Situated in the center of Florida, Brevard County is ideally located for numerous day trip options.
Whether you head north, south or west (we just don’t suggest going east), you’re bound to run into something worthwhile. This time of year, with cool temperatures, festive holiday activities and time off work and school, there are plenty of places to explore.
Here are a few options to consider if you find you have some time for a day trip.
Deland
This Central Florida city is where you’ll find one of the country’s best holiday historic home tours.
Stetson Mansion was built in 1886 as the winter retreat for American hat maker John B. Stetson. The High Victorian mansion, known for its parquet wood floors and original leaded glass windows, gets dressed up extra special each holiday season.
More: Which Brevard restaurants are open on Christmas Eve, Christmas? We break it down for you
Guided and self-tours are available at “The House that Hats Built,” through Jan. 18. This year’s theme is “Christmas… The Season for Believing.” Ten separate rooms are elaborately decorated and include more than 50 nativities from around the world.
Make it an overnight: Stay at the Artisan Downtown Hotel, which is in walking distance to the Stetson Mansion as well as boutiques, galleries and restaurants.
St. Augustine
St. Augustine’s famous Nights of Lights event runs from mid-November to late January.
St. Augustine is an easy drive, about two hours directly north of Brevard County.
It’s a destination many Brevard students visit on field trips, exploring places like Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest wooden schoolhouse and the Fountain of Youth. This history-rich city is also a great escape for a day trip this time of year.
More: Which Brevard restaurants are open on Christmas Eve, Christmas? We break it down for you
“Night of Lights” is the city’s 31-year-old tradition of using more than three million white lights throughout the historic district. The spectacle runs through Jan. 31.
Visitors can take paid trolley rides to view all the lights while listening to Christmas music. There’s also the option to walk around the city, at no charge, and take in the sites at your own pace.
During the day, you can take some time to enjoy a few off-the-beaten path activities that the school field trip likely missed.
Take a kayak tour or nature hike through one of St. Augustine’s many ecological habitats, including Anastasia State Park. Earth Kinship has planned tours you can join or the staff can create a private tour especially designed for your group.
Instead of fighting crowds at a downtown restaurant, head to Marina Munch, a rotating food truck park with a view of San Sebastian River. Everyone in your party will find something to eat with options that include tacos, pizza and American food with a twist.
Make it an overnight: Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort is a good, out-of-the-way option. Only about five miles from historic downtown St. Augustine, it’s close enough to the action, but also directly on the Atlantic Ocean and right next to Anastasia State Park.
West Palm Beach
The Ben West Palm has an outdoor ice-skating rink available for the holiday season.
There aren’t many places where you can ice skate outside in Florida.
The Ben Hotel has been turned into a winter wonderland complete with outdoor ice-skating rink right across from the intracoastal. The area around the rink is dotted with retail spaces fashioned after Aspen chalets.
The experience is available for guests to enjoy through February.
While in town, might as well enjoy other offerings in the area. Enjoy a food tour, shopping on iconic Worth Avenue or visit the nearby Flager Museum. The National Landmark built in 1902 was Henry Flager’s Palm Beach estate.
Make it an overnight: If heading south to enjoy some outdoor ice-skating, might as well stay where the action is. The Ben Hotel is considered a luxury, boutique hotel in the heart of West Palm Beach.
Spitzer is a Trending Reporter. She can be reached at MSpitzer@Floridatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Escape Brevard for a dose of merry: Try these easy day trip options