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Halloween might be a little scaled back this year in Orlando’s theme parks, but you can still scream yourself silly in these haunted houses and ghost tours around Orlando this Halloween!
Here’s the White Rose Villas team’s pick of some of the scariest tours you can take in or around Orlando this Halloween season.
Walking ghost tour of downtown Orlando
Walking around the city is usually a lot of fun, but on this tour you need to be prepared to feel a little uneasy! You’ll hear tales of the criminal underworld, the leylines on which the city was built and all kinds of tales about Orlando’s supernatural history!
The walking tour takes in a range of spooky and scary stories at eight locations around the city. You can expect to cover approximately a mile’s walk over a 60-minute tour.
There is also a slightly longer option that takes in a further four locations… if you can stand four more spooky stories! If so, the tour is 90-minutes and covers 1.3 miles.
Drive-through scare-fest
This year, social distancing has upended everyone’s social plans – but not always for the worse. This drive-through Halloween theatrical event is one of the better innovations to emerge from the pandemic situation.
You can safely get your spooks and scares following a completely contactless journey in your own vehicle. The theme is Rapunzel’s journey… so expect things to get a little hair-raising!
The drive-through runs from September 25 through to November 7, 2020. Please note: like most outdoor theatrical events, the drive-through event is weather dependent – so be prepared for a last minute cancellation if conditions get too inclement.
All-year round haunted house
You probably know that, although Universal Orlando’s traditional Halloween celebrations aren’t running this year, you can tour two of the haunted house attractions from Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights within the normal park admission. But did you know that Orlando has a haunted house attraction that runs all year round?
Mortem Manor is located on West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Old Town Kissimmee. The spooky attraction tells the tale of mysterious disappearance of a family and includes more than a few scares along the way!
Tickets start at just $15 so it is a really affordable way to get your Halloween haunted house fix!
Book your Orlando vacation!
If you fancy visiting any of these haunting Halloween attractions, or any of the other special Halloween and fall events in Orlando this year, there is still availability for you to book a short stay at one of our vacation homes.
Book with our booking partner Ellis Exclusive Villas and you’ll be protected by their cancellation guarantee. Cancel for any reason between 60 days and 2 days before your departure and you will receive a full refund on all monies paid.
If you can’t get away this year, why not book for 2021?
We’re going to all be wearing a different type of mask this Halloween. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of seasonal fun to enjoy!
Here’s our round up of things to enjoy this fall in and around Orlando and Central Florida.
Remember that, given the current need for COVID-secure procedures, most events require you to book online in advance. You’ll also need to adhere to social distancing rules and wear a mask.
If you have any queries or concerns ahead of your visit, please contact the venue or organiser directly.
Halloween Fun in Orlando’s theme parks
In the parks, many events have been scaled back or cancelled (notably Mickey’s not-so-scary-Halloween Party and Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights).
Nevertheless, Universal has plenty of Halloween themed décor, merchandise and trick or treating to enjoy. Plus, there are two Haunted House attractions to get your fear fix!
Disney is also ratcheting up the Halloween-themed goodies, sweet treats and décor around the Magic Kingdom. Your little ones can still enjoy plenty of themed character meet and greets and scaled-back parades.
SeaWorld’s Spooktacular is continuing this year, with changes to the trick or treating to enable better safety and social distancing, as well as other special themed activities around the park.
Halloween Fun in Orlando and Central Florida
Away from the parks, we’re delighted that some of our favourite low-key fall events are running this year. Lakeridge Winery is known for its family-friendly events as much as its delicious wines and tasting tours, and from October 3rd and 4th, it’s bringing back its Weekends at the Winery events. This year, its featuring some of the area’s best food trucks along with the outdoor wine bar.
Enjoy some great food and wine under the trees, then try your luck at the cornhole games set up for some outdoor fun. The winery’s beautiful grounds offer plenty of outdoor space so you can enjoy a safe, social distance as you sip! See more information here.
Gatorland’s Gators, Ghosts, and Goblins is a daytime Halloween event taking place weekends from October 10th through November 1st.
