Orlando draws thousands of families per year to see all of its miniature golf courses, theme parks and water parks, but the natural parks and gardens in Orlando are typically overlooked by visitors. Many of the Orlando public parks provide a relaxing and more affordable alternative option to the gigantic themed attraction parks found in Florida.
Lake Eola Park
Lake Eola Park is one of the closest and most popular of the Orlando public parks. The signature of the park is a big fountain in the center of the lake that was installed in 1957 and refitted in 2011. Visitors can walk the 0.9 mile sidewalk trail that circles the lake or hire swan shaped paddle boats to cruise around the lake. Guests can also enjoy feeding the birds and swans which make the lake their home or enjoy a performance in the outdoor Disney Amphitheater.
Leu Gardens
The Harry P. Leu Gardens lets visitors walk through and enjoy around fifty acres of Orlando gardens filled with flowers. Guests will see plants and flowers that are indigenous to Florida and can be discovered in southern style gardens. There are butterfly, tropical stream and bamboo gardens to enjoy. The Leu Gardens also feature the 3rd largest Camellia collection in America and the largest formal rose garden found in all of the flower gardens in Florida.
University of Cennumbertral Florida Arboretum
The Varsity of Central Florida Arboretum began as 12 acres on the east side of the developed college campus. Over the years, additional acreage and tree communities have been added to the arboretum as it has developed into a living nature laboratory for students, visitors and staff. Guided natures tours through the different forested areas are offered, or visitors can enjoy the 5 hiking trails on their own. The UCF Arboretum also one of the only gardens in Orlando that features a disk-golf course.
Mead Botanical Garden
Just a few miles from central Orlando, the Mead Gardens lets guests enjoy an untouched natural Florida eco-system. These Orlando gardens have a wide group of animals including alligators, opossums, raccoons, tree frogs, turtles and more. Birdwatchers can grab a checklist at the gardens and try and identify the more than 150 species of birds that've been spotted in the garden. There are also nature trails, an amphitheater and a picnic pavilion for visitors to enjoy.
Wekiwa Springs State Park
20 minutes north of Orlando, visitors can take a swim in one of the freshwater springs helping make up the Florida geography. Snorkelers can enjoy the clear, 72 degree water year round. Canoers and kayakers can paddle up the brook and get an up-close look at the diverse wildlife that live along the Florida streams. There are two campsites up the brook that only accessible by canoe or kayak. Guests can also enjoy the nature trails for walkers, as well as animal seeing tours and exhibits on weekends.
Lake Eola Park
Lake Eola Park is one of the closest and most popular of the Orlando public parks. The signature of the park is a big fountain in the center of the lake that was installed in 1957 and refitted in 2011. Visitors can walk the 0.9 mile sidewalk trail that circles the lake or hire swan shaped paddle boats to cruise around the lake. Guests can also enjoy feeding the birds and swans which make the lake their home or enjoy a performance in the outdoor Disney Amphitheater.
Leu Gardens
The Harry P. Leu Gardens lets visitors walk through and enjoy around fifty acres of Orlando gardens filled with flowers. Guests will see plants and flowers that are indigenous to Florida and can be discovered in southern style gardens. There are butterfly, tropical stream and bamboo gardens to enjoy. The Leu Gardens also feature the 3rd largest Camellia collection in America and the largest formal rose garden found in all of the flower gardens in Florida.
University of Cennumbertral Florida Arboretum
The Varsity of Central Florida Arboretum began as 12 acres on the east side of the developed college campus. Over the years, additional acreage and tree communities have been added to the arboretum as it has developed into a living nature laboratory for students, visitors and staff. Guided natures tours through the different forested areas are offered, or visitors can enjoy the 5 hiking trails on their own. The UCF Arboretum also one of the only gardens in Orlando that features a disk-golf course.
Mead Botanical Garden
Just a few miles from central Orlando, the Mead Gardens lets guests enjoy an untouched natural Florida eco-system. These Orlando gardens have a wide group of animals including alligators, opossums, raccoons, tree frogs, turtles and more. Birdwatchers can grab a checklist at the gardens and try and identify the more than 150 species of birds that've been spotted in the garden. There are also nature trails, an amphitheater and a picnic pavilion for visitors to enjoy.
Wekiwa Springs State Park
20 minutes north of Orlando, visitors can take a swim in one of the freshwater springs helping make up the Florida geography. Snorkelers can enjoy the clear, 72 degree water year round. Canoers and kayakers can paddle up the brook and get an up-close look at the diverse wildlife that live along the Florida streams. There are two campsites up the brook that only accessible by canoe or kayak. Guests can also enjoy the nature trails for walkers, as well as animal seeing tours and exhibits on weekends.
About the Author:
Helen Mohaim has had an interest in Orlando gardens and public parks for many years. For some more info on out of doors destinations and Orlando public parks, read her articles here.
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