Cultural, Heritage, Natural Treasures in Orlando

Cultural, Heritage, Natural Treasures in Orlando

In a region where theme parks dominate the vacation experience, visitors find an Orlando with surprisingly diverse cultural and natural attractions. Here are some highlights:

Museums

Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, showcases nearly 200 of his works in the Czech sculptor’s home, galleries and a 3-acre (1.2-hectare) garden in Winter Park. polasek.org 407-647-6294

Bradlee-McIntyre House—Central Florida Society for Historic Preservation offers guided tours of the 1885 Queen Anne-style, three-story, 13-room winter vacation cottage. The only surviving late-Victorian cottage in Orange and Seminole counties. 407-332-0225

Casselberry Art House is a cultural arts facility housing a unique gallery and art classroom. It has a full schedule of classes, special events and exhibits. casselberry.org/parks_arts.asp 407-262-7720

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, as well as late 19th and 20th century American art. morsemuseum.org 407-332-0225

Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College in Winter Park features European and American paintings, sculpture and decorative arts. rollins.edu/cfam 407-646-2526

Historic Waterhouse Residence & Carpentry Show Museums in Maitland was built in 1884 and reflects the life and livelihood during the late Victorian period. maitlandhistory.org 407-644-2451

The Mennello Museum of American Art is Florida’s only museum showcasing works of self-taught artists, including renowned folk artist Earl Cunningham. mennellomuseum.com 407-246-4278

Museum of Seminole County History in Sanford is comprised of two buildings depicting early agriculture, transportation and turn-of-the-century furnishings. seminolecountyfl.gov 407-665-248

Orlando Museum of Art in Loch Haven Park features traveling exhibitions and permanent collections of American art, African art and art of the ancient Americas. OMArt.org 407-896-4231

Sanford Museum contains exhibits dealing with the history of the city and its founder, Henry S. Sanford, as well as

archives and a research library. ci.sanford.fl.us 407-302-1000

Water Ski Hall of Fame and Museum in Polk City gives visitors the opportunity to spend a nostalgic afternoon traveling back in time to see how the pioneers innovated and changed the sport. waterskihalloffame.com 863-324-2472

Winter Park Historical Association Museum is located at the north end of the historic farmers market. Features displays of pictorial history, collectibles and memorabilia. winterparkhistorical.com 407-647-8180

WordSpring Discovery Center allows visitors to explore the history of the Bible, the world’s languages and the ongoing work of Bible translation through interactive multimedia. wycliffe.org/wordspring 407-852-3626

Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts in Eatonville celebrates the works of the noted African-American writer, folklorist and anthropologist, and other works by artists of African descent. zoranealehurston.cc 407-647-3307

Galleries

City Hall of Orlando—Terrace Gallery showcases Florida artists year-round and traveling exhibits throughout the year. cityoforlando.net/arts 407-246-4279

COMMA, An Alternative Art Space for Contemporary Millennium Art is a gallery created to showcase contemporary, original fine art by nationally known and Central Florida artists.

407-894-4505

Crealdé School of Art in Winter Park offers changing fine art exhibitions, free educational exhibitions and one of the largest contemporary art sculptures in Florida. crealde.org 407-671-1886

DMAC—Downtown Media Arts Center is an 80-seat cinema, café and gallery with live music, open mike nights and special events. dmacorlando.com 407-992-1210

Grand Bohemian Gallery offers the finest in original and contemporary artwork including paintings, photography, sculpture, glass, jewelry and one-of-a-kind gifts. grandbohemiangallery.com 407-581-4801

Jamali Fine Art features works by artist Jamali. The collection includes original paintings, bronze sculptures, limited editions and photography. 407-629-6308

Maitland Art Center features changing exhibitions, concerts in the garden, a lecture series and numerous special events, including a Children’s Art Festival. maitartctr.org 407-539-2181

Millenia Gallery in Orlando offers paintings by Picasso, Chagall, Renoir and others, as well as works by distinguished contemporary artists. milleniagallery.com 407-226-8701

