A getaway is a great Summer Upgrade, even it’s just for the day! Here are some faith-focused day trip ideas:
Learn at the Wycliffe Discovery Center
Wycliffe is an international ministry that has worked for more than 70 years to translate the whole Bible into more than 500 rare languages. Their world headquarters is right here in Orlando. Their Discovery Center is open from 9a-4p Monday through Friday, with fascinating museum-quality exhibits that tell stories about getting the good news about Jesus into the hands of unique people and cultures all over the world. There’s even a café to grab a bite before or after your tour. Learn more and get admission prices.
Step Away to Canterbury Retreat Center
Located on 48 beautifully wooded acres around Lake Gem, Canterbury Retreat Center is an oasis just outside the city in Oviedo. Book a personal retreat to get away from phones and TV and focus on your spiritual life. You can book a personal day retreat or stay overnight in one of their simple quiet rooms, meals included. Learn more.
Spend an Hour In Prayer at a Local Church or Cathedral
Step inside, away from the city and into an hour of peace and prayer. Some of our favorite beautiful places to slip into silence and spend time with God are St. Margaret Mary in Winter Park (both the sanctuary and the small prayer chapel in back), Cathedral Church of St. Lukes’s in Orlando, and Annunciation Catholic Church in Longwood. You’re welcome to come pray in Grace’s sanctuary during our office hours as well, 9a – 5p, Mon – Thurs.
Mission Nombre de Dios Museum
This museum in St. Augustine, Florida’s oldest city, is a beautiful place to walk and pray and to explore the history of Christianity’s arrival in Florida. While it’s steeped in Catholic traditions we don’t necessarily practice at Grace, there’s a lot to learn and see here, including the site of America’s first Christian worship service and the oldest articles used for worship found in the United States. Learn more.
Take the Jesus Film Tour
A ministry of Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ), the JESUS Film has been seen more than 8 billion times since its debut in 1979, helping hundreds of millions come to know Christ. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of their studios, “experience” a third-world film showing, and learn how they translate and distribute the movie. Tours are one hour in length and run Monday through Friday at 10:30a, 1:30p, and 3:00p. Learn more.
Tour Bok Tower Gardens
Spend some time enjoying God’s creation and thanking Him for His creativity and beauty in these vast gardens. There are nature trails to hike and unique gardens to explore, including a new Hidden Hollow Children’s Garden that features a river walk, word garden, spider climb, fairy houses, and more fun activities. Relax and take in the Carillon bells concert at the majestic Singing Tower daily at 1 or 3 p.m — there are often spiritual and hymnal sections on the playlist along with classical choices, but just for fun, check out this video below of Carillonneur Richard de Waardt absolutely killing the Simpsons theme song on the Bok Tower’s carillon — one of the world’s largest. Get info and admission prices here.
