Summary
Located south of downtown Orlando, Belle Isle is a residential city situated along the Conway Chain of Lakes.
Connected by canals, these three lakes encompass more than half of Belle Isle’s total area. Lake Conway is one of the largest within Greater Orlando, serving as an excellent location for bass fishing.
Despite limited public land along its shores, the lake is accessible via boat ramps, along with several picturesque pocket parks.
A significant advantage of Belle Isle is its strategic location. The SunRail commuter train provides rapid access to downtown Orlando in just ten minutes.
Numerous attractions abound in the vicinity, ranging from Universal Orlando, a mere 15 minutes away, to karting tracks, advanced movie theaters, and the renowned Florida Mall.
1. Conway Chain of Lakes
Source: Chris Gent / Flickr
Fundamental to the city, the Conway Chain of Lakes represents Belle Isle’s primary natural feature. This interconnected system includes three bodies of water, covering a total area of approximately 1,800 acres.
While much of the lakeshore is residential with private docks, public access to Lake Conway is provided at four boat ramps: Randolph, Perkins, Venetian, and Ferncreek.
If you are inclined to fish, this area offers some of the best locations in Greater Orlando. The bass fishing is notably excellent, while catfish, brim, and shad can also be caught in these waters.
Belle Isle oversees a few lakeshore pocket parks, which are too small to warrant separate discussion. For example, Peninsular Park offers a wonderful setting to observe the sunrise over Lake Conway.
2. The Florida Mall
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Just five minutes from Belle Isle lies the largest shopping mall in Central Florida, featuring nearly 300 tenants. A unique aspect of the Florida Mall is its single-floor layout, creating a substantial retail space.
Its proximity to downtown, theme parks, and Orlando International Airport enhances its appeal as a convenient attraction. Consequently, over 20 million visitors frequent this destination yearly.
Brands represented include Apple, Gap, Guess, Mango, Victoria’s Secret, Adidas, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Banana Republic, Sephora, UNIQLO, and Zara, among others.
Additionally, the mall hosts a hotel and a conference center, frequently featuring live entertainment, particularly on weekends, ensuring there are activities for those not inclined to shop.
3. Warren Park
Source: Cindy Parker Martinez / Facebook
This small yet charming Orange County park is located on the eastern edge of Belle Isle, divided by Seminole Drive.
Warren Park features access to Lake Conway, paved walking paths, and a playground, all nestled among a dense canopy of live oaks. The shaded areas provide ample seating for those wishing to escape the Florida sun.
This park is a favored location for picnics and exercise, particularly during the milder fall and winter months. It boasts a fitness path, tennis courts, pickleball courts, and beach volleyball facilities.
4. Orlando Watersports Complex
One of the largest cable wakeboarding parks in the nation resides on the southwest side of Belle Isle.
Designed for all skill levels, the Orlando Watersports Complex features two full-sized cables suitable for wakeboarding, wakeskating, waterskiing, and kneeboarding.
Among the varied water features are transfer rails and large Unit XL Kicker ramps, alongside a lake designated for boat-towed sports, including wakeboarding and tubing.
Moreover, the complex houses an impressive Aquapark, a floating obstacle course that spans over 10,000 square feet and contains 40 different elements, including climbing walls and slides.
5. Universal Orlando Resort
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The nearest major attraction in Greater Orlando is Universal Orlando Resort, located approximately 15 minutes west of Belle Isle.
Covering over 500 acres, this complex includes three theme parks and eight resort hotels accommodating up to 9,000 guests.
In addition to Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay, a fourth theme park, named Universal Epic Universe, is scheduled to open in 2025.
For day visitors, Universal Studios is often the main focus, featuring rides and live performances inspired by popular movie and television franchises, including Harry Potter and Despicable Me.
6. Southport Community Park
Located just across the Beachline Expressway from Belle Isle, Southport Community Park is expertly maintained by the City of Orlando. This area previously served as a naval recreation center.
Throughout the early 21st century, the Villages of Southport neighborhood provided housing for the Orlando Naval Training Center.
Southport Community Park is a peaceful space for walking or jogging along shaded trails.
It features several pavilions suitable for gatherings and a large, enclosed playground for children. Sports facilities include baseball diamonds, a softball field, basketball courts, and soccer fields.
7. Cypress Grove Park
Northwest of Belle Isle lies Cypress Grove Park, a beautiful public space established in 1994 along the shores of Lake Jessamine. This park encompasses a historic estate and a charming Colonial Revival mansion erected in 1925.
One particularly enjoyable aspect of the park is the network of trails that meander along the lakefront beneath a canopy of mature live oaks and cypress trees, accentuated by seasonal flower displays.
The northern section, across Judy Court, is more conventional but still features hundreds of oaks and is bordered by whitewashed fences.
