Mission Inn Resort is the perfect hub for any Central Florida excursion. An abundance of day trips and adventures are waiting less than 30-minutes away. No Central Florida golf course, let alone resort, can match our Howey-in-the-Hills location.

When you’re standing on the green, looking out over the scenic, rolling hills of Howey-in-the-Hills, it’s hard to imagine how much there is so close to you.

 

Yet, within 30 minutes southeast of Mission Inn Resort is the city of Orlando. And within 30 minutes in the opposite direction is the vast and beautiful Ocala National Forest. Between lie rolling hills, beautiful lakes, wineries, orchards, and more.

Whatever your speed, here are some Central Florida day trips for your consideration:

Fiddler’s Green Ranch

Website: fiddlersgreenranch.com
Phone: (352) 434-1204

Situated just outside Ocala National Forest, Fiddler’s Green Ranch has some of the best horseback trail riding in the South. With over 100 miles of riding trail, this beautiful national forest is yours to explore in its entirety.

Getting to Fiddler’s Green is easy. A short, leisurely drive north should take you about 30 minutes. You’ll drive over and alongside lakes Harris and Eustis in Central Florida, taking in beautiful views along the way. Then it’s straight through the countryside, and you’re there.

Once you arrive, the staff at Fiddler’s Green will introduce you to the horses you’ll be riding. They’ll judge your experience, no prior experience necessary, and match you up with a horse you’ll like. After a quick setup, you’ll be off down a short backcountry road before plunging into the forest.

Once in the forest, you’ll meander for miles along sandy, tree-lined trails, taking in the sun and sights. The farther in you go, the more beautiful it gets, with tiny lakes here-and-there and the vegetation becoming more lush and tropical.

Memories, and equine friendships, are to be made at Fiddler’s Green Ranch.

Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards

Website: lakeridgewinery.com
Phone: 1.800.768.9463

Taste the wine and tour the vineyards every day of the week at Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards. The winery’s 127-acre estate sits on the gentle, rolling countryside of Central Florida you’ll have grown to love while staying with us.

Complimentary winery and wine tasting are offered throughout the week, 10am to 5pm Mon-Sat, and 11am to 5pm on Sundays. Tours usually last 30 minutes. At the end of each tour, you’ll find yourself in the large Lakeridge Winery tasting hall. Sample the winery’s Clos Du Bois award-winning wine, and also other varietals including the Cabernet Sauvignon, Chablis, Chardonnay and even the Champagne-style Pink Crescendo.

This Central Florida day trip to the winery is just a 15-minute drive south from our resort.

 

The Rusty Anchor Tours

Website: rustyanchormountdora.com
Phone: 352.383.3933

The Rusty Anchor Tours take you out on a 1-2 hour boat tour into the wilderness of Central Florida. Get an up-close-and-personal view of Florida’s natural side. See a variety of birds, alligators, turtles, otters, and more in Lake Dora and the Dora Canal.

With beautiful views and calm waters, the serenity of the tour cannot be put into words. You’ll have to experience it yourself.

Midday tours are 2 hours long, and a sunset tour lasts 1 hour. Lunch, dinner, and private cruises are also available. It’s only a 15-minute drive up the road from Mission Inn Resort.

Jones Brothers Air and Seaplane Adventures

Website: jonesairandsea.com
Phone: 352.508.1800

Experience the lakes of Central Florida an entirely different way. Jones Brothers Air and Seaplane Adventures offers many different options for their unique Central Florida tours. These include tours that focus on the lakes, sunset, and gators. You’ll often find yourself gliding right above the water’s surface, alligators almost close enough to touch.

Special tours include their Orlando Attractions tour, where you’ll fly by Universal Studios, Epcot, and Disney World. They also have a bar hopping tour, where you’ll go bar hopping to 4-5 different waterfront bars by plane. Have you ever taken off in a seaplane after downing a few beers? It’s interesting, to say the least.

The Jones Brothers are a short, 15-minute drive away, right past The Rusty Anchor Tours.

 

Mission Inn Resort is a Remarkable Hub for Central Florida Day Trips

There’s nothing quite like a day of horseback riding, wine tasting, or whatever you’ll choose, before ending it in the lap of luxury at our resort. Whatever day trip you’d prefer, Central Florida has it all close to you here at Mission Inn Resort.