Oviedo, Fla., offers a charming suburban lifestyle with convenient access to the greater Orlando metropolitan area. While there's plenty to enjoy in town, sometimes the desire for a change of scenery and a new adventure calls. Luckily, Oviedo's central Florida location makes it an ideal launching point for many captivating weekend trips.
Florida has diverse landscapes and unique attractions, from pristine beaches to historic cities and serene natural springs. Venturing out for a weekend allows you to experience different facets of the Sunshine State, adding new memories and discoveries to your Florida experience. Let's explore some of the best excursions you can take that are ideal weekend trips from Oviedo.
Mount Dora (36 miles)
Mount Dora, a charming town located northwest of Oviedo in Lake County, offers a picturesque small-town escape focusing on antique shops, art galleries, and scenic lake views. It provides a peaceful and aesthetically pleasing change of pace.
The town sits on the shores of Lake Dora, one of the lakes in the Harris Chain of Lakes, offering opportunities for boat tours and seaplane rides. Its downtown is famous for its independent boutiques, art galleries, and quaint cafes, making it a popular destination for strolls and unique finds. Mount Dora also hosts numerous festivals throughout the year, celebrating everything from art to antique boats.
The town sits on the shores of Lake Dora, one of the lakes in the Harris Chain of Lakes, offering opportunities for boat tours and seaplane rides. Its downtown is famous for its independent boutiques, art galleries, and quaint cafes, making it a popular destination for strolls and unique finds. Mount Dora also hosts numerous festivals throughout the year, celebrating everything from art to antique boats.
New Smyrna Beach (41 miles)
New Smyrna Beach, located south of Daytona, offers a more laid-back and artistic coastal vibe, making it a popular choice for weekend trips from Oviedo. It's known for its consistent surf breaks, charming downtown, and a strong sense of local community.
The beaches here are beautiful and less crowded than some of Florida's larger resort towns, making them ideal for relaxing, surfing, or paddleboarding. Flagler Avenue, the main street leading to the beach, has unique boutiques, art galleries, and diverse restaurants. The Canaveral National Seashore, a protected undeveloped barrier island, is also nearby, offering pristine natural beaches and opportunities for wildlife viewing.
The beaches here are beautiful and less crowded than some of Florida's larger resort towns, making them ideal for relaxing, surfing, or paddleboarding. Flagler Avenue, the main street leading to the beach, has unique boutiques, art galleries, and diverse restaurants. The Canaveral National Seashore, a protected undeveloped barrier island, is also nearby, offering pristine natural beaches and opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Daytona Beach (51 miles)
For those seeking a dynamic coastal experience with a side of adrenaline, Daytona Beach is a vibrant destination just a short drive east of Oviedo. Famous for its motorsports heritage, this city offers a unique feature: broad, hard-packed sands where vehicles are permitted in designated areas.
You can visit the iconic Daytona International Speedway, home of the Daytona 500, for a tour or even a driving experience. The Daytona Beach Boardwalk provides classic amusement park rides, arcades, and various food stalls, creating a lively atmosphere. The vast expanse of sandy beach is perfect for sunbathing, swimming, or simply enjoying the ocean breeze.
You can visit the iconic Daytona International Speedway, home of the Daytona 500, for a tour or even a driving experience. The Daytona Beach Boardwalk provides classic amusement park rides, arcades, and various food stalls, creating a lively atmosphere. The vast expanse of sandy beach is perfect for sunbathing, swimming, or simply enjoying the ocean breeze.
The Space Coast (69 miles)
The Space Coast, stretching along Florida's east coast from Titusville to Melbourne, offers a fascinating blend of technological marvels and beautiful beaches. It is a thrilling destination for anyone interested in space exploration.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the main attraction, where you can tour launch pads, meet veteran astronauts, and witness iconic spacecraft. You might even be able to observe a live rocket launch. Beyond the space-themed attractions, the area boasts pristine beaches like those at Canaveral National Seashore, perfect for relaxation after a day of discovery.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the main attraction, where you can tour launch pads, meet veteran astronauts, and witness iconic spacecraft. You might even be able to observe a live rocket launch. Beyond the space-themed attractions, the area boasts pristine beaches like those at Canaveral National Seashore, perfect for relaxation after a day of discovery.
