Lake Eola Park, Downtown Orlando

Travel distance/time from Florida Delight (32.5 miles: 50 minutes) 

Lake Eola Park is a popular park situated in the heart of Orlando. Lake Eola Fountain is known as the official icon of the city of Orlando.

There is a nightly show of the fountain choreographed to music  and coloured lights. In the summer this takes place at 9.30 pm and at a slightly different time in other seasons.

The park is not very big, with a circular walk around the lake of 0.9 miles. Nice for a walk or a run and the scenery is pretty and it gives a chance to get away from the busier areas of Orlando to enjoy the scenery with the lake, flower beds and birds, including swans. Or you can stop for a drink or bite to eat.

You can rent swan shaped paddle boats which are available for $15 per half hour and hold up to 5 people. Renting times for the boats are 10am to 7pm. 

Sunday is one of the most popular days to visit Lake Eola because it hosts a weekly farmers market at whch fruit, vegetables, local foods, handmade breads, beers and wines are available. There is also entertainment and artwork to enjoy. Orlando Farmers Market.

We went to Lake Eola park for the first time in March of this year, 2016. We went on a Sunday morning as we wanted to see the Farmer's Market as well as the park. We got there at about 11 am and were able to park very easily in an outside car park with an attendant that was just across the road. Cost for parking for 4 hours was $5. There is also a multistorey car park near by so parking is easy.

Enjoyed strolling through the stalls and enjoying the various tasting samples that were on offer to tempt buyers. Quite a lot of stalls selling various different things such as food, jewellery, candles and pet accessories! We then walked around the lake itself which was very pleasant and not too long.

It was good to see a large yoga class taking place on the grass out in the park and there must have been about 50 people taking part which looked a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning if you are a yoga fan.