1. Cocoa Beach Pier

If you’re looking for a quick trip to the beach while near Kissimmee Florida, then Cocoa Beach is a great option since it’s just an hour away!  It is a little longer if you want to avoid tolls.
 
The Cocoa Beach Pier is a nice choice since there’s a beach and then restaurants to try at the pier.
 
I love to grab a drink from Rikki Tiki Tavern at the end of the pier.  There are amazing views from this restaurant.
 
The beach is popular for surfing and there were a lot of people hitting the waves while we stopped here for a few sunset photos.
 
Another good restaurant that I recommend isn’t located at the pier but it’s just a short drive and it’s right on the beach.  It’s called Coconuts on the Beach.
 
If you decide you want to stay in Cocoa Beach overnight, there are lots of hotels and resorts along the ocean.
 

My girlfriend at the entrance of the Cocoa Beach Pier.  As the sign states, there are restaurants, bars, and shops right on the pier!

2. Melbourne Beach

Another beach that’s perfect for a day trip from Central Florida is Melbourne Beach!
 
It’s just an hour and 20 minutes from Kissimmee and is a relatively quiet beach.
 
It’s a nice beach for water sports, just like Cocoa Beach, but isn’t as crowded.
 
For oceanfront views, grab lunch at Sand on the Beach for some good food right on the beach. 
 
I recommend their Lobster Rueben sandwich if you’re into seafood.  They have good burgers and American foods, too.
 
Melbourne Beach is a fun place to walk around.  We even visited Ryckman Park at the other end of the city.
 
There’s a short pier on that end of Melbourne Beach, as well.
 

Grabbing lunch with the family at Sand on the Beach in Melbourne Beach!

 3. Daytona Beach

Located an hour and a half from Kissimmee, Daytona Beach is an awesome spot to visit for a fun day.
 
Whether you’re looking to just relax on the beach, surf, or engage in other watersports, Daytona Beach is a perfect option.
 
There are a number of attractions at the beach including a boardwalk with restaurants, a few amusement rides at Screamers Park, and the Ocean Walk Shoppes complex.
 
There’s also the Daytona Beach Pier which is a popular spot for fishing and seeing wildlife in the water.
 
If you’re looking to do other things while in the area, you have several choices including tours at Daytona International Speedway and Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, just to name a couple.
 
Daytona Beach is well known for its nightlife with lots of bars and clubs just blocks from the beach.
 
Some of my favorite restaurants in Daytona Beach include Ocean Deck (right on the beach), The Oyster Pub, Crusin, and Daytona Taproom.
 

Enjoying the views from the outdoor pool at my hotel in Daytona Beach.

4. New Smyrna Beach

Just an hour and 20 minutes from Kissimmee Florida is New Smyrna Beach!
 
This beach town is a trendy place to visit as an alternative to Cocoa Beach and Daytona Beach and is about the same distance from Kissimmee.
 
The beach itself is very similar to Daytona Beach but the city has a different feel.
 
It has a fun downtown area to visit with fun stops such as Traders Pub, Flagler Tavern, and The Shops at The Colony.
 
If you’re looking for food on the beach, then I recommend Crabby’s for good food and ocean views.  I love their fish and oysters but they have plenty of other great choices.
 

Enjoying a Yuengling and live outdoor music at Traders Pub in New Smyrna Beach 

5. Clearwater Beach

We couldn’t finish a list of the best beaches near Kissimmee Florida and not include a beach on Florida’s Gulf Coast!
 
The beaches on Florida’s Gulf are a bit further from Central Florida and Clearwater is about 2 hours from Kissimmee.
 
However, this beach town is amazing and definitely worth a day trip or weekend visit!
 
There are so many great things about Clearwater Beach from the beach itself to Pier 60 and the sunset celebration that takes place here.
 
There are also plenty of tasty restaurants in the area from Palm Pavilion and Frenchy’s, both of which are located right on the beach.
 
I also like Jimmy’s on the Edge and Clear Sky Cafe.
 
While in Clearwater, take a ride on the Jolley Trolley and explore everything that this area of Florida has to offer!
 

I like to visit Jimmy’s on the Edge in Clearwater Beach for good food and sunset views

Additional Central Florida Blogs

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