Get to know the charming little city where good things grow. 

Head just 14 miles west from Downtown Orlando and you’ll find yourself in Winter Garden, a former citrus-growing hub nestled on scenic Lake Apopka that’s just far enough away from the energy and excitement of world-famous theme parks to feel like a comparatively peaceful escape.

There is still plenty to do, though. From historical sites to cultural mainstays, from an eclectic blend of local shops to a diverse smattering of in-demand dining destinations all comprising a thriving business community, from stunning scenes of natural beauty to outdoor recreational options of all kinds, visitors and locals are sure to find everything they need to fall in love with everything this self-described “charming little city with a juicy past” has to offer.

And whether you’re just visiting, looking for a new place to put down roots or simply want to play tourist in your hometown for a day, Winter Garden is ready to warmly welcome you in.

Arts and Culture
Befitting a rich past worthy of inclusion on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, Winter Garden’s downtown is home to a vast array of shops, plus cultural mainstays like museums and a performing arts venue.

Mindfully integrated within and integral to the community it calls home, Winter Garden Arts Association’s SoBo Art Gallery and Studio is a lovingly converted farmhouse that serves as a community center for the visual arts. It aims to positively impact Winter Garden now and for generations to come, offering monthly exhibits, immersive and hands-on classes, special-event space, and a studio that invites aspiring and professional artists alike to come in and create something.

Drinks and Dining
There’s no shortage of great places to grab a bite here, even beyond the Downtown Historic District’s patchwork of restaurants and cafés—though it is an excellent starting point.

For a satisfying selection of handheld noshes, you can’t go wrong with Pammie’s Sammies. Combining time-tested family recipes with trendy tastes and modern sensibilities like earth-friendly and ethically sourced ingredients, this “tastefully adventurous” menu is packed with pizza, burgers and the eponymous sandwiches that turn first-time guests into longtime regulars.

San Jose’s Original Mexican Restaurant has locations throughout the region, and its Winter Garden spot has everything that makes this local mainstay a Central Florida favorite. From crowd-pleasing starters to decadent desserts, there’s something here for everyone—including those with a hankering for vegetarian or extra-spicy dishes.

If you’re more in the mood to browse for new favorites than for sit-down service, The Spice & Tea Exchange has a vast variety of spice mixes, olive oils and, of course, gourmet teas that promise to make your home kitchen a delectable dining destination and dreamy tea-sipping spot. And the thoughtfully curated gift selection here can help you share that joy with friends and family, too.

Education
With the quality of local schools often being top-of-mind for relocating families, those moving to Winter Garden—as well as those who already call the town home and are mulling over their children’s educational options—will find a varied selection of both public and private schools.

Foundation Academy provides a faith-based education to students from pre-K through 12th grade that’s designed to build a strong foundation for life. It consistently ranks among Florida’s top private Christian schools, and was also named a Niche Best School this year.

Integrity, passion and excellence are the cornerstones of Children’s Lighthouse Early Learning School’s whole-child approach to education and character development. Kids from 6 weeks to 12 years old can also benefit from the daycare programs here, which are provided in a nurturing, caring environment that prioritizes partnerships with each child’s caregivers.

Financial and Wealth Management
A reliable, experienced financial advisor can help ensure that your retirement funds and monetary assets are in good hands and on track to meet your goals both for today and the future. The

LifeWealth Group is here to help, and offers financial services like tax-efficient strategies, income planning, long-term health care and legacy planning.

Health Care and Services
Winter Park is home to numerous medical professionals dedicated to taking care of their neighbor, including a number of oral health care providers and specialists making sure that every patient has something to smile about.

Winter Garden Smiles serves the region with state-of-the-art dental tools, techniques and technology for the whole family. Whether they’re providing a routine checkup, children’s dental services, cosmetic dentistry or restorative dentistry, every visit is an opportunity for this team to deepen their patient relationships.

Befitting its name, Wholistic Dental leads with the understanding that a healthier mouth makes for a healthier patient at any age. Here you’ll find a team delivering everything from general dentistry and pediatric services to smile makeovers and root canal therapy, all of which aid in one’s optimal well-being.

Sakowitz Smiles Orthodontics offers traditional braces and Invisalign for kids, teens and adults, as well as a handful of other specialty treatments like teeth whitening, retainers, early orthodontic treatment for young patients, and corrective surgical orthodontics for a dramatic improvement to both overall health and facial alignment.

The husband-and-wife team at Precision Periodontics & Dental Implants is expertly, exhaustively trained in treating gum disease, as well as restoring the appearance of smiles impacted by the likes of gum recession or missing teeth, all delivered with compassionate care and comprehensive patient education.

The brand-new HCA Florida West Orange Emergency brings 24/7 full-service care to the community with a 11,570-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility staffed with board-certified emergency medicine physicians, nurses and health care professionals providing the same capabilities as a hospital ER. Here you’ll find 10 emergency exam rooms and services like CT scans, digital X-rays, ultrasounds and an on-site lab.

Nonprofits and Social Services
Extending a helping hand by giving one’s time, energy and support to a good cause only strengthens the fabric of a community and makes it feel like home for everyone.

Matthew’s Hope Ministries is one such organization looking out for its neighbors in need. The nonprofit works with the area’s unhoused adults and children to protect and develop their overall well-being by meeting their basic needs, helping them develop critical life skills, and restoring their dignity and independence.

Travel and Recreation
When the road calls but you want to travel with all the familiar comforts of home, Giant Recreation World’s got you covered. Whether you’re a longtime RVer or new to seeing the country from a mobile home, you’ll find the brand-new recreational vehicles, previously owned models and even rentals in a rage of classes and sizes guaranteed to make your next camping adventure a great one.