Costumes are encourage for this family-friendly event with spooky train rides, costume contests, and a trick-or-treat trail from 11am to 2pm. There’s also Frank & Stein’s Octoberfest, featuring an undead polka band and German Beer and food. Note that face masks are required per Orange County Executive Order # 2020-23 regarding COVID 19, and must be visible at all times (you can find out more about Gatorland’s safe reopening policy on its website).
Book tickets in advance – there’s a half-price deal for Florida residents through October 31st. Halloween activities are included in the normal admission.
For a really rural take on the fall festival, Our Fall events at Southern Hill Farms in Clermont began on Saturday, September 26th and continue until November 8th (Thursday to Sunday).
Events feature live music, local food trucks, Farm Wagon rides, and Southern Hill Farms seasonal favourites including fresh apple cider donuts, blueberry lemonade and pumpkin muffins. While adults tuck in or cut a bouquet of beautiful sunflowers and zinnias, kids will adore the petting zoo and playground. Then pick out your perfect Jumbo Jack pumpkin for carving.
To help ensure safe social distancing, this year’s events are going ahead with 40 percent of normal capacity. You’ll need to book in advance here.
At Orlando’s CityArts, 39 S Magnolia Avenue, you can take part in a wonderful outdoor art event on Thursday, October 15, 2020. The 11th Annual Dia de los Muertos and Monster Event is a themed exhibition at CityArts Orlando and an outdoor experience with live performances, vendors, and more! Now in its 11th year, the Día de los Muertos & Monster Art Exhibitions will showcase Day of the Dead and Halloween-inspired art created by regional, national, and international artists. This unique art exhibition will be paired with an outdoor experience on opening night that will feature food, drinks, entertainment and spooky art vendors.
Cost to enter CityArts only: $5
Cost of the Outdoor Dining Experience $35-$40 per person/seat
It is essential to book in advance and you can do this online.
Note that all guests will be required to wear a face covering, but guests may remove their face coverings if they are clearly eating or drinking outside CityArts. All guests are required to register for a time-of-entry; only 20 people are permitted at a time. For more details about CityArts’ COVID-19 Reopening Protocol, visit https://downtownartsdistrict.com/covid-19/.
There’s plenty more happening besides, these are simply our pick. We’d love to hear your suggestions for fun fall or Halloween events – add your comments and suggestions below!
Or, if you’d like to write a review for our blog, please get in touch with our team.
We’re delighted to bring you a new post from our very own Sue Mooney.
Cassadaga is well known here in Florida as “the Psychic capital of the world”. In fact, there are more than 100 mediums, psychics, and healers in Cassadaga.
The sleepy little town is home to the Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp, the oldest active religious community in the southeastern United States. It celebrated its 200th anniversary last year, in 2019.
A day out in Cassadaga by Sue Mooney
Cassadaga was founded in 1894 by the spiritualist George P. Colby, a native New Yorker who travelled the country delivering readings and hosting seances.
It’s about half an hour’s drive from the Kissimmee area and Orlando’s theme parks in Volusia county. As you drive east on the I4 towards the Atlantic coast, you’ll pass an unassuming blink-and-you’ll-miss-it turnoff to this magical little town.
The name of the town comes from a Seneca Indian word meaning “water beneath the rocks”. The story is that Colby was guided to this site by a native American guide.
For a complete break from the frantic rides of Florida’s theme parks, I recommend you go and visit this gem of a small town. As soon as you arrive, you are transported to a much older version of the State than you will find elsewhere.
Peace really does wrap around you as soon as you step out of your car. You can explore the small roads, admire the old-fashioned but pretty little wooden houses, sit in the meditation gardens and absorb the stillness.
The Psychic capital of the world
Cassadaga is renowned for its spirituality and there are many healers and psychics here, all of whom have gone through a four year certification process. If this is something you wish to explore further you can book in advance or choose a walk-in on the day you go.
The readings we received were accurate and moving.
There’s a well stocked welcome centre, with a huge variety of books, cards, crystals, jewellery, etc. Everyone is helpful and welcoming. Finding the crystals we were looking for was a joy and prices are very reasonable.
Lunch at the Cassadaga Hotel
For lunch we ate in the Cassadaga Hotel. Lovely, fresh food, prepared while you wait. Our burgers and fries were delicious. Cooked just as we asked them and reasonably priced.
