Barr Street Trailhead is honestly not that far off I'll be hustle and bustle of the Orlando,…read moreFlorida area. However, once you get upon these paths, it is easy to forget that civilization even exists. There is a decent amount of parking, however, I can see this filling up real fast. Even when I showed up here at about 7:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning, people were here and when I was leaving, it definitely got much busier. The paths themselves are pretty incredible periods they're well laid out and definitely give you the sense of getting back to nature periods as I said earlier comma it is easy to forget that you are right outside of civilization and it is easy to feel at one with nature out here. The trails are clearly indicated with strips of paint on the trees. They also have signs throughout the area on where you can call if you have an emergency. I would definitely recommend to come and check this place out. I will give it five stars.

This trail entrance in Oviedo opens up to a trail full of scenery and wildlife. We went in the…read moremorning to avoid the higher heat in the afternoon. With all of the rain, we were surprised it wasn't muddy and you could walk most of the trail without issues. The description says it's a loop but the maps and markings aren't real clear on what the loop is. We wasted some time trying to figure out where to go, and the lizard wasn't very helpful. Once we decided, we were able to hike and look at the beautiful scenery. There were lots of places to view the river and anything that may be swimming in it. When we got to the bridge, we were disappointed you could not cross it and continue the loop. It may have been possible to jump over the part of the flooded area, but the opposite side of the bridge looked like it wasn't worth it. So instead of a loop, we just had to turn around and walk back. The walk was chaotic in the sense that you have to pay attention to the ground as there are lots of roots you can trip over. Add the low hanging branches that need pushed out of the way, and you have the makings of a potential injury. Stay alert and pay attention to where you are with the marked rescue areas. We may return when you can do the entire hike as a loop. It was a good 5.5 mile walk to the bridge and back, so keep that in mind if you're planning on going. That's about the length of the Las Vegas strip, but with a completely different scenery!

Bear Creek Trail was a fun discovery on a recent trip to Winter Springs. There is a small parking…read morearea at the trailhead. From the parking area the trail radiates in both directions through a small hammock area with ancient cypress, oaks, and cabbage palms. The natural area serves as a floodplain buffer between two neighborhoods in the Tuscawilla community. The trail is maintained by the City of Winter Springs. Bear Creek Nature Trail is narrow and sandy. It runs parallel to Bear Creek. There are changes in elevation which makes it more interesting and you cross two small bridges. When you are high above the creek you have to be cognizant of your footing so that you don't accidentally step off the trail and fall. There are also picnic tables available. The length of the trail is .9 of a mile. Bear Creek Nature Trail was an easy and fun hike and I enjoyed the view of the creek. It also had the added bonus of being mostly shaded and bug free!

First, there is very little parking here. However, there is a park just down the street with…read moreparking. There is also not much to this trail. It is small pand offers little. I will say that there is a small stream it goes along and that was the best part. It is more an empty lot with trees and a trail. I walked it in no time flat.

I consider this one of my secret spots. I have been going here for years and every time I do the…read moretrail, I find something different, and feel something new. Sometimes I come here to write or draw or read or think. I like that the trail is soft which makes it easy to jog on. I love that there are many options within the trail that helps you customize your experience depending on the time, energy, and desires that you have. This is definitely one of the spots that I repeatedly go to in order to feel grounded and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It's pet friendly, feels super safe, and has beautiful trees.

One of my fave hiking areas! The only con is that there are no restrooms so prepare accordingly…read more You'll see lots of lovely trees, rabbits, tortoises, birds, and the occasional snake, and there is a nice river at the end of the loop with shaded banks to rest.

I entered at the Jones East Trailhead, which has plenty of parking and also has restrooms at the…read moreentrance to the trailhead. Walking the trailhead was relatively simple and relaxing. I did encounter a few other people (they were either walking like myself or on a bicycle). The path itself is somewhat narrow, but it was enough for us to pass each other with no real inconvenience. Little Big Econ State Forest is a pretty cool place to check out. Walking the path, it was easy to forget that you were just outside of a major United States city in the twenty-first century. I seek out these spots where I can walk through the trees and forget the troubles of living in a modern city in today's modern world. Little Big Econ State Forest is a cool place to seek out if you are looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle of the modern world.

This state forest is about a 25 minute drive from downtown Orlando. We highly recommend it. They…read moreoffer maps at the start of the trail. So lush and peaceful. The stream along side most of the trail is beautiful. There are many benches along the path that offer a nice view of the scenery with shade. We took our pups and hiked for about 2 miles. The hikes range from 3 - 10 miles. I saw they do offer camping as well. Make sure to pack some water. It was nice to see many tamiles and couples enjoying the outdoors. We loved the variety of scenery and that it has lots of natural shade throughout the hike.

This is a large park area on campus that has multiple trees and some picnic tables. It never seems…read moreto be busy and is mainly for people that are relaxing or walking around. i've never seen anyone playing games or sports in this park so I'm not sure if it's allowed.

An arboretum is a botanical collection of trees. Knowing how much I love plants and nature my…read moredaughter gave me a tour of her UCF campus arboretum during a recent visit to her school. Parking on campus can be tricky but there is a pay lot next to the arboretum outside of Flagler Hall in the Libra community. The arboretum was established by then UCF President Trevor Colbourn in 1983. Originally it consisted of 12 acres of a disturbed pond pine community on the east side of campus. President Altman expanded it further in 1988 to include 5 acres of cypress dome, 3 acres of oak hammock, and 15 acres of sand pine and Florida scrub. Today the arboretum covers 80 acres and contains more than 600 species of plants. In 2009 a community organic garden was added. The UCF arboretum contains three miles of hiking and biking trails. In February of 2020, volunteers got together to create UCF's first mountain biking trail through the arboretum. Free tours are offered to the public and UCF students use this a living laboratory. The arboretum is open everyday from sunrise to sunset.

