Beyond Sarasota: The Perfect Florida Day Trips

Posted by Best Western Siesta Key onJanuary 25, 2022 in Aquarium, Beach, Dining, Dog-Friendly, Fun Facts, Kayaking, Marine Wildlife, Relaxation, Things To Do.

Driving from the west coast of Florida, where the Gulf of Mexico welcomes you with calm, beauty, and peace, to the east coast of Florida, where more thrilling beach adventures and culture await, can be done in a single day trip. Not to mention, just north of Sarasota offers attractions and theme parks for the whole family like Disney World, Universal Studios, and Busch Gardens. With brilliant nature, exciting cities, and endless possibilities for experiencing the perfect road trip starting Sarasota and Siesta Key, it was hard for our local team here at Best Western Siesta Key to narrow down our list to just six key locations. Whether you are taking a drive with the kids, friends, or significant other, or a solo day trip, you will not be disappointed by the ease and options available for traveling around Florida. 

Six Fantastic Road Trip Destinations Starting from Sarasota 

Orlando 

A short two-and-a-half-hour drive from Siesta Key is Orlando, the home to Disney World and Universal Studios! Spend a day with the family in Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, or we cannot forget Magic Kingdom. In addition to these four Disney theme parks, you will find two Disney Waterparks, Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. If you’d rather spend time exploring the area or driving up for a bit to eat a little sightseeing, Disney Springs and Universal City Walk are filled with delicious, fun themed restaurants, mini attractions, shopping, and a little magic. Universal Studios offers two Theme Parks where you will find the legendary Harry Potter World, and Volcano Bay Water Park. 

Miami 

If you love exploring a big city, a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Sarasota will land you in one of the most famous cities in the United States. Miami is a big colorful city full of culture, art, delicious cuisine, and miles of wonderful beaches. With rich Latin-American influence, Cuban coffee, and popular attractions like Miami Beach, Wynwood Miami, Bayside Marketplace, Miami’s Design District, Little Havana, Zoo Miami, grassy parks, countless museums, and so much more, there will be no shortage of finding an activity that anyone in your group will love. 

Cocoa Beach 

Also known as Florida’s Space Coast, Cocoa Beach is just three hours from Siesta Key and one of the best places in Florida to go surfing. Whether you enjoy watching the surfers catch a big wave, prefer to grab a board and get out there yourself, or love swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, Cocoa Beach provides a thrilling complement to your Siesta Key beach vacation. This area of Florida is also home to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where you can marvel over iconic artifacts like rockets and maybe even catch a launch at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. 

Rainbow Springs State Park 

Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon, Fl, offers breathtaking natural springs, nature trails, and wildlife two-and-a-half to three hours from Siesta Key. Casually float in a tube down Rainbow River, lace up your hiking boots for a walk through the fantastic Florida foliage, rent a kayak or canoe to paddle through the waterway, or enjoy a myriad of other outdoor activities in the park. Rainbow Springs is not only family-friendly but proves to be a tranquil and serene getaway. This is an ideal day trip away from the city’s hustle and bustle, offering a magnificent change of scenery. 

Tampa Bay

The city of Tampa is growing more and more every day and is merely a one-hour drive from Sarasota and Siesta Key. Whether you spend time downtown or head over to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay amusement park and zoo with the family, there is so much to do and see in the Tampa Bay Area. Destinations like Downtown Tampa, Oxford Exchange, Armature Works, and the Tampa Riverwalk are perfect for those who love trying new cuisine, enjoy the nightlife, and seek out new trendy spots. The Florida Aquarium, Tampa Museum of Art, and the Museum of Science and Industry will keep kids and adults of all ages engaged. Finally, check the lineup of shows, comedians, and musical artists coming to the Tampa Theatre. It’s a stunning historic theater with detailed architecture that deserves to be admired. 

St. Petersburg 

The modern city of St. Petersburg, Fl, loving referred to as St. Pete, is nestled between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a short 45-minute to an hour drive from Siesta Key that includes a scenic trip over the marvelous Skyway Bridge. St. Pete is full of art, up-and-coming restaurants and businesses, museums, and fun things to do and see. Some of our favorite must-sees are St. Pete Pier, Glazer Family Playground and Splash Pad, Salvador Dali Museum, Dog Bar (if you’re a puppy lover or traveling with your furry friends), and Vertical Ventures indoor climbing gym. You can also grab tickets for a Tampa Bay Rays game at Tropicana Field or bury your feet in the sand at Clearwater Beach. 

No matter where your next journey, adventure, or day trip takes you, we will be waiting to welcome you back home to Best Western Siesta Key after your long day.