There’s quite an extensive menu, though we couldn’t quite bring ourselves to try Arthur’s Burger (see the menu for details!)
We came away from our trip to Cassadaga feeling peaceful and re-energised and would thoroughly recommend a visit to anyone looking for a different side to Florida.
About Sue’s home
If you’d like to book your stay in Florida to enjoy a visit to Cassadaga and its spiritualist camp or any of central Florida’s other wonderful attractions, please check out our homes here.
Sue’s home is the very wonderful Sapphire Sky Villa at Orange Tree. See more – and book – here.
Would you like to share your tips for great days out in Florida?
We’d love to share contributions from our guests and homeowners about great days out in Florida. If you have tips or ideas you’d like to share on our blog, please reach out to our team.
This autumn season, the Orlando theme parks are determined to keep guests safe without spoiling the fall fun! You can continue to enjoy the fantastic Halloween events and seasonal surprises. First up is SeaWorld, where the annual Spooktacular opens today.
SeaWorld Spooktacular
There have been some changes this year, with new socially distancing measures in place. COVID secure safety measures have been implemented across the parks, with staff checks, hand sanitising stations, and mask wearing all designed to keep you safe.
Please remember: we all need to follow the guidelines and keep ourselves and others safe.
Meanwhile, there is still plenty of ghostly trick-or-treat fun and a feast of candy this Halloween!
SeaWorld’s Spooktacular is running on Saturdays and Sundays, from September 19th through November 1st.
It’s included in park admission and this year your little ones can look forward to:
- A trick-or-treat trail bursting with candy and adventure
- A special Halloween breakfast with Sesame Street friends
- Cookie Decorating with Cookie Monster
- Halloween Maze
- Meet a Mermaid
All park attractions have the necessary measures, enhanced cleaning procedures and physical distancing in place, to ensure everyone can still have a fun-filled experience with peace of mind.
Because of this, there have been some changes to the Trick-or-Treat Trail this year:
- Costumed youngsters go through in a single direction, with limited capacity, so they can have loads of fun whilst staying safe.
- At the entrance to the Trick-or-Treat trail guests must purchase a new reusable bag, from an assortment available, in order to prevent contact between individuals.
For the Grown-ups: Flicks & Frights
This year, you can enjoy a spooky film night under the stars at SeaWorld.
This is a brilliant drive-in experience! With a nostalgic twist, you can enjoy a classic Halloween movie from the comfort and safety of your car. There’s also local food trucks to visit before the feature. It’s $40 to park your vehicle and for all seated passengers to view the movie.
Saturdays, Sept. 19 – Oct. 31 and Friday, Oct. 23 & 30
Family-friendly Halloween film: 7:45 p.m.
Fright-filled Halloween film: 10:30 p.m.
Book your Halloween fun now!
While we now prepare to enjoy our much-loved theme parks in this different environment, we can still experience and enjoy the magic.
You can find out more about SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular here.
If you’d like to book your stay in Florida to enjoy a visit to SeaWorld Orlando or any of the fun-packed fall events that are happening in central Florida and its wonderful attractions this year, please check out our homes here.
We’re delighted to bring you another post by our homeowner, Ruth Moriarty.
Ruth loves sharing her insider tips for places to visit in Central Florida beyond the theme parks. In this post, she shares her passion for local vineyard, Lakeridge Winery.
Lakeridge Winery, Florida
Lakeridge Winery and Vineyard is on Highway 27, just north of Clermont.
It is a wonderful place to visit for many reasons. Yes, wine and wine tasting are definitely up there but it is such a peaceful spot.
Located on a 127-acre estate in gently rolling countryside some 25 miles west of downtown Orlando, it’s lovely to just go and sit and enjoy the peace and quiet. The winery opened in 1989 and has gracefully developed over the 20 years I have been visiting. They now produce over 1 million bottles a year and win lots of awards.
Initially, I had no idea that Florida produced wines and so it was a very pleasant surprise to find this not far from my home.
Touring the winery and finding out how they make their wine is really interesting and then, especially on a hot day, it’s lovely to enter the cool, dark tasting room and the good sized gift shop, which features all the Lakeridge Wines, gourmet foods and many other gift items and wine accessories.
