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Home › Neighborhood Blog › Roads & Transportation › Hwy 50 Winter Garden

Hwy 50 runs nearly Coast to Coast through Central Florida.  Stretching from Titusville in the East to Weeki Wachee Springs in the West.

In Orange County, Hwy 50 is also known as Colonial Drive. Hwy 50 runs the entirety of the Winter Garden Community following a parallel East-West course with the Florida Turnpike.

Hwy 50 is a main artery for residents in the Downtown Winter Garden area and Oakland Area and is a commonly used road to reach Downtown Orlando East of Winter Garden. There are access points from hwy 50 to the Florida Turnpike in two locations, and to the 429 Expressway. 

Learn More about Colonial Drive at the Florida SR 50 Wiki Page.

Home › Neighborhood Blog › Roads & Transportation ›The 429 Expressway

The 429 Expressway runs south to I-4 in Davenport and North to Mt Plymouth just North of Apopka.

Also known as the Daniel Webster Western Beltway, the 429 is the western side of a loop around the metro Orlando area. 

The 429 Expressway runs the entire length of the Winter Garden Community and passes directly through three of the four areas that make up Winter Garden.

In the Downtown Winter Garden area, there is an access ramp at Plant Street as well as Hwy 50.  In the Winter Garden Village area, there is one access point at Winter Garden-Vineland Road, and in the Horizon West area, there are multiple access points including three full access points in both directions at New Independence Parkway in Downtown Hamlin, Schofield Road, and Western Way which is also Disney World entrance.  There is one northbound exit and one Southbound on ramp at Sidel Road next to Horizon High School.

The 429 Expressway intersects The Florida Turnpike in the Downtown Winter Garden area which will take you either North to Wildwood near Gainesville or South to Miami.

Get all the latest updates on the Central Florida Expressway Authority's 429 Daniel Webster Western Beltway site.

Home › Neighborhood Blog › Roads & Transportation › Winter Garden-Vineland Road

Winter Garden-Vineland Road runs south to Kissimmee and North to Downtown Winter Garden and Lake Apopka.

The road runs the Northern and Central section of the Winter Garden community and is a main North/South artery for  those residents.

In the Downtown Winter Garden area, the road is also known as Main Street and its intersection with Plant Street is the heart of Downtown Winter Garden.  In the Winter Garden Village area, Winter Garden-Vineland Road makes a hard 90 degree turn South and travels under the 429 Expressway. It then winds Southeast into the Windermere community to Windermere High School where it makes another hard 90 degree turn East. The road continues and winds around the Southeastern edge of Walt Disney World. A final hard 90 degree turn is made South which leads through Lake Buena Vista and under I-4. A few miles beyond and Winter Garden Vineland Road terminates at Hwy 192 in the Kissimmee area.

Home › Neighborhood Blog › Attractions & Recreation › Downtown Winter Garden

Downtown Winter Garden is one of the most charming, historic and vibrant areas in the Orlando area. Like a modern day Mayberry, Downtown Winter Garden is where old, small town Florida meets modern retail and restaurant concepts to create a unique experience unlike any other in Central Florida. 

Here you will find rooftop and open air bars, funky boutiques, innovative culinary delights, unexpected entertainment and right in the middle of it all, one of the most beloved and historic trails in Florida.  

Where is Downtown Winter Garden?

Downtown Winter Garden is located along Plant Street West of S Dillard Street and East S Park Ave in Winter Garden FL. Found about 16 miles West of Downtown Orlando, it is 1 mile North of Hwy 50/Colonial Drive.  The West Orange Trail runs right through the center of Downtown Winter Garden and there are wide variety of parks, neighborhoods and businesses around the parameter of Downtown Winter Garden. 

Downtown Winter Garden Shops and Boutiques

Downtown Winter Garden offers a variety of unique shops including:

• Adjectives
• Burr Art and Music
• Doxology
• Driftwood Market
• Encore Furniture
• Garden Music School
• Ruby and Rust
• Tack Boutique
• Tri & Run
• Wheel Works
• And Many More!

You will also find a variety of day spas, fitness/yoga studios, and a variety of other unique services in the Downtown Winter Garden area.

Downtown Winter Garden Restaurants & Bar Options

Dining in Downtown Winter Garden offers a wide variety of options from quick serve to formal. Some of the restaurants found in Downtown Winter Garden include:

• Axum Coffee
• Hungry Bison
• Market to Table Cuisine
• Matthew's Steakhouse
• Melts on Main
• Moon Cricket Grill
• Rosallie Le French Cafe
• Scoops Old Fashioned Ice Cream
• Thai Blossom
• The Chef's Table
• Eggs & Oats Breakfast and Brunch
• The Tasting Room
• The Whole Enchilada
• Three Birds Cafe
• Urban Flats
• And Many More!

