The Best Orlando Neighborhoods To Explore

Are you planning a trip to Orlando, Florida? If so, you are probably curious about the best neighborhoods to explore. Even though downtown Orlando has a significant amount of nightlife and Orlando is known for its amazing theme parks, there are plenty of beautiful neighborhoods throughout Central Florida that you may want to explore. You might want to check out a local farmers market, or you might want to take a look at some rental condos in the Orlando area. If you are looking for the best Orlando neighborhoods to explore, take a look at some of the highlights you shouldn’t miss, and explore some real estate and single-family homes!

1. The Milk District

Even though everyone wants to check out Walt Disney World, you won’t want to miss out on the T.G. Lee Milk District. Usually shortened to The Milk District, this is a bustling downtown area that really picked up steam in the 1950s. There are a number of fantastic restaurants in the area, including Beefy King, and you may want to check out the Plaza Live Theater. There are lots of amazing shops and restaurants in the area, and this is one of the best opportunities to check out a few local brands.

2. Audubon Park

Another location you might want to check out is Audubon Park. This is a bit secluded, tucked away in a heavily residential area, but this is the perfect place to go if you want a delicious bite to eat. There are plenty of restaurants that serve food straight from the local farm, and you might be able to check out some live music as well.

As you are exploring the nightlife in the local area, don’t miss out on the opportunity to check out Harry P. Leu Gardens. This is a beautiful Botanical Garden that is situated near Blue Jacket Park. It is a part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and it is considered to be part of the Orlando EcoDistrict.

There are a lot of community events that take place at the gardens from time to time as well. These include foodie events, children’s activities, book readings, and social events. You may want to take a look at the schedule to see if anything interesting is happening during your visit.

3. Thornton Park

One of the best places you need to check out is Thornton Park, which is located just to the east of Lake Eola Park and South Eola. This is the center of Orlando’s financial district, and the central business district is one of the busiest locations in the city. There are lots of young professionals who live here, making this one of the best areas in the city. If you are looking for a lot of action, this is definitely a place to go. There are plenty of beautiful streets lined with bricks, and it might even remind you of a town center in Europe! There are lots of shopping and dining opportunities to explore, and there are plenty of street artists to check out as well. Keep your eyes open for a food truck or two!

Regardless of whether you want to poke your head into a souvenir shop, check out the latest fashions, or grab a bite to eat, make sure you take advantage of the Wine Walk and Art Stroll in Thornton Park! This takes place on the second Thursday of every month.

4. College Park

It seems like every city has an area called College Park, and Orlando is no different. If it reminds you of some of the most popular college towns in the country, such as Yale or Harvard, there is a reason why. This area is known for its beautiful bungalows, its bike paths, and its delicious restaurants. If you are looking for a delicious malt, shake, or ice cream scoop, this is the place to go.

As you visit this area, don’t forget to check out the home of Jack Kerouac. The house is still standing today, and it serves as a literary museum. There are lots of historic homes and check out in this area as well.

5. The Historic Downtown Winter Garden

Next, if you are looking for a bit of local history, you may want to check out the historic downtown Winter Garden. This is a part of Orlando that is known for its old oak tree, its historic buildings, and its cobblestone street. If you are looking for something a bit more laid back for the whole family, this is the place to go.

One of the highlights in this area is the farmers market, which is one of the best in Central Florida. You may even want to swing by the Plant Street Market, which is known for having a lot of local shops and restaurants. When you are ready to kick back and relax, consider basking underneath a gazebo as the kids cool off at the local splash pad! Then, if you want a bit of exercise, consider going for a jog on the West Orange Trail! Don’t forget to check out some local artwork at the SoBo Art Gallery before swinging over to Lake Apopka for a beautiful sunset.

6. Mills 50 District

If you are looking for a place where all the hipsters hang out, this is definitely the place to go. You will find a lot of small businesses, art shops, restaurants, and niche establishments in this area. You will also see a bunch of street art, including murals and graffiti, scattered throughout this area. Consider taking a look as you check out the local coffee shops.

In particular, this neighborhood is home to an Asian community. If you are looking for delicious Asian food, you will want to check out some of the great restaurants in this area. Regardless of whether you are looking for Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Vietnamese food, you will find it here.

7. Ivanhoe Village

This part of Orlando used to be called the antique row. It is a bit of Orlando that has a lot of lakefront property, so this is a good place to go if you are looking for aquatic activities. There are lots of biking opportunities in the area, you’ll find plenty of joggers running outside, and you have an opportunity to explore some unique shops that you will not find anywhere else.

This is also a great place to go if you are looking for craft beer and wine opportunities. Even though this is an activity that is meant for people who are of drinking age, the kids will still have a fun time checking out some of the live music and comedy shows. There are a number of fun attractions in the local area, including the Orlando Museum of Art, the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, the Mennello Museum of American Art, and the Orlando Science Center. Consider adding a few of these fun attractions to your list!

8. Baldwin Park

You will definitely want to swing by Baldwin Park as well. In its prior life, this area was a major military base. It served as an army base, air force base, and naval training center. Now, it is a classic American neighborhood. You will see lots of people walking their dogs, you will see people biking from place to place, and you can even take out a paddle boat if you would like! This is also one of the most popular places for children to go trick-or-treating. There are plenty of delicious restaurants in this area, including fantastic Mediterranean food, so you can find just about everything you need in this neighborhood. This is the perfect location to kick back and relax before you head into town for the nightlife.

9. Downtown Orlando and the Church Street District

This is one of the oldest locations in the city. You will find a lot of old buildings situated right next to some brand new ones. Downtown Orlando is home to some of the top entertainment venues in the local area, and you will find a nice mix of live entertainment, professional sports, and nightlife spread throughout the Church Street District. It is relatively easy to get around this area, as you can take the SunRail to get anywhere quickly. Check out the high-rise condos and townhomes in this part of town.

You will also find a lot of upscale restaurants in the area, and there are shows that take place from time to time. You might want to take a look at the schedule at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Of course, you can always check out the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center or the Orlando City FC (soccer team) at the Citrus Bowl. There is always something fun going on in the downtown Orlando area. Don’t forget to check out some of the cafes and eateries when you are done visiting the amphitheater. You also are not that far from the Orlando International Airport.