You can update your cork screw, bottle cooler, wine glasses but also laugh at the customized, fun T-shirts (I now have two!) and hats/caps, as well looking through a variety of cookery books and wine reference guides.
This is one of my Tees – it always brings a smile when I wear it!
Complimentary Winery tours and wine tasting are offered 7 days a week; Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Please note, there are some ID Requirements for Tastings: US citizens: will need to bring with them their state-issued driver’s licence, military ID, or state ID card. International guests will need to bring their original passport (this is preferred) or valid government-issued photo ID which includes your date of birth.
Lakeridge Winery is also famous for its food and music events. Throughout the year there are regular events, usually at weekends, often for free or for a very modest entrance fee.
Every Saturday afternoon in January, they hold a Music Series, with live music on the outdoor stage and inside at the Wine & Cheese Bar upstairs. The musicians selected are all fantastic local performers. February sees the return of the Winefest, an opportunity to enjoy a range of the wines they produce. March is the annual Wine and Seafood festival – great food and music and…OK… some wine too.
In February 2020 I went to a Blues gig at the Winefest, out in the open, with the incredible backdrop of the vines and the beautiful building, people singing and dancing to a top musician who once played with BB King.
People had taken their own chairs and some had small picnics, though there were plenty of food stalls and bars. There was also a local arts and craft fair to wander around if you needed to stretch your legs and spend a little money on some very interesting and beautiful items – definitely not your everyday purchases or souvenirs. It was also good to be contributing to the local economy.
Sadly some of their Festivals and events for 2020 had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 restrictions implemented by the State of Florida but I am sure they will be reinstated as soon as it is allowed and people can attend safely. The winery has a projected programme available, with artists and prices to be decided.
It’s a great day out, especially if there is an event going on. Parking is free and there are free shuttle carts to get you from your car to the main building when events are on. I’ve been there when it’s very quiet as well as when there are crowds who’ve come to enjoy the music. I’ve always enjoyed it and am hoping I will be back there in 2021.
For more information, visit the Lakeridge Winery website.
Cheers and Good Health!
About Ruth’s home
If you’d like to book your stay in Florida to enjoy a visit to Lakeridge Winery or any of central Florida’s other wonderful attractions, please check out our homes here.
Ruth’s home is the very wonderful Sapphire Sky Villa at Orange Tree. See more – and book – here.
Would you like to share your tips for great days out in Florida?
We’d love to share contributions from our guests and homeowners about great days out in Florida. If you have tips or ideas you’d like to share on our blog, please reach out to our team.
We’re delighted to bring you another blog by our homeowner Ruth Moriarty.
Winter Park is a gem of a town which Ruth wrote about in one of her earlier blogs for us.
She says one of Winter Park’s hidden gems is this unassuming museum and definitely recommends a visit.
The Charles Hosmer Museum of American Art in Winter Park
The Charles Hosmer Museum of American Art is also known as the Morse Museum.
It harbours some true treasures if you like Tiffany. Not the little blue boxes of wonderful jewellery Tiffany, but the art, glass and leaded lamps, created by Louis Comfort Tiffany – isn’t that just the best name! – (1848–1933), the jeweller’s son.
The museum is a quiet, dark, cool place – old fashioned, a bit of a rabbit warren but there are plenty of maps to orientate yourself. Each gallery has brochures to fully explain about the exhibits and everyone who works there is very helpful. You can take photos as long as you don’t use flash or video. You can easily spend all morning or afternoon there – there is no rush and just allow yourself time to stand and absorb the beauty of the exhibits. I was there for about three hours one afternoon and could have stayed longer. The Tiffany collection is truly amazing, including every medium he worked in, from every period of his life.
The Morse Museum’s Tiffany artworks
I kept going back to a stunning piece of leaded glass called Aurora which was created around 1894. The colours are so vibrant and the artistry is amazing.
Some door panels created around 1905 feature a full-sized statue behind them – it’s like looking into a garden.
Of the vases, one was a gorgeous piece of lustre. It is like silk as it catches the light!
