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I went to this park for the corporate 5k event. It is a nice park to walk around with the big lake in the center and the famous fountain. At night it is nicely lit with many colors and I believe every hour they have a music and fountain show. There is an amphitheatre, and there were musicians playing for the event. There are a lot of ducks and swans, which can dirty the place because of the feathers and poop. You used to be allowed to feed them food from a small stand, but due to health concerns, it's now banned. There is a playground, but it's for kids only. There are 2 bathrooms area, but it can get dirty occasionally. There are a couple restaurants to enjoy near the park too. A nice park to have a nice walk, job, and exercise. Overall: B
Lake Eola has truly become the people's community park. The farmers market on the weekend is still a great place to find unique, handmade items. Although, they can be a bit expensive. Take a stroll around the lake for a nice long walk and take in the gorgeous, lively scenery at the same time.
A 0.9 mile walking trail around Lake Eola is something to experience. I started on the northside and it was so pretty, quiet and I got great pics, but as I started walking around the Lake things changed quickly. Suddenly, it felt like I was living back in Downtown Los Angeles. Homeless people here everywhere doing a bunch of nothing. As well as, there are constantly people asking for money, donate to this cause, and political people asking you about politics. Can I just walk in peace and enjoy the sunshine? There is a World of Beer right on the lake, and some other bar. Real pretty views of the city. I'm not sure how safe this is with the constant harassment from homeless people.
Believe or not, we had a picture of a SWAN BOAT hanging on the wall at our villa so it was a SIGN to come and check this place out. We also saw a bunch of nice and interesting pictures on YELP so it motivated us to try riding on the Swan boat... GROUPON: Make sure to check out the Groupon deal for discounts! SERVICE: Signing up was fast and easy. We were guided by a nice team of young men that helped us through the process. There's a waiting zone with seats available near the dock. They will call you when your boat is ready... SWAN BOAT: It was a bit tricky turning left and right. We ended up going in 360 motion quite a lot. For that reason, we decided to stay close to the dock. We were told not to go near the FOUNTAIN and don't pet the SWANS! 30 MINUTES: It was a very fun and relaxing experience. It was also a nice workout and made us hungry afterwards ;) Highly recommend! The park also has very nice holidays light up decor as well... HAPPY HOLIDAYS LAKE EOLA PARK!
Another Christmas tradition we love is visiting the Christmas light displays at lake Eola after dinner. It's usually nice weather and lots of families enjoying the same idea. The displays are absolutely beautiful and make gorgeous holiday cards for the following year . There are restaurants and coffee shops close by as well if you want to grab a bite or dessert. We love this tradition and can't wait for next year
What an amazing place. We went to Mills Market for lunch and decided to take here to enjoy. We were able to sit on a ledge on the lake over near the bar. Afterwards we took a walk around the lake enjoying the market that was there for Christmas and all the decorations. We would have loved to been here at night. Walking around the lake was almost completely shaded, so it was very pleasant. There were a couple of drawbacks: (1) a group of homeless people that seemed to gather only in one area but no one bothered us and (2) parking is limited where we looked - there was a pay lot near the bar that cost $16 on the weekends.
A morning stroll around Lake Eola was a lovely way to begin my work day. How interesting that this was a sinkhole that transformed into a gorgeous lake, and it was officially recognized as a public park in 1892. The lake includes several landmarks such as a Centennial Foundation and a large, red Asian pavilion known as Chinese Ting. This structure was gifted to the city from Shanghai by Chinese-American scientist Dr. Nelson Ying as a symbol of friendship with Orlando's sister city in Guilin, China. Swans first came to the park in 1922. Each of the swans today are microchipped and have up to date medical records. There are five species of swans (Whooper, Round Neck, Trumpeter, Australian, Royal Mute) that live around the lake, and they receive year-round veterinary care. A visit here, and I feel the need to find my tattered copy of the classic "The Trumpet of the Swan" by E. B. White.
Excellent walking around Lake Eola, especially on a Sunday during their Farmers Market. Lots of good events also on different days & during different seasons. People are friendly.
What a lively place to walk around in the evenings! It's bustling with locals and tourists alike, and you can find people meditating by the water or enjoying a picnic with friends. It's especially beautiful to visit during sunset.
