The quaint town of Winter Park is straight out of a fairytale. Winter Park is located just north of Orlando and is a lovely place for a winter escape. Some of the most notable things in Winter Park are the amazing restaurants, charming brick streets, and year-round sunshine.
Orlando is a highly sought-after destination because it is home to the famous Disney World. So Winter Park is a great place to visit if you have an extra day on your Disney trip. This ultimate guide to Winter Park, Florida will go over where to stay, what to do, where to eat, when to visit, and more.
Where To Stay In Winter Park, Florida
Since Winter Park is a tiny town, there are not a ton of hotel options, but these are my favorite Winter Park Hotels.
- Park Plaza Hotel – The Park Plaza Hotel is located right on Park Avenue and truly captures Winter Park’s charm. Winter Park has an old-fashioned feel to it, and so does the Park Plaza Hotel. Admire the antique decor and the southern hospitality the staff provides at the Park Plaza. Each morning, you will be greeted in your room with warm croissants and freshly squeezed orange juice. The Park Plaza is a lovely, budget-friendly hotel in Winter Park.
- The Alfond Inn – Located just across from the gorgeous Rollins College is The Alfond Inn. The Alfond Inn provides comfortable, clean rooms with a modern feel. Enjoy the outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, spa, bar, and more at The Alfond Inn. The Alfond Inn is a great option if you are looking for a luxury option in Winter Park.
- The Delaney Hotel – While not technically in Winter Park, The Delaney Hotel is a great place to stay while in the Orlando area, and is a short 15 minutes away from Winter Park. The boutique hotel offers cozy, modern rooms, a delicious in-house restaurant and bar, a fitness center, and more.
- The EO Inn – Tucked away in downtown Orlando is the reasonably priced EO Inn. The EO Inn has everything you need for a relaxing getaway in the sun – a rooftop patio, a restaurant, comfortable rooms, a great location, and more. The EO Inn is around ten minutes from Winter Park.
- Hilton Garden Inn Winter Park – Located on Lee Road, this hotel offers guests free self-parking and a bar. The hotel has rooms which can sleep up to five people comfortably.
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott – Just a short drive from Rollins College and the Orlando Science Center. The hotel has 126 rooms with a mix of a family room, king suite, and executive suite.
Best Things To Do In Winter Park, Florida
1) Take a Stroll Down Park Avenue
The charming Park Avenue is home to insanely good restaurants, unique shops, and adorable boutiques. Park Avenue has everything you need for the perfect shopping extravaganza. Some of my favorite shops on Park Ave are Adjectives Home Decor, Writer’s Block Bookstore, and EVEREVE women’s clothing.
Not only is Park Ave home to amazing restaurants and boutiques, but it is also pulchritudinous. The brick road and perfectly manicured park in the middle of Park Ave make for a relaxing day.
While on Park Ave, stop at the Central Park Fountain and the Peacock Fountain.
2) Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour
Winter Park is home to stunning lakes (Lake Virginia, Lake Mizell, Lake Berry, and Lake Osceola) all of which are connected. The Scenic Boat tour brings you through all of these lakes. If you want to enjoy nature and learn more about the history of Winter Park through a scenic boat tour, this is for you!
You can book your spot on the boat tour here or you can buy your tickets at the docks. The docks are an easy walk from Park Ave. For an adult, you will pay $20.00; for a child, you will pay $10.00.
3) Play A Round Of Golf
Winter Park, and Orlando in general, is home to some amazing golfing. Located just off of Park Ave, the Winter Park Golf Course provides golfing for all ages and levels. Whether you are a veteran or a beginner, golfing is a great activity to try in Winter Park!
4) Explore Hannibal Square
Hannibal Square is a great place to grab some food, shop, or admire the beautiful buildings and flowers. While Hannibal Square is much smaller than the nearby Park Avenue, it is quieter and more of a local spot. My favorite restaurants in Hannibal Square are Pepe’s Cantina Mexican Grille and Armando’s.
Make sure you pop into a few boutiques – I love Rifle Paper Company.
5) Take a Tour Of Rollins College
Even if you are not a prospective student, Rollins is totally worth a visit. The campus is beautiful! Located on the stunning Lake Virginia, Rollins is home to beautiful Spanish architecture and fabulous green spaces and makes for the perfect place for a leisurely walk.
There is a short path by Lake Virginia that offers great views.
6) Have a Picnic In Mead Botanical Garden
Mead Botanical Garden is quite the hidden gem. The easy-to-navigate botanical garden is located just south of Park Ave. At Mead Botanical Garden, you will find trails, boardwalks, gardens with unique plants, outdoor theaters, and more.
If you are traveling with a dog, Mead is a great place to walk your pup or go on a jog. You can also find more activities in Mead, such as yoga and guided hikes.
Best Tours To Take From Winter Park, Florida
Winter Park is a great place to visit and explore around Orlando, but it’s also a great place to stay for a trip to the wider city. Here are some of the best tours to take in or from Winter Park, Florida.
