Florida is where we both grew up and met and where our love for adventure started. But somehow, even after exploring so much of the state, our most recent trip back with Visit Florida completely surprised us.
We spent 5 days traveling between Ocala and the Space Coast, two of the most underrated adventure destinations in Florida. From kayaking through crystal clear springs and ziplining over limestone cliffs to surfing Cocoa Beach waves and flying over the coast in a helicopter at sunset, this trip reminded us just how wildly diverse Florida’s adventures can be.
Here’s how to discover the adventurous side of the Sunshine State with this 5 day Florida itinerary. This itinerary features freshwater springs, forest trails, wildlife encounters, and coastal adventures that go far beyond the typical beach vacation.
Days 1–3: Ocala/Marion: Florida’s Natural Wonder
We started our trip in Ocala, about an hour and a half north of Orlando. Ocala is known as the Horse Capital of the World, but it’s also surrounded by crystal clear freshwater springs and lush forests. It’s one of those places that feels peaceful, but still has plenty of adrenaline packed adventures.
Day 1: Rainbow River and Pizza
We started our 5 day Florida itinerary at Swampy’s Bar & Grille, right on the edge of the Rainbow River. If you go, try to grab a table by the water. The view alone is worth visiting, but we were also so impressed with the food!
We both had to try the grilled mahi – me in a salad and Myles in a sandwich. The vibe is casual. If it’s hot, there’s even a dock nearby where you can hop in for a swim.
From there, we rented kayaks at KP Hole Park to float the Rainbow River which is easily one of the clearest rivers we’ve ever paddled. The upstream paddle definitely worked our arms a bit, but the easy float back downstream made it worth it.
The whole time, we were surrounded by turtles, birds, and fish swimming through the glassy blue-green water. We even saw a family of otters! Be sure to respect the signs that tell you where you’re allowed to dock your kayak if you want to go for a swim.
After that, it was time to check into the Holiday Inn & Suites Conference Center to freshen up before heading out to Midtown Station, a fun little food hall overlooking Tuscawilla Park.
We took a short walk around the park before sunset, which we would highly recommend! Dinner at Full Circle Pizza Co. was the best end to our first day in Florida.
Day 2: Canyons, Small Town Charm, & Silver Springs State Park
The next morning was all about adrenaline. We drove out to The Canyons Zip Line & Adventure Park to try their “Best of the Best” tour, which lived up to its name. You’ll zipline over teal blue lakes surrounded by old limestone cliffs which are the only canyons like this in Florida. It didn’t feel like anything else we’ve done in the state.
For lunch, we stopped at Stella’s Modern Pantry, which might be one of the most charming spots in downtown Ocala. Part café, part boutique, part wine shop, it made me wish I brought a checked bag instead of carry-on for all of the cute home goods.
Not only that, but the food is incredible. We had a hard time choosing off the menu, but we split the avocado toast with lump crab and the smoked salmon salad. Both were 10/10.
After lunch, we explored Downtown Ocala. We browsed Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop which gave us a huge dose of nostalgia, wandered the charming historic square, and grabbed lattes from vibey Symmetry Coffee.
Then we headed to Silver Springs State Park for one of Florida’s most iconic experiences, a glass bottom boat tour. We spotted tons of fish, birds, an alligator, and even a manatee. The water is so clear that it almost looks fake. There’s also a good chance you’ll see the local troop of wild monkeys swinging through the trees.
That night, we had dinner at Cajun Jimmy’s Seafood Seller & Café and we’re still dreaming about it. Steamed oysters are our favorite and we’ve never been able to find them anywhere but Florida, so we were thrilled they were BOGO for a dozen!
My Florida grouper and Myles’ cobia were both perfectly cooked. But the real star of the night was the salted caramel brownie, which may have been the best brownie we’ve ever had.
Day 3: Silver Glen Springs & the Space Coast
Before leaving Ocala, we made one last stop at Silver Glen Springs. Like all freshwater springs, the water stays at a refreshing 72°F year-round, but Silver Glen Springs, in particular, is perfect for swimming.
There’s a large swimming area with easy access and bright blue water. Easily one of the most magical ways to start a morning.
After drying off, we began our 2.5-hour drive east to the Florida Space Coast. We checked into the Hilton Garden Inn Cocoa Beach Oceanfront, which has a gorgeous beachfront view and an on-site restaurant that made our first night feel effortless.
We grabbed tacos at the Starlite Restaurant & Bar before relaxing by the beach. To end the day, we took a sunset helicopter tour with Cocoa Beach Helicopters and it completely blew us away. Seeing Port Canaveral and Cocoa Beach from above as the sun turned everything golden was unreal.
Days 4–5: Florida’s Space Coast: Surf, Wildlife & Sunsets
If Ocala is where you find your peace, the Space Coast is where you chase the thrill. This stretch of Florida’s coastline is known as the Surfing Capital of the East, but it really has it all.
Day 4: Surf, Zip, and Paddle
We started the morning with surf lessons at School of Surf in Cocoa Beach which felt extra special since this is where so many pro surfers first learned to ride. Neither of us had surfed before, but our instructor was super patient and helped us both actually ride waves! It was so fun and the hour lesson flew by.
After working up an appetite, we headed to Viera for lunch and stopped by Foxtail Coffee before heading to the Brevard Zoo, one of the most unique zoos we’ve ever visited. What makes it so special is how interactive it is.
You can kayak through animal exhibits, feed giraffes, and hand feed colorful lorikeets. We also tried the TreeTop Trek zipline course, where you can walk across suspended bridges and zip over wetlands. It was so cool to spot monkeys from above!
To close out the day, we joined a sunset kayak tour with Fin Expeditions through the Banana River Lagoon. We’ve kayaked a lot, but gliding through narrow mangrove tunnels was such a unique experience.
We saw tons of birds and even spotted dolphins splashing nearby. If you’re lucky, you might also catch bioluminescence here during summer months.
We ended the night back in Cocoa Beach with dinner near the ocean, totally wiped out but so content.
Day 5: Merritt Island & Wild Florida
On our final day, we grabbed coffee from Black Cat Coffee in Titusville before heading to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The Black Point Wildlife Drive was one of our favorite surprises.
If you’re lucky, you can see gators sunbathing and flocks of migratory birds. There are also a few short boardwalk trails that give you a closer look at the wetlands. To wrap up our trip, we went on an airboat tour with Twister Airboats across the St. Johns River marshes.
An airboat ride is such an iconic Florida experience and a must for your 5 day Florida itinerary.
Final Thoughts
This trip reminded us that Florida has so much more to offer than most people realize. Between Ocala’s jungle-like springs and the Space Coast’s coastal adventures, it’s the kind of trip that perfectly blends adventure and relaxation.
In just 5 days, we kayaked crystal clear rivers, ziplined over canyons, surfed the Atlantic, paddled through mangrove tunnels, and flew over the coast at sunset. All new adventures to us in a place that we once called home!