Lake Eola Park is truly the heart of downtown Orlando. I love that in the middle of the city, there's this peaceful escape where you can watch the swans glide across the water and spot all kinds of wildlife. It's the perfect balance of urban energy and natural beauty. The paved sidewalk around the lake makes it ideal for a morning walk, jog, or just a casual stroll. On Sundays, the Farmer's Market is a must--local vendors, fresh produce, unique finds, and a great community vibe. I've also joined yoga classes in the park, which makes the whole space feel even more welcoming and rejuvenating. For a bit of fun, the swan paddle boats are always a hit--whether with family, friends, or out-of-town visitors. And when you're ready to relax, there are plenty of restaurants and cafés around the lake where you can sit back, enjoy a meal, and take in the view of the fountain and skyline. Lake Eola isn't just a park--it's an experience that captures what makes Our City Beautiful so special: community, nature, and a little bit of magic right in the middle of downtown.
wonderful place to walk and relax, sit on a bench and watch the birds, take a jog along the lake or rent a swan boat with the family.
A beautiful park for events, dining and walking. There happened to be a festival while we were there. Making it very festive. The lake is lovely surrounded by swans and ducks. The people there were so nice and friendly. There are plenty of bars and restaurants neighboring the Lake park. Will definitely go back.
Truly a beautiful place. Wouldn't exactly call it a park, however, it does a have a park. But some of the best events(Christmas event) are thrown here every year and they never let us down. A shame the swan situation is happening right now, but don't let that divert you from enjoying the beautiful scenery.
18 days ago
I've been going to Lake Eola on and off for about 30 years, and every time I come back I have such mixed feelings about this place. I have beautiful memories here with my mother, my father, who has been gone for many years now, and my cousin, so I think that's part of why seeing this park now affects me as much as it does. I can still remember those different periods of my life here, but then I look at the lake and the wildlife and I keep thinking about how much better this place could be. I actually had to go look up the facts about Lake Eola because I started wondering if I was being unfair or if I was simply seeing it differently because I've known this place for so long. What I found was pretty surprising. Lake Eola has had serious water-quality problems going back decades. By the 1980s, pollution and debris were entering the lake with rainfall, and the lake eventually had to be de-mucked and cleaned in 1992. Today, it's an urban lake that receives stormwater from a large portion of downtown Orlando, which means everything washing off those streets and surrounding areas can ultimately make its way into the lake. What bothers me most isn't even the people walking around the park. It's the wildlife. There are swans, ducks, egrets, herons, fish, turtles and other animals living in and around this lake, and once you start paying attention to them, it's hard not to wonder what their environment is actually like. I see these beautiful animals swimming around, and then I look at the water they're swimming in and see the debris and the muck, and it really gets to me. Maybe I'm more sensitive to it because I've known this place for so long, but I can't just look at the swans anymore without looking at what's underneath them. Then all those memories come rushing back. All these different versions of my life that somehow happened around this same lake, and now I'm standing here decades later looking at that water, watching the wildlife swimming through it, and thinking about how much has changed and how much of this lake is still dealing with the same problems. And honestly, after all this time..... the City of Orlando needs to simply "DO BETTER" read more
2 months ago
Lake Eola is one of Orlando's most beautiful parks and a great place to relax, walk, or bring your dog. It's very dog-friendly, and I loved seeing all the healthy ducks and other wildlife around the lake. The walking path is clean, scenic, and perfect for getting some fresh air. A couple of things could make it even better. More public restrooms would be appreciated, and I wish there were additional shaded areas where people experiencing homelessness could find relief from Florida's heat. Overall, it's a peaceful, iconic park that I always enjoy visiting. read more
I went to this park for the corporate 5k event. It is a nice park to walk around with the big lake in the center and the famous fountain. At night it is nicely lit with many colors and I believe every hour they have a music and fountain show. There is an amphitheatre, and there were musicians playing for the event. There are a lot of ducks and swans, which can dirty the place because of the feathers and poop. You used to be allowed to feed them food from a small stand, but due to health concerns, it's now banned. There is a playground, but it's for kids only. There are 2 bathrooms area, but it can get dirty occasionally. There are a couple restaurants to enjoy near the park too. A nice park to have a nice walk, job, and exercise. Overall: B read more
