Best Markets in Orlando

Best Markets in Orlando

By Dom Bewley

If you're looking for the best markets in Orlando, check out our picks and get ready to haggle! From fresh produce to street food, we've got it all.

Including:

  • Orlando Farmers' Market
  • Winter Park Farmers' Market
  • East End Market
  • Maitland Farmer's Market
  • Winter Garden Farmers Market
  • and more!
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Best Markets in Orlando: Orlando Farmer's Market

Found in the middle of downtown Orlando, the Orlando Farmer's Market set up shop every week.

Featuring an array of local offerings, including farm-fresh produce, baked goods, artisanal cheeses, pressed juices, gourmet kettle corn, intricately crafted handmade jewelry, vibrant live plants, and a rich assortment of additional treasures, it's clearly one of the best markets in Orlando. And that's without gushing over the beer and wine garden that opens its kegs at noon.

With so much good stuff on offer, you better make sure you've got some pennies in the bank!

Is it worth visiting downtown Orlando?

Downtown Orlando is a lively center of entertainment in Central Florida. Enjoy its dynamic atmosphere and find great dining spots, trendy shopping options and plenty of nightlife. The area also has a park and a lake. This is the historic district of the city, where you can admire beautiful churches and buildings.

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Can you walk in downtown Orlando?

The area is pretty small, so you can easily walk around the quaint city streets for the day, while Disney World and Universal are all just a short drive away.

What is the best street in Orlando?

Referred to as I-Drive, International Drive is the focal point for many of Orlando's premier theme parks and attractions. This vibrant stretch of road draws vacationers from near and far, offering an array of unforgettable experiences.

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Best Markets in Orlando: Winter Park Farmers' Market

The Winter Park Farmers' Market offers a bountiful assortment of freshly harvested produce, verdant plants, delectable baked creations, and an array of other delights, all from local businesses.

This market attracts both locals and tourists alike to sample its delights. Operating throughout the year, it consistently boasts an abundant stock of locally sourced produce. It's a colorful feast for the eyes and will provide a tasty feast for the belly!

The stall owners are more than welcome to chat with you about their offerings, so don't shy away from a conversation or two. And hey, if you want to see more of the surrounding area, why not book a scenic boat tour and see the park from a different perspective?

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Best Markets in Orlando: East End Market

Situated in the heart of the Garden District, the East End Market is a paradise for food aficionados.

Experience the sublime flavor of Orlando's finest cookies at Gideon's Bakehouse, treat yourself to the exquisitely handcrafted artisanal cheeses from Le Femme du Fromage, or delight in the sips of locally sourced organic juices at the Skyebird Juice Bar.

A trip to East End Market also promises an enriching afternoon – relish a craft beer from Florida & Co. or explore a new avenue by partaking in one of the many classes available at the market. In any case, it's an exceptional destination that warrants a visit.

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Best Markets in Orlando: Maitland Farmer's Market

For those with leisurely Sunday mornings to spare, the Maitland Farmer's Market could be just what you're looking for. And, if you're not averse to a warm, chatty atmosphere, make that a double.

Conversations constantly ring out throughout the market, giving it a vibe like no other. The venue itself boasts an appealing setting, and with decent parking and traffic-free thoroughfare, you can take a car to load up if you like.

Food and drink is the market's selling point, with a range of street food and refreshing beverages that'll hit the spot!

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Best Markets in Orlando: Winter Garden Farmers Market

Nestled to the west of Orlando, the enchanting and historically rich city of Winter Garden boasts a remarkable farmer's market. This vibrant gathering, situated in the heart of the city, truly comes alive on Saturdays.

But why do so many flock to Winter Garden Farmers Market when the weekend hits? Well, the farm-fresh produce, delightful homemade treats, and a melodic backdrop of live music, of course!

However, if you can't make it on Saturday, do not despair. The Plant Street Market operates from Thursday through Sunday and accommodates over 20 vendors.

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Best Markets in Orlando: Ivanhoe Village

Ivanhoe Village has undergone a remarkable resurgence in recent times. This revitalization has been fueled by gentrified dining establishments and a vibrant nightlife scene, effectively elevating it to a coveted status as one of the city's premier destinations.

Because of this, a ton of shops, stalls, and experiences have followed, ensuring visitors can enjoy a range of things to do. All of the above makes Ivanhoe Village an indispensable hotspot that captivates the attention of tourists and locals, offering an enticing tapestry of experiences waiting to be explored.

So why not go see what all the fuss is about?

