Things to Do in Winter Garden, FL | Welcome to Better

Posted by Aisha Coleman in Orlando, Local Guides and Resources

At M/I Homes we are always looking for ways to provide our homeowners with simply the best, from our new home construction to our customer service to the locations of our communities. With a highlight on Winter Garden, Florida, we’ve scoped out all the best things to do in this amazing location near Orlando.

Known for its old Florida style and small-town charm, Winter Garden is just west of Downtown Orlando and its theme parks. It’s nestled alongside the beautiful Lake Apopka and embodies a wealth of historical and natural assets. With its brick lined streets and beautiful architecture, this charming little city is where “good things grow,” and there is never a shortage of things to do and see.

Winter Garden Culture

Winter Garden is the cultural capital of West Orange County. You can enjoy a live play, concert, or movie at the Garden Theatre, a repurposed vintage movie theatre with a Mediterranean Revival-style vibe.

If museums are more your thing, visit the Central Florida Railroad Museum of Winter Garden, housed in the old Gulf Rail Company building, or the Winter Garden Heritage Museum, where you’ll leave knowing much more about this unique city.

Or maybe catch some live music throughout downtown on the weekends at various spots or some visual arts at the local SoBo Art Gallery.

Whatever your cultural curiosity, Winter Garden has you covered!

Take in a Breath of Fresh Air in Winter Garden

There is so much for the outdoor enthusiasts to do here in Winter Garden.

Spend the day on the water at Lake Apopka. It’s third largest lake in Florida and a great place to swim, boat, fish, canoe, or kayak.
You can also take a walk on the West Orange Trail: 22 miles of paved trail for walking, running, hiking, biking, in-line skating, and skateboarding.
Horseback riders can enjoy a parallel 10-mile equestrian path. It’s even part of the 250-mile Coast-to-Coast Connector Trail across Central Florida.

Or check out one of the numerous parks and playgrounds. From swings, slides, and jungle gyms for the little kids to basketball, skateboarding, and tennis for the older kids, you’re sure to find something to keep all the kids happy and active. Lace up those sneakers, dust off that fishing pole, air up those bike tires, and get ready to get outdoors!

Winter Garden's Flavors

Plant Street Market is THE place to be in Winter Garden for sampling local favorite bites. From ceviche, to BBQ, to specialty mac and cheese, to donuts, to handmade popsicles, to juice bars, you’ll have a wealth of delicious options!

The Crooked Can Brewing Company, a landmark spot within the Market, offers excellent food as well as a variety of beer in a family-friendly and pet-friendly atmosphere. You can take a brewery tour if you’re interested in learning more about the process. Just down the street, downtown Winter Garden is also home to a plethora of options to delight your taste buds.

Local Shops and Boutiques

Winter Garden Village is an open-air shopping center with over 80 retailers and restaurants. Home to your favorite shops in a beautifully styled village with historic plaques, this is your one-stop shop to getting all your running around done.

Here are three must-see shopping destinations in Winter Garden:

The award-winning Winter Garden Farmers Market every Saturday from 9am-2pm is where you can find everything from eateries, plant and flower stands, local produce vendors, and even dog bandana shops. You can even bring the furry friends and catch some live music.
Head over to the stalls at Plant Street Market to pick up some jams, jellies, and teas at AntiquiTeas, essential oils, supplements, and homecare products at DoTerra Essential Oils, or some honey, gifts, and favors at Wild Florida Honey. You can even stop at the O2 Breathe Oxygen Bar to take in one of its many flavors of oxygen.
Historic downtown Winter Garden won’t disappoint in this department either. With its charming one-off shops and boutiques, you are sure to find that unique gift or souvenir you’ve been looking for.

Eclectic Entertainment and Events in Winter Garden

If you like to get out and enjoy the nightlife then Winter Garden is the place to be. “Fridays on the Plaza” offers live music every Friday night on the plaza in Winter Garden. Go back in time and check out some antique cars at the “Crus N Car Show” held quarterly. There is no shortage of events to partake in Winter Garden:

“Evening at the Pops” hosted by the Rotary Club, where you can sit under the stars and enjoy the symphony
“Spring Fever in the Garden”, one of Florida’s best plant, flower, and garden festival hosted by the Grow Garden Society and the city of Winter Garden
Welcome the season with “Light up Winter Garden” in December
“Winter Garden Blues & BBQ,” where the hottest Blues and Roots music meets award winning local BBQ for an afternoon celebration

Does Winter Garden sound like the perfect fit? With several M/I Homes communities in the Winter Garden area to select from, you’re sure to find one that meets your needs! We’ve carefully designed new homes that embody the Winter Garden lifestyle and put you close to all the action. Ready to learn more and tour your new home in this amazing Florida city? Contact me today!

Aisha Coleman

Have questions about interior design? Looking to take on a DIY home project? Interested in discovering new things to do in your hometown? Ready to learn about the new home construction process? Aisha can help! With over a decade of experience in her role as Internet Sales Manager in M/I Homes of Orlando, Aisha's ready to share a wealth of knowledge on all these topics and more. You can trust Aisha's insights as she is a Florida local and enjoys spending time with family by either traveling or relaxing at one of Florida's many beaches.