Historical Winter Park: A Tour of Central Florida‘s Cultural Jewel

Orlando may be the home of world-famous tourist attractions, but Winter Park is home to Florida‘s cultural heart. Originally founded by land barons and citrus growers as a winter home for wealthy northerners, today its vintage charm, high density of museums and galleries, and top-rated university continue to attract travelers. This walking tour starts at the Woman‘s Club of Winter Park, where I‘ll show you the magnificent architecture of Rollins College, one of the oldest universities in the state. I‘ll also tell you about the Annie Russell Theatre and its namesake. We‘ll pass Interlachen Avenue, close to the original site of Winter Park, and then stroll along Park Avenue, one of the most iconic blocks in the country. You‘ll visit Central Park, a treasure trove of the area‘s history, which is right next door to a number of great museums and restaurants. The tour ends on Lyman Ave near the Alfond Inn at Rollins College, an upscale hotel whose famous guests include Eleanor Roosevelt, Ray Charles, and Ronald and Nancy Reagan. Along the way, you‘ll have a chance to: • See the Walk of Fame, made with over 500 stones from the homes of luminaries such as Aristotle, George Washington, and Confucius • Learn how Florida’s architectural tastes influenced the building of the Knowles Memorial Chapel • Take in the statue created by Albin Polasek, who lived in Winter Park for fifteen years and is considered one of the most renowned sculptors in 20th-century America • Wander iconic Winter Park, and enjoy the shops and restaurants that have made the avenue a tourist destination • Visit Central Park, the city‘s cultural center, and learn the history of its community • Find out why peacocks are such an important part of the city‘s past So join me for this 60-minute Winter Park tour as we encounter the history hidden along its quaint streets.

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