Winter Park Shopping District in Orlando, Fla.
Beyond America's Most Popular Theme Parks is a Historic Small Town
Jan 18, 2009
Wrought iron light fixtures, brick pavers and tasteful signage enhance Winter Park's distinctively European look.
Unlike some Meccas for the rich and famous, Winter Park’s Park Avenue is sweetly small town and friendly. Sales and wait staff are courteous in general. And prices in many of the shops and restaurants aren’t too steep even for the middle class.
The picturesque shopping area is enhanced by beautiful landscaping and an exquisite rose garden within the 11-acre Central Park, which parallels the avenue. The garden was donated by local residents and is free and open to the public.
Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma
Park Avenue’s wide selection of national retailers includes Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Ann Taylor and Gap. Shopping also includes numerous boutiques, antique shops and art galleries.
The historic train station in the district has been refurbished as the Florida Farmers Market. On Saturday mornings it’s a good spot to pick up fresh produce, hot bread and fragrant kettle corn.
Starbuck's Coffee and Barnie's Coffee and Tea
Several ice cream and sandwich shops are also along the avenue and there’s both a Starbucks Coffee and a Barnie’s Coffee and Tea.
When it’s time to sit down for a real meal, there are plenty of options to choose from. The restaurants in the shopping district offer delicious fare and even the finer ones are relatively affordable at lunchtime.
Park Plaza Gardens, 310 Park South and The Wine Room
Park Plaza Gardens and 310 Park South offer indoor and outdoor dining with a European flavor. Both are great places to linger over lunch and watch the world go by. And for fine dining both have excellent dinner menus.
For something delicious and different, try Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine. The restaurant doesn’t cut corners, instead offering hearty and fresh Turkish delights.
Wine drinkers shouldn’t miss The Wine Room. The wine bar features Old World décor, including leather couches. But the real draw is its Enomatic wine serving system. After obtaining a smart card from the cashier, customers may dispense one-ounce or two-ounce portions of wine to taste or full servings of five ounces.
But there’s much more to do in Winter Park than just drinking, dining and shopping. Among the district’s other pastimes are taking the local boat tour or visiting an art museum.
Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour
The Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, offering a closer view of the area’s many large estates from the area’s chain of lakes, has been a fixture in the area for more than 65 years. The one-hour trip on the tour pontoon boat is a relaxing way to learn more about the history of Winter Park.
The tour passes through several canal revealing lush landscaping and quaint boathouses of lakeside residents. Many of the mansions lining the lake are breath taking.
Morse Museum and Albin Polasek Museum
As for museums, The Morse Museum on Park Avenue features Tiffany glass and other artworks from Louis Comfort Tiffany’s studio and his contemporaries. Because some of the vast permanent collection is now on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, visitors have the opportunity to see pieces from the collection that have never before been displayed.
“This is certainly an excellent time for local residents to take advantage of our new exhibit from the permanent collection,” said Catherine Hinman, spokeswoman for the museum.
The nearby Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden features the world-class paintings and sculptures of the artist. Those who take the boat tour get the opportunity to get a peek at the sculpture garden.
A day on Park Avenue leaves one feeling rich even if one isn't.
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