Lake Eola has truly become the people's community park. The farmers market on the weekend is still a great place to find unique, handmade items. Although, they can be a bit expensive. Take a stroll around the lake for a nice long walk and take in the gorgeous, lively scenery at the same time. read more
A 0.9 mile walking trail around Lake Eola is something to experience. I started on the northside and it was so pretty, quiet and I got great pics, but as I started walking around the Lake things changed quickly. Suddenly, it felt like I was living back in Downtown Los Angeles. Homeless people here everywhere doing a bunch of nothing. As well as, there are constantly people asking for money, donate to this cause, and political people asking you about politics. Can I just walk in peace and enjoy the sunshine? There is a World of Beer right on the lake, and some other bar. Real pretty views of the city. I'm not sure how safe this is with the constant harassment from homeless people. read more
Believe or not, we had a picture of a SWAN BOAT hanging on the wall at our villa so it was a SIGN to come and check this place out. We also saw a bunch of nice and interesting pictures on YELP so it motivated us to try riding on the Swan boat... GROUPON: Make sure to check out the Groupon deal for discounts! SERVICE: Signing up was fast and easy. We were guided by a nice team of young men that helped us through the process. There's a waiting zone with seats available near the dock. They will call you when your boat is ready... SWAN BOAT: It was a bit tricky turning left and right. We ended up going in 360 motion quite a lot. For that reason, we decided to stay close to the dock. We were told not to go near the FOUNTAIN and don't pet the SWANS! 30 MINUTES: It was a very fun and relaxing experience. It was also a nice workout and made us hungry afterwards ;) Highly recommend! The park also has very nice holidays light up decor as well... HAPPY HOLIDAYS LAKE EOLA PARK! read more
9 months ago
Another Christmas tradition we love is visiting the Christmas light displays at lake Eola after dinner. It's usually nice weather and lots of families enjoying the same idea. The displays are absolutely beautiful and make gorgeous holiday cards for the following year . There are restaurants and coffee shops close by as well if you want to grab a bite or dessert. We love this tradition and can't wait for next year read more
10 months ago
What an amazing place. We went to Mills Market for lunch and decided to take here to enjoy. We were able to sit on a ledge on the lake over near the bar. Afterwards we took a walk around the lake enjoying the market that was there for Christmas and all the decorations. We would have loved to been here at night. Walking around the lake was almost completely shaded, so it was very pleasant. There were a couple of drawbacks: (1) a group of homeless people that seemed to gather only in one area but no one bothered us and (2) parking is limited where we looked - there was a pay lot near the bar that cost $16 on the weekends. read more
A morning stroll around Lake Eola was a lovely way to begin my work day. How interesting that this was a sinkhole that transformed into a gorgeous lake, and it was officially recognized as a public park in 1892. The lake includes several landmarks such as a Centennial Foundation and a large, red Asian pavilion known as Chinese Ting. This structure was gifted to the city from Shanghai by Chinese-American scientist Dr. Nelson Ying as a symbol of friendship with Orlando's sister city in Guilin, China. Swans first came to the park in 1922. Each of the swans today are microchipped and have up to date medical records. There are five species of swans (Whooper, Round Neck, Trumpeter, Australian, Royal Mute) that live around the lake, and they receive year-round veterinary care. A visit here, and I feel the need to find my tattered copy of the classic "The Trumpet of the Swan" by E. B. White. read more
7 months ago
Excellent walking around Lake Eola, especially on a Sunday during their Farmers Market. Lots of good events also on different days & during different seasons. People are friendly. read more
What a lively place to walk around in the evenings! It's bustling with locals and tourists alike, and you can find people meditating by the water or enjoying a picnic with friends. It's especially beautiful to visit during sunset. read more
Lake Eola Park is truly the heart of downtown Orlando. I love that in the middle of the city, there's this peaceful escape where you can watch the swans glide across the water and spot all kinds of wildlife. It's the perfect balance of urban energy and natural beauty. The paved sidewalk around the lake makes it ideal for a morning walk, jog, or just a casual stroll. On Sundays, the Farmer's Market is a must--local vendors, fresh produce, unique finds, and a great community vibe. I've also joined yoga classes in the park, which makes the whole space feel even more welcoming and rejuvenating. For a bit of fun, the swan paddle boats are always a hit--whether with family, friends, or out-of-town visitors. And when you're ready to relax, there are plenty of restaurants and cafés around the lake where you can sit back, enjoy a meal, and take in the view of the fountain and skyline. Lake Eola isn't just a park--it's an experience that captures what makes Our City Beautiful so special: community, nature, and a little bit of magic right in the middle of downtown. read more
27 days ago
wonderful place to walk and relax, sit on a bench and watch the birds, take a jog along the lake or rent a swan boat with the family. read more
