Winter Park

Indulge – Park Avenue

Winter Park’s shopping, dining and cultural gem boasts more than 140 boutiques, sidewalk cafes and fine-dining restaurants, and museums, all in the shadow of oak-canopied central park. Historic Park Avenue lures you in while richly treating your senses. The aromas of dishes from around the world – Italy, Turkey, France – draw you to bistros and wine bars for experiences you won’t forget.

Downtown Winter Park’s charm is magnified in the truly unique details: hidden gardens and side streets that are home to locally-owned shops, a farmer’s market that attracts both local and visitors alike each Saturday morning, festive parades that mark the seasons and a scenic boat tour that cruises the canals between the City’s lakes overlooking the area’s most prestigious homes.

Conveniently located on Park Avenue in the heart of downtown is an 11-acre park that boasts shady oak trees, landscaped planters, sitting areas, open space and three beautiful fountains. The park welcomes visitors to the city that arrive by train and hosts numerous events throughout the year, including the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, Winter Park Autumn Art Festival, and the Olde Fashioned 4th of July Celebration.

The anchor of Park Avenue, the Winter Park Golf Course, is the second oldest golf club in the Central Florida area. The golf course opened in 1914 and, after its recent renovation, was named a top 10 short course in the USA by Golf Advisor. The course makes its way through the downtown Winter Park area and provides a challenge to even the most experienced golfer. With its narrow, tree-lined fairways and postage stamp, bunker guarded greens, this course will provide a test for every shot in a golfer’s arsenal. Daily fees start at $14 to walk 9 holes for non-residents.

Illuminate – Alfond Inn & Rollins College

Located along the banks of Lake Virginia at the south tip of Park Avenue, the beautiful Rollins College campus encourages visitors to take advantage of Florida’s natural beauty and Winter Park’s history and charm. With its Spanish-Mediterranean architecture, lush grounds and gorgeous setting, Rollins was named one of the 25 Most Beautiful College Campuses in 2017 by Condé Nast.

Be sure to visit the college’s award-winning boutique hotel, the Alfond Inn. Art provides the canvas at the Alfond Inn, designed as the imaginative extension of the Cornell Fine Arts Museum. Eye-opening and provocative, the art is integral, whether you’re staying in the Inn’s luxury suites, dining at Hamilton’s Kitchen or sipping cocktails in the captivating lounge, just a stone’s throw away from Park Avenue.

Inspire – Arts & Culture

Enter a world of infinite arts and culture spaces in Winter Park. Spend days visiting museums, galleries, sculpture gardens, theaters, music venues, and if you’re lucky, arts festivals. The city’s commitment to enhancing awareness and visibility of the arts is seen everywhere, from traditional venues to unexpected yet powerful places.

Plan your trip around the schedule for the annual Bach Festival Society, another cultural gem housed on Rollins College in the Knowles Memorial Chapel. Hear the soaring sound of the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra under the baton of Dr. John V. Sinclair, which has thrilled audiences worldwide, including in well-reviewed performances with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Venture to the north end of Park Avenue to explore the world’s most comprehensive collection of the works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, son of Charles Lewis Tiffany – founder of Tiffany & Co Jewelers. The Morse Museum of American Art showcases the designer’s famous leaded-glass lamps and windows, jewelry and other works.

Travel off the beaten path and witness beauty in the works of sculptor Albin Polasek at the Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, which celebrate nature, unity of form and beauty of movement. The museum offers guided tours of the historic Polasek residence and chapel, and an outdoor sculpture garden.

Finally, discover the history behind Winter Park, central Florida’s original vacation community for Chicagoans seeking a warmer climate, at the Winter Park History Museum. The museum shares its efforts to preserve, promote and research the history of Winter Park through exhibits, educational programs and a free lecture series.

Other Adventures –

Visit Hannibal Square, a historic neighborhood two blocks west of Park Avenue. Enjoy al fresco dining, stylish home furnishings, fine art and unique gifts. While in the area, be sure to pamper yourself at some of the area’s top skin care spas and hair salons.

The Hannibal Square Heritage Center, established in 2007 by Crealdé School of Art, is a tribute to the past, present and future contributions of Winter Park’s historic African American community. The center hosts the award-winning Heritage Collection: Photographs and Oral Histories of West Winter Park, a permanent exhibition of over 100 pieces capturing the lives of Winter Park’s African-American community spanning the 20th century.

Mead Botanical Garden is located just a few miles from the downtown business district. It is a beautiful place to enjoy a lazy afternoon traversing the nature trails or dipping your feet in the freshwater ponds.

Kraft Azalea Garden is a serene 11-acre park just minutes from the Park Avenue shopping district. The park is bordered by beautiful Lake Maitland and offers benches for reading, picnicking or for simply enjoying a quiet relaxing time. The garden is beautiful year-round but be sure to visit in the months of January through March when the namesake flowers are in bloom.