Top Things to do in Central Florida
Top Hotels in Central Florida
- 1. Universal's Endless Summer Resort - Surfside Inn and Suites
- 2. Universal’s Endless Summer Resort - Dockside Inn and Suites
- 3. Holiday Inn Orlando - Disney Springs Area, An IHG Hotel
- 4. Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort
- 5. Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek
- 6. Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando
- 7. Holiday Inn Orlando - Disney Springs Area, An IHG Hotel
- 8. Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
- 9. Hyatt Regency Orlando
- 10. Avanti International Resort
10 Gardens in Central Florida That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Central Florida, United States including Sholom Park, Tom West Blueberries, Discovery Gardens, Bok Tower Gardens, Harry P. Leu Gardens, Nehrling Gardens, Hollis Garden, Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter, Kraft Azalea Gardens, Venetian Gardens Park.
Restaurants in Central Florida
1. Sholom Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 604 reviews
Sholom Park is a non-profit, privately owned, 44-acre botanical garden in Ocala, Florida. Opened to the public in 2004, the park features more than 2 miles of paved trails and more than 100 species of plants and trees. Sholom Park seeks to become a model of land stewardship and the preservation of open space for education and public enjoyment. Guests are invited to experience a true feeling of serenity, contentment, joy and inner peace.
Reviewed By MKMartinezGA
Beautiful and peaceful gardens and paths to enjoy nature and the outdoors while providing park benches for reflection or finding inner peace.
2. Tom West Blueberries
3. Discovery Gardens
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By ReginaD642 - Tavares, United States
Yes, Lake County has a botanical garden! Featuring Florida-Friendly Landscape (FFL) plants in over 22 themed gardens, homeowners and visitors can see different plants, trees, and even vegetables growing over 7 acres of land. They are open 7 days a week and the 3rd Saturday of each month. You can use a map to navigate around or just wander along the paved paths (accessibility!). We go different times during the year in order to see all the different blooming/flowering plants and trees. They also grow all different vegetables and fruit trees throughout the year so you know what grows when. Want to learn more about FFL? Go on Tuesday and Thursday mornings when Master Gardener Volunteers are taking care of the grounds. They are happy to point out different plants or answer questions. The gardens are part of the UF/IFAS Extension, Lake County Office and maintained by Master Gardener Volunteers. Classes and events are also sponsored, so be sure to go to the website and sign-up! Oh, they also have a Plant CLinic that is manned by Master Gardener Volunteers who are happy to assist you with your landscape and gardening questions.
4. Bok Tower Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,353 reviews
Explore the landscaped gardens of Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. and one of Florida’s natural habitats on the Pine Ridge Trail. You can also discover the history of Edward W. Bok and the building of his 205 foot Singing Tower and tour the historic Pinewood Estate mansion to catch a glimpse of the luxurious lifestyle of the 1930s. Enjoy the all new Children's Garden, Edible Garden and Outdoor Kitchen and Wild Garden. Visitor Center includes exhibits on the life of Edward Bok and the Carillon. Enjoy a healthy meal at the Blue Palmetto Cafe and take home a memento from the Tower shop.
Reviewed By OldFloridaGuy - Lakeland, United States
As we live in the area, we are frequent visitors to Bok Tower Gardens. The simple fact that we return often confirms our appreciation for the beauty and restorative power of this place. Many reviewers have highlighted the history of Bok’s masterwork and its connection, through the legendary Olmsted family, to Central Park. So, let me simply mention that the gardens are exquisite, the view from atop Iron Mountain inspiring, the carillon tower an architectural marvel and the park brilliantly managed. On-site are an informative historical exhibit, an above-average cafe—often featuring live music—a delightful gift shop, a plant shop featuring native plants and specimens of those in the gardens and a free shuttle for those with mobility challenges. Much of the expansive trail system within the gardens is shaded and the altitude affords a reliable breeze.
5. Harry P. Leu Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,367 reviews
Explore 50-acres of beautiful gardens and historic home minutes from downtown Orlando. Discover over 40 different collections including a tropical rain forest, Florida's largest formal rose garden, butterfly garden and much more! Leu Gardens is always blooming.
Reviewed By a-travelin-foodie
Lots of walking paths through the gardens. Almost every plant is labeled - amazing!! Tropicals and bromeliads galore, roses, camellias, Butterfly garden, idea garden, palm garden and natural woods. I am not a gardener, but I love walking through peaceful nature with an abundance of plants, flowers and trees that I might not usually see, and certainly not all at one time. Even a small vegetable and herb garden. Plenty of benches to sit and rest or enjoy. Right now (Oct 15 2018) the camellias are not in bloom yet and the home is still closed due to hurricane damage. $10 for entry, plenty of parking. You go into the white house/welcome center to enter into the gardens - it's all fenced in. Most paths are wheelchair accessible. Restrooms available. Some shade but lots of sun, so be prepared with a hat and sunscreen! Maybe some bug spray if it's that season.
6. Nehrling Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
7. Hollis Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 650 reviews
Botanical garden
Reviewed By mariaaba - Kenwood, United States
Park located adjacent to the lake, very pleasant. Koi pond, butterflies, soothing music..great place to stroll.
8. Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 310 reviews
We are an independent, family owned nursery and garden center that carries a vast selection of plants and landscape materials. We also appreciate nature and encourage everyone to experience the beauty of nature by visiting our Butterfly Encounter conservatory.
Reviewed By FiveGsplus9 - Oviedo, United States
Children love coming here. So fabulous to get close to butterflies and have them eat practically out of your hand. One lady in our group placed some nectar on her nose and the butterfly landed there! Worth the admission price. Walk the nursery grounds after and enjoy the beautiful plants and trees for sale
9. Kraft Azalea Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By SooJBee - Orlando, United States
Beautiful, beautiful place. Our daughter just got married here last week. She did all the arrangements over the phone, since we live in Indiana. We were over the top pleased with the beautiful place. All the cypress trees, the moss, the lake, the white egrets were just starting to gather in the trees for mating season. Not much parking space.
10. Venetian Gardens Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 195 reviews
Reviewed By GnMe - Menomonie, United States
We were in the area for some meetings and had a couple free afternoons. We headed straight for this park. Such a delightful, restful place. There's a walkway around the bay, with bridges to some little islands, a kiddie playground, a boat launch, picnic tables, and sand volleyball courts at one end. There were families, guys fishing, people bird watching, and walkers out exercising. But it's so big that it didn't seem at all crowded. We thoroughly enjoyed the perfect weather, and the peaceful atmosphere. If we lived here we'd find a place close-by and be in this park every day.
