7 Days in Orlando and Destin: Theme Parks, Space History, and Emerald Coast Beaches
Florida is a tale of two vacations: the thrill and spectacle of Orlando’s theme parks, and the tranquil, emerald waters of the Panhandle. This 7-day itinerary pairs both—four days of parks, wildlife, and space history, followed by three days of sugar-white sand and teal seas in Destin.
Orlando grew from citrus groves to “The City Beautiful,” anchored by Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. Yet beyond the coasters are cypress swamps, Spring-filled rivers, and an arts-and-dining scene from Winter Park to Mills 50. An hour east, the Space Coast chronicles the American story of exploration at Kennedy Space Center.
Destin, once a sleepy fishing village, now charms with the Destin Harbor Boardwalk, family-friendly beaches, and the shallow sandbar of Crab Island. Expect fresh Gulf shrimp, sunset dolphin sightings, and mornings that glow pink over the water. Practical note: hurricane season runs June–November—monitor forecasts, carry reef-safe sunscreen, and consider a rental car for flexibility.
Orlando
Orlando is more than parks. Locals kayak crystal springs, picnic in Leu Gardens, and chase small-plate perfection across Milk District and Mills 50. Lake Eola’s fountain lights echo a skyline built on hospitality and imagination.
- Top sights: Universal Orlando, ICON Park, Winter Park’s boutiques and museums, Leu Gardens, and the Space Coast (Kennedy Space Center) just over an hour away.
- Eat & drink: Se7en Bites for Southern bakery brilliance; Domu for house-made ramen; The Ravenous Pig for Florida gastropub classics; Kabooki Sushi for artful nigiri; Winter Park’s Prato for wood-fired Italian. Coffee standouts include Craft & Common and Foxtail Coffee.
- Fun fact: Orlando sits atop more than 100 lakes—many are sinkholes formed in Florida’s limestone bedrock.
Where to stay (Orlando): Search vacation rentals on VRBO or hotels on Hotels.com. Excellent picks include Waldorf Astoria Orlando (spa, golf access), Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort (top-tier family amenities), Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark (great for kids), or value-friendly Rosen Inn International. For Disney theming, see Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
Getting there: Fly into MCO. Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Rideshare works in the tourist zone, but a rental car makes day trips easier.
Featured Orlando activities (bookable):
Universal Orlando Park to Park Tickets - USA / Canada Residents
One-Hour Airboat Ride Near Orlando
Kennedy Space Center Cape Canaveral Admission
SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium Admission Ticket at ICON Park
Destin
Nicknamed the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” Destin dazzles with emerald-green water, powdery quartz sand, and the boat-up fun of Crab Island. Days slip by in a rhythm of beach mornings and golden-hour cruises past the East Pass.
- Top sights: Henderson Beach State Park, Destin Harbor Boardwalk, Crab Island, Okaloosa Island, and nearby 30A beach towns for day trips.
- Eat & drink: Louisiana Lagniappe (Gulf seafood with Creole flair), Boshamps (oysters and bay views), Harbor Docks (sushi and local catch), The Back Porch (classic beachfront). Coffee at Capriccio Cafe or East Pass Coffee Co; breakfast at The Donut Hole or Parlor Doughnuts.
- Good to know: Water is warmest May–October; arrive early for parking near the Boardwalk; Crab Island is a shallow sandbar accessible only by boat.
Where to stay (Destin): Browse beach condos and homes on VRBO or hotels on Hotels.com. Neighborhoods to target: Crystal Beach (quiet, family-friendly), Miramar Beach (resorts), or near the Destin Harbor for nightlife and charters.
Getting from Orlando to Destin: Drive ~420 miles (6.5–7 hours) via I‑4/I‑10 with a morning departure. Flying MCO→VPS typically takes ~1h 20m in the air (plan 3.5–4 hours door-to-door); fares often range ~$120–$250 one-way. Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
Featured Destin activities (bookable):
Private Crab Island Double Slides Pontoon Charter
Clear Kayak Ecotour Destin Ft. Walton Beach
Day 1: Arrive in Orlando, Settle In, and ICON Park
Afternoon: Arrive into MCO and check in. If you want Disney flair, consider Disney’s Art of Animation Resort; for upscale calm, Waldorf Astoria Orlando or Four Seasons Resort Orlando. Grab a late lunch at Se7en Bites (buttermilk fried chicken biscuit, seasonal pies) or Prato (margherita pizza, meatball sliders) if you’re Winter Park–bound.
Evening: Head to ICON Park. Dive into SEA LIFE’s 360° ocean tunnel with SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium Admission.