The museum also houses an iconic Tiffany Wisteria Lamp. It is really incredible to see close up; the leaded glass looks like fabric that has been draped. This piece is absolutely stunning and was made around 1910.
The pieces are made with each piece of glass cut individually and put on a template. During your visit to the museum, you can watch a short video showing you how the artworks are made.
The treasures of the Morse Museum
Inside the museum is Tiffany’s chapel interior from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. It is stunning, the work is so intricate and the lighting makes it look as if it is on exterior walls, except it isn’t. It’s simply beautiful to admire or just to sit quietly.
I was intrigued to see how Tiffany went from painting such a glorious image he did below in about 1888 to recreating it in a glass window about 1892– both pieces are mesmerising.
The Museum also contains American art, pottery, furniture, late 19th- and early 20th-century American paintings, which are equally as fascinating. This includes vases painted from photographs of Native Americans in the late 19th/ early 20th Century.
Best moment of the visit? Here’s one of my favourite selfies – myself reflected in a Tiffany mirror.
Morse Museum shop
The shop is last but certainly not least. Some amazing things to buy there from puzzles, pens and calendars to jewellery, tea towels, clothes, caps and umbrellas. It’s a great place to find a wide range of very unusual souvenirs for a good range of prices.
About your visit to the Morse Museum
$6 Adults
$5 Seniors age 60 and older
$1 Students (with valid ID)
Free for children younger than 12
All visitors free 4:00 pm–8:00 pm Fridays (November through April)
I came away feeling uplifted by having seen so many beautiful things. It’s well worth a visit and a great alternative to the parks.
About Ruth’s home
If you’d like to book your stay in Florida to enjoy a visit to Winter Park and the Morse Museum or any of central Florida’s other wonderful attractions, please check out our homes here.
Ruth’s home is the very wonderful Sapphire Sky Villa at Orange Tree. See more – and book – here.
Would you like to share your tips for great days out in Florida?
We’d love to share contributions from our guests and homeowners about great days out in Florida. If you have tips or ideas you’d like to share on our blog, please reach out to our team.
We’re pleased to say that we’ve got another fab contribution from one of our homeowners for you. This blog was written by Ian Burgess who is sharing his tips for a day out at Silver Springs.
Silver Springs by Ian Burgess
Silver Springs is situated about two hours north of Kissimmee on the edge of Ocala National Forest.
After reading the last blog which included Crystal River, I thought homeowners and guests may appreciate my tip for a really chilled-out, laid-back day away from the parks and shopping malls.
We first visited Silver Springs one sunny day when my family and I were on our way to Crystal River for the day. During a “discussion” about map reading (this was in the days before Sat Navs existed), we lost track of where we were going.
En route we saw signs for Silver Springs. “That’s it!” we thought… so we headed there. It wasn’t until we got back to Kissimmee later that night that we realised we had been at the wrong place!
To us, it didn’t matter that we’d fallen short of our original destination because we had had a fantastic day out.
Silver Springs Park
Silver Springs is over 10,000 years old and, like Crystal River, it has some of the clearest waters anywhere in Florida.
Silver Springs river is over five miles long and the park covers 4,000 acres. Once there, you will see alligators, fish, birds and other examples of Florida’s wildlife.
There is a bird show which visitors can attend to see more of the Florida wildlife.
The main attraction is the river. The best way to experience it is on one of the glass-bottom boats which take you around the park. On our first visit we were treated to a wonderful commentary by Captain Dave who had a unique one-line response to visitors’ questions! It was a little strange but very amusing.
You can also hire kayaks, canoes and paddleboards.
Silver Springs history
We really recommend a visit to the historic village in the park. Here you can see what life was like for Floridians a few hundred years ago.
It’s part of the Silver River museum and environmental centre and the little museum is worth a visit too.
Silver Springs has some interesting Hollywood history too: The Creature from the Black Lagoon, Rebel without a Cause, Moonraker and six Tarzan films were made here.
The whole place is run by retirees who absolutely love the special place. We really loved our trip there and definitely recommend you add it to your Florida vacation itinerary!
About Ian’s home
Ian is the owner of the fabulous family-friendly Tropical Breeze on Indian Point in Kissimmee. With three bedrooms, two bathrooms, spacious living areas and a south-west-facing pool, it’s a fab choice for a family Disney vacation.
