There’s a lot to appreciate in and around St. Augustine, and it’s not far away! The below five day trips near St. Augustine, Florida will make you a bonafide Florida expert.
Jacksonville
Jacksonville’s slogan seems to sum up the energy of the city. Jax. It’s easier here.
Easier, indeed. As massive as Jacksonville is, one of the largest cities in the country by landmass, it’s sleepy demeanor and numerous fun activities all stress relaxing fun. The St. Johns River runs through the city, essentially slicing it in half, and along it you can find a variety of great things to do.
The Riverside Arts Market is a local favorite while the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens on the northern side of the city has 117 acres and 2,000 animals for you to check out.
The area known as Five Points has some peculiar boutique shops and a loved local movie theatre called the Sunray Cinema. The downtown Main library is a gorgeous building, five stories filled with books, special events, and art, all for free.
Jacksonville has a lot going on. Be sure to see what it holds and plan your day trip right. Jacksonville is about 45 minutes north of our St. Augustine vacation rentals.
Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is a renowned beachside haven in the state. It takes you a bit back to a simple Florida lifestyle, where the beaches were wide open, street performers swallowed swords, and a little amusement park sat over the ocean. Daytona Beach is a blast. Its three-level mall contains Bubba Gumps restaurant, a movie theatre, and an ice cream shop, among other stops.
Daytona Beach is also home to the Daytona Speedway. Get a glimpse of it as you drive down the main highway or stop in for an hour-long tour of the site for about $20 per adult.
Gainesville
Gainesville is a college town through and through. Funky pizza shops, cool record stores, local art galleries, and more cover every little area of downtown Gainesville. We highly recommend squeezing an hour out for the Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum, easily its most inspiring attraction. There’s also a great brewery called First Magnitude and an awesome dueling piano bar called Rockeys. For more nature, we recommend heading to a local rehabilitation clinic, like the Lubee Bat Conservancy. It’s one of the most inspiring things to do near St. Augustine. Gainesville is famous for one of the state’s most alluring springs- the Ichetucknee. Tube through the spring on the lookout for manatee and otters.
Cape Canaveral
Cape Canaveral would be a sleepy beachside haven if it wasn’t for its most iconic attraction- the Kennedy Space Center. Explore NASA’s ground history right here in the city. See space shuttles up close and experience real astronaut training. Cape Canaveral is about one hour and 45 minutes from a St. Augustine beach rental.
Plan Your Vacation
While a St. Augustine vacation offers so many fun things to do, booking a St. Augustine rental in the area also provides access to a great variety of nearby cities to visit during your stay!
Universal Orlando
While Universal Orlando may not have the worldwide fame as Disney World, this amusement park in Orlando is just as thrilling and memorable. With three distinct parks- Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, and Volcano Bay, and staggering amount of things to do, the park is the ultimate adventure for movie and roller coaster enthusiasts. It features iconic rides, like the Mummy, Spiderman, and the Skull Island ride revolving around King Kong. It is also home to the incredibly popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which includes the Hogwarts Express that carries you from one side of the park to the other.
Make sure to spend some extra time with the newest addition- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure- and spend some family time exploring Seuss Landing and Marvel Super Hero Island. It’s going to be a long day, but it’ll be worth it!
Make sure you always have a home to come back to. Explore our list of Saint Augustine vacation rentals and secure one today.
