Florida's Charming City With Lakes, Scenic Trails, & Restaurants Is Half An Hour From Orlando

While many tourists flock to Central Florida for a chance to see Mickey Mouse, there is lots to do in and around Orlando besides Disney World, including visiting some of the charming smaller towns in the metropolitan area. One of those is Winter Garden. A haven for citrus growers, it was established in 1903 and incorporated just five years later. 

Located west of Orlando, and bordering Lake Apopka on the southeast side, Winter Garden is home to a pedestrian-friendly, historic downtown area. In fact, it was even added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996, and features 26 historic buildings, with some built as long ago as 1912. Today, it is home to boutique shops, galleries, artisan and farmer's markets, museums, parks, plus plenty of dining options for food lovers of all kinds. And with relatively warm weather year-round, including winters that rarely ever dip below the 50s, it's an excellent place to visit anytime.

When you look at a map of Winter Garden, you can't help but notice the massive, nearby Lake Apopka. Spread across 30,909 acres, the best spot from which to appreciate this impressive body of water is Newton Park. It's easy to spend a day here grilling and picnicking, taking the kids to the playground, and walking or fishing along the boardwalk. There's also a boat ramp for those who have one. It's known for having everything from gators, soft-shelled turtles, and river otters, to birds like pelicans, kingfishers, owls, cranes, ospreys, peregrine falcons, and even bald eagles.

Winter Garden is also home to a few other lakes and nature spots. Tucker Ranch Recreation and Nature Complex, for example, is right on Johns Lake, and is great for kayaking, canoeing, and picnicking. If you didn't bring any watercraft along with you, you can easily rent a pontoon or deck boat from Boats To You Rentals for about $450 to $550 for four hours, and can even hire Captain Mike to take you out on the water. You can also travel a bit further to one of Florida's under-the-radar counties for more paddling and lake adventures. 

For a more urban trail adventure, you won't want to miss the West Orange Trail which goes right through the heart of downtown Winter Garden, and can take you to the nearby towns of Apopka to the north and Oakland to the west. The full stretch is 34 miles, but you can easily walk or bike as much or as little as you like. The paved trail is 14-feet wide, making it a breeze to get around.

There's plenty to see and do (and eat) in downtown Winter Garden. Start with a tasty cafe Cubano from Foxtail Coffee. If it's a Saturday morning, stop by the year-round Winter Park Farmer's Market to find jewelry, artwork, crafts, and more. Check out the Central Florida Railroad Museum next, where you can learn all about the area's history of railroading, or stop by the Sobo Art Gallery for rotating exhibits and regular workshops.

Once you're ready for a bite, there are plenty of options to choose from. The menu at Harrell's Hot Dogs + Cold Cones features an array of tasty hotdogs (including a vegan option), plus fries, ice cream, and more at a wallet-friendly price. You can also opt for a pad thai lunch special at Thai Blossom, or a roast beef or bbq jackfruit sandwich from The Deli. The more high-end Market To Table also features a seafood tower and a Florida rock shrimp risotto on their menu. Afterwards, catch a live show at the historic Garden Theatre on Plant, check out the exhibits at the Winter Garden Heritage Museum & Visitors' Center, grab a beer from Crooked Can Brewery, and pick up souvenirs at Plant St. Market.

Winter Garden is just a half-hour drive from Orlando International Airport. It's fairly residential, so accommodations in town are few and far between, but you can get a budget-friendly room at the Home2Suites by Hilton Winter Garden for about $120 to $150 a night. If you're looking for something even more affordable, hotels in nearby areas, including Orlando, can go below $100. And once you're done with Winter Garden, you're always free to explore another lesser-known Florida city near Orlando.