Discover The ‘Other’ Orlando

Everyone knows Orlando for its world-class theme parks and other high-profile attractions, but did you know it is also home to the chic suburb of Winter Park, with its wonderful array of museums, shops and gardens, which richly reward visitors looking for an alternative experience in this part of Florida? The dining and shopping are truly world class, with unique boutiques and bistros that attract aficionados from far and wide. There is history aplenty, a self-guided walking tour, several museums – including the highlight of the Morse Museum of American Art, with its world-class collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany – and the horticultural delight of Leu Gardens. Another notable highlight is the hour-long Scenic Boat Tour, with its views of the mansions that line the series of lakes hereabouts. There is also Winter Garden, another city suburb that is fast becoming a trendy attraction in its own right, with railroad history, original boutiques and restaurants, the enticing Plant Street Market and signature Crooked Can Brewery. Just a 30-minute drive from central Orlando brings visitors to the cute-as-can-be city of Mount Dora, situated on Lake Dora, where the boat tours are a major attraction, as well as a tempting array of restaurants and another excellent local brewery, Mount Dora Brewing and the Rocking Rabbit tap-room. Need more small-town America? Head for DeLand, just 35 miles to the north, which was voted America’s Main Street in 2017 and boasts a unique charm. Take in all four, and you have more than enough Floridian exclusivity for a week’s stay. Of course, you can also explore Downtown Orlando, with its shops, parks, museums and theaters and, as an added option, follow up your local experience with some time on the beaches of St Pete/Clearwater, just two hours west and the perfect adjunct to the whole Orlando experience.