Downtown Winter Garden Entertainment

There is plenty to see and do in Downtown Winter Garden including:

• Central Florida Railroad Museum
• Winter Garden Heritage Museum
• The Garden Theater
• The West Orange Trail
• Crooked Can Brewery and Plant Street Market
• Kids Splash Park
• and more!

Day or night, young or old, Downtown Winter Garden has something for everyone.  For more information, visit the official Downtown Winter Garden visitors site.

Take a Virtual Tour of Downtown Winter Garden

Home › Neighborhood Blog › Lakes & Beaches › Lake Avalon

Lake Avalon is a 184 acre, freshwater lake in West Orlando. Sawgrass Lake is a smaller, grassy shoreline, non-ski lake in the Horizon West area between Winter Garden and Windermere.

The median depth of Lake Avalon is approx 163 feet. Lake Avalon is a private lake with no boat ramp access.

Lake Avalon Quick Facts

• Size: 184 acres
• Water Type: freshwater
• Access: private
• Fishing: Largemouth Bass, Blue Catfish, Red Drum
• Lake Report: Orange County Wateratlas

Where is Lake Avalon

Lake Avalon is located in the Winter Garden community of Orlando It is South of the Johns Lake and West of the Stonebrook West Village Marsh Road runs along its Northern shore.

Winter Garden Neighborhoods on Lake Avalon

Neighborhoods on the shores of Lake Avalon include Waterside on the lakes Northwestern shore, Sanctuary at Twin Waters on its Northern shore and Individual Homes on its Southwestern shore.

Home › Neighborhood Blog › Lakes & Beaches › Johns Lake

Johns Lake is a 2,580 acre, freshwater lake in West Orlando. Johns Lake is a large and winding lake that stretches from Winter Garden in Western Orange County into Clermont in Eastern Lake County. A popular lake for boating and fishing, there is a wide variety of shoreline including conservation wetland areas, grassy shorelines and planned unit neighborhoods with estate type homes with private boat docks.

The median depth of Johns Lake is approx 12 feet. Johns Lake is a public lake with public boat ramp located off Lake Blvd.

Johns Lake Quick Facts

• Size: 2,580 acres
• Water Type: freshwater
• Access: public
• Fishing: Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Channel Catfish
• Lake Report: Orange County Wateratlas

Where is Johns Lake

Johns Lake is located in the Winter Garden community of Orlando It is South of the Hwy 50/Colonial Drive and South of the the Oakland community Marsh Road runs along its Southern shore.

Winter Garden Neighborhoods on Johns Lake

Neighborhoods on the shores of Johns Lake include Deer Island on the lakes Center shore and Johns Landing on its Northeastern shore. Both of those are located in the Oakland area of Winter Garden. Hickory Hammock on its Southeastern shore and located in the Winter Garden Village area of the community.

Home › Neighborhood Blog › Attractions & Recreation › Orange County National Golf Center

Orange County National Golf Center is a public golf club in the Horizon West area of Winter Garden near Walt Disney World in SW Orlando.

The club offers 45 holes including 2 championship courses, 1 nine hole short course, driving range/practice facility and golf academy.

Orange County National Golf Center also offers a 40 room lodge for stay and play guests, and a 22,000 sq ft clubhouse which houses the Orange 83 Pub and Grill and the Pro Shop.

The Courses at Orange County National Golf Center

The Crooked Cat Course features elevation changes, rolling fairways and large contoured greens.  It is a links style course and offers many twists, turns and bunkers.

The Panther Lake Course offers play over and around rolling meadows, wetlands and lakes.  It is a parkland style course with naturally beautiful surroundings and wildlife encounters.

The Tooth 9 Hole Walking Course provides gentle elevation changes, challenging bunkers and lake that is in play on four of the holes.  This Executive style course is as challenging as any of the courses on a shorter scale.

Golf Training & Instruction

Orange County National Golf Center offers a 42 acre training facility which offers multiple golf school instruction options and several different golf academies and performance instruction to fit every golfer's need.

The Orange County National Golf Center Clubhouse

In the Orange County National Golf Center Clubhouse, you will find the Orange 83 Pub and Grill.  The restaurant can accommodate up to 200 guests and also offers service on the patio.  There is a large bar area with 8 HD Televisions and they host regular week events such as drink your score and bingo.

The Golf Shop features 5,000 sq ft of retail space and offers the latest in apparel, equipment and accessories.  

Where is Orange County National Golf Center in Winter Garden?

The Orange County National Golf Center is located at 16301 Phil Ritson Way in Winter Garden.

The Walt Disney World Resort is just Southwest of the Club and the 429 Expressway provides quick access from most areas of Orlando.

It is just North of the Lakeshore neighborhood, South of the Sanctuary at Hamlin neighborhood, East of the Summerlake neighborhoods and West of the 429 Expressway.

Take a Virtual Tour of the Orange County National Golf Center

Home › Neighborhood Blog › Attractions & Recreation › Disney Springs

Disney Springs is a unique shopping/dining/entertainment experience like no other.

