Guidebook for Winter Garden

Barry
Guidebook for Winter Garden

Parks & Nature

OAKLAND NATURE PRESERVE OPEN YEAR-ROUND AT NO CHARGE 5 minutes from my place nestled between Winter Garden and Clermont in the beautiful Town of Oakland, lies a "hidden gem". A 128-acre preserve offering environmental education and ecotourism activities for visitors of all ages. Wooden deck walk into Lake Apopka. See wild life, nature, even some gators. and its free, open daylight hours.
19 locals recommend
Oakland Nature Preserve
747 Machete Trail
19 locals recommend
OAKLAND NATURE PRESERVE OPEN YEAR-ROUND AT NO CHARGE 5 minutes from my place nestled between Winter Garden and Clermont in the beautiful Town of Oakland, lies a "hidden gem". A 128-acre preserve offering environmental education and ecotourism activities for visitors of all ages. Wooden deck walk into Lake Apopka. See wild life, nature, even some gators. and its free, open daylight hours.
Choose Your Own Adventure CONCESSIONS We've created a menu of convenient snacks and freshly prepared offerings to entice all kinds of appetites... WATERCRAFT RENTALS Enjoy the tranquility of the Wekiva River with your entire family in our rented canoes and kayaks... PICNICKING Take your meals outside to experience an authentic al fresco dining experience... SWIMMING Cool off by taking a dip in the cool, bright waters of one of Florida's unique and breathtaking springs... HIKING/BICYCLING Explore the land side of the park by hiking or pedaling our trails ranging from 0.8 to 13.5 miles long... WILDLIFE VIEWING From frolicking deer to peaceful manatees and frisky otters, Wekiwa Springs State Park is teeming with life... ACCESSIBILITY Our goal is to make this natural environment enjoyable to as many people as possible...
256 locals recommend
Wekiwa Springs
256 locals recommend
Choose Your Own Adventure CONCESSIONS We've created a menu of convenient snacks and freshly prepared offerings to entice all kinds of appetites... WATERCRAFT RENTALS Enjoy the tranquility of the Wekiva River with your entire family in our rented canoes and kayaks... PICNICKING Take your meals outside to experience an authentic al fresco dining experience... SWIMMING Cool off by taking a dip in the cool, bright waters of one of Florida's unique and breathtaking springs... HIKING/BICYCLING Explore the land side of the park by hiking or pedaling our trails ranging from 0.8 to 13.5 miles long... WILDLIFE VIEWING From frolicking deer to peaceful manatees and frisky otters, Wekiwa Springs State Park is teeming with life... ACCESSIBILITY Our goal is to make this natural environment enjoyable to as many people as possible...
Ocala National Forest is full of fun: Springs, hikes, camping and more riding the LAM Trail in Ocala National Forest The LAM Equestrian Trail Tiny fish in clear 72-degree water of Juniper Spring. The spring is a popular swimming hole in summer. Encompassing more than 600 square miles in North Central Florida, Ocala National Forest is bursting with adventure. Hike the Florida Trail, camp in the deep woods, spend a lazy day at a cool, bubbling spring, paddle a spring run, a lake or a river. Even if you are just out for a Sunday drive, Ocala National Forest will satisfy the urge to explore new destinations. Ramble the forest roads, stop anywhere and take a hike. From vast Florida sand pine flatlands and cypress-studded wetland prairies to densely wooded oak hammocks and colorful palm-shaded sub-tropical oases, the variety of eco-systems to explore is mind-blowing. There are things to do every day of the year in Ocala National Forest. Swim in a cool spring Juniper Spring in Ocala National Forest There are several springs accessible to visitors in Ocala National Forest, the most popular of which may be Juniper Springs off State Road 40, which crosses the forest below Lake George, and Alexander Springs on Lake County Road 445, which is nine miles east of Jupiter Springs off State Road 40. With a constant temperature of 72 degrees year around, the forest’s springs are magnets for people in summer. Snorkeling is permitted at both springs, but only Alexander Springs allows scuba diving. Scuba diving is only permitted in the large spring boil and valid proof of certification is required. For adult swimmers, Alexander Springs is probably the top choice. The spring creates a large, shallow sandy-bottom natural pool ideal for swimming. Where the spring emerges from the bottom, snorkelers and scuba divers enjoy exploring the limestone rocks and boulders in the spring boil. (You can rent snorkel gear here too.) The Salt Springs Recreation Area is another popular spring in the forest, although a bit more remote. Take U.S. 19 north from State Road 40 (about 4.5 miles east of Juniper Springs). Minerals carried to the surface from underground aquifers provide a level of salinity not found in the other springs, giving Salt Springs its name. Day use activities in the Juniper Springs Recreation Area include picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, bird watching, hiking, and paddling a spectacular spring run that runs through a shady sub-tropical forest. Both Alexander Springs and Salt Springs offer similar recreational opportunities. Juniper Springs has a scenic spring run, a narrow, twisty 7-mile canoe trail. It is the shadiest of the Ocala spring runs, and thus the best for summer weather. Here’s a Florida Rambler story on kayaking Juniper Springs. The 4.5-mile Salt Springs Run is considered one of the best paddle trails in the state. Be forewarned, though, that there is no take-out at the end, so you will have to paddle back against the current to the launch point at the Salt Springs Marina in the Salt Spring Recreation Area. Salt Springs, unlike Alexander and Juniper, has power-boat traffic. Salt Springs Run dumps its mineral-infused water into Lake George, second-largest lake in Florida and part of the St. John’s River system. If you’ve paddled this far, then you should paddle a little further north into Salt Springs Cove and enjoy its magnificent shoreline. Like Juniper Springs and Salt Springs, the Alexander Springs Run is also an attractive destination for paddlers. The launch is just below the springhead, which is roped off for swimmers. Alexander is an easy two-to-four-hour paddle with abundant birds and wildlife. The paddle trail is in full sun and is an out-and-back paddle trip. All three springs have concessions where you can rent canoes and kayaks. All three of the previously mentioned recreation areas at Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs and Salt Springs have nature trails, boardwalks and trails that wander into the deeper woods. While most of the forest is wide open to hikers and backpackers, we would suggest that you stick to the designated trails. This is, after all, the largest pine woods forest in the world. Hiking, biking and camping may be restricted during hunting season, so you should check with the ranger station before