Orlando: City Parks, Nature and Art

Orlando can be explored with a variety of interests in mind: a loop around a lake, paths through parkland, nature along a longer route, or a visit to art and exhibitions. To help plan your trip, first decide which of these interests you want to shape your stay.

Lakes and paths in the parks

In Lake Eola Park, a 0.9-mile walking path goes around the lake. The Walt Disney Amphitheater is also in the park, where visitors can see concerts, films or theatrical performances. This brings together two different activities: a walk by the water and attending an event. If you want to plan for both, make your choice based on what interests you on the day.

Demetree Park has three lakes connected by paths and boardwalks. The boardwalk passes through a wooded area that is suitable for walking. The boardwalk is closed for renovations that began on August 31, 2026; check before your visit to see whether access has reopened. The three connected lakes and the wooded boardwalk describe different aspects of the park, and access to the boardwalk is currently something to check separately.

Routes, nature and fishing

The Orlando Southeast Trail is approximately 13 miles long, and ninety percent of the route follows a path separate from roads. The length gives you an idea of the route’s extent, while the proportion of paths separate from roads describes a different feature. A variety of birds, mammals and reptiles are found along the trail network. This lets you understand the route not only by its length but also by its wildlife.

The Lake Underhill Path offers a different kind of park connection: it links six parks within Orlando’s park network. At Lake Underhill, boat ramps provide access for fishing on the lake. The path and the fishing opportunity suit different planning interests; the facts given link the ramps to fishing, not to a particular route on the Path.

At Turkey Lake, Bill Frederick Park covers 183 acres. It offers opportunities for outdoor environmental education. Field trips can include tours of native plants. If you are interested in these topics, this offers a specific focus on nature and learning alongside the paths and lakes in the other parks.

Art, museums and exhibitions

The Mennello Museum of American Art presents exhibitions that celebrate the diversity of American art. The Orlando Museum of Art, also known as OMART, is part of Loch Haven Park near downtown Orlando. Both descriptions can help with art-focused trip planning: one museum is described in terms of its exhibitions, the other by its place within the park and its location near downtown.

The Museum of Illusions Orlando features interactive and immersive exhibitions on mathematics, science and psychology. Exhibition content can change, so check what is currently on display before visiting. The three museums therefore have quite different focuses: American art at the Mennello Museum, the Orlando Museum of Art in Loch Haven Park, and topics in mathematics, science and psychology at the Museum of Illusions.

Planning your trip

If the Orlando Science Center is one of your destinations, the AdventHealth SunRail station is another useful point of reference: it is just a short walk from the Science Center. Whether you prioritize a park loop, nature, an exhibition or a visit to the Science Center will determine which of the information above is most useful for your plans.

Discover more destinations: Tangelo Park, Lake Hart, Windermere, Bay Lake, Maitland, Zellwood, Winter Garden, Winter Park

For the broader travel overview: Orange.