Evolving from a once quiet area of Disney World, the area went through several growth spurts and incarnations to reach its current form.  If you want to see how Disney does a mall, this is it.  Familiar brand names, unique restaurants and lounges and original entertainment experiences with a Disney twist set in a fascinating and visually stunning setting.

Disney Springs Entertainment

Want to fly high in the air, drive a car around the water, catch a concert or see your favorite animated Disney characters come to life?  Disney Springs has some unbelievable experiences in store for you.

• Aerophile Balloon Flight
• AMC 24 Dine In Theaters
• Cirque du Soleil - Drawn to Life
• House of Blues Music Hall
• Splitsville Luxury Lanes
• Vintage Amphicar
• Meta Quest 2 Virtual Reality
• And so much more!

Disney Springs Restaurants

From Quick Service to Table Service, Disney Springs has just about every style of restaurant covered along with some one of a kind dining experiences.

• The Boathouse
• City Works Eatery & Pour House
• The Edison
• Enzo's Hideaway
• Planet Hollywood
• Raglan Road
• STK
• T-Rex
• and over 50 more to choose from!

Disney Springs Shops

There are over 100 unique shopping experiences at Disney Springs.  From well know shops and brands, to one of a kind stores to specialty Disney shops only found at Disney Springs.

• Art of Disney
• Coach
• Disney Pin Traders
• Free People
• Havaianas
• The Lego Store
• lululemon
• Mac Cosmetics
• Orlando Harley-Davidson
• Pele Soccer
• Ron Jon Surf Shop
• Star Wars Galactic Outpost
• Tommy Bahama
• Kendra Scott

Disney Springs Bars & Lounges

The vast majority of the table service restaurants offer one or two bar and lounge areas and more often than not provide entertainment or shows in those areas.  However, Disney Springs also offers some unique lounge experiences that can be missed if you are not looking.

• Coca-Cola Store Rooftop Beverage Bar
• House of Blues Front Porch
• Jock Lindseys Hanger Bar
• Stargazers Bar
• Wine Bar George

Disney Springs is located approx 15 to 25 min away from most areas of Winter Garden.

Home › Neighborhood Blog › Attractions & Recreation › West Orange Country Club

West Orange Country Club is a private golf club in the Winter Garden Village area of winter Garden near Winter Garden Village in West Orlando.

The club offers one 18 hole course and practice facility with driving range, putting greens and golf academy.

West Orange Country Club also offers a pool, tennis courts, and a clubhouse with restaurant and Pro Shop.

The Course at West Orange Country Club

The Club Course features a 71 par course designed by Lloyd Clifton and originally built in 1967 and rebuilt in 2006. It is a parkland style course and offers winding greens lined with ponds, trees and creek and classic old Florida feel.

West Orange Country Club Golf Training & Instruction

West Orange Country Club includes a training facility which consists of multiple golf school instruction options, several different golf academies and performance instruction to fit every golfer's specific needs. They also provide both tennis and swimming lessons.

The West Orange Country Club Clubhouse

Inside the West Orange Country Club Clubhouse, you will find the Club Restaurant. The restaurant can accommodate larger parties for special events and also offers take out orders for lunch and dinner. 

Where is West Orange Country Club in winter Garden?

West Orange Country Club is located at 3300 West Orange Country Club Drive in winter Garden.

Walt Disney World Resort is just Southwest of the Club and nearby 429 Expressway provides quick access from most areas of Orlando.

West Orange Country Club is just South of the Windward Cay neighborhood, North of the Summerport neighborhood in the Windermere community, West of the Woodbridge neighborhood, and East of the Orchard Park neighborhood.

Take a Virtual Tour of West Orange Country Club

Home › Neighborhood Blog › Lakes & Beaches › Brandy Lake

Brandy Lake is a freshwater lake in West Orlando. Brandy Lake offers no public access to the lake. Most of the shoreline is grassy. There are a few homes that back to the lake and even fewer that have a dock extending out onto the lake. The Brandy Creek neighborhood offers a neighborhood dock on the lake but that is the closest to public access to the lake you will find.

The median depth of Brandy Lake is approx unknown feet. Brandy Lake is a private lake with no boat ramp access.

Brandy Lake Quick Facts

• Size: Unknown acres
• Water Type: freshwater
• Access: private
• Fishing: N/A

Where is Brandy Lake

Brandy Lake is located in the Winter Garden community of Orlando It is North of the Hwy 50/Colonial Drive and South of the The West Orange Trail Plant Street runs along its Northwestern shore.

Neighborhoods on Brandy Lake

Neighborhoods on the shores of Brandy Lake include The Oaks at Brandy Lake neighborhood on the lakes Eastern shore, the Brandy Creek neighborhood on its Western shore and Individual Homes on its Northwestern shore.