Most of us live in Jacksonville because we like what the city has to offer. But every now and then it can be nice to get away and explore a different environment — and a day trip is a perfect way to do so in the midst of a busy schedule.

That’s why we’ve come up with a list of a few cool places that are just a few hours away from the First Coast, making them easy day trip destinations.

St. Augustine

Approximate travel time from center of Jacksonville: 30-45 minutes.

Perhaps the most obvious choice for a day trip from the First Coast area is just a little bit south in St. Augustine.

The “oldest city in America” boasts a number of historical relics worth checking out. The Castillo de San Marcos is a massive fort located downtown that was constructed in the 1600s and used for over 200 years by various governments for various purposes; it’s now designated as a national monument. Likewise, an old Spanish fort by the name of Fort Matanzas was restored and also designated a national monument. The Fountain of Youth Park is also a popular tourist destination. Several tours of the historic areas of the city are available for visitors.

The city offers more than just history as well. Visitors can explore the nearby St. Augustine Beach, or take a stroll through the many downtown shops. The city also features a location of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum, the nearby World Golf Village and Hall of Fame, and the Alligator Farm featuring an obstacle course with zip-lines. The nearby outlet malls, visible from I-95, are always packed. A day in St. Augustine can be capped off by visiting the many local establishments that routinely offer live music, a thriving aspect of the city’s culture.

Orlando

Approximate travel time: 2 hours.

Orlando is the closest “big city” within driving distance, and one of the country’s (and world’s) most prominent tourist destinations.

The city features three major theme parks: Universal Studios, Walt Disney World, and SeaWorld. Each draws millions of visitors every year and is known worldwide. It also boasts a few smaller attractions worth checking out, however. Like St. Augustine, Orlando has a Ripley’s museum, as well as a Wonderworks museum with its iconic upside-down building design. Other attractions include a biblical theme park (Holy Land Experience), an alligator/crocodile zoo (Gatorland), and The Wheel, a 400-foot observation wheel within the new ICON Park that also features Madame Tassauds, SKELETONS bone museum, and a food hall and live music venue.

If you want to avoid the tourist traps, there’s still plenty to do in the area. Orlando features several major shopping destinations, from the upscale Mall at Millenia to the massive Florida Mall. The Amway Center hosts many big-ticket concerts as well as the Orlando Magic, the nearest NBA team to Jacksonville. If soccer is more your thing, Orlando City FC’s games are also a great time.

Despite the rampant tourism, the city maintains a strong local culture. Church Street Station adjacent to the Amway Center acts as a major social destination, and downtown’s SAK Comedy Lab is one of Florida’s most prominent improv comedy theaters.

Savannah

Approximate travel time: 2 hours.

Going in the opposite direction, Savannah is one of Georgia’s top tourism destinations, only two hours from Jacksonville’s city center.

As with Florida’s St. Augustine, Savannah’s biggest draw is its historical destinations. One of the first African-American churches is located in the historical district, as are several historic houses and cemeteries. Several of the city’s historic buildings have a reputation for being “haunted”, with ghost tours offered in addition to the regular historical tours. It’s been featured on Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures” and PBS’s “Southern Haunts”.

The city also features a rich cultural experience. In addition to being home to the South’s first public art museum, the city is home to the Savannah College of Art and Design, a highly-acclaimed art school. Like St. Augustine, many of its downtown bars and nightclubs routinely feature live music. Controversial chef Paula Deen’s original restaurant, The Lady & Sons, is one of several acclaimed downtown eateries.

St. Simons Island

Approximate travel time: 60-75 minutes.

The lesser-known St. Simons Island, positioned almost dead in the middle between Jacksonville and Savannah, offers a beautiful sea-side experience.

Like nearby Savannah, the island has a few notable historical destinations. It was the site of the Battle of Bloody Marsh between British and Spanish troops in the 1700s; the site is now a national monument. It also is a place of significance in African-American history, having acted as a starting point for many newly-freed slaves after the Civil War to thrive in a farming-friendly environment.

The island is a common destination for beach tourists — in fact, over a quarter of the households on St. Simons Island are beach houses or vacation homes. The scenery and access to the water are by far its biggest draws, with many visiting for the sole purpose of taking in the beautiful views. It’s a popular spot for tourists, but not as hyped up as the other three cities on our list, allowing it to maintain a lower profile and a particularly laid-back feel. While Jacksonville Beach is beautiful, it simply can’t match the views provided on St. Simons Island.