OVAL on Orange Gallery and Studios in downtown Orlando is a working studio space and cooperative gallery where visitors can watch the artists at work. ovalorlando.org 407-648-1819

Suz Letzig Gallery features original art, Giclée and limited edition prints. 407-896-7422

Timothy’s Gallery in Winter Park, a “Top 100 Gallery of American Craft” winner since 1997, features the works of more than 300 award-winning artists with jewelry, art, furniture, ceramics and more. timothysgallery.com 407-629-0707

Theater and Music

Annie Russell Theatre at Rollins College in Winter Park hosts four theatre productions and one dance production each season featuring students as well as local and national professional talent. rollins.edu/theatre 407-646-2145

ArtsFest, now in its third year, is a cultural sampling for every taste and pocketbook. From moving ballet and opera to cutting-edge film and art exhibits, this festival showcases Central Florida’s best in arts and culture. redchairproject.com 407-363-5872

Bach Festival Society of Winter Park offers seasonal performances with a 150-voice choir and guest soloists and ensembles. bachfestival.org 407-646-2182

Central Florida Ballet features performances of Russian-based ballets including the annual Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Cinderella. centralfloridaballet.com 407-849-9948

Cirque du Soleil in Downtown Disney West Side comes alive with surreal sets, live music and high-energy choreography; the show includes gymnasts, acrobats, dancers and clowns. cirquedusoleil.com 407-939-7600

Enzian Theater is Central Florida’s oldest full-time, nonprofit alternative cinema. Hosts the Florida Film Festival each spring. enzian.org 407-629-0054

Festival of Orchestras permanent concert series in Orlando features five or more internationally acclaimed symphony orchestras each season. festivaloforchestras.com 407-539-0245

Florida Film Festival is held each spring and showcases the best American independent and foreign films. Produced by Enzian Theater, the festival has been ranked eighth in America by the Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide. floridafilmfestival.com 407-644-5625

Florida Music Festival is a three-day celebration of up-and-coming musicians held in May in downtown Orlando. It was recently ranked among the top 25 best music festivals in the Southeast. floridamusicfestival.com

Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra provides talented young student musicians with orchestral experience and audiences with the opportunity to watch. fsyo.org 407-999-7800

JCC Center Players is an adult community theater that produces plays and musicals, some of which have Jewish content. orlandojcc.org 407-645-5933

The JESUS Film Project is located at the world headquarters for Campus Crusade for Christ. Visitors can take a tour of the facility and learn how the latest technology simulates translation of the movie into 890 languages. jesusfilm.org 407-826-2300

Mad Cow Theatre presents award-winning contemporary and classic plays and musicals in an intimate setting in downtown Orlando. madcowtheatre.com 407-297-8788

Orlando Ballet is Central Florida’s only fully professional ballet company with 24 national and international dancers. Season runs September to May. orlandoballet.org 407-426-1733

The Orlando Chorale is a 60-voice choir of professional and experienced singers from Central Florida under the direction of Gregory Ruffer. theorlandochorale.org 407-896-8624

Orlando International Fringe Festival is 10 days of theater, music and frivolity each May in downtown Orlando. More than 500 performances by local, national and international artists are offered. orlandofringe.org 407-648-0077

Orlando Opera presents world-class productions with live music by the Orlando Philharmonic and English translations projected above the stage. Season runs October to April. orlandoopera.org 407-426-1700

Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Central Florida’s resident orchestra, presents several series each season, including its “Phil at Carr” series with noted international soloists and the popular Darden Family Series. orlandophil.org 407-896-6700

Orlando Repertory Theatre at Loch Haven Park in Orlando’s “Cultural Corridor” presents professional theater based on classic and contemporary children’s literature. orlandorep.com 407-896-7365

Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival features Shakespeare classics and other plays year-round in a permanent home at Loch Haven Park. shakespearefest.org 407-447-1700

People’s Theatre, Inc. is a multicultural theater that celebrates the multiethnic makeup of our communities through quality community theater. peoplestheatre.org 407-426-0545

