Great Central Florida Itineraries

Central Florida in One Week

Theme parks, nature, and beaches—oh my! Central Florida lures in the masses with the prospect of thrilling rides, handshakes with Mickey Mouse, overall Disney magic, and simply basking in the frivolity of childhood, though its appeal spans far beyond man-made attractions. In fact, Central Florida also stakes claim to the state’s most exceptional natural riches, including some of the country’s superlative beaches (with accolades to prove it) and unparalleled nature encounters, such as swimming with manatees in the wild and bird-watching at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Orlando

2 or 3 days. You could easily spend a week at Walt Disney World alone. But unless you're a die-hard theme park devotee, a few days is sufficient. Spend a few days park-hopping at Walt Disney World between The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Smaller kids may enjoy a quieter time at nearby Legoland, some 50 miles from Orlando. For more intense thrills, allow a day or two for movie magic at Universal Studios or heart-pumping rides at Islands of Adventure, where Harry Potter now reigns and draws crowds by the millions. If you are theme parked–out after two days (or never really liked them to begin with), survey the collection of modern paintings at the Orlando Museum of Art, stroll through the 50-acre Harry P. Leu Gardens, or visit Orlando’s serene sister city, Winter Park. Boaters can take advantage of the area's numerous lakes, and golfers can link up on courses designed by the sport's biggest stars.

Cape Canaveral

1 day. Head east from Orlando to discover one of Florida’s best central coast treasures. Spend the day bird-watching at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, have an out-of-this-world experience at the Kennedy Space Center (and enjoy the interactive Space Shuttle Challenger exhibit), catch a wave like local surfing legend Kelly Slater in Cocoa Beach, or blissfully hit the beach at Canaveral National Seashore—a 24-mile undeveloped preserve where you lounge in the shelter of dunes, not the shadow of high-rises. Adrenaline junkies may want to reset their GPS for Daytona Beach. Its International Speedway, which has hosted NASCAR’s Daytona 500 every February since 1959, is a must-see for stock-car enthusiasts (and the plain ol' race-car curious).

Tampa

1 day. If you crave more theme park fun, scream through the hair-raising rides at Busch Gardens and admire the 2,000-animal zoo, intricately woven throughout the park. The more sports-minded may want to catch one of Tampa Bay’s myriad sporting events (the city has professional baseball, football, and hockey teams). Shoppers will love Oxford Exchange, at once a restaurant, bookstore, coffeehouse, and boutique. Don't forget to check out the Riverwalk, a pedestrian way lined with parks, museums, and entertainment. Beach-lovers who didn't get enough sand and surf in Cape Canaveral may want to head over to Clearwater Beach to find some of Central Florida's best sandy shores. At night dine and imbibe in the Spanish-inflected Ybor City entertainment district.

St. Petersburg

2 days. Indulge in the culture and beaches of this sophisticated city, home to the riveting, world-class Salvador Dalí Museum, multiple art galleries, and a quaint, historic downtown. Hit the beach at Caladesi Island State Park to the west of the city or Fort De Soto Park at the mouth of Tampa Bay, both winners of the national “America’s Best Beach” competition. Or explore the colorful waterfront community of Gulfport and its Art Village, which is full of locally owned boutiques, galleries, and eclectic eateries. Beer lovers will want to set aside time to explore the city's burgeoning craft beer scene.

Sarasota

1 day. Drive south to Sarasota to appreciate Florida’s thriving arts scene and stay overnight on one of the western barrier islands, namely Longboat Key or Siesta Key, the latter home to the finest quartz sand in the world and one of America's best beaches. In Sarasota visit the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art to learn all about the history of the Ringling circus and enjoy John Ringling's mind-blowingly expansive art collection. The museum encompasses the entire Ringling estate and offers something for guests of all ages and interests.

Crystal River

1/2 day. As a half-day trip, nature lovers should proceed north to Crystal River, less than two hours north of St. Petersburg, where you can snorkel with the manatees that congregate in the warm waters from November through March. It's one of the few places on the planet where you can legally interact with them in natural waters.