Central Florida Day Trips
Central Florida day trips and one tank trips are generally off the beaten path to avoid the heavy traffic of the major theme parks.I-4 is the east-west interstate in this region. It crosses the state of Florida from
Daytona Beach
through
Orlando
to
Tampa.
The Florida Turnpike is a major north-south toll road in this region. It starts in Wildwood south of Ocala and terminates in Miami. A branch of the Turnpike splits off north of Miami and heads south and east to Homestead on the way to the Florida Keys. The interstate exits are crowded with gas stations, fast food restaurants and motels. You can travel the state quickly and easily on these highways (except during rush hours), but not see much scenery or real towns as you will on my recommended Central Florida day trips. The town signs you do see are usually a few miles from the downtown section. The fun begins when you get off the interstate and hookup with the less traveled roads. There are many state and county highways off the interstate that offer better scenery and a look at real towns. In Florida, some backroads are even four-laned.
Here are a few Central Florida day trips that I recommend: - Park Avenue from US-17/US-92 in Maitland south through
Winter Park
to Rollins College. Then meander along the lake shores south into
Orlando.
Beautiful homes, lakes and trees. Great shopping and dining in downtown Winter Park.
- State Road 535 from Lake Buena Vista north to Chase Road, then east to
Windermere.
Old Florida, groves, lakes and the pretty little town of Windermere to enjoy lunch and strolling.
- US-17 from Orlando to Winter Haven and Cypress Gardens through Kissimmee and
Haines City.
Orange groves, small towns, big oak trees. I made a segment of this trip in
April 2010.
- US-441 from Orlando to
Mount Dora
through Apopka. Rolling country, great art and antiques.
- US-27 from Clermont to
Lake Wales
through Haines City. Some congestion in the area where you cross I-4, but beautiful groves and rolling hills as you get south of the interstate.
- US-27 from Lake Wales to
Lake Placid
through
Avon Park
and
Sebring.
Interesting towns, observation tower, murals on buildings.
- SR-19 from Groveland to
Mount Dora
through
Howey In The Hills,
Tavares and Oakland Park. Rolling hills, old groves, little towns, art, antiques.
- US-17 from Winter Haven to
Wauchula
through Bartow,
Fort Meade
and Bowling Green. Old Florida again, small towns, healthy little downtowns.
- US-27A and Scenic Highway 17 from Lake Wales south to
Frostproof
through
Highland Park
and
Babson Park
. Rolling groveland, heart of citrus country.
- SR-630 east from Frostproof to where it intersects with SR-60 at Indian Lake Estates. Flat Florida scrubland and a typical big lot development with many thousands of lots still unsold.
- SR-17A, the Scenic Highway, from Lake Wales north to Chalet Suzanne, Masterpiece Road and Mountain Lake.
Bok Tower
is nearby
- SR-559 from I-4 just south of Polk City to Auburndale. Rolling groveland and pretty little towns.
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