If you’d like to book your stay to enjoy Silver Springs or other Central Florida attractions, please check out our homes here.
Would you like to share your tips for great days out in Florida?
We’d love to share contributions from our guests and homeowners about great days out in Florida. If you have tips or ideas you’d like to share on our blog, please reach out to our team.
White Rose Property Management homeowner Ruth Moriarty shares her travel tips for a great day out in Winter Park, Florida.
We’re really delighted that our homeowner Ruth Moriarty has kindly shared some more of her Florida travel tips with us.
Her blogs about Bok Tower Gardens and the Lake Eola farmers’ market were really well received. And it’s so great to hear about day trips beyond the Orlando theme parks.
This time, Ruth tells us all about the wonderful shops, side roads and sightseeing to enjoy in Winter Park.
Winter Park, Florida by Ruth Moriarty
Winter Park is an old city just outside Orlando with lots of history. Its first inhabitants were regional American Indians (Seminole).
Later, the Europeans rocked up in the late 1850s. Today, Winter Park very much retains the feel of a small European town.
The railroad has been here since the 1880s and is still being used. The track runs straight through the central park and a very cute station.
There are lots of small, winding brick streets to explore, plenty of trees to shade you from the hot Florida sun and lots to do covering a wide variety of tastes, prices and interests.
The Saturday Farmers’ Market
When I lived in Florida, I used to do the almost 80-mile round trip from home to Winter Park once a month, mainly to visit the market! It’s bright and vibrant and there is so much to choose from.
There are stalls selling food, baked goods, plants, jewellery, local produce. It’s a very popular place for people to gather.
The unofficial parade of dogs and their humans is a delight for anyone who has a soft spot for our four-legged friends. Be prepared for dogs in buggies, dogs in tee-shirts, dogs in boots and being as or more groomed than their human counterparts.
Currently the Market is located in the West Meadow (150 North New York Ave.) from 8am-1pm.
Downtown
The town and surrounding area is well worth a visit and there is lots to see.
At the centre of Downtown Winter Park is Park Avenue, a tree-lined, cobblestoned street full of eateries and some great shops. It is such a pretty place to wander around and there are lots of small boutiques, including one of my favourites, Peterbrooke Chocolatier.
Another great place to stop where you can try before you buy is The Wine Room. No need to say more.
Little cafés and restaurants are hidden away in small arcades, which are well worth exploring. Many eateries have terraces, where you can watch the world go by!
There is something for every taste and price. Winter Park is also one of the dog-friendliest places I have ever been to. Dogs are welcome in many places and there are always doggy water bowls and people ready to make a fuss of your precious pooch.
If you need more retail therapy, Shops on Park, at the centre of Park Avenue, is an elegant, indoor centre with some big brand shops.
Kraft Azalea Park
This is a stunning public park bordering on the lakes. It is a gorgeous place to go and take a picnic and sit in the shade on a hot day.
Here you can while away the hours people watching, admiring the boats and deciding which of the mansions that surround the lakefronts you could live in!
It’s one of more than 70 parks in Winter Park, each holding various events, festivals and celebrations throughout the year – so you have plenty of choice.
Scenic Boat Tour – East Morse Boulevard
This is one of my absolute favourite things here.
I suggest you go there first to secure your ticket as they get very busy even out of season.
It’s a fully guided tour, in turn relaxing and exhilarating. The one-hour cruise takes you through the some of the lakes and canals of historic Winter Park.
The boats go from a slow crawl through the tiny canals to whizzing across the open lakes to get from one side to the other.
The canals linking the chain of lakes were man-made by the Seminole hundreds of years ago and it’s easy to imagine them coming through these narrow waterways in their little dug outs – very atmospheric.
At the other extreme, you get to see the many million-dollar mansions (some of them worth $20,000,000). Your guide will have all sorts of local knowledge and information to share.
It costs $14 adult, $7 child (go with cash as they don’t accept cards) and runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every hour on the hour. The boats are fine for anyone who is a little shaky on their feet, but I didn’t see anywhere for wheelchairs.
Croissant Gourmet Bakery
We chose not to go back to the main street as we found a little French café just up the road from the Boat Cruise after our hour on the water.
