If you are looking for some different to do, as a break from the excitement of all the theme parks and attractions of Orlando, then you might like to visit Winter Park’s Farmers’ Market on a Saturday morning. Winter Park is situated about five miles north of downtown Orlando and is east of Junction 45 on the I4. The market itself is on West New York Avenue, near the intersection with Lyman Avenue. It is held in and around the old Railroad Station, originally built in 1882 but now refurbished and used for a variety of events.
For the last twenty years, local farmers have been gathering here on a Saturday morning to sell their produce. The market opens at 7 am and, if you arrive early, why not take a moment to enjoy the ambiance and atmosphere created by the sights, sounds and smells of this wonderful place. You could decide that your first action will be to have breakfast, and there are plenty of things to choose from. You could have croissants, bagels, muffins or crepes washed down with espresso, hot chocolate, spiced tea or freshly squeezed lemonade. If you arrive at the market after 10 a.m. the barbeque will have started and you will have delicious ribs and chicken to choose from as well. The barbeque is legendary, and the local residents flock to it and take away the food by the bagful.
When you have had your fill of the delicious breakfast goodies it is time to have a leisurely meander amongst the stalls. The fresh fruit and vegetables are piled high in colourful displays, there are all sorts of freshly baked breads and pastries to tempt you and a huge selection of seafood, salsas, pickles, pasta, sausages, cheeses and candies await your inspection. There are delightfully scented stalls where you can see the most fantastic displays of beautiful orchids and tropical plants of all varieties. This market also has one stall that I have not seen anywhere else - a butterfly tent!
Going to the market on a Saturday morning is very much a Winter Park tradition. The locals all gather here with their dogs on leashes and their babies in strollers. They come to see and be seen, to socialise and catch up with the latest gossip as well as stocking up on fresh produce.
At about 1pm things start to slow down and stalls start packing up, so make sure you don’t arrive too late. If you are a serious shopper you should aim to get there by 8 a.m. in order to have the pick of the best buys.
For the last twenty years, local farmers have been gathering here on a Saturday morning to sell their produce. The market opens at 7 am and, if you arrive early, why not take a moment to enjoy the ambiance and atmosphere created by the sights, sounds and smells of this wonderful place. You could decide that your first action will be to have breakfast, and there are plenty of things to choose from. You could have croissants, bagels, muffins or crepes washed down with espresso, hot chocolate, spiced tea or freshly squeezed lemonade. If you arrive at the market after 10 a.m. the barbeque will have started and you will have delicious ribs and chicken to choose from as well. The barbeque is legendary, and the local residents flock to it and take away the food by the bagful.
When you have had your fill of the delicious breakfast goodies it is time to have a leisurely meander amongst the stalls. The fresh fruit and vegetables are piled high in colourful displays, there are all sorts of freshly baked breads and pastries to tempt you and a huge selection of seafood, salsas, pickles, pasta, sausages, cheeses and candies await your inspection. There are delightfully scented stalls where you can see the most fantastic displays of beautiful orchids and tropical plants of all varieties. This market also has one stall that I have not seen anywhere else - a butterfly tent!
Going to the market on a Saturday morning is very much a Winter Park tradition. The locals all gather here with their dogs on leashes and their babies in strollers. They come to see and be seen, to socialise and catch up with the latest gossip as well as stocking up on fresh produce.
At about 1pm things start to slow down and stalls start packing up, so make sure you don’t arrive too late. If you are a serious shopper you should aim to get there by 8 a.m. in order to have the pick of the best buys.