venturing off into the wild. Call 352-625-2520 or visit a ranger station or visitor center. Ride your bike Although bicyclists can ride any of the hundreds of miles of forest roads, the only designated off-road trail in the Ocala National Forest is the challenging Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail, a 22-mile single-track loop through the deep woods and rolling hills. Trailheads are at Alexander Springs and Clearwater Lake. Ride a horse There are more than 100 miles of equestrian trails running through Ocala National Forest, the most popular of which are the One Hundred Mile Trail and the Lake/Alachua/Marion County (LAM) trail, which is 34 miles long. The beauty of the Ocala National Forest is that you don’t have to stick to the trails if you don’t want to. You can pull your trailer over to the side of any forest road, as long as you leave room enough for other vehicles to pass. Many equestrians park along forest roads where they intersect with the trails. Swim Pond is to the east of Doe Lake Recreation Area and the west of Big Scrub Campground, accessed from the same entrance off FR 14 as Trout Pond. If you don’t have a horse, check out Cactus Jack’s Trail Rides for information about riding Ocala National Forest and the Cross-Florida Greenway Trail.
95 locals recommend
Ocala National Forest
Florida 40
95 locals recommend
Ocala National Forest is full of fun: Springs, hikes, camping and more riding the LAM Trail in Ocala National Forest The LAM Equestrian Trail Tiny fish in clear 72-degree water of Juniper Spring. The spring is a popular swimming hole in summer. Encompassing more than 600 square miles in North Central Florida, Ocala National Forest is bursting with adventure. Hike the Florida Trail, camp in the deep woods, spend a lazy day at a cool, bubbling spring, paddle a spring run, a lake or a river. Even if you are just out for a Sunday drive, Ocala National Forest will satisfy the urge to explore new destinations. Ramble the forest roads, stop anywhere and take a hike. From vast Florida sand pine flatlands and cypress-studded wetland prairies to densely wooded oak hammocks and colorful palm-shaded sub-tropical oases, the variety of eco-systems to explore is mind-blowing. There are things to do every day of the year in Ocala National Forest. Swim in a cool spring Juniper Spring in Ocala National Forest There are several springs accessible to visitors in Ocala National Forest, the most popular of which may be Juniper Springs off State Road 40, which crosses the forest below Lake George, and Alexander Springs on Lake County Road 445, which is nine miles east of Jupiter Springs off State Road 40. With a constant temperature of 72 degrees year around, the forest’s springs are magnets for people in summer. Snorkeling is permitted at both springs, but only Alexander Springs allows scuba diving. Scuba diving is only permitted in the large spring boil and valid proof of certification is required. For adult swimmers, Alexander Springs is probably the top choice. The spring creates a large, shallow sandy-bottom natural pool ideal for swimming. Where the spring emerges from the bottom, snorkelers and scuba divers enjoy exploring the limestone rocks and boulders in the spring boil. (You can rent snorkel gear here too.) The Salt Springs Recreation Area is another popular spring in the forest, although a bit more remote. Take U.S. 19 north from State Road 40 (about 4.5 miles east of Juniper Springs). Minerals carried to the surface from underground aquifers provide a level of salinity not found in the other springs, giving Salt Springs its name. Day use activities in the Juniper Springs Recreation Area include picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, bird watching, hiking, and paddling a spectacular spring run that runs through a shady sub-tropical forest. Both Alexander Springs and Salt Springs offer similar recreational opportunities. Juniper Springs has a scenic spring run, a narrow, twisty 7-mile canoe trail. It is the shadiest of the Ocala spring runs, and thus the best for summer weather. Here’s a Florida Rambler story on kayaking Juniper Springs. The 4.5-mile Salt Springs Run is considered one of the best paddle trails in the state. Be forewarned, though, that there is no take-out at the end, so you will have to paddle back against the current to the launch point at the Salt Springs Marina in the Salt Spring Recreation Area. Salt Springs, unlike Alexander and Juniper, has power-boat traffic. Salt Springs Run dumps its mineral-infused water into Lake George, second-largest lake in Florida and part of the St. John’s River system. If you’ve paddled this far, then you should paddle a little further north into Salt Springs Cove and enjoy its magnificent shoreline. Like Juniper Springs and Salt Springs, the Alexander Springs Run is also an attractive destination for paddlers. The launch is just below the springhead, which is roped off for swimmers. Alexander is an easy two-to-four-hour paddle with abundant birds and wildlife. The paddle trail is in full sun and is an out-and-back paddle trip. All three springs have concessions where you can rent canoes and kayaks. All three of the previously mentioned recreation areas at Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs and Salt Springs have nature trails, boardwalks and trails that wander into the deeper woods. While most of the forest is wide open to hikers and backpackers, we would suggest that you stick to the designated trails. This is, after all, the largest pine woods forest in the world. Hiking, biking and camping may be restricted during hunting season, so you should check with the ranger station before venturing off into the wild. Call 352-625-2520 or visit a ranger station or visitor center. Ride your bike Although bicyclists can ride any of the hundreds of miles of forest roads, the only designated off-road trail in the Ocala National Forest is the challenging Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail, a 22-mile single-track loop through the deep woods and rolling hills. Trailheads are at Alexander Springs and Clearwater Lake. Ride a horse There are more than 100 miles of equestrian trails running through Ocala National Forest, the most popular of which are the One Hundred Mile Trail and the Lake/Alachua/Marion County (LAM) trail, which is 34 miles long. The beauty of the Ocala National Forest is that you don’t have to stick to the trails if you don’t want to. You can pull your trailer over to the side of any forest road, as long as you leave room enough for other vehicles to pass. Many equestrians park along forest roads where they intersect with the trails. Swim Pond is to the east of Doe Lake Recreation Area and the west of Big Scrub Campground, accessed from the same entrance off FR 14 as Trout Pond. If you don’t have a horse, check out Cactus Jack’s Trail Rides for information about riding Ocala National Forest and the Cross-Florida Greenway Trail.

