If you are like me, you are out of content to stream, tired of sitting at home and bored of cleaning your house. We all want to remain safe but have an ardent desire to go out and return to a bit of normalcy! Thankfully, there are some local Orlando spots that want that for us too! Here are 10 of my favorite places and things to do that are available and reopened.
1. Visit the Beautiful Leu Gardens
Leu Gardens is a beautiful 50-acre botanical garden in the Winter Park area. Donated to the City of Orlando by Harry P. Leu and his wife Mary Jane in 1961. Masks are required inside all buildings but not out in the gardens. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 4-17 and free for children under the age of 3. Admission is also free to all the first Monday of every month.
2. Bike, Skate or Walk the West Orange Trail
The West Orange Trail is just over 22 miles of paved pathway for everyone to enjoy starting from the Killarney Bike rental station in Winter Garden to downtown Apopka. Bike rentals are available at two of the outposts and you can plan your trip from any starting you want! Go on a Saturday between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to catch a glimpse of the charming Farmers Market in the Winter Garden Downtown Pavillion.
3. Take a Cruise the Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari Park!
Stay in your own vehicle as you drive through 85-acres of scenic pasture filled with buffalo, deer, bison and other fun animals. Make sure to book ahead of time because entry is limited, and tickets sell out fast!
4. Take a Walk Down Mills Ave for Beautiful Art and Great Food
If you have never ventured into the Mills 50 district of Orlando, you are missing out! This area is jam-packed with food, culture and art. We recommend you take a walk along the Orlando Urban Trail for a unique afternoon and snap some pics along the way.
5. Model for the Gram at Wall Crawl
Wall Crawl is a combination of traditional photo studio and Instagram pop-up! They change the décor of their walls and rooms seasonally so be sure to check out their Instagram story, Our Walls, to make sure you can plan your outfit accordingly. Masks are required between photoshoots.
6. Stroll Through the Mennello Museum of American Art
We are so excited that Mennello Museum of American Art reopened its doors on June 2. They have adjusted their exhibition schedule to accommodate for the closures. Check online to see what they have on display now and to book your visit in advance. Masks are required for all visitors.
7. Geek Out at Gods & Monsters
With something for every fandom, Gods & Monsters is a must visit for all the Orlando nerds and geeks alike. They are open for distance in store shopping as well as curbside pick-up and online ordering. Masks are required.
8. Sip & Stroll Through Lakeridge Winery
Lakeridge Winery has changed the format of its complimentary Tour & Tasting to continue practicing social distancing while still providing us with something to do in the sun this weekend. They also have their retail wine shop open available for business along with curbside pickup.
9. Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Sanctuary
Lukas Nursery in Oviedo is the perfect place to spend a morning shopping around for plants, looking at all the fun statues throughout the grounds and for viewing their beautiful butterfly encounter. If you are interested in going into the butterfly encounter, make sure to do it on a day where it is not raining, or you will have to search around for the hiding butterflies.
10. Stay Home and Take a Virtual Tour of The City Beautiful
VisitOrlando.com has created an amazing resource using some very advanced technology to capture a virtual display of what makes our city so great so everyone can all view it from home. You can enjoy anything from the views at ICON Park, zip-lining over alligators or even riding rollercoasters at our various theme parks!
