1. Overview
This article explores Winter Garden, Florida, highlighting its history, transportation, shopping, and dining options.
2. Location and Population
Winter Garden, located in western Orange County along the southeastern shore of Lake Apopka, is approximately 14 miles from downtown Orlando. Nearby cities include Oakland, Apopka, Windermere, Ocoee, and Monteverde. The housing boom of the early 2000s led to significant population growth, with an estimated 28,670 residents in 2007, showing a remarkable 90.4% increase since 2000.
3. Transportation
A multitude of main roads offer seamless access from Winter Garden to the rest of Central Florida. Highway 50 and the East-West Expressway (SR408) facilitate direct routes to downtown Orlando. Additionally, the Florida Turnpike provides a swift path to the Orlando International Airport. Moreover, the Western Beltway (SR429) serves as a convenient bypass around Orlando traffic and connects Winter Garden with nearby communities, granting traffic-free access to the new western entrance of Walt Disney World.
4. Historical Buildings
The Garden Theatre, originally built in 1935 as a 300-seat movie house, transitioned to a warehouse after closing in 1963. In February 2008, it reopened as a community performing arts venue. Furthermore, the Edgewater Hotel, located on Plant Street and constructed in 1926, still features its original Otis elevator, which was itself an attraction back in 1926. Today, this restored building operates as a bed and breakfast, housing the Heritage Center and two restaurants on its first floor.
5. Museums
The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation manages the Heritage Museum, History Center, and Railroad Museum. The History Center emphasizes educational and research opportunities, while the museums boast collections of memorabilia that capture the essence of early pioneer settlement to the present, with particular focus on the citrus and railroad industries.
6. Shopping
A stroll down Plant Street, the heart of the redeveloped downtown Winter Garden, reveals a charming glimpse of small-town Florida, characterized by a slower pace of life. This walkable area is lined with a delightful array of small shops, restaurants, and historic structures. For a more contemporary shopping experience, visit Winter Garden Village at Fowler Groves, conveniently located off RT429. This expansive open-air shopping center features a blend of specialty, big-box, and discount stores, along with over 20 eateries—an ideal destination for a day of retail therapy.
7. Biking, Rollerblading, and Walking
The 19-mile Apopka to Oakland West Orange Trail runs directly through the center of downtown Winter Garden. At mile 5 of the trail, the Winter Garden Station, located on Plant Street, provides parking, restrooms, and picnic benches. A brief 2-mile ride to the west toward the Oakland Outpost features one of the trail’s highlights—a xeriscape/butterfly garden.
8. Dining
Downtown Winter Garden boasts a diverse range of dining experiences. The Chef’s Table at the Edgewater, situated on the first floor of the historic Edgewater Hotel, offers an elegant dining experience with a prix fixe menu. For a more relaxed atmosphere, Plant Street Grill provides a pub-style menu alongside a vast selection of domestic and foreign beers. Furthermore, Downtown Brown’s is a perfect spot to take a break from the bike trail and enjoy a delicious ice cream cone or a satisfying sandwich.
