The weather in Orlando is finally warming up, which means more sunny days and (hopefully) less cold and rainy ones. Since the temperature is slowly rising to the low eighties, I want my weekends to be filled with outdoor adventures. What better way to spend a sunny Saturday than with some Pub subs and a nice picnic under a shady tree? Here are seven perfect picnic places I have found in Orlando.
University of Central Florida Arboretum
While UCF is usually full of students and faculty during the week, it is rather silent and empty during the weekend. Among the large buildings and copious amounts of palm trees, there lies an arboretum on the UCF campus. The best way to get to this arboretum is to park behind the softball field. The trail begins near the paved parking lot. There are many different trails to follow, each being a different distance. There is a covered area with picnic tables in the arboretum, but there are also lots of trees and a few gassy areas to lay down a blanket and enjoy.
Loch Haven Park
This park is located near the Orlando Science Center in downtown Orlando. This park is settled between three lakes and is about 45 acres. It is full of oak trees, including one of Central Florida's oldest oak trees named "The Mayor." Part of the park is located near the Orlando Museum of Art, so look for some sculptures during your visit.
Central Park
While this park is located in Winter Park, FL, it is still one to be mentioned. This park lies along the middle of Park Avenue, the main road in historical downtown Winter Park. Be sure to save some time to walk along the shops and visit the Morse Museum (they have awesome ticket prices for students).
Celebration Lakeside Park
If you don't mind the drive, then this park is definitely one to check out. Celebration, FL, is a town that was built by Disney. Walt Disney had visions of a perfect town and made them come to life. This park is located in downtown Celebration and there are walking trails surrounding it. The entire town of Celebration is absolutely gorgeous, so if you have time I would recommend driving around and experiencing the scenery.
Orlando Wetlands Park
If you really want to become adventurous and enjoy a picnic close to nature, then Orlando Wetlands is a place to visit. This park is full of lakes and marshes that allow many different species of birds to be spotted. There are over 30 different species of wildlife to see, so bring your binoculars (and watch out for the gators)!
Dickson Azalea Park
Located in downtown Orlando, this park is full of Central Florida history. During the Great Depression, this park housed a garden center for the Orlando Garden Club. This garden center was donated as the Red Cross Defense Unit headquarters during the duration of World War II. This park is perfect for a nice and enjoyable picnic in the shade.
Lake Eola
One of the most popular lakes in Orlando. This lake is located in the heart of downtown Orlando and hosts multiple events. The annual Downtown Food and Wine Festival is held in this park, as well as a farmer's market every Sunday. Lake Eola also offers swan-shaped paddle boat rides (side-note: last time I checked there was a discount for paddle boat rentals on Groupon), and there is a 0.9-mile walking trail surrounding it. I would recommend having a picnic during sunset, the view is incredible.
Of course there are many more places to picnic in Orlando. I just wanted to highlight a few of my favorites. So, next time you and your friends want something to do on a sunny Saturday, or you want to surprise your significant other with a cute date, try out one of these picnic places!
