We live just minutes away from St. Augustine, America's oldest European settlement, and that puts some amazing Florida day trips right at our doorstep. This historic city, dating back to 1565, is just one of many hidden gems in our sunshine state.
The state has something for every active adult. You can glide through crystal-clear springs, walk historic districts, or watch wildlife in natural preserves. From our home in Plantation Oaks of Ormond Beach, we've found some incredible places. The Kennedy Space Center amazes visitors with its Space Shuttle Atlantis display. The pristine coasts let you watch gentle manatees swim through Crystal River's waters. Many spots might be familiar to people who've lived here a while, but we've found several hidden spots that make perfect Florida road trips. These places delight both newcomers and longtime residents.
Here are our top amazing destinations that show off Florida's natural beauty, rich history, and unique attractions - all just a day trip from home.
St. Augustine's historic district makes one of our favorite Florida day trips from our home in Plantation Oaks. The district's brick-lined streets tell centuries of stories that wait to be found.
St. Augustine's Historic Walking Tours
Daily walking tours leave at 10:00 a.m. from the Clock Tower near the Visitor's Center. We love these 90-minute guided walks. Licensed guides tell amazing stories about the city's 450-year heritage, which makes each tour special and informative.
Best Historical Sites to Visit
The district has some remarkable historical treasures:
The Louis Comfort-Tiffany stained glass at Flagler College
The nation's oldest street, Aviles Street
The historic Castillo de San Marcos
The intriguing Spanish Military Hospital Museum
Where to Dine in Historic District
Southern Living Magazine named this area 'The South's Best Food Town'. Forgotten Tonic on Aviles Street serves amazing modern American comfort food. Columbia Restaurant, a 1905 establishment, offers authentic Spanish-Cuban cuisine that we love.
Parking and Accessibility Tips
You'll find 1,200 parking spaces at the Historic Downtown Parking Facility on 1 Cordova Street. The facility stays open 24 hours daily, which works great for our Florida road trips. Wheelchair-accessible trolleys stop at five locations throughout the district, so everyone can explore comfortably.
New Smyrna Beach is just a quick drive south from our Plantation Oaks community and makes one of our favorite Florida day trips to explore the coast.
Best Beach Access Points
Flagler Avenue Beach Park welcomes visitors as the main gateway to pristine shores. Recent updates have set daily parking at $20.00 in designated beach access lots. Volusia County residents can drive and park free on the beach through the Park Volusia program. Smyrna Dunes Park is our pick for peaceful beach time, with nature trails that lead to quieter spots along the shore.
Local Dining Spots
The food scene boasts over 100 independent restaurants. Here are some spots we love:
Third Wave Cafe - A beachside gem with exceptional food
The Garlic - Brings Italian village charm with live music
Norwood's Restaurant - Stands out with its treehouse bar
Flagler Tavern - Serves fresh seafood and Saint James River oysters
Shopping on Flagler Avenue
This five-block stretch between the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway has turned into our favorite spot to find unique treasures. You'll find everything from clothing boutiques to jewelry stores and artisanal gift shops. Beachside Candy Co. satisfies sweet cravings, while Garden Arts Nursery creates a green oasis with its selection of plants and gardening supplies.
Water Activities for Active Adults
The ocean here is packed with water adventures. Summer brings premier surfing contests hosted by the American Professional Surfing Association. Newcomers to surfing can find lessons that fit all skill levels from local businesses. The Indian River Lagoon, among North America's most biodiverse estuaries, is perfect for fishing and kayaking enthusiasts.
Silver Springs State Park ranks as one of America's largest artesian springs and tops our list of favorite Florida day trips from Plantation Oaks.
Glass Bottom Boat Tours
These iconic boats have shown visitors the crystal-clear waters since the 1870s. Boats leave every 15-20 minutes year-round. The extended 90-minute tours at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm give you the most detailed look at what lies beneath. Tickets cost $13 for 30-minute tours and $25 for extended tours. You should book ahead, especially when it's busy.
Walking Trails Overview
The park's trail network suits hikers of all fitness levels. These must-see trails include:
The Creek Trail - a peaceful 3/4-mile loop behind the pavilion
The Spring Connector Trail - a 2.3-mile path through pine forests
The Sandhill Trail - a 1.7-mile loop showcasing longleaf pine uplands
The Swamp Trail - a 1.9-mile boardwalk along the Silver River
Wildlife Viewing Opportunities
The river brims with wildlife of all kinds. You'll spot alligators, turtles, and various fish in the crystal-clear waters. A large group of limpkins and other water birds now call the park home. Manatees swim into the 72-degree spring waters when winter arrives. Each visit brings new chances to see these amazing creatures in their natural habitat.