Highlight of my trip to Orlando. I'm not into the overstimulation that Orlando is famous for, if…read moreyou're looking for a little peaceful contemplation and relaxation come here for a leisurely stroll. There are interesting and tasteful sculptures distributed among the well planned horticulture. I love this park. There are a couple of ancient Oak trees. I'm sad to see the native green anoles are being over run by the invasive brown anoles, but they are both cute. The perfect break if you're in town for a busy convention or meeting. If you're coming to visit the art museum, plan on an hour or so to stroll through this park.

This community park is next to a short trail thats in between apartments, houses, business…read morebuilding. This a park without a playground however with unique art sculptures. Right next to the museum. The grounds are kept up nicely. I haven't seen many cyclists, however you find people walking and running near the trail

Explore Jay Blanchard Park: The Heart of East Orlando…read moreLooking for the best things to do in East Orlando? Whether you're already living in East Orlando or are considering buying a home in East Orlando, Jay Blanchard Park is a local treasure you can't miss. Located at 2451 N Dean Rd, Orlando, FL 32817, it's the perfect outdoor escape near UCF. What makes Blanchard Park special? The Little Econ Trail: Over 7 miles of paved, shaded trails for easy riding, running, or walking. Family Fun: 2 large shaded playgrounds with oak canopies and sunshades to keep the kids cool. Active Lifestyle: 6 tennis courts, beach volleyball, basketball, and fields for soccer or lacrosse. The YMCA: Home to the Blanchard Park YMCA for all your indoor fitness needs. Pro-Tips for Your Visit: Cookouts: Use the individual picnic tables and charcoal grills for a perfect family BBQ. Events: Check the Orange County Parks calendar for free movie nights in the park! Stay Safe: We love our Florida wildlife! Be mindful near the water's edge as alligators are common in the area. Thinking about buying a home in East Orlando? The Orlando zip code 32817 offers an incredible lifestyle with easy access to nature and city amenities. www.TestonTeam.com for full video walkthrough under News & Tips - Things to Do in Orlando

Blanchard park is a great place to enjoy nature! The trail is great for jogging, biking and walking…read moreyour dogs. Plenty of open fields and space to enjoy the outdoors.

I was here for a wedding, and what stunning scenery this garden has to offer!…read more The venue was beautiful! From the natural beauty of the plants and flowers, to the Garden Room venue. The venue is like a clubhouse with an outdoor portion perfect for event set up. The catering and staff were very friendly and welcoming too! I definitely need to come back and view the garden more, but if this space is a sign of what to expect, then it's going to be magnificent!

It is ok, but mostly uninteresting fairly untended swamp, albeit with boardwalks…read more The rose garden was excellent and in alignment with what I expected, but was atypical of the rest of the grounds. The wedding venue looked like a nice place to get hitched. Admission was free, maybe they would be bettet off charging a few bucks so they could do more with the place. Popular with birdwatchers. I was expecting a higher percentage of manicured gardens and signage, but instead saw many toppled over swamp trees with shallow roots. We did feel safe there, not in sketchy area.

Lake Claire Recreation Area is definitely a cool little part of the University of Central Florida…read more(UCF), it has a few pavilions, a nice lake to kayak on or just chill and enjoy the water, a cool little walkway, a place to play volleyball and a field and a soccer net. It also has a decent enough parking lot. It is on Gemini Boulevard not far off of Lake Underhill Road. All in all, Lake Claire Recreation Area is a great part of the University of Central Florida (UCF) and I would definitely recommend coming to check this place out.

This is one of the highlights of being a student at UCF! Lake Claire has free rentals for students…read moreyear-round, and it has encouraged an extensive kayaking habit on my end. It is a great place to host gatherings and events, especially since it has its own parking lot, electrical outlets, bathrooms, and rentable spaces. When it isn't the rainy season, most of the trails surrounding the lake stay well-maintained. I have not encountered any frightening levels of wildlife (like gators) personally, even though it's always a risk in Florida. It may just be a small, round lake, but it's definitely beautiful and doesn't lack different ways to explore it during your time there!

The Geneva Wilderness Area offers a nice Trail to take a morning hike. A Hidden Gem on this Trail…read moreis this tiny outdoor Chapel in the middle of nowhere next to a body of water. I honestly cannot see this being used very often, but it certainly wasn't nice find during my morning walk. With it being late May in Florida, the bugs kept me company swarming about my head as I walked parrots hey, this is real nature. Nothing can be done about it. The trail is well laid out with continuous markers on the trees and on posts. I would call this definitely a beginner's type trail and you will not find a lot of challenges walking it. Another nice touch is the fishing pier along the trail. I did find it interesting that they had a few signs posted about releasing non-native fish into these waters, specifically tilapia. I didn't know that this was a problem here in Florida, so I could understand how that could destroy a lake. I also liked the rocket-box bat house by the fishing pier. All in all, I will give this trail five stars. With plenty if parking and a nice walk, it was a great way to start a Saturday.

Deserts, fires, and…read morenature centers The Geneva Wilderness Area is a wonderful place of almost 200 acres. Miles of well marked trails cut across the area and allows for some easy yet interesting hiking. Of course no hills or rocks, most of the trails are in soft sand and goes through what is known as Florida's desert. Very dry and rather barren but interesting terrain. They actually start fires here to burn away the underbrush and debris and the marks of the fires are visible on many of the trees. Doesn't harm the healthy trees and keeps uncontrolled fires from starting. There is also a very cool nature center at the wilderness area that has lots of interesting exhibits and a great woman that knows everything there is to know about the area. A very cool place for a easy hike, you get to see lots of interesting trees, plants and critters. A pleasant place to spend some time with nature.