Other Local Attractions

International Drive has evolved from being a slightly run down strip of hotels and gift shops to being a great local attraction in it’s own right.

Featuring the Orlando 360 entertainment complex which houses some great nightlife, restaurants, the Orlando Eye sightseeing wheel, Madam Tussauds and the SeaLife Centre.

International Drive also hosts the Premium Outlets shopping complex, Pointe Orlando shopping centre, which houses the amazing WonderWorks museum and the exciting ‘Fun Spot‘ theme park, which offers Go Karting and some great small rides.

All these attractions are just a 20 minute drive from Villa Santa Cruz. For more information take a look at our Locations page.

Rock Springs Run at Kelly Park provides natural beauty and a relaxing day away from the theme parks

About 45 minutes north of Villa Santa Cruz in Apopka, Rock Springs Run at Kelly Park is a great value and low key day out.

Rent a ‘tube’ from outside the park ($5) and drive on in for just $5 per car.  Take a picnic or even barbeque food (barbecues are available for use – bring your own charcoal) and make a day of it.

The stunningly clear natural spring has a gentle current to float you serenely along for about a mile before you follow the woodland paths back to the beginning for another go.  At the center is a swimming lagoon with small beach and sunbathing areas.  A snack bar/concession stand is available for drinks, snacks and ice creams.

We have enjoyed this with our family and can highly recommend it for a great value and fun day out for the whole family.

70 miles / 1.5 hours drive

Daytona has over 20 miles of stunning wide sandy beach

Daytona beach is the home of the endangered Green turtles, which from May – October make their way up the beach and lay their eggs and then return to the sea. Two months later the eggs hatch and hundreds of baby turtles make their way back to the sea.

For NASCAR fans Daytona is the home of the Daytona Speedway which has various meets throughout the year plus the annual Daytona 500, held in February

50 Miles / 75 minutes drive

The closest beach to Orlando. Cocoa beach is located on the Atlantic coast

Just south of Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa beach provides a great viewing spot to watch a launch – if your’e lucky enough to time it right!

The atlantic coast has a cooler sea than the gulf of mexico and has larger waves, making it perfect for surfers.

Cocoa beach is also the home of the original famous ‘Ron Jons’, the largest Surf Shop in the world.

70 miles / 1.5 hour drive

Clearwater Beach is Located just East of Tampa

With beautiful white ‘talcum powder’ sand and superb sunset views every night, Clearwater Beach is close enough for a day trip. As well as the traditional sunbathing and swimming, Clearwater marina offers exciting Dolphin spotting tours out into the Gulf of Mexico – highly recommended!

30 minutes drive

Gatorland Orlando has been one of Orlando’s classic attractions for over 60 years.

Privately owned by the same family since 1949, Gatorland Orlando is a themepark and wildlife reserve. Giving visitors a fun day out and showcasing thousands of Florida alligators. Other attractions include a free flight aviary and petting zoo and ‘Gator Wrestling’

visit website

5 – 10 minutes drive

Just a mile from Villa Santa Cruz, Formosa Gardens Mall offers both shopping and restaurants

Our ‘local’ shops offer a convenient location for both shopping and restaurants. With a Winn Dixie Supermarket, Internet Cafe and a variety of restaurants including TGI Fridays, Red Lobster and Outback Steakhouse.

A little further on to the 192 will bring you to a multitude of Restaurants, including Applebees, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, Texas Roadhouse, Joes Crab Shack and many more.

For shopping on a large scale there is both a Target and Walmart supercentre within a few miles, open 24 hours a day to service your needs for just about everything!