January day trip outside Orlando

[Phil'sFrontier]

We will be in Orlando for 13 days in January. We may have 2 full days off so I was thinking of taking a day trip somewhere. I was thinking the KSC would be cool but our dd8 didn't seem to interested. I guess that leaves options like the beach, but it's Jan. so will the beach be warm enough? Do people swim in the ocean in January? Daytona Beach is an option as it seems more touristy than the other areas.
What about Tampa, does it have better shopping than Orlando?
Thanks in advance for the great advice!

 

[Phil'sFrontier]

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[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

No, Tampa does not have better shopping than Orlando. Orlando has the 2 major malls (Florida & Millenia) and the 3 outlet malls; Tampa can't touch us.
Tampa does have Busch Gardens with animals and LOT's of roller coasters if you're in to those.

Daytona is worth considering because you can actually drive out onto the beach and drive for miles, parking and hanging out pretty much anywhere. That's pretty unique. The speedway has a museum but I doubt your dd8 would be too keen on that. On a warm sunny day you'll see people playing in the sand a few standing in the water but as far as actually swimming in the ocean....perhaps only people from the Yukon!

BobK/Orlando

 

[Andrew Bichard]

I used to have family in Daytona Beach and visited there at various times of the year. You should be aware that Florida cools off in the winter as you go north.Daytona can be quite a few degrees cooler than Orlando, even wintery at times. I understand that sometimes they even have to wrap fruit trees to protect them from frost.

If you go south of Orlando, the weather gets warmer. We were swimming in the hotel pool on New Year's day once - but that was in Key West.

Daytona, sadly, is not the touristy resort it once was. I was going there in the 70s and it was great. But then Disney arrived in Orlando, and all the tourist dollars were sucked out of Daytona. Daytona was looking a bt seedy last time I visited.

Of course it still has the speedway. St Augustine further north is a nice trip. If you want a beach, you might do better going south west to the Gulf coast beaches. There are also Everglades type rides on airboats near to Orlando if that's your thing.

I would certainly watch the weather forcasts before deciding where to go.

Andrew

 

[Flossbolna]

What about visiting a place where you can see the manatees? January is the season for manatee watching as they come into the warm rivers. We once visited Blue Spring State Park http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/default.cfm which is just north of Orlando and they offer tours. A bit further away, but there is Homosassa Springs. There they have manatees year round, but in this area there are some providers which offer manatee swims. We did this once and it was a great adventure. The state park has info here: http://www.floridastateparks.org/homosassasprings/default.cfm and we used this provider for the manatee swim: http://www.sunshinerivertours.com/

 

[Phil'sFrontier]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input. I realize it will be 'cool' in Florida, but if we are talking daytime highs in the 70's I could see myself on the beach in shorts and a tshirt. I will be coming from temperatures in the minus 20's, 30's, and even minus forties. Having said that I realize all my plans could go out the window if it decided to rain that day or whatever. I think I like the idea of the gulf coast for the scenery, slightly warmer water(not that I am planning on swimming in it...but this also brings warmer air).
I would love some sunset photos if possible.