Winter Park

Winter Park is a genteel city just north of Orlando built around Park Avenue's shops and cafes, the Morse Museum's world-class Tiffany glass, and the classic Scenic Boat Tour through the chain of lakes. Reachable by SunRail. Refined, leafy and easily worth a half-day.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a car in Winter Park?

Not for the highlights. The SunRail station, Park Avenue, the Morse Museum and Central Park are all clustered and walkable. The Scenic Boat Tour on East Morse Boulevard is a longer walk or short rideshare from the avenue. For just the core sights, you can skip driving.

What is there to do on Park Avenue?

Park Avenue is Winter Park's elegant main street, lined with restaurants, coffee shops, wine bars, a chocolatier, a French bakery and upscale boutiques, with the Morse Museum at one end and Central Park alongside. It's made for slow strolling and browsing. Plan a leisurely lunch here.

Is the Scenic Boat Tour cash only?

Yes. The Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour accepts cash or check only, so bring bills; there's no card option at the dock. Tours leave hourly from 10am to 4pm daily and can sell out on busy weekends. Arrive a little early to secure a spot on the boat.

What is the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour and how much is it?

It's an hour-long guided pontoon cruise through three lakes and two canals of Winter Park's chain of lakes, running daily 10am-4pm with departures on the hour. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children (ages 2-11), cash or check only. It's a beloved, low-key local classic.

How much time should I budget for Winter Park?

A half-day covers it well: an hour for the boat tour, an hour or two at the Morse Museum, and the rest strolling and eating along Park Avenue. If you love the shops or add Rollins College and the lakes, it can easily fill a full day.

Can I get to Winter Park by train?

Yes. The Winter Park SunRail station is about a five-minute walk from Park Avenue and the Morse Museum, making it one of the easiest car-free day trips in the region. Note that SunRail has historically run weekdays, so verify weekend service at sunrail.com before relying on it.

What are the Morse Museum's hours and admission?

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum, home to the world's most comprehensive Tiffany collection, is open Tuesday-Saturday 9:30am-4pm (Fridays until 8pm) and Sunday 1pm-4pm, closed Mondays. Admission is modest and children under 12 are free; from November to April, Friday evenings are free. Confirm current pricing on their site.

Is Winter Park worth visiting from Orlando?

Yes, especially if you want a break from theme parks. The combination of the Tiffany glass at the Morse, the scenic boat tour, and walkable Park Avenue makes an easy, refined half-day. It's about 20 minutes from downtown by car or a straightforward SunRail ride.

Nearby in Ask Orlando

• Winter Park Farmers' MarketMarket0.02 km · 0 min walk
• Barnie's Coffee KitchenCafé0.17 km · 2 min walk
• Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American ArtMuseum0.23 km · 3 min walk
• Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture GardensMuseum0.79 km · 10 min walk
• Cornell Fine Arts MuseumMuseum0.89 km · 11 min walk