Orlando Neighborhoods To Explore

By Kate Cohen
June 12, 2025

 

Orlando is a sprawling city, home to a variety of unique neighborhoods with fabulous shopping and dining. And spending the day in one of Orlando’s many neighborhoods is the perfect way to get to know the city beyond its theme parks and convention spaces. 

Not sure where to start? 

We’ve made a rundown of some of our favorite Orlando neighborhoods to explore for you to add to your itinerary.  

 

Key Takeaways

Winter Park 

 

A beautiful garden with a statue of a person in a robe and a cement pathway between mature trees.
Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden in Winter Park

 

A little north of Downtown Orlando is Winter Park, a beautiful and affluent community known for its great shopping and dining.  

At the heart of Winter Park is Park Avenue, a long street with a stretch of boutiques, shops, and restaurants on one side and a sprawling green park on the other.  

It’s the perfect place to grab a cup of coffee and stroll or pull up a chair and people watch (and dog watch).  

Several times a year, Winter Park hosts elaborate art festivals that draw thousands of visitors and artists from around the world.  

Art enthusiasts will also love visiting Winter Park attractions like the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. 

Winter Park is also home to Rollins College, a private liberal arts college with a charming campus that is considered one of the most beautiful in the country.  

For a real treat, explore the beauty of Winter Park and some of its spectacular residential architecture with a Scenic Boat Tour around Lake Osceola. 

 

Winter Garden 

 

A closeup of two hands toasting with full glasses of pale beer.

 

In west Orlando, you’ll find Winter Garden, an up-and-coming neighborhood rich in history, community, and charm.  

The main street in Winter Garden is Plant Street, a quaint, small-town strip lined with local businesses, shops, boutiques, and cafes.  

At one end is Plant Street Market, a large indoor marketplace with plenty of outdoor seating that houses food vendors, artisan products, and the popular Crooked Can Brewing Company.  

The City of Winter Garden hosts frequent community events that draw locals and visitors alike for festive family-friendly fun.  

On Saturday mornings, you can find the award-winning Winter Garden Farmer’s Market bustling with local vendors and makers selling handmade products and fresh produce. 

 

Baldwin Park  

 

A silhouette of a dock and a pavilion on a lake at sunset.
Lake Baldwin in Baldwin Park

 

Baldwin Park is a beautiful sprawling neighborhood centered around Lake Baldwin.  

Enjoy a scenic walk around the lake on the 2.5-mile Lake Baldwin Trail, a flat path surrounded by lush greenery, beautiful homes, and exquisite lake views.  

Along Lake Baldwin Trail, you’ll also find Lake Baldwin Park, a 23-acre fenced-in park with a sandy beach that welcomes four-legged friends off-leash. 

Just off the trail, you’ll find downtown Baldwin Park, a beautiful multi-block stretch of restaurants, cafes, and stores.  

The entire neighborhood is surrounded by beautiful homes that will make you feel like you’re walking through the pages of a picture book.  

 

Audubon Park  

 

A path leading to a two-story building, in front of which is a sign that reads East End Market, DOMU, and The Neighbors.
East End Market in Audubon Park

 

Audubon Park is a small, quirky neighborhood that borders Baldwin Park.  

Here you’ll find the acclaimed East End Market, home to Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient DOMU and a variety of other sensational food vendors.  

Across the street, you can stroll past a handful of cute cafes, vintage shops, and boutiques, including Park Ave CDs, a popular music store. 

It’s also home to the original Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream scoop shop, a haven for anyone with a sweet tooth looking for a refreshing treat.  

A little further down the road is Leu Gardens, a 50-acre botanical oasis full of rich history and lush landscaping.  

 

Thornton Park 

 

A large blue lake with several swans swimming beside a grassy shore and large skyscrapers in the distance.
Lake Eola in Thornton Park

 

Thornton Park is a funky and colorful neighborhood of Downtown Orlando that encompasses the iconic Lake Eola Park. 

Cobblestone streets give the area an old school charm, while vibrant painted murals on the sides of buildings add pops of personality.  

The area has a thriving night scene with plenty of bars that are perfect for enjoying a drink on an open patio.  

Every Thursday and Friday night, you can visit the TPD Night Market to browse goods and products made by local vendors.  

Keep your eyes peeled for Thornton Park celebrity and mayor, Lulu the cat, who loves to take to the streets and lounge with locals.  

 

Celebration 

 

An aerial shot of downtown Celebration with a large lake, plenty of trees, and colorful buildings.
Celebration, FL

 

Celebration is a beautiful neighborhood that was developed by the Walt Disney Company as an idyllic neighborhood.  

Today, the community is full of beautiful private homes and a walkable downtown area with boutiques, restaurants, and a downtown promenade.  

Initially designed to evoke nostalgia of small-town America, Celebration maintains a legacy of charm and beauty that would make Walt himself proud.  

While Celebration is a beautiful destination year-round, it’s even more exquisite during the holidays when it transforms into a Christmassy wonderland for the Now Snowing celebration.  

 

Lake Nona 
 

A nighttime aerial shot of two orange towers labeled Boxi Park, behind which lies a variety of food counters and a busy covered stage area.
Boxi Park in Lake Nona

 

Lake Nona is one of the newer neighborhoods of Orlando. Its quick-moving development is in part due to the rising medical community, including a variety of brand-new hospitals and med school campuses.  

While there isn’t a lot of boutique shopping in Lake Nona (yet), the area is teeming with amazing restaurants and bars perfect for an outing.  

Boxi Park is an outdoor food hall with a variety of culinary counters made from recycled shipping containers. Centered around a large, covered stage, the park also has a playground and a small dog park.  

Just across the street is Lake Nona Town Center, a collection of restaurants and communal spaces that often hosts community events and celebrations. 

Keep your eye on Lake Nona for incoming additions, expansions, and attractions as the area continues to grow and thrive. 

 

Stay Central in Orlando at a Rosen Inn  

 

A bright blue pool surrounded by lounge chairs, umbrellas, and palm trees with a orange hotel building behind it.

 

When you stay at a Rosen Inn, you’re never far from Orlando’s best neighborhoods and the adventures they have in store.  

You’ll also be in the midst of exciting attractions, and only a brief (and complimentary) shuttle ride away from select theme parks.  

While enjoying your stay, you can take advantage of amenities like refreshing and seasonally heated swimming pools, onsite dining, free Wi-Fi, and more.  

Let us help you make the most of your stay in Orlando!