45 days in Orlando & Jacksonville Itinerary

For most people, any mention of Orlando immediately conjures up images of sprawling theme parks filled with characters plucked right out of popular animated movies.

Family-friendly places like Magic Kingdom Park and Universal's Islands of Adventure will thrill your kids. Get out of town with these interesting Orlando side-trips: Ormond Beach (First United Methodist Church, Andy Romano Beachfront Park, &more), Merritt Island (Local Lines Guide Service, NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, &more) and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (in Tampa). Pack the 2nd (Tue) with family-friendly diversions at Universal Orlando Resort. Have a day of magic on the 14th (Sun) at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There's still lots to do: discover the magic at Walt Disney World Resort, get in on the family fun at SeaWorld, test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, and cool off at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park.

For maps, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Orlando trip website.

Ocala to Orlando is an approximately 1.5-hour car ride. You can also take a shuttle; or take a bus. In August, daily temperatures in Orlando can reach 92°F, while at night they dip to 76°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 21st (Sun) early enough to go by car to Jacksonville.

The sprawling city of Jacksonville is not only Florida's most populous city, but also the largest city by land area in the continental United States.

Kids will enjoy Fish Amelia Island and Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation. Venture out of the city with trips to Fernandina Beach (Island Falls Golf, Egan's Creek Greenway, &more), Amelia Island (Amelia Island Historic District & Fernandina Beach) and TPC at Sawgrass Stadium Course (in Ponte Vedra Beach). There's lots more to do: get to know the resident critters at St. Augustine Wild Reserve, enjoy the sand and surf at Driftwood Beach, stroll through Jekyll Island Trail System, and test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms.

For traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Jacksonville road trip planning site.

You can drive from Orlando to Jacksonville in 2.5 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or take a train. In August, daily temperatures in Jacksonville can reach 91°F, while at night they dip to 73°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 14th (Wed) early enough to go by car back home.