All About Winter Garden, Florida and Things to Do

Written by: Ella Taylor
August 10, 2022

Located just 14 miles west of Downtown Orlando, and nestled on beautiful Lake Apopka, you'll find Winter Garden. With its well-developed subdivisions, thriving commercial areas, and abundance of nature, the city of Winter Garden offers its residents an excellent quality of life.

A TOWN WITH A JUICY PAST!

Settlers started arriving in the area in the mid-1850s and primarily took advantage of the fertile land around Lake Apopka to begin practicing agriculture. The Town of Winter Garden was established in 1903 and incorporated in 1908.

The slogan, "A Town with a Juicy Past" refers quite literally to the significant role that citrus farming plays in the history of Winter Garden. The success of the local citrus farmers led to the area becoming commercially successful and brought tow railway lines through the area. The old historical city center was a jumble of businesses, citrus packing houses, and residential homes. As the citrus industry grew, so did commercial activity in the area.

By the late 1960s, economic growth in the area slowed down for two reasons. Firstly, Lake Apopka had become severely polluted, and secondly, as major highways were being built in the area, business activity moved away from downtown. But Winter Garden did not stand still!

If you're interested in moving to Winter Garden, Florida, then you can view all the available homes for sale here!

WINTER GARDEN TODAY

As of 2022, Winter Garden has a population of over $40,000 residents. This former citrus town established in 1908 embodies a wealth of historical and natural assets. Winter Garden is known for its many recreational amenities, events and historical assets that make it a great place to live and visit. Historic Downtown, listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, is a favorite destination for West Orange residents and those traveling the award-winning West Orange Trail.

The proximity of Winter Garden to Orlando and the theme parks makes it an ideal location to live and work. Winter Garden has a thriving business community - over 2,000 businesses call Winter Garden home, and the city strives to be a greenhouse for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Thankfully, efforts were made to retain the City's heritage and preserve its history and charm. Since 1996, downtown Winter Garden has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A CITY WITH A LONG LIST OF AMENITIES

THINGS TO DO

Winter Garden is a city with a long list of amenities including the Garden Theatre, the SoBo Gallery and Art Center, and several museums. The Downtown Pavilion, is home to the Winter Garden Farmers Market that is held every Saturday morning. The farmers market has been recognized nationally and is one of the top regional farmers markets in Florida. Visit the Winter Garden Farmers Market website for more information. 

SHOPPING AND DINING

Winter Garden has a wide range of shopping and dining possibilities. The historical city center offers a variety of restaurants, cafes, and boutiques. You can also visit the Winter Garden Heritage Museum to learn about the history of Winter Garden, or be entertained at the vintage garden theater. 

While shopping in Downtown Winter Garden, be sure to visit the Plant Street Market. It's a local community market, open seven days a week, with 20 or so vendors offering natural, organic food and handmade products inside of one building. In addition, the Winter Garden Farmers Market takes place every Saturday morning. 

The Winter Garden Village at Fowler Grove is a premier, shopping district offering a wide selection of retail and dining opportunities.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

If you want to enjoy the outdoors in Winter Garden, look no further than the West Orange Trail. The original Orange Belt Railroad that rolled through Winter Garden in the heyday of the citrus era has been transformed into a hiking and biking trail. Stretching 22 miles from Killarney, through Oakland, and on to Winter Garden, you can bike, skate, jog, stroll, or even ride a horse! The trail is easily accessible from Plant Street in Downtown Winter Garden.

For more nature and adventure visit Veterans Memorial Park where you can picnic,  play basketball, softball, and many other sports. Newton Park features boating, fishing, and picnic areas. Other honorable mentions are Braddock Park, Maple Street Park, Zanders Park, Dr. Bradford Memorial Park, Chapin Station Neighborhood Park, and Warrior Park.

Related: 10 Best Bike Trails in Orlando, FL You Should Try

COME AND LIVE IN WINTER GARDEN!

With its proximity to the best of Orlando, and the excellent quality of life that residents enjoy, it's no wonder Winter Garden is one of Central Florida's most sought-after communities. It's also no surprise that properties in Winter Garden don't stay on the market for very long.

You can choose between homes for sale in a variety of subdivisions and luxury neighborhoods. On the one hand, homes in established neighborhoods offer a variety of architectural and historical design.

On the other hand, there are plenty of newly constructed homes in communities like lake Cove Pointe, Verde Park, Hamlin, Johns Lake Pointe, Bradford Cree, Watermark, Avalon Reserve, Orchard Hills, Independence Estates, and Isles of Lake Hancock. there is something for everyone, from historic and lakefront homes to a full range of properties from luxury homes, condos, and townhouses. 

If you just don't know where to start, or if you'd love to find a home in your ideal neighborhood, I'd be happy to help you navigate the current available homes on the market to find the one that is just right for you!