Welcome to my latest series – Thursdays off-the-beaten path – a collection of ideas for day trips and getaways from Walt Disney World when you need a bit of down time or otherwise want to explore more of what Central Florida has to offer.
Last week we visited Lakeside Winery & Vineyards. This week we’re headed in another direction – to downtown Winter Garden’s Farmers Market and Plant Street Market.
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As always, information on all of these activities will be accurate as of the time of posting, but I encourage you to verify independently that they are open and available when you plan to visit, as well as double checking any rules that might affect your time spent there. You can find Downtown Winter Garden’s website right HERE. Crooked Can Brewery at Plant Street Market’s site is HERE and the Farmers Market’s site is HERE.
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Don’t miss these mango flowers by Mango Kings at the Farmers Market!!
Location: Downtown Winter Garden (DTWG) is about 30 minutes north of Walt Disney World. There are lots of places to stroll, but you’ll find the Farmers Market at 104 South Lakeview Avenue and Plant Street Market a short walk away at 426 West Plant Street.
Cost: No charge to visit – you’ll just pay for food, drink, and other goodies along the way.
Winter Garden itself is pretty huge and comes up often on the list of places to look if you’re thinking of making the move to Walt Disney World. Nestled alongside Lake Apopka (remember – we visited their Wildlife Drive!), Winter Garden is a former citrus town incorporated in 1908 and home to more than 40,000 residents. But a particular section of WG is its historic downtown – listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. There you’ll find shops and restaurants along the popular West Orange Trail, part of the 250-mile Coast to Coast (C2C) Connector Trail that spans Central Florida. If you’re a runner or a cycling enthusiast, this is the spot for you. That said – today we’re making a different turn to land at some other popular spots and events in DTWG.
In DTWG itself, you’ll find live performances at the Garden Theatre, live music throughout the area on the weekends, and visual art at the SoBo Art Gallery. But for now we’re going to visit on a Saturday morning or early afternoon and spend some time at the award-winning Winter Garden Farmers Market.
Fresh coconut water right from the source…
And pineapple too!!
At the Farmers Market, which runs on Saturdays from 8:00am-1:00pm, you’ll find a large selection of vendors with everything from locally grown produce and baked goods, to homemade soaps and fresh flowers, to clothing, jewelry, and other artwork. Bring your appetite and be ready to stroll and explore.
Where do I sign up for this service??
Then, once you’ve finished, make the short walk to Plant Street market – a community artisan market with 20 vendors featuring natural, organic food and handmade products all inside of one building. The award winning Crooked Can Brewing Company with their on-site hand crafted beer anchors the location. This spot is always hopping. And the live entertainment and pet friendly patio make this a great place to relax with friends after a long day.
This is a true community gathering spot.
And if you still find yourself hungry or wanting to explore, there are lots more spots to enjoy In Downtown Winter Garden. We love strolling around and grabbing a meal at The Whole Enchilada, NY Bagel or Pammie’s Sammies. And don’t miss Scoops for a truly old fashioned ice cream experience.
You can find more information on Downtown Winter Garden on their website right HERE. Crooked Can Brewery at Plant Street Market’s site is HERE and the Farmers Market’s site is HERE.
Where should we head next week?? If you send us somewhere new we’ll do our best to credit you here!
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You can find my complete guide to making the most of your runDisney race weekend RIGHT HERE. And while those are on hold, you can find my guide to running trails on Disney World property RIGHT HERE.
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Please join me on Instagram for my day-to-day adventures living a mile from the magic. And join the conversation over in our community on Facebook!
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If you’re missing home (or love someone who is) and are looking for a way to bring the magic home, I’d love for you to check out my Core Memory Candle collection right HERE. And as always, stay safe and be kind, my friends.