We had a delicious lunch at Croissant Gourmet Bakery on East Morse Blvd. We did eat some delicious, healthy salads and savoury croissants but had to save ourselves for the beautifully crafted desserts (each cake was fairly divided into three!)
Why you should go
Go to shop, go to explore, go to people watch, go to watch an open-air movie in the Park or go for some culture too (I love the town’s museum – also worth a visit!).
You can find further information about Winter Park on the Visit Florida website.
About Ruth’s home
If you’d like to book your stay to enjoy Winter Park or other Central Florida attractions, please check out our homes here.
Ruth’s home is the very wonderful Sapphire Sky Villa at Orange Tree. See more – and book – here.
Would you like to share your tips for great days out in Florida?
We’d love to share contributions from our guests and homeowners about great days out in Florida. If you have tips or ideas you’d like to share on our blog, please reach out to our team.
Here at White Rose Villas we love to spend time at our wonderful Central Florida theme parks, the magic is always there! However, away from the parks, there are many other fun, exciting and enjoyable things to do in this beautiful part of the World. How about swimming with Manatees, kayaking or visiting one of the glorious white sand beaches Florida is rightly renowned for?
We thought you may appreciate some ideas we’ve come up with for you to enjoy some time away from the parks; we’ve tried them ourselves so rest assured you won’t be wasting time on your well-earned vacation!
GO TO THE BEACH
Orlando is ideally located within easy reach of both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Clearwater/St. Petes on the Gulf (West) coast is within a 2 hour drive, and Clearwater proudly boasts the title of America’s favourite beach; perfect for a day trip or even longer, with loads of great places to stay, eat and drink. Head a short drive South and you’ll hit Treasure Island where you’ll find the fabulous John’s Pass, with its great Marina and huge selection of bars, restaurants and shopping to suit all tastes. A little further on and you’ll hit St. Petes Beach, another great spot for beach lovers.
On the Atlantic (East) coast, even closer than the Gulf, you’ll delight in the many attractions of Cocoa Beach, its pier and great surfing. Further North is the World famous Speedway at Daytona Beach where you can drive on the beach and visit the huge number of local attractions. If you’re a motorcycle fan, visit during Bike Week and you’ll be in motorbike heaven!
DISCOVER CELEBRATION
This unique little Disney-designed town is an absolute must to visit. It’s crammed with wonderful shops and eateries on a picturesque lake which you can walk around, or hire a bike and explore the many paths through the woods. It’s everyone’s idea of perfect small-town America, and is easily reached just a short drive from any of our rental homes.
SPLASH AROUND AT ISLAND H20 LIVE
Close to the 192 at Kissimmee you’ll find one of Central Florida’s newest and most technologically advanced water parks. From exhilerating drop slides to relaxing wave pools and dive-in movies, there are more than 20 unique experiences to enjoy; you’ll love it, we did!
EXPLORE BOK TOWER GARDENS
These tranquil botanical gardens are truly a hidden gem; strolling through them is a most delightful and peaceful experience. Read one of our owners blogs on their day visit to Bok Tower gardens. https://whiterosevillas.com/a-visit-to-bok-tower-gardens-by-ruth-moriarty/
HAVE A SURREAL EXPERIENCE AT THE DALI MUSEUM
For any lovers of surrealism this place is a must visit! Located in St. Petersburg, the museum houses one of the largest Dali collections in the world; it certainly lived up to expectations for a unique look into the weird and wonderful mind of Salvador Dali.
GATOR SPOTTING ON AN AIRBOAT RIDE
There are many airboat rides to choose from around the Orlando area; one of our favourites is Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures. You can take a ride and discover the headwaters to the Everglades, South of Orlando, whizzing along and discovering the fascinating wildlife the area offers. For the best chance of seeing ‘gators it’s best to visit early in the morning in hot weather, or later in the day if cooler.
SWIM WITH MANATEES AND GO KAYAKING
Swimming and snorkelling with Manatees in the Crystal River/Homosassa area is a fantastic experience! You’ll find many tours available, offering loads of adventure, excitement and education. While you’re there why not rent a kayak and explore to your heart’s content? Closer to your home you can also find kayak adventures at beautiful Shingle Creek.
