Winter Park, Florida
Winter Park, in Orange County just north of Orlando and along a beautiful chain of lakes that includes Lake Virginia, is one of Central Florida’s most charming small cities. Home to more than 30,000 residents, it is especially known for brick streets, leafy neighborhoods, Park Avenue shopping and dining, and a strong arts-and-culture scene. Give yourself more than a quick stop if you can; between museums, gardens, downtown strolls, and lake views, Winter Park rewards a slower visit.
About the Community
A visit to Winter Park is not complete without time at the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Its holdings include Tiffany jewelry, pottery, paintings, art glass, leaded-glass windows, and lamps, along with notable American art pottery and paintings. The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, in the former lakeside home of Czech-born American sculptor Albin Polasek, adds galleries, gardens, and outdoor sculpture to the city’s cultural appeal.
For many visitors, downtown Winter Park begins on Park Avenue, where boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and shaded sidewalks sit beside Central Park. The longtime Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour is another popular way to experience the area, offering narrated rides through local lakes and canals; tour schedules and availability may change.
Winter Park boasts numerous inviting parks throughout the city. Central Park, the signature green space in downtown Winter Park, offers towering oaks, fountains, open lawns, and easy access to neighboring Park Avenue. It is also home to the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, one of the nation’s most respected juried outdoor art festivals, traditionally held each spring with visual art, live entertainment, food, and family-friendly activities. Event dates and programming can vary from year to year.
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Vicinity of Winter Park
Additional Information
Central Park hosts a variety of community events throughout the year, which may include seasonal celebrations, concerts, outdoor movies, and special festivals. Other popular green spaces include Kraft Azalea Garden, a scenic lakefront park on Lake Maitland known for its cypress trees and Exedra monument; Mead Botanical Garden, with trails and gardens to explore; and Fleet Peeples Park, a shady park on Lake Baldwin with a sandy beach.
Founded in 1885, Rollins College is widely recognized as Florida’s oldest college. Its picturesque campus along Lake Virginia is worth a walk for the palm-lined paths, Spanish Mediterranean-style architecture, and beautiful water views. Visitors often pair a campus stroll with time downtown or at nearby museums.
Winter Park is also home to Full Sail University, a well-known institution focused on entertainment, media, arts, and technology. Golfers can find public play nearby at Winter Pines Golf Club, while Interlachen Country Club remains a longstanding private club in the community. Families may enjoy a performance at Pinocchio’s Marionette Theater, and area wellness options have included Zero Gravity Float Spa. As with any independent business or venue, hours and availability may change.