Day 2: Universal Orlando—Movies, Magic, and Coasters
Morning: Fuel up at Craft & Common (cardamom latte, breakfast sandwiches). Enter Universal early; if you choose Park-to-Park, board the Hogwarts Express between parks. Book Universal Orlando Park to Park Tickets to hop between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
Afternoon: Conquer VelociCoaster, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, and The Incredible Hulk Coaster. Grab lunch at The Leaky Cauldron (bangers & mash) or Mythos (Mediterranean, cave setting).
Evening: Unwind at Universal CityWalk: dinner at VIVO Italian Kitchen (house-made pasta) or The Cowfish (sushi-burger mashups). Gelato at Gelateria, then Uber back to rest.
Day 3: Wild Florida—Airboats, Springs, and a Luau
Morning: Coffee at Foxtail, then head to Boggy Creek for an One-Hour Airboat Ride Near Orlando—skim wetlands, spot gators and bald eagles.
Afternoon: Drive to Winter Park for the Scenic Boat Tour (charming canals, Rollins College views) and browse Park Avenue boutiques. Lunch at Prato (ricotta gnudi) or The Ravenous Pig (Gruyère beignets, daily oysters). Sweet fix at Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream.
Evening: Celebrate with a theatrical dinner at the Orlando Polynesian Fire Luau and Dinner Show Experience—fire knife dance, live music, and island buffet.
Day 4: Kennedy Space Center—A Day on the Space Coast
Morning: Grab pastries from Se7en Bites, then drive ~1–1.25 hours to Titusville. Use your pre-booked Kennedy Space Center Admission (from ~$75–$80).
Afternoon: Catch an astronaut talk and IMAX film; lunch at Orbit Cafe. If time allows, swing by nearby Playalinda Beach for sea breezes.
Evening: Return to Orlando. Dinner near Mills 50: Domu (rich tonkotsu, crispy wings) or Black Rooster Taqueria (achiote pork). Nightcap at The Courtesy (classic cocktails) or sample creative scoops at Greenery Creamery.
Day 5: Travel to Destin, Beach Time, Harbor Views
Morning (travel): Depart Orlando after breakfast. Drive 6.5–7 hours (I‑4/I‑10) or fly MCO→VPS (~3.5–4 hours door-to-door). Price-check multi-city tickets on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
Afternoon: Check in at your condo or resort near Crystal Beach or the Harbor—browse VRBO or Hotels.com. Unwind at Henderson Beach State Park—gentle surf and boardwalk dunes.
Evening: Sunset dinner at Louisiana Lagniappe (royal red shrimp, grouper almondine) or Boshamps (oysters, pimento cheese, bayside deck). Gelato stroll along Destin Harbor Boardwalk; consider live music at AJ’s or HarborWalk Village events.
Day 6: Crab Island by Boat + Sunset Dolphin Cruise
Morning: Cappuccinos and crepes at Capriccio Cafe. Set out on a private pontoon to Crab Island—slides, shallow turquoise water, floating vendors—by booking the Private Crab Island Double Slides Pontoon Charter.
Afternoon: Late lunch back on shore at Dewey Destin’s Harborside (shrimp po’boy, hushpuppies) or Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer (steamer pots, local catch). Rest at the pool or hit Crystal Beach for a nap under a canopy.
Evening: Sail into golden hour on a narrated Dolphin & Sunset Cruise—gliding past the East Pass as bottlenose dolphins play in the wake.
Day 7: Clear Kayaks, Parasailing, and Departure
Morning: Sunrise beach walk, then a Clear Kayak Ecotour to peer into seagrass meadows for rays and fish.
Afternoon: Brunch at The Donut Hole (key lime pie “to go”) or East Pass Coffee Co (breakfast burritos). Thrill-seekers can cap the trip with the Destin Parasailing Experience—float 400 ft above the emerald water for panoramic views.
Insider Tips
- Book theme-park and space-center tickets in advance—weekends and holidays sell out, and dynamic pricing favors early planners.
- For Orlando driving, bring a toll transponder or keep a payment method handy; for Destin, arrive early for beach parking and Boardwalk dinner spots.
- Peak months (March–August) are busy statewide—consider shoulder seasons (late April–May, September–October) for warm water and lighter crowds.
Summary: In one week, you’ll ride Orlando’s icons, skim across Florida wetlands, and stand beneath the mighty Saturn V. Then you’ll swap coasters for coastlines—pontoons, dolphins, and powdery sand in Destin. It’s a Florida itinerary that balances adrenaline with easy-breezy beach days, and meals you’ll talk about long after you’re home.