Pinocchio’s Marionette Theater is a professional marionette company performing original versions of children’s classic fairy tales and stories for audiences of all ages. pinocchios.net 407-677-8831

Playwrights’ Round Table in Longwood features readings and productions of original works for stage and screen by professional actors and directors. playwrightsroundtable.org 407-788-8468

SunTrust Broadway in Orlando brings national Broadway touring shows to the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre in downtown Orlando. broadwayacrossamerica.com 407-950-4647

Winter Park Playhouse is an intimate, professional theatre specializing in musicals with live musicians and comedies from Broadway and Off-Broadway. winterparkplayhouse.org 407-645-0145

Heritage

Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Central Florida includes a museum, library and gallery. holocaustedu.org 407-628-0555

New Day Enterprises offers ethnic heritage group tours of the area, highlighting local landmarks, streets and structures named in honor of African-Americans. 407-245-7535

Orange County Regional History Center in downtown Orlando explores 12,000 years of the area’s rich history with interactive exhibits, artifacts, archives and special shows. thehistorycenter.org 407-836-8500

Wells’ Built Museum of African-American History features exhibits, artifacts and memorabilia of African-American artists and musicians who entertained in downtown Orlando. pastinc.org 407-245-7535

Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, a local attraction for more than half a century, takes riders along the city’s historic chain of lakes and connecting canals - a 12-mile (19-kilometer) cruise through the “Venice of America.” scenicboattours.com 407-644-4056

Withers-Maguire House and Museum in Ocoee is on the National Register of Historic Places and gives a glimpse of life in 1888. Open only on weekends. 407-656-2051

The Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts & Humanities is held annually in January and celebrates the life and work of noted African-American author and folklorist, Zora Neale Hurston, a native of Eatonville. zorafestival.com 800-972-3310

Parks and Gardens

Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake is a 178-acre (72-hectare) natural park located near Orlando’s major tourism area. Pavilions, boats, cabins and RV campsites are available for rent. cityoforlando.net 407-299-5581

De Leon Springs State Park offers hiking trails, narrated boat tours and is a great place for bird watching. floridastateparks.org 386-985-4212

Fort Christmas Historical Park is a park and museum in one, with a replica of the original fort built on Dec. 25, 1837 during the second Seminole Indian War and a “Living History” community of seven pioneer homes restored to their original condition. 407-568-4149

Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando is a 50-acre (20-hectare) botanical park with the largest camellia collection in North America and the Leu House Museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. leugardens.org 407-246-2620

Historic Bok Sanctuary in Lake Wales features Fredrick Law Olmsted-designed gardens, 204-foot (62-meter) tower and a majestic 60-bell carillon. Boksanctuary.org 407-676-1408

Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando includes 43 acres (17 hectares) with a walking trail, café and 23-acre (9-hectare) lake with paddleboats. 407-246-2827

Moss Park/Split Oak consists of 3,351 acres (1,356 hectares) of natural Florida forest and wildlife nestled between Lakes Hard and Mary Jane. The park offers camping, boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and picnicking. 407-273-2327

Southport RV Park Campground & Marina is a natural paradise located on West Lake Toho. The park is perfect for wildlife viewing. southportpark.com 407-933-5822

Wekiva Springs State Park in Apopka offers 7,800 acres (3,157-heactres) with a natural spring for swimming, canoes for rent and an opportunity to see how the area’s American Indians lived. floridastateparks.org 407-884-2008

Outdoor Adventures

A-Awesome Airboat Rides offers 90-minute guided tours of Florida’s wetlands. Day and night tours are available on small airplane engine-powered airboats. airboatride.com 407-568-7601

Airboat Rides ‘Old Fashioned’ have licensed captains with 30 years of expertise providing a real wildlife experience with views of alligators, bald eagles and more. airboatrides.com 407-568-4307

A Pro Bass Guide Service, Inc. provides full- and halfday fishing trips with a bass guide in a pro bass boat on Florida lakes. probassguideservice.com 407-877-9676

