The Lesser-Known Florida City Near Orlando Best Known As The 'Venice Of America'

While Winter Park may look like a whimsical spinoff of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," the city of about 30,000 people is quite real, standing in a most unlikely place: the Florida suburbs, just outside of Orlando. The city is renowned for its outdoor spaces and manicured downtown. Most unusual of all, Winter Park has a sophisticated canal system, earning the city its nickname, "the Venice of America." This is just one those unique experiences you can only have in Florida.

The first thing you'll notice about North Park Avenue is its recycled brick pavement, which stretches past a quaint row of shops and restaurants. Traffic is slow, making downtown Winter Park a great place to walk around or pedal a beach cruiser. On the opposite side, Central Park is an 11-acre green space with flower beds, walking paths, and a fountain. In the middle of this park stands the Winter Park Station, an adorable little stop along the SunRail commuter train system. Amtrak also stops here, if you're traveling from farther away.

Winter Park is only 30 minutes by car from Disney World, and the two destinations are family-friendly and enjoy the same Sunshine State weather. Winter Park is popular with tourists who want a safe, clean, picturesque place to relax and enjoy a good meal. The city was founded by wealthy snowbirds in 1887. Early residents were drawn to local bodies of water, such as Lake Berry, Lake Virginia, and Lake Mizell, which were ideal for boating and freshwater fishing.

To connect the lakes, the townspeople dug a canal system, which still exists and is a dream for kayakers. The canals are lined with trees, yards, and boathouses, and paddlers will pass under several antique bridges. Once you've docked and put away your life vest, visit the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, which boasts an unparalleled collection of Tiffany glass, among other treasures. These gems are unique and enriching way to learn more about the area. While you're trying new things, here are some Florida tourist traps to avoid and places you should visit instead.

Winter Park is planted in the geographic center of Florida, so it's fairly far from the nearest beach but a reasonable drive from thousands of other attractions. You can easily pop over to Little Big Econ State Forest, a 10,336-acre, semi-tropical paradise of palm trees, waterways, and hiking trails. Or you can go birding around Lake Apopka, the third-largest lake in Florida and a thriving wildlife preserve. You could even hop an Amtrak train and take it south to Miami, west to Tampa, or north to Daytona Beach. Also, yes, you're just a quick drive from Disney World and Universal Studios, some of the finest theme parks in the world.

In short, Winter Park is a great base camp for exploring Florida's interior. There's a handful of hotels, including the historic Park Plaza Hotel, a flower-covered boutique operation directly south of Central Park. If you're wondering what to do in the immediate vicinity, here are 15 of the best things to do in Orlando besides Disney World.