Winter Park (Florida)

Winter Park is a city of 31,000 people (2019) in Florida near Orlando. Winter Park is often seen as a popular tourist destination for those visiting Orlando that want an escape from the typical tourist scene of the Orlando theme parks. There is a quaint, local feel to the suburb even though there are a lot of tourists, especially during the winter months and holidays.

Understand
Founded as a resort community by northern business magnates in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, fueled by the South Florida Railroad connecting Orlando with northern Florida and beyond. Today Winter Park is home to about 30,000 inhabitants and a popular tourist destination with many festivals. The city is also home to the private liberal arts college, Rollins College.

Its main street, called Park Avenue, is in the middle of town. It includes civic buildings, retail, art galleries, a private liberal arts college (Rollins College), museums, a park, a train station, a golf course country club, a historic cemetery, and a beach and boat launch. Park Ave is prosperous and is the focal point for Winter Park's upscale, "gentrified" downtown, the culmination of which is in Rollins College at the south end. The street's surroundings, including the depot, are immaculate.

Climate
As is the case across Orlando, Winter Park's climate is hot and humid during the summer, and variable but on average much cooler during the winter. The Park Ave (outdoor) walk, which isn't too protected from the heat, can be unbearably hot during the peak of summer and it's a relief to go indoors. Added to the fact that parking is difficult in downtown, the best time to visit is during the cooler months outside June-September.

By car
The main interstate route in the area is I-4 (northeast to southwest), from which there is an exit to Winter Park. Orlando Avenue (north to south) goes through the city itself.

By train
Amtrak runs long-distance trains from New York City on its Silver Meteor and Silver Star routes, both trains continue south to Miami. SunRail commuter trains runs between DeBary and Poinciana in the south via Sanford, Orlando, Kissimmee and points in between on weekdays.



Get around
Most of Downtown Winter Park is accessible by foot. If you are staying in the attractions area near theme parks and other resorts, it is about a 45-minute to 1-hour drive. The driving time from Winter Park Village to historic downtown winter park is about 3 minutes.

See
There are many things to see in Winter Park since it is one of the most classic and picturesque cities in Central Florida. Downtown Winter Park is filled with museums, gardens, bowling alleys, and historical landmarks. Former US President Chester A. Arthur is quoted having said "Winter Park is the most beautiful city in all of Florida." It is a gem of Central Florida and a must-see if you are visiting Florida regardless of where you are from.
 * The scenic Olde Winter Park area is punctuated by small, winding brick streets, and a canopy of old southern live oak and camphor trees, draped with Spanish moss.

Do

 * Thousands of visitors flock to annual festivals including the Bach Festival, the Sidewalk Art Festival, and the Winter Park Concours d'Elegance.

Buy
Many upscale brands have locations in downtown, catering to the crowd that visits from around Orlando.

Eat
Winter Park has a cosmopolitan restaurant scene, and most restaurants in downtown feature cuisines from outside the U.S. Asian and Mediterranean restaurants are a common sight and in the downtown area, all are upscale, with above-average prices.

Drink
Restaurants in downtown have plenty of drinks to offer, and many restaurants have a sizeable bar, so there are not too many standalone bars or pubs here.

Go next

 * Downtown Orlando is about fifteen minutes away, and is the overall economic center of the region.
 * Sanford, about fifteen minutes drive to the north, is on the shores of a larger lake, which an arena and its own downtown.