8 Best Sights in Central Orlando, Orlando

Just blocks from Downtown—on the former lakefront estate of a citrus entrepreneur—is this 50-acre garden. Among the highlights are a collection of historical blooms (many varieties of which were established before 1900), ancient oaks, a 50-foot floral clock, and one of the largest camellia collections in eastern North America (in bloom November–March). Mary Jane's Rose Garden, named after Leu's wife, is filled with more than 1,000 bushes; it's the largest formal rose garden south of Atlanta. The simple, 19th-century Leu House Museum, once the Leu home, preserves the furnishings and appointments of a well-to-do, turn-of-the-20th-century Florida family. A sound-and-light program is often presented in the evenings. Admission is free on the first Monday of the month.

Ringed by modern high-rises, this peaceful, beautifully landscaped, 43-acre park is the verdant heart of Downtown. Its mile-long walking path attracts families, health enthusiasts out for a run, and culture mavens exploring area offerings; its well-lighted playground is alive with children; and ducks, geese, swans, and native Florida birds like cormorants call its lake home. A popular farmers' market takes up residence on Sunday; the lakeside Walt Disney Amphitheater is a dramatic site for concerts, festivals, and July 4 fireworks; and a landmark fountain sometimes features LED-and-music shows.

Don't resist the park's biggest draw: a ride in a swan-shape paddleboat that can comfortably accommodate up to five people (children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult). The Relax Grill, by the swan-boat launch, is a great place for lunch, and the park is surrounded by a variety of restaurants and lounges in both Downtown and Thornton Park.

One of the few museums in the United States devoted to folk art has intimate galleries, some with lovely lakefront views. Look for the nation's most extensive permanent collection of Earl Cunningham paintings, as well as works by many other self-taught artists. There's a wonderful video about Cunningham and his "curio shop" in St. Augustine, Florida. Temporary exhibitions have included the works of Wyeth, Cassatt, and Michael Eastman. 

At the museum shop you can purchase folk-art books, toys, and unusual gifts. The Marilyn L. Mennello Sculpture Garden is always open to the public. Oversized outdoor sculptures include works by Alice Aycock and Barbara Sorensen, shown alongside the 350-year-old live oak tree called “The Mayor.” The Mennello is also the site of the free annual Orlando Indie-Folkfest held the last weekend of October.

With exhibits about the human body, mechanics, computers, math, nature, the solar system, and optics, the science center has something for every child's (or adult's) inner geek. The 11,000-square-foot KidsTown is the most popular attraction, and traveling shows have included those on the astronaut experience and the science of human anatomy. There's also an annual interactive technology expo called Spark STEM Fest.

The four-story, internal atrium is home to live gators and turtles, giving you a glimpse of Old Florida. The 300-seat Dr. Phillips CineDome, a movie theater with a giant eight-story screen, offers films and planetarium programs. The Crosby Observatory and Florida's largest publicly accessible refractor telescope are here, as are several smaller telescopes. Late-evening weekend date nights make the observatory a fun draw for adults, who can also enjoy events like the annual Science of Wine and the very popular monthly Science Night Live.

Housed in one of Downtown's oldest buildings, this charming, small gallery features mostly local and regional artists.

The center takes you on a journey back in time to discover how Florida's Indigenous peoples hunted and fished the land, what the Sunshine State was like when the Spaniards arrived, and how life in Florida was different when citrus was king. Exhibitions also include displays on the history of citrus growing in Central Florida and the advancement of theme parks, samples of work by the famed Highwaymen painters, a diorama showing how an infamous sinkhole ate a city block, and documentation on the Pulse nightclub tragedy. Traveling exhibits bring modern technology and art to the museum. Free audio tours are available. Ticket holders get two hours of free parking.

Part of the City of Orlando's collection of arts venues, the Museum of Art sits in the Loch Haven Park complex. It exhibits contemporary art, mid-18th- and 19th-century American art, and an important collection of ancient artifacts of the Americas. In addition to American art created before 1945, and an extensive photography collection, exhibits of African textiles, and graphic art from such artists as Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns add to the diversity of its displays. The museum's collection of Chihuly glass, obtained during an exclusive exhibition in 2004, is among the finest in the country. A monthly free day takes place on the third Thursday of each month, known as Access for All Third Thursdays.

Founded by international photographer Patrick Kahn, SNAP! is the leading repository of contemporary images in Orlando. The gallery in Colonialtown has shown cutting-edge photos from artists such as Shawn Theodore, Roger Ballen, and musician Moby, along with world premiere exhibitions, emerging graffiti artists, and even jewelry makers.