Florida Guide > Disney General
Celebration
If you need a break from the ‘full on’ activity of the Theme Parks, consider visiting the tranquil little town of Celebration, situated to the south of US192, around the I4 area.
Celebration was originally developed by Walt Disney but is not connected now. It is full of quaint houses in the Southern style with lovely verandas and rocking chairs on the porches. Leafy tree-lined streets complete the picture.
Go down Market Street with its interesting shops and eateries, and you will see at the bottom a beautiful large lake. The walk around this lake is about a mile, there is a lot to see, lovely wildlife, beautiful vegetation and nice people who say “Good Morning” as you pass!
If you go anti-clockwise around this lake, about 2/3 of the way around there is a children’s playground, a bit further will bring you to the fountains where children can run in and out of the jets, with an ice-cream parlour on the opposite side of the road.
Almost all the way around and there are rocking chairs on a small boardwalk, where you are free to sit and just enjoy the view!
Behind the hotel, there is boardwalk to several other smaller lakes, all with easy paths around them. Here you can hire cycles or tricycles for about $15 for a few hours. The lakes front onto beautiful houses, and have interesting wildlife - we have seen an alligator or two!
There is a walking tour available: book online or at the Visitors Centre.
There are good choices of eating establishments in Celebration. Treat yourself to a lovely meal in the Town Tavern, or a more casual meal at the Market Square Cafe which is like a diner.
Across the street is an upmarket Italian Restaurant and a delicious patisserie.
Kilwins the ice cream parlour serves scrumptious ices, and even your dog can have a treat at the dog bakery next door.
There is a lot going on in Celebration apart from the walking tours, every Sunday there is a Farmers Market in Market Street (9-3, 9-12 in the summer). Three weekends a year, an Art & Wine Stroll is put on, the town centre becomes an open-air gallery, where you can stroll, wine in hand, browsing the art on show. The rest of the year, there are indoor art galleries to visit.
In April, there is an Exotic Car Rally. On 4th July, the town lights up with fireworks, live music and kids activities.
But Celebration really comes into its own at Christmas! Every day in December, the town has snow! (its a type of foam, but it coats the road and the kids love to slide in it). It snows four times per night, at 6, 7, 8 and 9 pm. The atmosphere is great! There is a skating rink, Santa, music and horse and carriage rides (including a ‘Cinderella’ carriage). It is really worth going, but if you do want to go, go early or you will never get a parking spot! we went for a late lunch and enjoyed the town whilst we waited for the snow!
Definitely worth a visit.
Author: Stephen and Wendy Downs
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