A scenic Florida day trip west from Plantation Oaks guides us to Mount Dora, which earned its title as the "Antiques Capital of Florida".
Antique Shopping Guide
Renninger's Antique Center stands as the area's crown jewel, spanning 140 acres of Central Florida's beautiful terrain. The center features two distinct zones - an antique area and a bustling flea market section. Special events add extra charm throughout the year, with Steampunk gatherings and Cars and Guitars shows drawing crowds.
Lake Dora Activities
The town's shopping scene is charming, but Lake Dora's natural beauty steals the show with outdoor adventures. Visitors can find perfect spots to watch breathtaking sunsets along the waterfront. The lake's shoreline is a great place to spot local wildlife that frequently appears.
Best Restaurants for Active Adults
Mount Dora's restaurant scene boasts excellent dining choices. Here are our favorites:
The Goblin Market - The Irish Whiskey Onion Soup and gourmet selections make this spot special
Pisces Rising - Exceptional seafood meets waterfront views
Olive Branch Mediterranean-Italian Grille - Live entertainment complements casual yet sophisticated dining
Wave Asian Bistro - Creative sushi rolls draw crowds
Weekend trips to Mount Dora work best since antique dealers staff their booths on Saturdays and Sundays. Downtown's charm shines through its diverse shops, from specialty food stores and bakeries to a unique olive oil company.
Winter Park, a charming destination 1882 old, draws us north from Plantation Oaks on our favorite Florida day trips with its sophisticated charm and Old World appeal.
Park Avenue Shopping Experience
More than 140 boutiques and restaurants line the district under magnificent oak tree canopies. The beautiful 11-acre Central Park next door gives shoppers a shady place to rest. Be On Park, a destination fine jewelry boutique, showcases carefully hand-curated collections.
Scenic Boat Tour Details
Guided cruises last an hour and take you across three lakes and two narrow canals. You can hop aboard daily between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., except on Christmas Day. Adults pay $20.00, and children aged 2-11 can join for $10.00. Large cranes often fish by the water, and lazy alligators sometimes sunbathe on nearby banks. You'll find the dock just five minutes away from Park Avenue.
Cultural Attractions
Winter Park shines as Florida's premier urban village with its world-class cultural venues. The city's notable attractions include:
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum - Home to the world's largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany works
Bach Festival Society - Classical performances run throughout the year
Rollins Museum of Art - You'll find rotating exhibitions here
Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum - A showcase of local heritage
"Rhythmic Colors" now joins other public art pieces like "Tree Whisperers" at the Winter Park Train Station.
We headed south from Plantation Oaks and found a real Florida gem - Cape Canaveral National Seashore. This place has Florida's longest stretch of untouched Atlantic coastline that runs for 24 beautiful miles.
Beach Access Points
You can get to the seashore from two spots - New Smyrna Beach and Titusville. Apollo Beach has five parking areas that make the beach available to wheelchair users. The Playalinda Beach area stretches along a 4-mile road with thirteen parking lots. Beach #8 is the best spot for wheelchair access because it has a straight boardwalk without much slope.
Wildlife Viewing Areas
This seashore is home to 15 federally-listed threatened or endangered species. During our visits, we've seen:
Seven species of reptiles, including five sea turtle species
Five protected bird species, like Bald Eagles and Wood Storks
Three endangered mammals, including the West Indian Manatee
Best Times to Visit
The gates stay open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm daily, so you'll need to arrive before 5:00 pm. Early morning hours are perfect to watch wildlife, and you'll see lots of migrating waterfowl and shorebirds in spring and fall. Weekday mornings are great if you want to avoid crowds. Our trips here taught us that beach parking lots fill up fast on summer weekends.
A westward drive from Plantation Oaks leads to an unforgettable Florida day trip at Blue Spring State Park, home to a record-breaking manatee population that reached 729 in 2023.
Manatee Viewing Spots
The spring maintains a constant 72-degree temperature that creates a perfect winter sanctuary for West Indian manatees. The spring run becomes a protected refuge during manatee season from mid-November through March. Visitors should arrive at 8:00 AM for the best viewing experience, since the park fills up by 10:00 AM. Manatees spend their days feeding in the river and return to the warmer spring waters at night.
Walking Trail Guide
The park's boardwalk provides excellent wildlife observation points along Blue Spring Run. The park features these notable trails:
Pine Island Trail - a 3.6-mile path through a variety of ecosystems
Sand Pine Scrub Trail - a 0.25-mile loop near the main office
Boardwalk Trail - observation decks that offer wildlife viewing spots
Picnic Areas
The park features two picnic zones that welcome groups of all sizes. These areas include covered pavilions with grills that operate on a first-come basis. Tables scattered throughout the grounds create peaceful spots where visitors can enjoy lunch while watching osprey, eagles, and kingfishers soar overhead.