A beautiful park for events, dining and walking. There happened to be a festival while we were there. Making it very festive. The lake is lovely surrounded by swans and ducks. The people there were so nice and friendly. There are plenty of bars and restaurants neighboring the Lake park. Will definitely go back. read more
9 months ago
Truly a beautiful place. Wouldn't exactly call it a park, however, it does a have a park. But some of the best events(Christmas event) are thrown here every year and they never let us down. A shame the swan situation is happening right now, but don't let that divert you from enjoying the beautiful scenery. read more
9 months ago
Beautifully decorated holiday lights at this park. We walked two laps around the park looking at beautiful light displays. So many people. Great idea to help families still enjoy the holidays without worrying about costs. Loved the park. read more
1 year ago
What a beautiful well-maintained park with a large lake in the middle. A perfect spot for a walk or a jog, with some shade from the sun. You could easily spend an hour here making a lap around the lake, enjoying sights as you pass by. There's several restaurants around the area, mostly catering for happy hour specials, and there are also things to take pics of such as a statue lying across the grass, bridges, and art installations. Personal favorite sightings are the numerous swans and wildlife around the park. I love the care of the city for protecting the nesting swans and even having a fence and surveillance sign to prevent people bothering them. An activity great for children and families are the swan boat rentals (15 mins is $30!). We were lucky to find street parking for free according to posted signs. I saw a parking enforcer checking the employee parking sites too. Overall was super impressed by how amazing this park was! P.S Just be careful with people coming up to you however, many people seem to try to ask you about something / sell something / religious activities / homeless people asking read more
Lake Eola Park is such a gem. There are plenty of cute photo op spots all around the lake, and it's honestly one of the first places I'd bring family or friends from out of town. It's super walkable, peaceful, and the views are always so pretty. On weekends the farmers market makes it even better -- good food, local vendors, music, just a really nice vibe overall. Perfect spot for a stroll, a picnic, or just hanging out and enjoying the day. read more
2 months ago
My wife and I have visited Lake Eola numerous times over the years and have always enjoyed its variety of attractions. From the charming Swan Boat Rides to the vibrant Farmers Market, the International Food and Drink Festival, and the live concerts at the Bandshell, there's something for everyone. Lake Eola Park covers 23 acres and encircles Lake Eola itself, which is an 80-foot-deep sinkhole. At the center of the park sits the Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain, which evokes the elegance of old-world Italy or Spain. It's especially breathtaking when lit up at night. Parking can be a bit tricky--there's metered parking surrounding the park, though you can find free spots about a quarter-mile away. Once you've parked, the park offers several amenities: picnic tables, restrooms, a playground, a nearly mile-long paved walking path, paddle boat rentals, bird-watching opportunities, plenty of open space for exercising, and pet-friendly areas with cleanup stations. There are also disabled parking spots available. On our most recent visit, we went on Christmas Day evening to see the holiday lights, which were absolutely spectacular. The displays are a must-see, but I'd recommend avoiding the immediate days around Christmas if you want a more relaxed experience. Parking was nearly impossible--we ended up walking several blocks from a free parking spot, which added about a 10-minute walk to the park. Once at the park, it was packed. There were at least one to two thousand people in the walkways, with lines at every photo-op station. We were only able to snap one picture together, and the crowds made it feel quite chaotic. Most of the visitors appeared to be from out of town--many didn't speak English--which may be something to keep in mind if you're a local planning to visit around Christmas Eve or Day. There were a few other things that impacted our experience: 1. Some dog owners were not cleaning up after their pets, and I almost stepped in three piles of dog waste along the walking path. 2. Homeless individuals were present, sitting on benches and asking for money. 3. The park's sound system seemed to be down, as there was no Christmas music or any music playing, which was a bit of a letdown given the festive atmosphere. Despite these issues, I still highly recommend visiting to see the lights. The photo-op areas, like the Santa Hat and the stunning 64-foot Christmas Tree, are truly beautiful and well worth the experience. This year, they also hosted a holiday drone show on December 21, 2024, which featured hundreds of drones performing holiday-themed designs in a spectacular 13-minute light show. Overall, Lake Eola Park is a must-see in the heart of Downtown Orlando, especially if you're visiting from out of town. Whether you're there for the lights, the park's attractions, or just a leisurely stroll, it's definitely worth a stop. read more