This area is among my favorite jogging spots in Belle Isle, and it also accommodates facilities for basketball, soccer, football, fishing, cricket, and sand volleyball.
8. South Conway Road
Throughout Belle Isle, the majority of shopping and dining options concentrate along South Conway Road, which marks the city’s eastern border.
At the intersection of this road and Hoffner Avenue, you’ll find Conway Crossing, a large shopping center that encompasses all four corners of the intersection.
During my visit, I observed multiple chain restaurants, including Wawa, Wendy’s, Starbucks, and McDonald’s, complemented by several locally-owned eateries. Notably, Estación Zuliana is a Venezuelan food truck praised for its empanadas and tequeños.
Additionally, there are branches of Planet Fitness and Crunch Fitness, in addition to a large Publix grocery store.
9. Epic Theatres at Lee Vista
The nearest cinema to Belle Isle is the Epic Theatres location, situated among hotels and restaurants north of Orlando International Airport.
Dinner and a movie is a straightforward affair here. Opened in 2016, this theater is outfitted with all the amenities expected of a modern cinema, including comfortable recliners and two XL auditoriums equipped with 17-foot large-format screens.
The venue features a total of 12 screens, and a notable convenience is the ability to enjoy alcoholic beverages while watching a film.
10. Crayola Experience
The renowned crayon brand, Crayola, offers a distinct visitor attraction at the Florida Mall. This destination is particularly appealing to young families seeking creative inspiration and encompasses 70,000 square feet of interactive exhibits.
Attractions include Melt & Mold, where children select a crayon to be melted and formed into a customized souvenir, and Rockin’ Paper, where visitors can create a personalized animated paper art piece.
Additionally, children may learn about the crayon manufacturing process and enjoy an expansive two-story indoor playground.
As a flagship location, the Crayola Experience also boasts a comprehensive selection of Crayola crayons and markers, showcasing all 99 colors available in their retail store.
11. SunRail
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The 2010s marked a transformative period for Greater Orlando, with significant projects such as the introduction of the SunRail commuter rail service, running from north to south through the city and its suburbs.
The modern SunRail is a double-decker train that offers an affordable ride. Even when this article was prepared, the service was extending north into Volusia County.
Passengers can board the train at Sand Lake Road, adjacent to Belle Isle, and arrive in downtown Orlando at Church Street in just ten minutes.
Continuing north, the Advent Health station provides access to attractions like the Mennello Museum of American Art, the Orlando Science Center, and the Orlando Museum of Art.
Remaining on the train for a bit longer leads to upscale Winter Park, renowned for its museums and elegant historic homes.
12. Central Florida Skatepark
Recently converted into an indoor skatepark, one of the units at the nearby Hoffner Industrial Park has become a popular venue. This facility is especially valuable in Central Florida, where rain and heat can be challenging.
The Central Florida Skatepark aims to mimic street skating conditions, featuring ramps, steps, and rails for skaters of all ages to enhance their skills.
Visitors come from as far away as Miami to utilize this facility, which is equipped with powerful fans to provide cooling on hot days. Be sure to check the calendar for seasonal events, including camps during school breaks.
13. Barber Park
Situated in the Conway area, Barber Park is a picturesque lakeside area managed by Orange County. One of the park’s highlights is the Conway Community Market, held once a month on Sundays from September through May.
During the rest of the month, Barber Park offers a lush green space filled with recreational facilities. A favorite feature for families with young children is the splash pad, along with a roller hockey rink, skate park, basketball courts, and a dog park.
Additionally, Barber Park is perfect for relaxation. Visitors can enjoy the walking trails, picnic areas, and observe the diverse duck population along the shores of Lake George.
14. Downtown Orlando
Although Belle Isle maintains a quiet residential atmosphere, it is only ten minutes from the bustling heart of the city. Orlando features several downtown districts, but this article focuses on the City District, located near Church Street Station.
This area boasts a vibrant cultural scene, entertainment options, public spaces, and landmarks typical of a modern city. It offers opportunities to attend Broadway productions at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, enjoy dining at numerous restaurants, or view exhibits at the Orange County History Center.
To the west, Exploria Stadium serves as the home field for Orlando City of MLS, while the stunning Lake Eola Park ranks among America’s premier urban parks.
15. Orlando Kart Center
A short distance south of Belle Isle is the acclaimed Orlando Kart Center, featuring an outdoor go-karting track that spans 8/10ths of a mile. The high-performance karts can reach speeds of 45 mph on straightaways.
The track is designed to provide a thrilling driving experience, complete with real curbing and bumps, accompanied by a timing system to track individual lap performances.
If you have a younger family member wishing to join, double-seater karts are also available for rent.
For standard karts, arrive-and-drive races can be booked in packages ranging from one to ten races, with no special license required. Prices include all necessary safety gear, such as helmets and head socks.