Tomoka State Park sits north of our Plantation Oaks community. Its pristine waterways and wildlife create perfect opportunities for outdoor adventures during our Florida day trips.
Kayaking Routes
The park gives visitors multiple ways to paddle through its waterways. We explored the scenic route that winds along the Tomoka River's east side. It feels like paddling through a jungle, while the west bank reminds us of an African savanna. The Tomoka Basin is available through the park's boat ramp and opens into wider waters. Our group usually rents canoes from the park store to explore these waterways.
Bird Watching Spots
Bird watchers will find this park a top destination with over 160 documented species. During spring and fall migrations, you can spot:
Wood storks and wading birds
Gulls and loons
Bald eagles and peregrine falcons
Northern harriers in the Tomoka Basin
Picnic Facilities
The park ended up with five separate picnic areas that provide comfortable spots to relax. Each area has covered pavilions with grills near modern restroom facilities. The park store's snacks and camping gear make these spots perfect for extended stays during our Florida road trips.
DeLeon Springs State Park sits just a short drive from Plantation Oaks. This natural gem offers a refreshing escape for Florida day trips with its crystal-clear spring waters and rich history.
Swimming Areas
A spring-fed swimming pool spans an impressive 500-foot circumference. The pool's depth ranges from 18 inches to 30 feet at the spring source. Visitors can enter the pool from several points along its perimeter and swim anytime between 8 AM until 30 minutes before sunset. The spring's constant year-round temperature makes swimming comfortable in any season.
Breakfast at the Old Mill
The Old Sugar Mill Pancake House welcomes guests daily from 8 AM to 4 PM. This unique restaurant lets visitors cook their own pancakes on built-in griddles at each table. The building itself is a 100-year-old replica of the original 1830s sugar mill. Guests can enjoy an extensive menu of breakfast favorites and lunch options, with a convenient take-out window serving lighter fare.
Nature Trails
Two distinct trails showcase Florida's rich ecosystems. The Wild Persimmon Trail stretches 4.2 miles and features:
Dense cabbage palms and water hickories
Rare yellow anise trees
Native wildflowers and ferns
Ancient "Old Methuselah," a 500-year-old bald cypress
These trails attract diverse wildlife, from herons and egrets to ibis, and sometimes manatees in the spring run. A paved half-mile nature trail serves as an excellent starting point to experience these natural wonders.
A1A leads south from our Plantation Oaks residence to Flagler Beach's distinctive orange sand and historic fishing pier, making it a perfect spot for Florida day trips.
Best Fishing Spots
The iconic Flagler Beach Pier stands as a top fishing spot where people catch black drum, sheepshead, whiting, and pompano. The best fishing happens during high or low tide changes. The area between Varn Park and north Flagler Beach produces great catches of bull whiting and black drum. Winter months bring chances to catch black-fin tuna and wahoo in deeper waters.
Oceanfront Restaurants
The beach's dining scene features spots with stunning Atlantic views. Notable places include:
The Golden Lion Café - Offering fresh seafood and daily live music
Oceanside Beach Bar and Grill - Known for sunrise views and breakfast specialties
Funky Pelican - Located by the pier with indoor and outdoor seating
High Tides at Snack Jack - Famous for peel-and-eat shrimp
Walking Paths
The Halifax River Trail spans 4.7 miles with concrete surfaces that make morning walks enjoyable. The Lehigh Greenway Rail Trail stretches 8.71 miles through natural Florida landscapes. The Betty Steflik Preserve Trail features 2.4 miles of boardwalk with views of coastal wetlands and mangrove marshes. The beach stretch from Flagler Beach to Varn Park offers the most scenic walking routes.
Conclusion
Plantation Oaks of Ormond Beach puts us right in the middle of Florida's best spots. We've found that St. Augustine's historic charm, New Smyrna Beach's coastal beauty, and Silver Springs' crystal-clear waters are amazing destinations just a short drive from our community.
We didn't stick to just the popular spots. Our adventures took us to hidden gems like Mount Dora's antique havens and Winter Park's elegant shopping districts. Cape Canaveral's beautiful shoreline became one of our favorite getaways. Silver Springs State Park's glass-bottom boats still amaze us with their underwater views.
These 17 destinations show exactly why we picked Plantation Oaks as our home. Each spot brings something special - from watching manatees glide through Blue Spring's waters to walking through Washington Oaks Gardens' formal landscapes and finding Tiger Bay State Forest's natural trails. These Florida day trips add so much to our active adult lifestyle and create amazing memories right from our front door.
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