- Get access to over 25 popular Orlando attractions, tours, and more with Go City’s All-Inclusive Pass and save up to 50%. Enjoy top destinations such as Kennedy Space Center, Legoland, The Wheel at Icon Park and others.
- Explore the entire 4,200 acres of protected swamps, marshes, and rivers that form the Central Florida Everglades; you can explore the Everglades on an airboat tour.
What To Eat In Winter Park, Florida
Coffee and Breakfast In Winter Park
- Foxtail Coffee Company – Foxtail Coffee Company is a lovely place to grab quality coffee while in Winter Park. Working with farms from all over the globe, Foxtail has the perfect space for working, chatting, and relaxing. Not only does Foxtail serve some seriously good java – but they also serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner in their casual environment.
- Framework Coffee Bar – Hidden off the beaten path is Framework Coffee. Framework prides itself on being locally sourced and sustainable. The aesthetically pleasing coffee shop is perfect for grabbing a fancy latte or a quick cup of coffee.
- Briarpatch – Briarpatch is Winter Park’s best breakfast and brunch spot. At Briarpatch, you will find everything from breakfast to brunch. The pancakes are my favorite, but you really can’t go wrong. Saturdays and Sundays fill up very fast, so be sure to plan ahead.
Lunch and Dinner In Winter Park
- Prato – Prato is a lovely Italian joint on Park Ave. Prato is a fan favorite in Winter Park, serving up affordable yet quality pasta, pizza, salads, and more. If you are planning on eating at Prato over the weekend then be sure to make a reservation.
- Orchid Thai Cuisine – Orchid is my favorite Thai place in Winter Park. Located on Park Ave, Orchid serves up some amazing curries, stir fry, spring rolls, dumplings, and more. Orchid never gets too busy, so there is no need to make a reservation.
- Black Bean Deli – Black Bean Deli is my go-to takeout place in Winter Park. The Cuban restaurant is a casual, grab-and-go type place but also offers seating. Open since 1835, not only does Black Bean Deli make delicious food, but it also has a fascinating story. Read about Black Bean Deli.
- SoDough Pizza – You cannot go to Winter Park without trying the mouth-watering SoDough Pizza. SoDough provides Detroit-style pizza that will blow your socks off. You can find classics such as regular cheese and unique pies like the Big Mac Attack modeled after Mcdonald’s Big Mac.
Dessert In Winter Park
- Croissant Gourmet – Located on Park Ave is Croissant Gourmet, an adorable little French Bakery. Croissant Gourmet is the perfect place to go if you are craving something sweet. Croissant Gourmet has amazing crepes, french desserts, coffee, and croissants.
- AJ Chocolate House – This European chocolate house is the perfect place to go for an after-dinner treat. AJ Chocolate House on Park Ave offers sweet luxury and comfortable seating.
When To Visit Winter Park, Florida
My favorite month in Florida is March – the weather is perfect! Fall and summer can be tricky because they are hurricane seasons, and they are usually extremely hot.
The winter and spring are lovely times to be in central Florida because you will be able to enjoy sunny, mild days and avoid winter if you are coming from the north.
Getting Around Winter Park, Florida
Winter Park is quite walkable. If you are staying on Park Ave you can walk to Hannibal Square, Rollins College, The Winter Park Golf Course, and the Scenic Boat Tour. Mead Garden is a mile walk from Park Ave so it is also doable.
If you are staying in Winter Park for your whole trip, renting a car is unnecessary. Just Uber to Winter Park from Orlando International Airport.
If you are just taking a day trip to Winter Park from Orlando, you can take the train from the center of Orlando to Winter Park (the train station is on Park Ave). Trains run every 30 minutes and will only set you back $2. Purchases train tickets here.
Winter Park, Florida Wrap Up
Winter Park is an adorable fairytale town that is a must-visit in Orlando, whether on a day trip or a week-long vacation. I hope that this quick guide to Winter Park, Florida helps you plan the best trip ever. If you think that I missed anything or have anything to add please leave us a comment below!
We hope that this article has inspired you to visit Winter Park, Florida. If you have any questions or advice to share with our readers, please leave these in the comments below.
Want to share your travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Please visit our Contribute Page for guidelines and to submit your article.
Read More About Florida
- 5 Fantastic Florida Kayak Escapes
- The Best Of Key West – Beyond Duval Street
- Dry Tortugas National Park: A Fortress In The Sea
- How To Have The Perfect Florida Keys Roadtrip
- The Best Things Central Florida Has To Offer
Author
We Are Travel Girls Ambassador Daisy MacLellan
Connect with Daisy Website | Instagram | Pinterest
Pin For Later
This article may contain affiliate links, if you purchase something using one of our links we may receive a commission. Please see our Disclosures for more information.
Leave a Reply