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Best Markets in Orlando: Audubon Park Community Market

Every Monday, when the sun starts to set, Stardust Coffee's parking lot comes alive with the Audubon Park Community Market.

Expect a lively gathering brimming with locally-crafted culinary delights, artistic creations, and crafts. This vibrant market is designed to be inclusive, welcoming families and even four-legged companions, making it a splendid kick-off to the week.

Whether you're seeking delectable fare, unique artisanal finds, or simply a warm, welcoming atmosphere, this market offers a spirited and pet-friendly haven that sets a wonderful tone for the days ahead.

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Best Markets in Orlando: Freshfields Farmers Market

If you're looking for affordable local produce, the finest cuts of meat, and even some locally-sourced ice cream, step right up to Freshfields Farmers Market!

"How can such delightful items be so affordable?" We hear you cry. Well, it's because a lot of it is sold in bulk, ensuring you can fill up the fridge-freezer for months to come.

Local farmers man most of the stalls, selling stuff they've picked or cultivated themselves. So not only do you get a better deal on fresh produce, but the profits go straight back into the farm! Now that's sustainable!

And those were our picks of the best markets in Orlando! If you're looking to upgrade the rest of your Orlando stay, check out Go City! With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see all the city's best bits for one low price!

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Downtown Florida
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Getting Around Orlando - How to Get Around Orlando for Tourists

Planning to spend some time exploring Orlando? We put together a go-to guide packed with information for getting around the city and beyond. Renting a car is recommended as it’s the most convenient option for getting around Orlando. Alternative options include public transportation, taxis, and hotel shuttle services. Many hotels located near I-Drive and other popular attractions offer free or inexpensive shuttles to attractions as well. What about if you're planning to visit lots of Orlando attractions? Be sure to check out the pass for Orlando by Go City® – the more you do, the more you save. By Car (Recommended) The easiest and most convenient way to get around Orlando is by car, as many of the city’s top attractions are spread out and require multiple transfers on public transportation. If you plan on driving, be sure to keep some cash on hand for tolls and consider investing in a good map (free area maps provided by attractions are not the most reliable). Or, bring a GPS with you and ensure you have downloaded relevant online maps on your phone. If you have access to a SunPass, EZ-Pass, I-Pass, or anything like that, we also recommend bringing it along for this trip. Tolls can be expensive and many areas have shifted to electronic-only tolling. By I-Ride Trolley in the International Drive Area If you plan to stay in the International Drive (also called I-Drive) area, consider purchasing a pass for the I-Ride Trolley which services lots of attractions in the area including SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and more. Single rides are available but require exact change. I-Ride Trolley stops include 6 theme parks, more than 200 restaurants, more than 485 shops and premium outlets, over 30,000 hotel rooms, and more. Visit iridetrolley.com for more information. By bus LYNX, Orlando’s comprehensive bus system can get visitors to most areas in Orlando and beyond, but it can be a hassle when it comes to trip planning and bus schedules. Their bus stops are marked with a pink bus or paw print sign and run every 15, 30, or 60 minutes depending on the route. Check their site for schedules and route maps. LYMMO, Orlando’s free downtown circulator bus service offers service throughout the immediate downtown Orlando area. Check their site for schedules and route maps. Keep in mind that most public transit services stop operating around midnight or earlier. By taxi or ride-share Taxis are typically available at major attractions and most hotels. However, most visitors find that renting a car is less expensive than relying on taxis. You might also opt to use a ride-share service like Lyft or Uber if you're only trying to get between a few places (or if you're going out for the evening and don't want to drive). Keep in mind that you'll need to download the app of your chosen service in advance. Save up to 50% on Orlando attractions Discover our full line-up of Orlando attractions from Kennedy Space Center to Fun Spot America. 🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you. 😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option.
Casey Makovich
Rollercoaster at Legoland Florida Resort.
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Legoland or Disney World Florida Comparison