Bass Anglers Guide Service offers half- and full-day fishing expeditions in custom-rigged bass boats on the Butler Chain of Lakes in Windermere. fishing-boating.com/bassanglers 407-656-1052

Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, showcases nearly 200 of his works in the Czech sculptor’s home, galleries and a 3-acre (1.2-hectare) garden in Winter Park.
polasek.org 407-647-6294

Bradlee-McIntyre House—Central Florida Society for Historic Preservation offers guided tours of the 1885 Queen Anne-style, three-story, 13-room winter vacation cottage. The only surviving late-Victorian cottage in Orange and Seminole counties.
407-332-0225

Casselberry Art House is a cultural arts facility housing a unique gallery and art classroom. It has a full schedule of classes, special events and exhibits.
casselberry.org/parks_arts.asp 407-262-7720

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, as well as late 19th and 20th century American art.
morsemuseum.org 407-332-0225

Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College in Winter Park features European and American paintings, sculpture and decorative arts.
rollins.edu/cfam 407-646-2526

Historic Waterhouse Residence & Carpentry Show Museums in Maitland was built in 1884 and reflects the life and livelihood during the late Victorian period.
maitlandhistory.org 407-644-2451

The Mennello Museum of American Art is Florida’s only museum showcasing works of self-taught artists, including renowned folk artist Earl Cunningham.
mennellomuseum.com 407-246-4278

Museum of Seminole County History in Sanford is comprised of two buildings depicting early agriculture, transportation and turn-of-the-century furnishings.
seminolecountyfl.gov 407-665-248

Orlando Museum of Art in Loch Haven Park features traveling exhibitions and permanent collections of American art, African art and art of the ancient Americas.
OMArt.org 407-896-4231

archives and a research library.
ci.sanford.fl.us 407-302-1000

Water Ski Hall of Fame and Museum in Polk City gives visitors the opportunity to spend a nostalgic afternoon traveling back in time to see how the pioneers innovated and changed the sport.
waterskihalloffame.com 863-324-2472

Winter Park Historical Association Museum is located at the north end of the historic farmers market. Features displays of pictorial history, collectibles and memorabilia.
winterparkhistorical.com 407-647-8180

WordSpring Discovery Center allows visitors to explore the history of the Bible, the world’s languages and the ongoing work of Bible translation through interactive multimedia.
wycliffe.org/wordspring 407-852-3626

Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts in Eatonville celebrates the works of the noted African-American writer, folklorist and anthropologist, and other works by artists of African descent.
zoranealehurston.cc 407-647-3307

City Hall of Orlando—Terrace Gallery showcases Florida artists year-round and traveling exhibits throughout the year.
cityoforlando.net/arts 407-246-4279

Crealdé School of Art in Winter Park offers changing fine art exhibitions, free educational exhibitions and one of the largest contemporary art sculptures in Florida.
crealde.org 407-671-1886

DMAC—Downtown Media Arts Center is an 80-seat cinema, café and gallery with live music, open mike nights and special events.
dmacorlando.com 407-992-1210

Grand Bohemian Gallery offers the finest in original and contemporary artwork including paintings, photography, sculpture, glass, jewelry and one-of-a-kind gifts.
grandbohemiangallery.com 407-581-4801

Jamali Fine Art features works by artist Jamali. The collection includes original paintings, bronze sculptures, limited editions and photography.
407-629-6308

Maitland Art Center features changing exhibitions, concerts in the garden, a lecture series and numerous special events, including a Children’s Art Festival.
maitartctr.org 407-539-2181

Millenia Gallery in Orlando offers paintings by Picasso, Chagall, Renoir and others, as well as works by distinguished contemporary artists.
milleniagallery.com 407-226-8701

OVAL on Orange Gallery and Studios in downtown Orlando is a working studio space and cooperative gallery where visitors can watch the artists at work.
ovalorlando.org 407-648-1819

Suz Letzig Gallery features original art, Giclée and limited edition prints.
407-896-7422

