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Central Florida is highly visited as the center of world-famous theme parks and attractions in Orlando. While there’s something for everyone in Orlando, there’s much more to explore on the outskirts of the city including charming towns and unique experiences.
There is so much natural beauty in central Florida with the rolling hills and abundance of lakes that is unlike anywhere else in Florida. Here we highlight some of the best towns and cities to visit in central Florida to explore.
Orlando
Orlando is a popular choice for many visiting central Florida. With its theme parks and many various attractions, its hard to run out of things to do in Orlando. Some of the most popular parks that its known for worldwide include Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, Legoland, and Adventure Island Water Park. It’s no surprise that this city in central Florida draws millions of visitors each year.
Beyond the theme parks you’ll find award-winning restaurants, charming cafes, and vibrant parks. The downtown area has all of the best eateries and it will be hard to choose, but the food is one of the best things about the city. Neighborhoods like Winter Park and Lake Eola Heights are charming and make the perfect escapes from the city crowds.
One of the favorite activities of people who visit Orlando is going out on a Florida Everglades Airboat Tour to see the wild side of Florida.
Mount Dora
Mount Dora is our favorite town in central Florida that is a must-visit if you are in the area. The quaint lakeside town boasts streets lined with shops, cozy cafes and restaurants, and unique museums. Lake Dora not only offers scenic views but offers the opportunity for boating.
Keep an eye out for gators in the water, as well as birds and other wildlife, especially when walking the boardwalk. Then, as the day sets, enjoy a beautiful sunset as it reflects over the water.
Visitors are drawn to Mount Dora’s annual festivals including the Mount Dora Arts Festival and the Christmas holiday festivities. Many visitors choose to stay in the iconic Lakeside Inn which is one of the oldest operating hotels in Florida.
Don’t leave Mount Dora without getting a taste of some of the best restaurants in the area. For the best Caesar salad go to The Goblin Market and the best seafood with views of the lake Pisces Rising is the place to be.
Winter Park
While technically considered a neighborhood of Orlando, Winter Park is its own little destination town. One of the best activities in the town is the boat ride through the scenic chain of lakes, which you can also kayak, where visitors can glide past historic homes, lush canopies, and learn more about the area’s history. Winter Park started out as the winter getaway for wealthy Northerners looking for a warm escape.
Over the years, it has maintained its upscale charm and cultural richness. The main street, Park Avenue, is lined with boutique shops, elegant cafes, and fine dining restaurants. You can wander in and out of the shops and find unique products whether you want a specific kind of olive oil, a new tea you’ve never tried, or a gift for your furry friend.
The town is home to Rollins College, the oldest college in Florida, a beautiful lakeside campus that was founded in 1885. The college has produced several notable names including a Nobel laureate and continues to be recognized as one of America’s best colleges.
DeLand
DeLand is the perfect mix of small town but rich in unique things to do, history, and a vibrant community. Along with the other towns in this area, the town was founded in the 1800’s and is home to Stetson University, one of the oldest private colleges.
In the heart of the city, the beautifully preserved architecture and streets showcase the historic significance of the town. One such building is the Volusia County Court House that is the town’s crown jewel and can be found on many postcards.
The main downtown street boasts local boutiques with many home decor gifts, art galleries, and cozy cafes. Stop by the Museum of Art, one of the main art galleries and gift shops in the town, find all of the murals all over town, and make sure to see the historic Athens Theater.
If you’re someone who loves adventure, DeLand also has a skydiving base where skydivers of all levels can enjoy the Florida views.
Sanford
Experience old Florida in Sanford with a historic city that blends historic architecture, waterfront views, and fun experiences. Situated along the shores of Lake Monroe and the St. Johns River, Sanford has an incredible Riverwalk along the water which is one of town’s favorite pastimes.
An even better way to experience the water is to go on the St. Johns Rivership which is an authentic sternwheeler. You can watch the steamer paddle wheels turn in the back as you enjoy a Luncheon or Dinner cruise that lasts about three hours.
If you have lunch on the steamboat, dinner needs to be at Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe, a German restaurant that draws in the crowds any day of the week. The most popular item on the menu is definitely the schnitzel which can be ordered in many different flavors and accompaniments. If you’re really hungry, the King’s feast includes every possible sausage on the menu along with sides.
Tavares
Nicknamed as “America’s Seaplane City”, Tavares is a lakeside town that is on Lake Dora not far away from Mount Dora. Of course, as the nickname signifies, you can’t visit this town and not go on an airplane ride.
Jones Brothers & Co Air and Sea Plane Adventures offers the plane rides over the lake. The seaplane company offers various tours that take you on a scenic tour of the area with options like adding gator watching, touching down on the water or even flying over Orlando’s top attractions. They also have excursions combining flights with kayaking adventures and even romantic evenings complete with a dinner or flying over for breakfast at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill.
A seaplane adventure might not be for everyone so you can watch the planes take off from Wooton Park, stop by Poppy’s for the best ice cream in town, or make a visit to the Discovery Gardens.
Celebration
Celebration is a unique city in central Florida because it was designed and created by Disney. It’s located near Walt Disney World but is a world of its own with pedestrian streets and attractions. Known as the picture-perfect neighborhood, it is a fairytale destination complete with shops, restaurants, cafes all along the brick-lined streets.
One of the best ways to explore is to rent a bike and ride the trails around the city but another option is to take a horse-drawn carriage ride. Weekly, Celebration hosts a farmers market that offers local produce and artisanal goods.
The famed Columbia Restaurant is one of the best places to stop by for Spanish and Cuban cuisine while Le Macaron is the place to go for French pastries as dessert.
Winter Haven
Central Florida has many lakes which is evident with all these small towns that sit along the lakes. Winter Haven is no different and is even known as the “Chain of Lakes City”. What it is known for even more is the LEGOLAND Florida Resort and the Peppa Pig Theme Park in Florida. These attractions make Winter Haven the perfect place to visit for families.
With the many lakes, there are ample opportunities for boating, fishing, kayaking and various water sports. It’s the water ski capital of the world and celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Water Ski in 2022. Cypress Gardens, the beautiful gardens with southern belles, have a water ski show at a park on Lake Silver in Winter Haven that is held on the third Saturday of every month of the season.
Lakeland
Lakeland was founded in 1882 when Abraham Munn purchased 80 acres of land, laying the foundation for what would become the city’s vibrant downtown. The Munn Park Historic District is named in honor of the city’s founder which features a park and includes many of the original buildings dating from as early as 1902.
Another highlight of Lakeland is the Florida Southern College which is home to the largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world. The campus features 13 Wright-designed buildings, including the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel and the Usonian House.
To get out into nature, Circle B Bar Reserve is great for nature trails and Bonnet Springs Park is the place to be for peaceful recreation while still being close to downtown Lakeland.