Orange: Nature, Trails and Culture in Orange County

Orange combines nature experiences, waterscapes, science and art to create a diverse destination in Orange County. Those looking for a vacation rental or holiday home can choose the focus of their holiday according to their own interests: springs and wilderness for active days, museums and gardens for cultural discoveries, or trails and lakes for outdoor activities. The range of options also makes the area suitable for travel groups who do not want to do the same thing every day.

Discover Springs, Forests and Wetlands

At Wekiwa Springs State Park, springs feed the Wekiva River. The park offers miles of trails for hiking, cycling and horseback riding and is considered the longest-standing tourist attraction in Orange County. Split Oak Forest offers a different natural setting. There is a network of trails and unpaved roads for wildlife observation; wading birds can be seen along the edges of the wetlands. Parts of the forest were formerly used for turpentine production and cattle ranching. This historic use is part of the area's history, while today's trails provide a different perspective on the natural environment.

Moss Park also combines practical facilities with nature experiences. Tent and RV camping sites are available there, along with boat ramps for Lake Hart and Lake Mary Jane. Split Oak Forest is accessible via a hiking trail within Moss Park. Those who want to make water and landscapes the focus of their plans will therefore find several different starting points here for organizing their day.

Water Experiences and Trails for Active Days

At Kelly Park, or at Rock Springs, tubing is available as an activity. Camp Joy at Kelly Park has a launch area for canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. The spring emerges from limestone containing fossils from a time 17 million years ago. Lovell's Landing State Historic Marker is also located in Magnolia Park on the shore of Lake Apopka. Visitors can learn in the park about pollinators, the history of fishing and fish in Lake Apopka, alligators and their habitat, as well as the birds that live there and pass through the area.

For cyclists, the West Orange Trail offers 22.32 miles of paved trail. There is a butterfly garden at the Tildenville outpost. In addition, Orange County has 100 parks, trails and facilities. The network of parks and trails enables cycling, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, fishing, camping and canoeing. When choosing accommodation, it may therefore be decisive whether you primarily want to include long trail routes, water activities or nature observation in your trip.

Science, Art and Gardens

The Orlando Science Center focuses on interactive exhibits, live demonstrations and hands-on science activities. The AdventHealth-SunRail station is only a short walk from the Orlando Science Center. The Orlando Museum of Art is also of interest for a cultural stay: Its diverse permanent art collection also includes ancient American art, representing more than 3,000 years of artistic achievement by Indigenous nations from North, Central and South America. The museum also presents changing exhibitions featuring art from around the world.

Leu Gardens offers another facet: a 50-acre botanical oasis in Orlando. Most of the paths there are paved. At Lake Eola Park, a 0.9-mile walking path leads around the lake, and pedal-powered swan boats are rented on the lake. Kelly Park received a state historical marker in 2016. The Vera Carter Environmental Center is located in the Tibet-Butler Preserve and features various exhibits and displays; the preserve also offers ongoing environmental programs.

Which Accommodation Fits Your Travel Plans?

When searching for a vacation rental in Orange, it is worth first deciding on the desired combination of nature, activity and culture. Those who prefer springs, forests, wetlands and water activities can use the parks and lakes mentioned as a guide for planning their days. Those who want to combine science, art and botanical sites may orient their stay more toward the cultural offerings in Orlando. Accommodation is then chosen not only by the place name, but according to one's personal travel rhythm: with active days on trails and by the water, or with varied visits to museums, gardens and environmental centers.

Additional Places for Orientation

For further travel planning, you can also explore Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Apopka, Lake Buena Vista, Windermere, Bay Lake, Zellwood, Christmas, Doctor Phillips, Lake Hart, Tangelo Park and Lake Butler.

For the higher-level travel overview: Florida.