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Lake Eola — The Iconic Symbol of Downtown Orlando

Orlando Florida, the vacation capital of the world! Though the Sunshine State is synonymous with Disney and other world-class theme parks, it’s so much more than that. Over the years Orlando has evolved from a small citrus-centered city to the rapidly growing cultural metropolis we see today. But with that evolution, one thing has remained unchanged — the iconic symbol of Downtown Orlando: Lake Eola! With its graceful swans and majestic fountain, it is still the center of The City Beautiful.

Whether you’re a tourist desperately searching for a respite from Mickey and his exhausting magic, or a life-long Floridian on a mission to see more of this great state, Lake Eola Park provides the perfect place to simmer down, loosen up and chill out. I’ve lived in Florida for 18 years, and until recently, never spent any quality time at Lake Eola. Sure, hubby and I have driven past the famous fountain a million times, and even stopped once with our grandson to check out the awesome Lake Eola Christmas Tree (which I highly recommend). But when our daughter moved to the Downtown district it was a clear sign Lake Eola needed further exploration.

 

 

 

Where to Park at Lake Eola

One of Lake Eola’s strengths is also its weakness. Lake Eola Park is located right in the heart of Downtown Orlando. And like most other busy downtown districts parking can be an issue. Since we were there during an off time of day, there were some street parking available. That was a blessing and certainly saved us the frustration of bumper to bumper traffic all vying for the same occasional empty spot.

If you park on Washington, Central, or Rosalind you will have to feed the meter. Free parking is available on Eola Drive (off E. Robinson Street). Otherwise, there are a number of paid parking lots and parking garages nearby, ranging in price from 3-10 bucks. Uber is also a good alternative, as any parking violators are swiftly towed.

NOTE: For the most up-to-date information on Lake Eola parking, it’s best to ask your GPS-enabled device prior to arrival. The physical address is 512 East Washington Street, Orlando Florida. 

 

 

The Sights Along Lake Eola’s Scenic Sidewalk

As we entered Lake Eola Park the serene scene looked exactly like I had seen on those fabulous Florida postcards. The colorful and contemporary high-rises of Downtown Orlando provide the perfect backdrop for this popular lakeside destination. The sidewalk that encircles the lake is just under a mile long (.9 miles to be exact). Even without a Fitbit on your wrist, walkers, joggers, and runners can easily keep track of distance. Hubby and I visited Lake Eola on a weekday in March, in the middle of the day. It was a less-busy time so we were able to stroll the scenic sidewalk at a leisurely pace, purposely pausing from time to time to enjoy the peaceful scenery.

Along the way we saw people reading books, relaxing on the lawn, feeding the swans and other birds inhabiting the park, sightseeing from the rental swan-shaped paddle boats, and grabbing a bite to eat at the Relax Grill. The spectacular view of Orlando’s skyline was gorgeous, just as expected. And since it was springtime in Florida, the flower beds were bubbling with beautiful blooms. They may not be your typical daffodils, since spring flowers are different here in the subtropics, but the botanical beauties in this climate do provide an awesome flower fix any time of year.

We got a close-up look at the Walt Disney Amphitheater, which hosts numerous concerts, plays, dance performances, and movie showings throughout the year. This outdoor venue and stage was donated to the City of Orlando by the Walt Disney Company in 1989. The theatre is also home to holiday events including Christmas shows and seating for the popular Fourth of July fireworks in Downtown Orlando. The bandshell has a really cool-looking retro design with a scallop-shaped facade, reminiscent of Florida beach scenes from the 1950s. A show at the Walt Disney Amphitheater is now on my bucket list. Imagine sitting lakeside in the middle of winter listening to live renditions of holiday classics, all while gazing at Orlando’s cityscape and the Lake Eola fountain decked out in festive red and green. Yeah, just one of a million reasons to celebrate Christmas in Florida!

