Orlando
is one of the world's top tourist destinations. While
most travelers journey to Walt Disney World, Sea World,
Universal Studios and other parks south of town, others
find their way to Orlando's downtown. Especially during
the evening, downtown Orlando offers a variety of
treats for adults and kids Church Street Station or
a walk around Lake Eola park. Orlando has a rapidly
expanding economy and homegrown entertainment centers.
It feels very much like a young city, both in terms
of its energy levels and the newness of many of its
neighborhoods. Today the downtown is becoming increasingly
popular, with nightlife, art festivals and street
parties complementing eclectic local neighborhoods,
parks and eateries.
Winter
Park
Winter
Park was a favorite resort destination of wealthy
New England Industrialists over 100 years ago and
was the first centrally planned community in Florida.
Winter Park downtown features art galleries, a private
liberal arts college, museums, a park, a train station,
a golf course country club, a historic cemetery, and
a beach and boat launch. Winter Park is home to Rollins
College, Full Sail Real World Education and the Charles
Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, which houses
the largest collection of Tiffany glass on Earth.
Baldwin
Park
Baldwin
Park's mixed use plan features a Village Center, which
includes storefront retail, almost 1,000,000 square
feet of office space, and within a few minutes walk
from single and multifamily housing ranging from condos
and townhouses to $1,000,000+ estates. These homes
reflect an historic esthetic with modern amenities.
Garages are accessed by alleys in the rear of homes
and the sidewalks are wider than average, which allows
for uncluttered, pedestrian-friendly streetscapes.
Retail shopping and professional offices are often
within walking distance
Winter
Garden
Downtown
Winter Garden offers a slice of small town life with
redeveloped stores, restaurants and businesses reflecting
the charm of old Florida. The community celebrates
their history and charm with an Old Fashioned Ice
Cream Social (held in picturesque Newton Park on Lake
Apopka) and 4th of July Celebration. Once renowned
for its vast citrus industries, Winter Garden is beginning
to attract other businesses, including computer and
investment companies. The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation
has recently restored the Garden Theatre located at
160 West Plant Street in historic downtown Winter
Garden, Florida. The Garden Theatre first opened in
1935 and was the first local theatre built specifically
to show the new talking motion pictures.