Timothy’s Gallery in Winter Park, a “Top 100 Gallery of American Craft” winner since 1997, features the works of more than 300 award-winning artists with jewelry, art, furniture, ceramics and more.
timothysgallery.com 407-629-0707

Annie Russell Theatre at Rollins College in Winter Park hosts four theatre productions and one dance production each season featuring students as well as local and national professional talent.
rollins.edu/theatre 407-646-2145

ArtsFest, now in its third year, is a cultural sampling for every taste and pocketbook. From moving ballet and opera to cutting-edge film and art exhibits, this festival showcases Central Florida’s best in arts and culture.
redchairproject.com 407-363-5872

Bach Festival Society of Winter Park offers seasonal performances with a 150-voice choir and guest soloists and ensembles.
bachfestival.org 407-646-2182

Central Florida Ballet features performances of Russian-based ballets including the annual Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Cinderella.
centralfloridaballet.com 407-849-9948

Cirque du Soleil in Downtown Disney West Side comes alive with surreal sets, live music and high-energy choreography; the show includes gymnasts, acrobats, dancers and clowns.
cirquedusoleil.com 407-939-7600

Enzian Theater is Central Florida’s oldest full-time, nonprofit alternative cinema. Hosts the Florida Film Festival each spring.
enzian.org 407-629-0054

Festival of Orchestras permanent concert series in Orlando features five or more internationally acclaimed symphony orchestras each season.
festivaloforchestras.com 407-539-0245

Florida Film Festival is held each spring and showcases the best American independent and foreign films. Produced by Enzian Theater, the festival has been ranked eighth in America by the Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide.
floridafilmfestival.com 407-644-5625

Florida Music Festival is a three-day celebration of up-and-coming musicians held in May in downtown Orlando. It was recently ranked among the top 25 best music festivals in the Southeast.
floridamusicfestival.com

Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra provides talented young student musicians with orchestral experience and audiences with the opportunity to watch.
fsyo.org 407-999-7800

JCC Center Players is an adult community theater that produces plays and musicals, some of which have Jewish content.
orlandojcc.org 407-645-5933

The JESUS Film Project is located at the world headquarters for Campus Crusade for Christ. Visitors can take a tour of the facility and learn how the latest technology simulates translation of the movie into 890 languages.
jesusfilm.org 407-826-2300

Mad Cow Theatre presents award-winning contemporary and classic plays and musicals in an intimate setting in downtown Orlando.
madcowtheatre.com 407-297-8788

Orlando Ballet is Central Florida’s only fully professional ballet company with 24 national and international dancers. Season runs September to May.
orlandoballet.org 407-426-1733

The Orlando Chorale is a 60-voice choir of professional and experienced singers from Central Florida under the direction of Gregory Ruffer.
theorlandochorale.org 407-896-8624

Orlando International Fringe Festival is 10 days of theater, music and frivolity each May in downtown Orlando. More than 500 performances by local, national and international artists are offered.
orlandofringe.org 407-648-0077

Orlando Opera presents world-class productions with live music by the Orlando Philharmonic and English translations projected above the stage. Season runs October to April.
orlandoopera.org 407-426-1700

Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Central Florida’s resident orchestra, presents several series each season, including its “Phil at Carr” series with noted international soloists and the popular Darden Family Series.
orlandophil.org 407-896-6700

Orlando Repertory Theatre at Loch Haven Park in Orlando’s “Cultural Corridor” presents professional theater based on classic and contemporary children’s literature.
orlandorep.com 407-896-7365

Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival features Shakespeare classics and other plays year-round in a permanent home at Loch Haven Park.
shakespearefest.org 407-447-1700

People’s Theatre, Inc. is a multicultural theater that celebrates the multiethnic makeup of our communities through quality community theater.
peoplestheatre.org 407-426-0545

Pinocchio’s Marionette Theater is a professional marionette company performing original versions of children’s classic fairy tales and stories for audiences of all ages.
pinocchios.net 407-677-8831

