Brightline train, it's never been easier to travel between Orlando and Miami! Most people associate Miami with its gorgeous beaches and vibrant nightlife, but there is so much more for families to enjoy in this vibrant South Florida city. Explore nature at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, enjoy a fun-filled day with the resident animals at Zoo Miami, take a dip in the Venetian Pool, and so much more. Follow our Miami & South Florida site for even more ideas!
10. Clearwater, Florida
Distance from Orlando: 2 hours
Enjoy a sun-soaked weekend retreat to beautiful Clearwater Beach. Be sure to stop by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium's newly renovated and expanded facility, take a dolphin-sighting cruise out of the Clarwater Marina, explore Pier 60's vibrant nightly festivities, or indulge in fresh seafood at beachside restaurants.
11. Naples, Florida
Distance from Orlando: 3.5 hours
Leave the hustle and bustle of Orlando with a scenic drive to Naples, where sun-soaked beaches, gardens, and family-friendly attractions await. In addition to the amazing beaches Naples offers, families can stroll a floral wonderland at Naples Botanical Garden, visit the Naples Zoo, and take in a spring training baseball game.
12. Sarasota, Florida
Distance from Orlando: 2 hours
Sarasota offers beautiful beaches and a rich cultural scene, making for a perfect weekend retreat. Visit The Ringling (home to the Museum of Art, Ca' d'Zan mansion, Circus Museum, Bayfront Gardens, and the Historic Asolo Theater), relax on Siesta Key Beach, and take the kids to the whimsical Sarasota Children's Garden.
13. Gainesville, Florida
Distance from Orlando: 2 hours
It may be a college town, but there is so much for families to enjoy in this North Florida city! Kids will love to walk amidst hundreds of butterflies in the Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Visit the resident animals at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, venture into a 120-foot deep sinkhole at Devil's Millhopper State Park, and search for wild bison, horses, and alligators at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park.
14. Jacksonville, Florida
Distance from Orlando: 2 hours
Jacksonville offers family-friendly attractions, like the Jacksonville Zoo, Adventure Landing water park, and the Museum of Science and History. Enjoy outdoor fun at James Weldon Johnson Park, Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, Southbank Riverwalk, and of course, 1,100 miles of shoreline.
15. Sanibel Island, Florida
Distance from Orlando: 3.5 hours
At Sanibel Island, pristine beaches await for sandcastle building and shell collecting. Explore the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge to discover the island's unique ecosystem and wildlife, visit the semi-deserted island known as Cabbage Key, and learn all about shells from around the globe at the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum.
