5 Gulf Coast Day Trips You Simply Can’t Ignore

One of the best things about living in Florida is that there are so many unique day trip options to choose from.

If you ever get bored, you're doing it wrong.

Florida's Gulf Coast has arguably the highest concentration of unique day trips in the state.

Let's take a look at 5 great options.

Caladesi Island

While its exact ranking will vary slightly from year-to-year, no one will deny that Caladesi Island is one of the absolute best beaches in America.

This practically untouched state park is located just west of Clearwater, but the only way to get there is to take the 15-20 minute ferry from Honeymoon Island.

Dunedin

To the average person, the little towns that exist along the Gulf Coast might look to be interchangeable. But to those of us who make a habit of visiting these towns regularly, each one has its own personality that has developed over the years.

In Dunedin, that personality is built around an impressive lineup of craft breweries and a fabulous open-air farmers' market.

Located just west of Tampa and north of St. Petersburg, Dunedin is a perfect destination for a quick day trip, but there is also enough excitement here to turn that day trip into a weekend getaway if you like!

Micanopy

Located in Alachua County, the historic town of Micanopy is commonly referred to as “the town that time forgot.” It is the oldest inland town in all of Florida, and that fact is made clear by the amount of history that this small town proudly displays.

With its interesting historical attractions, eclectic shopping selection, great restaurants, and southern hospitality, Micanopy makes for a wonderful day trip for those that are looking to relax in a place where time seems to stand still.

Tarpon Springs

Known as the “Sponge Capitol of the World”, the historic town of Tarpon Springs is located right on the Gulf Coast, just north of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater.

The town represents an interesting combination of rich history and modern culture with a dash of Greek heritage. If you are passionate about history, shopping for antiques, or excellent Greek food, Tarpon Springs will make an excellent day trip for you and your family.

Ybor City

Ybor City is a historic neighborhood located just northeast of downtown Tampa. Cigar manufacturers founded this amazing little community in the 1880s, and it has a rich history that combines Cuban, Spanish, and Italian influences into a culture that is truly unique.

The neighborhood has maintained its sense of history over the years, and that is what makes just walking through this fabulous place so enjoyable.

Spending the day in Ybor City can take you in a number of different directions, but we highly recommend that each of those paths start out with a cafe con leche from one of the local Cuban coffee shops. After that, the choice is yours, but of course, we have some suggestions.

The Perfect Jumping-Off Point?

Located within a 1-2 hour drive from most of these day trip destinations, the Villages of Citrus Hills is the perfect jumping-off point for any number of Florida day trips.

The Villages of Citrus Hills is a Florida Retirement Community with single-family homes and maintenance-free villas that have been built with today’s demanding baby-boomer in mind.

But what makes the promise of Florida Retirement in the Villages of Citrus Hills truly come together for today’s new breed of active adult retiree is its extraordinary collection of world-class community country club amenities and extensive social activities.

A wide variety of homes and homesite packages are available.