Orlando ‘The City Beautiful’

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This article was published 03/02/2024 (616 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Widely known for its collection of thrilling theme parks, Orlando has another side, one that celebrates neighbourhood charm, complete with family-run restaurants, funky boutiques and lush outdoor spaces. A short drive gets you into these often-overlooked niches of Florida’s famous city.

Beer and Birria in Winter Garden

Winter Garden got its start as a citrus and vegetable growing hub back in 1850. Today, it’s thriving part of Orlando’s metropolitan area that seamlessly blends historic preservation with downtown redevelopment. Leave your vehicle at Bikes & Blades and rent a comfort bike for the day. Hop on the paved West Orange Trail and head for the historic and picturesque community. Along the way, you’ll cruise through leafy neighbourhoods, past old citrus groves and skirt along the Oakland Nature Preserve. And soon you’ll be at the Plant Street Market and home of Crooked Can Brewing Company where the American Pale Ale called Workaholic or German-style Hefeweizen known as Cloud Chaser are both excellent choices.

The market houses a collection of more than 20 food-focused vendors with plenty of seating both inside and outdoors. Pick up meatballs from Michael’s Ali, delicious pockets from Empanada & Co, pulled pork-topped fries from This Little Piggy and birria tacos from Hunger Street Tacos.

Wear off lunch with a stroll en route to the Central Florida Railroad Museum where a caboose, handcar and plenty of dining car dinnerware and silver are on display in the restored depot. It’s a must for train travel enthusiasts and admission is free. Then pop into Doxology next door for clothing, accessories and housewares. The shop includes a sanctuary in the centre where you can leave a message or prayer. Spend some time in Centennial Plaza swinging on a bench and watching the world go by before hopping on your bike for the return ride.

Strolling Audubon Park

It’s just 10 minutes from Orlando’s downtown core, but most definitely a world away. The Audubon Park district is a collection of neighbourhoods, attractions and zones with its most colourful and fragrant being the Leu Gardens. Start your day at the Historic Leu House Museum, built in 1888 and packed with charming artifacts that tell the story of the gardens.

The 50-acre property is divided into little nooks that showcase specific species. There’s the white garden that features snow white orchids, the arid garden with its cacti and Mary Jane’s Rose Garden, named for Mrs. Leu who planted her first rose in 1944. Today there are 215 varieties and 650 plants in the rose garden. In between there are magnolias and palms, hibiscus and bananas, bamboo and ferns as well as azaleas and fruit trees.

Ready for lunch? Head down the road to East End Market where DOMU has earned a MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmand award for the last two years. Start with the extra crispy Domu wings coated with kimchi butter sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Add an egg to your spicy creamy miso ramen for a meal that lives up to the hype.

Vintage is the vibe along Corrine Drive in East End. Pop into shops like The Lovely where the curated collection includes clothing, housewares and footwear and celebrates the decades gone by. The strip includes a record shop, four booksellers, handmade ice cream, tattoo studios and even the Canine Glamour Club where pets are pampered. Stop into The Salty Donut on your way back for a Toasted Coquito, a brioche beauty finished with torched cinnamon-infused meringue.

shel@shelzolkewich.com