Winter Park
WINTERWONDERLAND
Located less than 10 minutes north of downtown Orlando, Winter Park is a jewel of a community waiting to be discovered. Established in 1882 as a winter resort for the well-to-do, Winter Park is known today as the City of Culture and Heritage and is famous for its bricked streets, numerous lakes and parks, fine shops, delectable restaurants, impressive art festivals and a number of stunning museums.
words by > Susan Barnes
SEE
One of Winter Park’s premier attractions is the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art (www.morsemuseum. org). This 11,000-square-foot museum houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of Louis Comfort Tiff any glass and works of art—including jewelry, pottery, paintings and art glass.
When a fire destroyed Tiff any’s Long Island estate, Laurelton Hall, in 1959, Jeannette and Hugh McKean, founders of the Morse Museum, traveled to New York and rescued numerous undamaged works, including the chapel interior designed for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. In the mid ’90s, the Morse Museum expanded its walls to house the chapel. Museum curators spent three years installing the masterpiece, and in 1999 opened the exhibit— the first time in 100 years that Tiff any’s chapel had been viewed by the public.
Housed in a former bank and several office buildings in downtown Winter Park, The Morse Museum is currently displaying “Windows and Wonders: Tiff any from the Morse Vaults.” The Morse has loaned some of its rare Tiff any collection to the Metropolitan Museum in New York for an upcoming exhibition, making room for a dramatic array of some terrific new art pieces and Tiff any windows. The exhibit will be on display through September 2007.
After 18 months of renovation, the Cornell Fine Arts Museum (www.rollins.edu/cfam) reopened on the grounds of Rollins College in January 2006. Considered one of the country’s top college art museums and well-known for its exhibit of Florida’s oldest and one of its most distinguished collections, the museum boasts more than 5,000 works of art.
Cornell’s recent renovation and expansion increased the number of galleries from three to six. Two of the galleries are dedicated to exhibitions of the museum’s catalog of works of art; these galleries rotate exhibitions quarterly. Two additional galleries feature rotating exhibitions, which will include “Crossing the Line: African American Artists in the Jacqueline Bradley and Clarence Otis, Jr. Collection,” January 19-April 22, 2007; and “Henri Matisse’s Jazz,” January 19-May 20, 2007. The two additional galleries house a Print Study room and an Education Gallery for classes and community events.
Winter Park hosts the annual Sidewalk Art Festival (www.wpsaf.org), March 16-18—considered to be among the country’s largest and most prestigious art festivals. Artists, collectors, children and students alike will appreciate all that the festival has to offer.
One of the best ways to see Winter Park is from the water. Join a Scenic Boat Tour (www..scenicboattours.com), a relaxing pontoon cruise through 12 miles of the canals and lakes that wind through Winter Park. A seasoned skipper will narrate the tour while traversing the waterways, pointing out historical sites, fl ora and fauna, including lakefront mansions and native wildlife such as alligators and bald eagles. This Winter Park tradition has been enjoyed by thousands of visitors and locals for nearly 65 years.
SHOP
Park Avenue—the thoroughfare that runs through the heart of Winter Park—and its adjoining side streets boast more than 140 stores, shops, boutiques and galleries. Shoppers will find well-known names and have fun exploring boutiques and independent shops such as Milano’s Clothier (407-645-5506) for men’s clothing; Timothy’s Gallery (www.timothysgallery. com) for artsy gift ideas and home furnishings; and The Doggie Door (www.thedoggiedoor.com) for the pampered pooch.
Each Saturday morning beginning at 7am, the Winter Park Farmer’s Market (200 W New England Ave) launches into full swing. Grab a cup of coff ee and a pastry and stroll through the market, featuring everything from fl owering plants for the garden to hydroponic vegetables and fresh produce, and homemade jams and jellies to gourmet dog treats and sinful fudge. Plan to get to the market early, as it ends at 1pm.
SAVOR
Whether you’re looking for brunch, a picnic lunch or a romantic dinner out, Winter Park’s more than 20 restaurants and dining establishments will surely have something to tempt everyone’s taste buds.
Linger over brunch at the Briarpatch Restaurant (407-628-8651) and enjoy an exotic assortment of entrees such as Hawaiian pancakes with shredded coconut, macadamia nuts and crushed pineapple; crabby eggs with crab, dill and cream cheese; and a ham, Brie and apple omelet.
At noontime, grab a sandwich at Cravings To Go (407-644-7090) for a picnic lunch in Central Park—or a sweet something such as a homemade cannoli or brownie—or people watch at a table overlooking Park Avenue at Chef Justin’s Park Plaza Gardens (www.parkplazagardens.com). Chef Justin’s menu includes light salads such as the Hot House Tomato & Fresh Mozzarella Salad to the more substantial Beef & Broccoli Board with beef tenderloin, red onion, broccoli and sweet sesame ginger sauce.
Luma on Park (www.lumaonpark.com) is a wonderful way to cap off the day. The posh restaurant welcomes guests with a dining menu that changes oft en to off er only the freshest seasonal ingredients. A pastry chef creates decadent desserts such as a milk chocolate peanut butter bar, warm chocolate truffle cake and lemon assiette.Wine enthusiasts will delight in the extensive wine list, which changes daily to present only the best available. Luma prides itself on off ering small boutique wines which are available by the half-glass, glass or bottle, enabling guests to create their own tastings and pairings.
STAY
The historic Park Plaza Hotel (www.parkplazahotel.com) is the perfect place to call home for the duration of your stay. This boutique hotel features guest rooms with expansive living rooms and balcony access, overlooking Park Avenue or Central Park.
The next time you’re in Orlando, spend a weekend in Winter Park to uncover its jewels for yourself.