What do you think of Mt. Dora and Winter Park for a dayvisit?

[HeatherC]

Hi - Heading back to Orlando in June for 9 days with my mom and my 3 kids. Since we just did the 4 theme parks and SeaWorld in Feb., I was looking for different things to do this time around.

Wondering if these towns are worth a short day visit....just interested in strolling around, having lunch, maybe some store browsing/shopping.


Has anyone been to these two places. Suggestions/opinions on either/both would be great.

Thanks so much.
HeatherC

 

[jctwizzer]

both places are good for browsing. however, not sure how three kids would enjoy that.......

 

[HeatherC]

Oh...I know the kids won't be thrilled. But...we are doing the water parks and one or two day at the theme parks along with DTD and the usual restaurants.

This was just for an "off" day when they are tired from the theme parks and we are looking to relax a little. Even a day at the pool can wear them out so we like to mix a day or two in here or there where they can just veg in the car for awhile...then get out...walk around...have lunch or get an ice cream. That sort of thing. We usually walk around for an hour or so in Celebration, but figured we'd try something new.

Thanks so much.
Heather

 

[lpizzuro123]

Mt. Dora is a great little town. They have a HUGE antique market there. Depending on when you go it's called Renningers and it is outside. You could spend hours there. Don't know if it is something kids will enjoy but it is great fun walking around. There is also a large lake. We did not go down to the lake so I am not sure if they have boating.

Linda

 

[KQAN]

Both are great choices. Good spots for wandering around, shopping, having lunch, ice cream, appreciating the non-touristy side of Central Florida. Both have nice parks too, so it will be fun for the kids to run around and play - you could even get sandwiches at a cafe and picnic in a park. Again, this would work in either Mt Dora or Winter Park. The main park in Winter Park is called Central Park and is on Park Avenue, the main shopping corridor in Winter Park - you can't miss it!

Have fun!

 

[Lisa BC]

Winter Park pros:

• more shopping
• more shady places to sit
• bigger park
• easier parking - in the parking garage
• lots of choices for dining, in downtown in the surrouding area

Mt. Dora pros:

• overall lower key feel than Winter Park
• less pretentious
• great lake views

So if you want shopping and a great lunch, Winter Park. Now depending on the ages of your kids, you might have a better time if you head to Mt. Dora on Sat or Sun and go to Renninger's. On the weekend it is a combo antiques market and flea market. So your kids will be more free to romp a bit at the flea market. There's also an old fashioned train that you can ride that departs from downtown Mr. Dora. However, I've never been there in June, so I don't know for sure if the flea market runs in the summer.

I wouldn't attempt to do both in the same day, the traffic from Winter Park to Apopka (on your way to Mt. Dora) is pretty crazy - not exactly gridlock except right through Apopka, but no expressway, and lots of 35-45 mph zones and traffic lights. It would likely take you about an hour to get from Winter Park to Mt. Dora... weekends are much better though. I know, I had surgery at the Winter Park Hospital the end of January 2007 and made the trip from Mt. Dora to Winter Park several times.

 

[hmp2z]

We recommend Mount Dora. It's very cute, and they do have things like boat rides where you pay $10 and get to ride the boat through the lake & canals, to see wildlife. The kids might enjoy that. Even if you don't go to the Renninger Antique Fair, there are lots of little antique stores there. The restaurants are cute, too; there is a good Mexican place, a few seafood places, and a place where you can have afternoon tea. We haven't eaten at the tea place, but it's on my list, since I loved the teas we went to in London and was so disappointed by the Grand Floridian's version.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[ttfn3]

Oooh. I LOVE Winter Park. We were there in March and made a point to go to the Arts Festival in Winter Park (our 2nd time to visit this festival). It was so much fun with great artwork, music, food, and kids activities. I really like the shops along the main street. There's a cigar shop and the guy there usually is making cigars. We're not smokers but it's cool to see the process.

We're like to make a trip to Mount Dora sometime. It's a further drive, so we haven't made it yet.

Why don't you check online to see if there is a festival in either town while you are there?