Shopping

Winter Garden Village at Fowler Groves is an open-air shopping center designed to enhance the community of Winter Garden. Winter Garden Village offers shopping and gathering opportunities to fit everyone's needs. From department stores to electronics to a health club and specialty retailers, along with the wide array of restaurants and eateries, visitors can enjoy a variety of experiences here.
Bang Bang shrimp.
187 locals recommend
Bonefish Grill
7801 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy
187 locals recommend
Bang Bang shrimp.
52 locals recommend
Winter Garden Village
3251 Daniels Road
52 locals recommend

Favorite pubs/Eateries...

Awesome Authentic Tacos
The Ocoee Taco Company
40 Taylor St
Awesome Authentic Tacos
Late night, bands on some nights, Hagan O'Reilly's Irish Pub Irish bar serving comfort food in a congenial setting with TVs, dartboards, a fireplace & patio. Address: 16112 Marsh Rd, Winter Garden, FL 34787 Closes 2AM
Hagan O'Reilly's Irish Pub
16112 Marsh Rd
Late night, bands on some nights, Hagan O'Reilly's Irish Pub Irish bar serving comfort food in a congenial setting with TVs, dartboards, a fireplace & patio. Address: 16112 Marsh Rd, Winter Garden, FL 34787 Closes 2AM
A converted apartment building (once owned by me) is now a brewery with many restaurants inside and across the street.
40 locals recommend
Crooked Can Brewing Company
426 W Plant St
40 locals recommend
A converted apartment building (once owned by me) is now a brewery with many restaurants inside and across the street.