We came here Christmas day evening to look at the lights. The sculptures they have around the lake are very beautiful! But I would have to say try not to come on this evening. Was very very crowded I'm guessing 1,500 people if not more. 95% of the people who attended this event on Christmas day evening were Indian, Spanish and Haitian. We took a side street and parked up the road for free. I would come again but maybe early in December I like how they have lots of places to take a photo although your face will be dark They need some uplighting at each stop. read more
3 months ago
6 months ago
Oh my gosh they had the most wonderful House Music event this weekend for Easter. I met up with a childhood friend who lives nearby and we all had a blast. Thank you so much! This place is very welcoming to everyone I love that. read more
1 year ago
Stopped in for a farmers market. Good selection of basics like coffee and snacks to good regional foods. Lots of swans and turtles to watch do their thing. Clean and well maintained, saw a fountain light being fixed in real time. Weirdly aggressive bike cops that I guess need to blast through people for some reason? Dunno what that's about read more
If you are looking for a place for a beautiful walk while having a downtown feel, Lake Eola is the place to go. I like to do laps around the lake with friends and then grab a bite to eat at the restaurants that line the lake. There is street parking available along the streets. read more
Ronnald M and I went to Paws in the Park February 2025 and it was just the perfect weather for the day to go to an event here. We enjoyed walking around in the park and partake in all the boots and participating vendors and entertainment of the event. There was also a ton of food trucks. Great day at the park! read more
A beautiful park in the heart of downtown Orlando. One of my favorite things about this park is how beautiful and clean it is when I've visited. For the amount of birds, ducks and assorted other animals I've seen while walking, they keep the pathways clean. There is a decent amount of seating, however I haven't been able to really sit on most of them because they are being used as beds due to homelessness in the area, not that I mind everyone needs somewhere to sleep. I love that they have a children's park to relax in and let your little ones run around as well! One of my favorite things about this park is the little bridge they have as well as the area with little streams and walkways. It's small but it's something cute that I thoroughly enjoyed. The entire walk around the lake took about fifteen minutes because of how leasurely my pace was. There are many areas for geese and ducks to stand. They also have signs that say do no approach them (which do NOT) because they can be mean. I for one loved being able to take photos of them while they were relaxing in the shade. My guilty pleasure was finding an area that had tons of rocks and the sheer amount of turtles basking made me literally stop and watch them just lay there for a good five minutes. It was a lot of fun watching the nature all around me while I was here! read more
5 months ago
It owns Parks and Recs Dept or whoever was in charge of the Holiday events there this year deserves a round of applause. Lake Eola always looks nice and festive for Christmas but this year it was MORE. More lights, more photo ops, more music, more feel goods, food trucks, snow falling..etc. It was spectacular and fun and family friendly. It was so nice to walk around and see everyone enjoying themselves. I loved seeing all the kids and doggies dressed up. Best of all it was free. In this day where everything is so dang expensive, it was refreshing to be able to have a lovely family outing that cost nothing. read more
Went for a walk around this park which is situated in downtown Orlando. What a beautiful park. They decorated the park nicely for Christmas. A nice but of greenery in the Middle of downtown. The park also included an amphitheater where I imagine they bring great acts for people to see. The park is surrounded by plenty of restaurants and places to grab a quick bite. read more
Such a beautiful and free holiday activity! Went to stroll around Lake Eola the other evening and was absolutely dazzled by all of the beautiful lights and decorations all around the lake. I surprised that walking around the lake is a free event, as it's stunning how many lights and decorations there are all around the lake. There were many families with children and dogs enjoying their holiday strolls and amazing photo ops. I can't wait to come back and enjoy the lights again soon! read more
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More info about Lake Eola Park
512 East Washington St
Orlando, FL 32801
Directions
(407) 246-4484
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http://www.cityoforlando.net/parks/lake-eola-park/
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Ask the Community - Lake Eola Park
Is there disabled parking near the park and is there an admission charge?
There is street parking for the handicapped on the east side on Eola, just south of Robinson. On the west side of the park, there are also spots for the disabled on Rosalind, near Washington. There may even be spots on Central, perhaps near the…
Is there a playground for kids?
Yes! There is a playground for children. And it is conveniently located next to restrooms and a water fountain.
Review Highlights - Lake Eola Park
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