THRILLSEEKERS DELIGHT
Visit Clermont’s Revolutions Off Road where you can experience Florida’s great outdoors riding ATV’s, shooting, fishing or trying your hand at archery.
BALLOON OR HELICOPTER RIDES; SEE IT ALL FROM ABOVE
See Orlando from the air on a hot-air balloon ride; we loved Orlando Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Ride with Orlando Balloon Rides! For a different lofty experience try flying over the sights in a chopper with Air Force Fun Helicopter Tours. It’s a great and fabulously exciting way to see Orlando’s incredible sights.
These are just a few of the many great experiences awaiting you if you want to really make the most of your trip to Florida. However, if you just want to chill out by the pool and relax in the glorious Florida sunshine, you can do that too; you’re on vacation!
Even if you haven’t visited downtown Orlando, you’ll recognise Lake Eola’s rainbow-hued lakeside theatre, its famous fountain and the swan boats from postcards and pictures of the city.
Many guests don’t make it as far as downtown Orlando, but Ruth Moriarty, one of our homeowners, says everyone should venture a visit!
We’re really delighted that Ruth has kindly shared some more of her Florida travel tips with us. Her blog about Bok Tower Gardens was really well received. Plus, it’s so great to hear about attractions that are a little off the beaten track.
So… over to Ruth…
Lake Eola & Downtown Orlando by Ruth Moriarty
Firstly, although this is a blog about downtown Orlando, this is not about shopping …well, very little about shopping!
I had a French friend over to stay with me in February 2020 and she asked about visiting downtown Orlando. I have owned my home in Florida since 2002 and lived there for a number of years, but I think I only made it as far as downtown once before!
Lake Eola Park is right in the centre of the city, but far from hustle and bustle of any description. We went there one Sunday, so there were no problems finding a free parking spot right by the Lake.
It was wonderful to see families out together. A smile “good morning” went a long way to striking up conversations with all sorts of people.
This little pooch even came in his own car!
Lake Eola isn’t a tourist destination. But there is a wonderful walk of around one mile you can stroll.
This is where locals come for downtime, dog walking, exercise and the Sunday market.
The Lake Eola Farmers’ Market is a lovely place to wander around. You’ll discover food stalls, jewellery, flowers, jams, drinks and much, much more.
The Sunday Farmers’ Market usually runs from 10am to 4pm.
When we visited, we treated ourselves to a bag of freshly popped corn. Then, a bit later on, we shared a bag of warm, little donuts, freshly cooked and shaken in powdery sugar – extremely tasty!
The rainbow arcs of the Disney Amphitheatre sit just alongside the lake. Regular events are held here – so keep an eye on local listings. It’s also a colourful addition to any photos you take and can be seen from all round the lake.
The lake teems with birds. We saw black and white swans, geese, ducks, egrets and anghingas. We watched the anghingas fluff out their black wing feathers to dry off. Then trod carefully by some protected swans’ eggs, nestled alongside the path.
There were no alligators as far as we could tell!
Our only small disappointment came from our discovery that the Swan paddle boats weren’t running the day we visited. However, that’s simply given me a good excuse to return when I am next in Florida!
All in all, our lovely, slow saunter around the lake edge and the market took around 2-3 hours, stopping to take photos and explore the market.
The great thing is – it cost us nothing, apart from the few purchases we made at the market.
The path is quite wide and very well maintained so wouldn’t be a problem for people with strollers or in wheelchairs. It’s a calm and gentle walk, great to be away from the madding crowds elsewhere.
NOTE: At the moment, the farmers’ Market is still closed due to Covid 19. If you’re thinking about visiting, check the website for current information – hopefully it will be reopening soon.
About Ruth’s home
If you’d like to book your stay to enjoy downtown Orlando, Lake Eola or other Central Florida attractions, please check out our homes here.
Ruth’s home is the very wonderful Sapphire Sky Villa at Orange Tree. See more – and book – here.
Would you like to share your tips for great days out in Florida?
We’d love to share contributions from our guests and homeowners about great days out in Florida. If you have tips or ideas you’d like to share on our blog, please reach out to our team.