Pop Culture Passport: Exploring historic Winter Park, Florida

Winter Park, Florida, is a beautiful historic town just outside of Orlando. With so much to see and do, you’re going to want to spend a few days here.

When you start driving into Winter Park, Florida, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the days of old Florida. There are winding streets, beautiful lakes and parks, and incredible food. If you’re a fan of supporting local business, historic homes, and great wine, you’re going to love Winter Park.

If you’re exploring the town just outside of Orlando there are a few hot spots you’re going to want to visit, a super fun boat tour, and endless southern charm. With the level of friendliness and hospitality, you won’t even remember you’re just on the outskirts of Mickey’s backyard.

Where to stay: Alfond Inn

Right in the middle of the action of Winter Park is The Alfond Inn. The boutique hotel offers guests luxurious rooms and amenities with a touch of modern flair. The hotel opened in 2013 and has become a quick favorite in Florida resorts, being named one of the best hotels in the state by Condé Nast Traveler and boasts an impressive AAA Four Diamond Rating.

The hotel is just about 15 minutes from downtown Orlando and 30 minutes from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and Orlando International Airport. Meaning you’re never too far from exploring a different part of Orlando, but you can still return to the quiet charm of Winter Park as you want.

Where to grab a drink: The Wine Room

Located right in the heart of Winter Park, The Wine Room is a unique experience for wine lovers. This place is part local wine store, and part super cute wine cafe. There are hundreds of different bottles of wines to get a glass from and they are all dispensed through a unique system similar to a soda dispenser. All you need to do is get a card and load some money on to it, then go around the shop and try some wine. You can purchase wine by the ounce, half glass or full glass! Don’t forget to get a quick snack to go with your wine. The Wine Room offers a huge selection of imported cheeses and some more hearty items like flatbreads and sandwiches.

Where to eat: Bulla Gastrobar

One of the most delicious meals we’ve ever eaten in Winter Park has to be at Bulla Gastrobar. The Spanish tapas style restaurant is bringing a taste of Spain right to central Florida. We’ve tried most of the menu and let’s just say you can’t go wrong with anything. If you’re dining with others and don’t mind sharing be sure to get as many items off the small-plates menu as possible. We love the patatas bravas, huevos ‘bulla’ and the montaditos as must-gets!

What to do: Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour

Florida is absolutely beautiful, and there’s no better way to spend a day in the sunshine state than on the water. In Winter Park, there is a relatively inexpensive and super relaxing boat tour through a few lakes in the area, all of which are surrounded by multi-million dollar mansions. As you cruise through the lakes, your boat driver will tell you stories about each of the homes, including one that belonged to Mr. Rogers! It truly is a beautiful day in the neighborhood when you’re out on the serene lakes of Winter Garden.

Each month, Culturess explores vacation destinations for pop culture fans. Whether you’re a fan of music or movies, fashion or video games, you’ll find inspo for your next wanderlust adventure with our Pop Culture Passport series.