Playwrights’ Round Table in Longwood features readings and productions of original works for stage and screen by professional actors and directors.
playwrightsroundtable.org 407-788-8468

SunTrust Broadway in Orlando brings national Broadway touring shows to the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre in downtown Orlando.
broadwayacrossamerica.com 407-950-4647

Winter Park Playhouse is an intimate, professional theatre specializing in musicals with live musicians and comedies from Broadway and Off-Broadway.
winterparkplayhouse.org 407-645-0145

Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Central Florida includes a museum, library and gallery.
holocaustedu.org 407-628-0555

New Day Enterprises offers ethnic heritage group tours of the area, highlighting local landmarks, streets and structures named in honor of African-Americans.
407-245-7535

Orange County Regional History Center in downtown Orlando explores 12,000 years of the area’s rich history with interactive exhibits, artifacts, archives and special shows.
thehistorycenter.org 407-836-8500

Wells’ Built Museum of African-American History features exhibits, artifacts and memorabilia of African-American artists and musicians who entertained in downtown Orlando.
pastinc.org 407-245-7535

Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, a local attraction for more than half a century, takes riders along the city’s historic chain of lakes and connecting canals - a 12-mile (19-kilometer) cruise through the “Venice of America.”
scenicboattours.com 407-644-4056

Withers-Maguire House and Museum in Ocoee is on the National Register of Historic Places and gives a glimpse of life in 1888. Open only on weekends.
407-656-2051

The Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts & Humanities is held annually in January and celebrates the life and work of noted African-American author and folklorist, Zora Neale Hurston, a native of Eatonville.
zorafestival.com 800-972-3310

Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake is a 178-acre (72-hectare) natural park located near Orlando’s major tourism area. Pavilions, boats, cabins and RV campsites are available for rent.
cityoforlando.net 407-299-5581

De Leon Springs State Park offers hiking trails, narrated boat tours and is a great place for bird watching.
floridastateparks.org 386-985-4212

Fort Christmas Historical Park is a park and museum in one, with a replica of the original fort built on Dec. 25, 1837 during the second Seminole Indian War and a “Living History” community of seven pioneer homes restored to their original condition.
407-568-4149

Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando is a 50-acre (20-hectare) botanical park with the largest camellia collection in North America and the Leu House Museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
leugardens.org 407-246-2620

Historic Bok Sanctuary in Lake Wales features Fredrick Law Olmsted-designed gardens, 204-foot (62-meter) tower and a majestic 60-bell carillon.
Boksanctuary.org 407-676-1408

Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando includes 43 acres (17 hectares) with a walking trail, café and 23-acre (9-hectare) lake with paddleboats.
407-246-2827

Moss Park/Split Oak consists of 3,351 acres (1,356 hectares) of natural Florida forest and wildlife nestled between Lakes Hard and Mary Jane. The park offers camping, boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and picnicking.
407-273-2327

Southport RV Park Campground & Marina is a natural paradise located on West Lake Toho. The park is perfect for wildlife viewing.
southportpark.com 407-933-5822

Wekiva Springs State Park in Apopka offers 7,800 acres (3,157-heactres) with a natural spring for swimming, canoes for rent and an opportunity to see how the area’s American Indians lived.
floridastateparks.org 407-884-2008

A-Awesome Airboat Rides offers 90-minute guided tours of Florida’s wetlands. Day and night tours are available on small airplane engine-powered airboats.
airboatride.com 407-568-7601

Airboat Rides ‘Old Fashioned’ have licensed captains with 30 years of expertise providing a real wildlife experience with views of alligators, bald eagles and more.
airboatrides.com 407-568-4307

A Pro Bass Guide Service, Inc. provides full- and halfday fishing trips with a bass guide in a pro bass boat on Florida lakes.
probassguideservice.com 407-877-9676

Bass Anglers Guide Service offers half- and full-day fishing expeditions in custom-rigged bass boats on the Butler Chain of Lakes in Windermere.
fishing-boating.com/bassanglers 407-656-1052