Florida’s Legoland and Walt Disney World resorts require little introduction. These Orlando heavyweights come with significant boasts. Did you know, for example, that Legoland Florida is, at 145 acres, the second-largest Legoland on the planet (beaten only marginally by Legoland Windsor in the UK)? Or that Walt Disney World frankly dwarfs it (and every other theme park in the world for that matter), weighing in at a whopping 27,000 acres? Well, now you do. Read on for our comparison of this entertainment equivalent of David and Goliath as we put Legoland and Walt Disney World through their paces... Legoland or Disney World Florida Comparison: Legoland Name: Legoland. Or, if we must be pedantic about it: LEGOLAND® Florida Resort. Age: A mere whippersnapper next to Walt Disney World, Legoland Florida opened to the general public in October, 2011. Legoland in a nutshell: This epic interactive theme park is a firm family favorite, with 150 acres in which to let kids young and old run riot. We’re talking Lego-themed rollercoaster rides, 4D movie theaters, water shows and more. Heck, there’s even a standalone Peppa Pig theme park, a water park and a botanical garden here. Add to that several restaurants and gift shops and you have all the ingredients for a great day out. Though technically aimed at kids aged 2-12, it’s also pretty great fun for grown-ups too! There’s easily enough to do here to justify a couple of days. Maybe even three. Legoland: Vital Statistics Size: 145 acres Number of zones: there are a whopping 12 themed zones to explore, and we’re not even including the Cypress Gardens, Peppa Pig Theme Park or Legoland Water Park in that count. Number of attractions: there are somewhere in the region of 50 fun rides, theaters and other attractions in the main park. Number of hotels: three. Number of Lego bricks: 4m+ Visitors: around 1.5 million annually. Unmissable Highlights at Legoland Florida Adrenaline heads will want to hit up the coasters in Lego Kingdoms and the Land of Adventure in which, respectively, The Dragon and traditional wooden Coastersaurus are among the most hair-raising. Meanwhile, fans of Lego Ninjago will find much to enjoy on the interactive Ninjago-themed dark ride. Kids can earn their Legoland driving licenses in Lego City, play video games and build Lego Mindstorms robots in the Imagination Zone, and meet Lego friends including Mia, Olivia, Andrea, Stephanie and Emma in Heartlake City. For something a little bit... weirder, mosey on down to Pirates’ Cove, where the daily live action water-ski stunt show on Lake Eloise sees Captain Brickbeard, Calico Jade and the rest of the scurvy pirate crew put through their paces on wakeboards, flying boards and more. Meanwhile, over in the Land of Adventure, there’s a safari trek that takes in life-size lego lions, tigers and elephants. And in Lego Movie World you can get involved in the Battle of Bricksburg, in which participants spray down evil Duplo invaders and, well, get royally drenched in the process. Legoland Florida: Information for Visitors Opening hours: Standard opening hours are 10AM-5PM daily, but these vary by season and on weekends and holidays. The Water Park tends to open a little later and close a little earlier than Legoland. Check the Legoland website for the latest opening hours. Tickets: There are various options available direct, from multi-day tickets to VIP and annual passes. You’ll need separate tickets in addition to your Legoland ticket if you want to visit the Legoland Water Park. Alternatively, an Orlando attraction pass from Go City includes one-day entry to Legoland Florida, plus admission to dozens more top Orlando attractions for one money-saving price. Legoland or Disney World Florida Comparison: Walt Disney World Florida Name: Walt Disney World Florida, to give it its full name. Initially just plain old Disney World, Walt’s first name was added posthumously in recognition that the whole project had been his idea. Age: This stalwart of the theme park scene first opened its gates way back in October 1971, a shade under five years after Walt’s death. Walt Disney World in a nutshell: Walt Disney World is a monster entertainment complex that’s truly worthy of its founder’s name. What was once a vast tract of Florida swampland now contains – deep breath – four separate theme parks, two water parks, four golf courses, several shopping complexes and multiple hotels. Frankly it’s more of a Disney city than a mere theme park: to give you some idea of scale, it’s approximately the same size as San Francisco. However, it is the theme parks here that are the main event, running the gamut from the classic Magic Kingdom to Epcot (a celebration of human technological innovation and achievement), Hollywood Studios and the vast Animal Kingdom – the world’s largest theme park at a humongous 580 acres, fact fans. With that in mind, you may find that one or even two weeks isn’t quite enough time to take it all in. Walt Disney World: Vital Statistics Size: 27,000 acres or thereabouts, around half of which has been developed to date. Number of parks: Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Animal Kingdom makes four. There are also two water parks and several dozen additional satellite zones and attractions. Number of attractions: there are around 170 rides across the four main parks. Number of hotels: 32, of which 22 are owned and operated by Disney. Visitors: around 58 million annually, making Walt Disney World the world’s most visited vacation resort. Unmissable Highlights at Walt Disney World I mean... where to start? Can you even say you’ve been to the Magic Kingdom if you fail to grab a selfie at the iconic Cinderella Castle, ride the original Space Mountain rollercoaster or shake hands with Mickey, Minnie and the gang? Then there’s Epcot (or EPCOT, if you insist), where the Mission: Space thrill ride comes with complimentary motion-sickness bags and the World Showcase neighborhood contains pavilions representing the cultures, cuisines and architecture of 11 nations including Norway, Morocco, Japan and the United Kingdom. Get a taste of the golden age of cinema at Hollywood Studios, where highlights include the Muppet-themed Grand Avenue, several Star Wars rides and the 11-acre Toy Story Land. And hit up the Animal Kingdom which is, in effect, one of the world’s biggest zoos. Go on an African safari, ride the Wildlife Express Train, catch a show at the Tree of Life Theater, and say hey to the resident anteaters, macaws, gorillas, hippos, crocodiles and other critters. Word has it you might even bump into the occasional overgrown mouse or duck... Walt Disney World: Information for Visitors Opening hours: Hollywood Studios and Epcot generally open from 9AM-9PM; Magic Kingdom is 9AM-10PM and Animal Kingdom 8AM-7PM. However, timings will vary a little by season. Check the Walt Disney World website for the most up-to-date opening hours. Tickets: Several options are available direct via the Walt Disney World website. Save on attractions in Florida Save on admission to Orlando attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
WonderWorks
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Guide to WonderWorks Orlando

