Riviera Beach, FL
Peanut Island Park
An island reached only by water taxi, with a rock-protected snorkel lagoon shallow enough to stand in and a campground on the far side.
- Snorkeling
- Ages 4+
- ~4h
- Paid
Things to Do 3–4 Hours from Orlando with Kids
8 kid-friendly adventures about 3 to 4 hours from Orlando, nearest first.
- Under 1 hour (7)
- 1-2 hours (12)
- 2-3 hours (13)
- 3-4 hours (8)
About these times. Each estimate is a straight-line measurement from downtown Orlando — the springs belt is within about 90 minutes, padded by 17% for winding roads and divided by a 55 mph average — so “about 3 to 4 hours” means roughly that, not a routed time. Traffic, where in Orlando you start, and the last few miles of park road can all move it by half an hour. Check a map before you load the car.
about 3 hr drive
about 3 hr 15 min drive
Fernandina Beach, FL
Fort Clinch State Park
A remarkably intact brick fort with costumed reenactors, plus shark tooth hunting on the beach and camping under live oaks.
- Nature
- Ages 4+
- ~4h
- Paid
about 3 hr 15 min drive
Fort Myers Beach, FL
Lovers Key State Park
Manatees and dolphins in the back bay, a two-mile beach reached on foot, and a five-mile mangrove paddling trail through the tunnels.
- Kayaking
- Ages 3+
- ~4h
- Paid
about 3 hr 15 min drive
Sanibel, FL
Bowman's Beach
One of the best shelling beaches in America, on an island that faces the wrong way on purpose. Come at low tide after a storm with a mesh bag.
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~4h
- Paid
about 3 hr 15 min drive
Sanibel, FL
J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
A four-mile drive through mangrove estuary where roseate spoonbills, ibis and alligators feed at close range on a falling tide.
- Nature
- Ages 3+
- ~3h
- Paid
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Boynton Beach, FL
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
The last intact northern Everglades, with two short boardwalks over cypress swamp and sawgrass marsh and alligators on the levee at dawn.
- Nature
- Ages 3+
- ~3h
- Paid
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Naples, FL
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
A mile of quiet Naples beach with five separate parking areas so you are never far from the car, and calm shallow Gulf water.
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~4h
- Paid
about 3 hr 30 min drive
Boca Raton, FL
Red Reef Park
Snorkel a shallow boulder reef twenty yards off the sand in water rarely more than six feet deep, with angelfish, parrotfish and green turtles.
- Snorkeling
- Ages 5+
- ~3h
- Paid