St. Augustine (101 miles)
Just a manageable drive northeast of Oviedo, St. Augustine is the nation's oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement. This historic city offers a captivating blend of Spanish colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, intriguing tales from centuries past, and beautiful Atlantic beaches.
You can explore the majestic Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century Spanish fortress, stroll through the charming historic district, browse unique shops, and dine at quaint eateries. The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum offers panoramic views from the top and insights into maritime history. Beyond its history, St. Augustine Beach provides wide sandy shores perfect for sunbathing or a refreshing dip in the ocean.
You can explore the majestic Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century Spanish fortress, stroll through the charming historic district, browse unique shops, and dine at quaint eateries. The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum offers panoramic views from the top and insights into maritime history. Beyond its history, St. Augustine Beach provides wide sandy shores perfect for sunbathing or a refreshing dip in the ocean.
Crystal River (105 miles)
For a unique nature-based getaway, Crystal River, located northwest of Oviedo, is a prime destination famous for its clear spring-fed waters and as a haven for West Indian manatees. It offers an unparalleled opportunity for wildlife interaction and aquatic exploration.
Crystal River is the only place in Florida where you can legally swim with manatees in their natural habitat, particularly during the cooler winter months when they seek refuge in the warm spring waters of Kings Bay. You can also explore the pristine waters by kayaking or paddleboarding, observing manatees, fish, and birds. Nearby Crystal River Archaeological State Park offers insights into early Native American history.
Crystal River is the only place in Florida where you can legally swim with manatees in their natural habitat, particularly during the cooler winter months when they seek refuge in the warm spring waters of Kings Bay. You can also explore the pristine waters by kayaking or paddleboarding, observing manatees, fish, and birds. Nearby Crystal River Archaeological State Park offers insights into early Native American history.
Tampa Bay Area (109 miles)
Heading west from Oviedo, the Tampa Bay Area provides a diverse urban getaway with a thriving cultural scene, historic districts, and popular waterfront attractions. This metropolitan area offers a wide array of experiences for a dynamic weekend.
You can explore Ybor City, a historic Cuban quarter in Tampa known for its vibrant nightlife, cigar factories, and unique architecture. The Florida Aquarium offers immersive marine exhibits, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay provides thrilling rides and animal encounters. Stroll along the Tampa Riverwalk for scenic views, or enjoy the professional sports scene, with teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Lightning.
You can explore Ybor City, a historic Cuban quarter in Tampa known for its vibrant nightlife, cigar factories, and unique architecture. The Florida Aquarium offers immersive marine exhibits, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay provides thrilling rides and animal encounters. Stroll along the Tampa Riverwalk for scenic views, or enjoy the professional sports scene, with teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Gainesville (130 miles)
A bit further north from Oviedo, Gainesville offers a different kind of weekend trip. It combines the energy of a major university town with access to stunning natural springs. It offers a blend of cultural activities and outdoor exploration.
You can visit the University of Florida campus and its cultural attractions, such as the Florida Museum of Natural History with its Butterfly Rainforest. Outside the city, the area is surrounded by some of Florida's most beautiful natural springs, like Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, for wildlife viewing. These spring-fed swimming holes offer a refreshing way to connect with Florida's unique natural environment.
You can visit the University of Florida campus and its cultural attractions, such as the Florida Museum of Natural History with its Butterfly Rainforest. Outside the city, the area is surrounded by some of Florida's most beautiful natural springs, like Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, for wildlife viewing. These spring-fed swimming holes offer a refreshing way to connect with Florida's unique natural environment.
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Ross Janke understands the real estate trends in Volusia County. With over two decades of experience in successful real estate investments, including those with complex challenges, Ross brings that experience directly to you. A former special-ops Marine, he approaches every transaction with focus, dedication, integrity, and unwavering commitment.
Ross consistently achieves his clients’ goals in any market, no matter the complexity. If you're considering buying or selling property in Oviedo or the surrounding areas, trust Ross Janke to deliver exceptional results tailored to your real estate objectives. Contact Ross here.
Ross consistently achieves his clients’ goals in any market, no matter the complexity. If you're considering buying or selling property in Oviedo or the surrounding areas, trust Ross Janke to deliver exceptional results tailored to your real estate objectives. Contact Ross here.