WonderWorks will turn your world upside-down! This indoor amusement park for the mind combines education and entertainment to create Orlando's best family attraction. With more than 100 hands-on exhibits that challenge the mind and spark the imagination, there's plenty to keep guests of all ages entertained all day long. It's not quite a museum, and it's not quite a theme park – it's something completely unique that you won't want to miss on your vacation in Orlando. How to get Wonderworks tickets We've got you covered. WonderWorks tickets are included with your All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, so you can choose as you go and save money as you do! Here are a few handy tips for your WonderWorks adventure: Wear closed-toed shoes and comfortable clothes. Closed-toe shoes are required to participate in the ropes course and several other exhibits, and skirts/dresses aren't permitted on the ropes course. Plan to spend three to four hours inside. There are over 100 interactive activities spread across three floors that you'll want to explore. Your pass lets you stay as long as you'd like. Make sure to bring your camera! You'll want to capture all of the exciting experiences inside, not to mention the eye-catching upside-down exterior. What is there to see and do at WonderWorks? Guests of all ages can explore the six Wonder Zones, each one diving into a different STEM topic: extreme weather, physical challenges, space discovery, light and sound, Wonder art and imagination. Between interactive exhibits, rides, games, photo spots, and much more WonderWorks has everything you need for a day of family fun. WonderWorks highlights Inversion Tunnel – with the ceiling under your feet and the ground above your head, you'll need to pass through the spinning Inversion Tunnel to realign yourself and start your adventure. Astronaut Training Challenge – hop into this 2-person gyroscope to experience the feeling of weightlessness and the rolls and tumbles that astronauts feel when they're conquering missions in space. Bubble Lab – if you're anywhere between the ages of one and 100, you'll love the WonderWorks Bubble Lab. Create bubbles the size of basketballs or even one big enough to fit inside! Glow-in-the-dark Ropes Course – WonderWorks takes family fun to new heights with an indoor ropes course! Scale a maximum of 36 feet while conquering over 20 different obstacles on this glow-in-the-dark experience. The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show – wrap up your day with a hilarious, family-friendly dinner show. This one-of-a-kind entertainment experience is filled with mind-blowing magic, non-stop laughter, engaging audience participation and unlimited pizza. The Outta Control Dinner show is included with your pass. Places to eat WonderWorks is home to Wonder Bytes, a delicious café with plenty of meal, snack and drink options. Those who elevate their visit with a reservation to The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show can enjoy unlimited hand-tossed pizza, salad, beer, wine, soda and dessert during the performance! Attractions near the upside-down house Right next door to WonderWorks, you'll find Pointe Orlando - filled with dining, shopping and show options. A short walk down the road is Icon Park, home to The Wheel, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, the Museum of Illusions and many other great attractions. Thrill seekers will love iFLY, an indoor skydiving experience nearby. Want to enjoy the Florida sun? Shoot a few holes at Pirate's Cover Adventure Golf. WonderWorks is open 365 days a year from 9AM to 12AM. Just show your pass at the WonderWorks admission counter and you're in! This attraction has exhibits with flashing lights and motion which may not be suitable if you have heart problems, diabetes, vertigo, seizures or any other light/motion sensitivities. Height and weight restrictions may apply. Save with Go City Remember, Go City is the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility, which includes WonderWorks tickets, plus admission to your choice of other top attractions. You'll make great savings on entry to top museums, tours and activities vs. paying at the gate. Visit multiple attractions, all for one money-saving price.
Cara Merren

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