Winter Park Travel Guide

(one of Ginny's amazing orchids)

I know it has been all Winter Park this week, but I am passionate about this lovely area of Orlando and I want to make sure to share every single detail.  As I have mentioned (many times) I have been visiting Winter Park for many, many years and lived there after college before moving to Georgia. It is a charming town with lovely people, incredible shopping and dining and with so much to do.  Simply put ... I love every single thing about it.  I have put together a travel guide for you to use for your visit it to the area.  Some of my tips are things I love and a few of them are collected from my friends that currently live there.

What better way to get tips than to ask a local, right?

First of all ... How to get there.

I use Travelocity when I travel as I find it helps me to look at all airlines and prices at once.  For this trip I booked with JetBlue and was so very happy.  I love the extra leg room, free snacks and the no fuss check in and bag drop. Honestly I was so impressed with the stress free trip I will be choosing JetBlue whenever possible.  I can't recommend them enough!

Flying into Orlando is very easy as it is a pretty easy airport and getting from your gate to the terminal is simple.  Once you get finished gathering your bags head downstairs to grab your car or a taxi and head straight to Winter Park.

Where to stay ... 

Hands down I recommend you stay at The Alfond Inn.  I can not say enough wonderful things about this luxury boutique hotel.  It is perfectly located so that you can walk to Park Avenue for shopping, dining and quite a few activities.  The service is impeccable and the Les Clefs d'or trained concierge is fabulous.  He is lovely and was always one step ahead of anything I asked or requested.  As you walk the halls of the hotels it can be likened to a visit to an impeccably curated contemporary art museum.  The second floor pool lined with palm trees is truly lovely and you should stop in for a dip and a drink.

Shopping ... 

Park Avenue is filled with so many wonderful shops with some names you will recognize.  You can skip some but do not miss the Lilly store, they have a large selection and I do love to purchase a piece of Lilly on each trip to Florida, it is the perfect keepsake.  I have so many shops I love I am listing them in bulk.  Make sure you stop in if you find yourself on the Avenue for a stroll and some window shopping.

Ginny's Orchids (hands down the best orchids, ever + darling gifts)
Be on Park (wonderful jewels + Hermes)
Sara Campbell Ltd.
frank (darling clothes + gifts)
tugboat & the bird (amazing children's clothes + gifts)
The Grove (darling shop with women's clothes, jewelry and wonderful home selection)
See, Inc. (fabulous glasses + sunnies)
Siegel's
Rifle Paper Co.

Dining ...

Hillstone (don't miss the sunset on the dock)
Dexter's (sandwiches + salads + pasta)
Briar Patch (brunch is divine)
Barnie's Coffee & Tea (avocado toast! + yummy coffee & tea)
Kilwin's Chocolates & Ice Cream
le macaron (perfect hostess gift)
Little Blue Donut Co.
Cocina 214 (yummy mexican!)
Hamilton's Kitchen (brunch, dinner + yummy drinks with a view)
Prato (Italian ... so good)
Luma on Park (progressive American cuisine)

Activities not to miss ... 

Farmer's Market on Saturday morning (incredible orchids, plants, produce, the best lemonade + bagels!)
Scenic Boat Tour ... take a hat!
Morse Museum of American Art (largest display of Tiffany glass)
Cornell Fine Arts Museum
Walk Rollins College for an amazing morning walk
Take in the sunset on Lake Virginia
Take a tour of historic Casa Feliz
Play a round (or two) of golf
Rent a bike for a lovely afternoon ride on the moss covered tree lined streets

When you need a break from your wonderful trip to Winter Park check out these suggestions just a short drive from your hotel ...

Pig Floyd's (the best food ... amazing barbakoa, tell Thomas hello from me)
Antique shopping on Ivanhoe Row - Golden Phoenix, Chic Rustique, DoraMae & Carousel
The Monogram Merchant - gifts + monograms galore

Hope you make a trip, it is more than worth it.