NOTE: The rental fee for the paddle boats is $15 per 30 minutes. Hours of operation (weather permitting):
Sunday – Tuesday, 10 – 7 and Wednesday – Saturday, 10 – 10. Each boat holds 5 people. A wheelchair accessible boat is also available. The boat rental dock is right across from the Relax Grill. Oftentimes, there are discount coupons available online for the boats. For example: Groupon frequently runs 40-50% off if purchased in advance!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art at Lake Eola Park

Orlando Florida is internationally known for its many theme parks and diverse entertainment options. But if you’ve never ventured to Orlando’s Downtown district, or haven’t been there in the last decade, it’s worth a visit. In addition to a vibrant nightlife, Orlando has theaters, first-class restaurants, sports venues, and a strong arts community.

In 2011, See Art Orlando was birthed. The vision was for a permanent installation of eight contemporary public art sculptures in Downtown Orlando. Supported by private philanthropy, the sculptures were commissioned by eight internationally renowned artists, including one from Central Florida. The works of art were to represent the diverse fabric of The City Beautiful. Two years later, in 2013, the collection was unveiled. They are stunning, to say the least. They were created from a variety of mediums, all very different, yet with much the same goal — symbolizing Orlando’s future in the arena of fine arts. For a list of the eight sculptures and their locations, you can download the walking tour pamphlet here. I was surprised to learn that six of the eight sculptures surround Lake Eola, with the other two only a few blocks away.

Additionally, the red Chinese pagoda at Lake Eola is a work of art, in its own sense. It was erected in 1988 as a symbol of international friendship. You can read the full history of the pagoda here, as told by the University of Central Florida (UCF) Department of History.

Lake Eola Park is also home to a beautiful sculpture commemorating the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, and all World War ll Veterans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lake Eola’s Famous Fountain

And then there’s that famous fountain. It’s such a prominent and well-known symbol of Downtown Orlando that it has become the “official” icon of the City of Orlando. Over the past 61-years it has been one of the city’s most photographed landmarks. The original Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain was built in 1957 to celebrate Orlando’s 100^th birthday. After a lightning strike in 2009 to a system that was aging and already experiencing problems, it was completely refurbished in 2011, to the tune of $1.5 million dollars.

At night the 60-foot-tall fountain comes alive with a choreographed show set to music. The colors of the water and the musical themes change with the occasion or season. The fountain is lit up to honor dozens of different organizations and causes throughout the year. Shows run nightly at approximately 8:00 and 9:30 PM, lasting about 6 minutes. (Show times change seasonally.) The fountain is impressive any time of day, but is especially beautiful at night with all the bright colors reflecting in the water.

The Lake Eola fountain has received TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence Award, which is earned by consistently getting great reviews by travelers. The fountain is ranked #45 of 456 things to do in Orlando. (You can read some of the reviews here.)

 

 

In Conclusion

Quite honestly, I was pretty impressed with Lake Eola Park. I had no idea it was this nice. I enjoyed every moment there and regret not discovering its beauty until now. As an inexpensive (or free, depending on parking) thing to do in Orlando, I highly recommend a visit. Obviously, it doesn’t have the same “wow” factor or sense of adventure that pulls people to the theme parks, but rather an oasis of natural beauty. There are no photo ops with Mickey, Minnie, the Minions, or those monumental Marvel Characters. It’s simply a low-tech experience that constantly receives high marks! If you’re in the greater Orlando area and searching for a place where the pace slows to a more natural tempo, the peaceful ambiance of Lake Eola is a good choice.

And it seems there’s always something going on there. Check out the calendar of events before you go. Every Sunday you’ll find a farmers market, there are free summer movie nights, an annual bicycle race, arts & craft shows, spring fiesta, and a plethora of other family and pet friendly activities. I look forward to returning to Lake Eola Park!

NOTE: For the little tykes with tons of excess energy, there is a nice playground area. And, you’ll be relieved to know Lake Eola has reliable public restrooms. 

Question: Have a question about Lake Eola Park that I haven’t covered? Simply reply in the comment box below and I’ll do my best to answer it!