Enjoy a Family day adventure in Oviedo. Oviedo, in Orlando North, is a mecca for hidden gems that all ages can enjoy! If you’re a family looking to explore new, one-of-a-kind experiences, this Seminole County city is an absolute must. Here’s a full-day itinerary jammed-packed with fun family activities that come highly recommend!
BLACK HAMMOCK BEE FARMS
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to wear a bee suit? Black Hammock Bee Farms is a family-owned farm with a passion for bee conservation. This husband and wife duo not only offers beehive relocation services but also opens up their farm to the public for educational classes, private bee yard tours, and beekeeping 101.
Booking a tour here includes the opportunity to hop into one of their custom-designed bee suits to get up close and personal with the little pollinators. The suits are also available in kids’ sizes making it a great family-friendly experience! The farm tours are filled with hands-on educational information ranging from bee life cycles, honey extraction, and even beekeeping classes for anyone interested in taking up the hobby.
The in-house gift shop also offers guests the opportunity to purchase fresh, unfiltered honey that is sustainably produced, extracted, and bottled on-site. The flavors range depending on the pollinating flowers in season and are the perfect takeaway after a fun family day on the farm!
TAZIKI’S MEDITERRANEAN CAFE
After exploring the bee farm, you’re sure to work up quite an appetite! For lunch, dine in at a delicious local Oviedo restaurant called Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe. This casual sit-down venue transports guests into a Mediterranean-themed aesthetic with a large infused menu and kid-friendly items. From traditional hummus and tzatziki dips to classic favorites like Greek salads and gyros – there’s definitely something for everyone!
For a taste of the Mediterranean, maybe opt for a veggie gyro, Greek salad, tomato soup, and hummus pita platter. For any fan of dips so this was perfect for hands-on finger food! If you’re a family with different dietary needs or preferences, this cafe is a great option that can accommodate both meat and veggie-based meals.
LUKAS NURSERY & BUTTERFLY ENCOUNTER
After your bellies are full, the next stop is to explore Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter. Lukas Nursery is a true Oviedo gem as it has been a staple in the community since the late 60s. This local business is 100% family owned and is currently in its 5th generation of operation in the Lukas family. Once a field for celery growing row crops, the property is now a 33-acre nursery housing over 5,000 species of plants ranging from ornamentals, edibles, and landscapes. If there’s a specific plant you’re on the hunt for, Lukas nursery has got you covered!
In the early 2000s, Lukas’ Butterfly Encounter was also added to the nursery and is open for the public to purchase admission to. The greenhouse conservatory is a 4000 sq space with around 6-20 different Florida native butterfly species depending on the season. The encounter was added in the hopes of educating the community about the important role butterflies to play in our environment while providing a fun interactive experience. In addition to the butterflies, there are also Chinese Button quails roaming freely in the conservatory serving as natural clean-up providers to the habitat.
Visitors of the encounter are able to explore the greenhouse’s native plants which then leads to a small space where you can interact with the butterflies! Small juice cups are placed inside the area for guests to dip their fingers in which mimics the sweetness of nectar. Once the butterflies get a taste of the juice, you can gently get them to land on you to closely observe their beauty. Guests are also given an identification pamphlet to help ID the insects as well as provide suggestions on which butterfly-friendly plants you can add to your own home garden.
From up-close encounters with bees and butterflies to delicious traditional Mediterranean dishes – Oviedo in Orlando North is a great family destination with amazing things to do!