Apopka, FL
Kelly Park Rock Springs
A natural lazy river near Orlando: the spring run carries you gently for about twenty minutes, then you walk back up and do it all over again.
- Tubing
- Ages 3+
- ~4h
- Paid
Things to Do Under an Hour from Orlando with Kids
7 kid-friendly adventures under an hour 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 “under an hour” 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 20 min drive
about 20 min drive
Apopka, FL
Wekiwa Springs State Park
A big spring swimming basin twenty minutes from Orlando, with canoe rentals on the Wekiva River and thirteen miles of trail.
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~4h
- Paid
about 35 min drive
Orange City, FL
Blue Spring State Park
Hundreds of manatees winter in this spring run from November to March, watched from a boardwalk. Swimming opens once they leave.
- Nature
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Paid
about 45 min drive
Titusville, FL
Canaveral National Seashore
Twenty-four miles of undeveloped Atlantic beach next to the Kennedy Space Center, with sea turtle nests and no buildings in sight.
- Swimming
- Ages 3+
- ~4h
- Paid
about 50 min drive
Altoona, FL
Alexander Springs Recreation Area
A first-magnitude spring in Ocala National Forest with a rare gently sloping sand bottom - the easiest spring entry in Florida for small kids.
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~4h
- Paid
about 50 min drive
De Leon Springs, FL
De Leon Springs State Park
Swim in a walled 72-degree spring pool, then cook your own pancakes on a griddle built into your table at the 1830s sugar mill restaurant.
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Paid
about 55 min drive
Merritt Island, FL
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Stand under a real Saturn V, walk through the Atlantis shuttle exhibit, and meet an astronaut - a full day, and worth it.
- Science
- Ages 4+
- ~8h
- Paid