Winter Park is a suburban city outside of Orlando in Orange County, Fla. It’s  land of lakes, topographically patched with more than seven large lakes and ponds on who’s shores the city was built. Initially, Winter Park was founded as a resort community, and although it still maintains all the sunny appeal of one today, universities have replaced tourism as the area’s primary industry. Rollins College and Full Sail University both call Winter Park home. The area is known for hosting the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, which contains the largest collection of Tiffany glass in the world, and the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival. The annual outdoor art festival is one of the oldest in the United States and has been rated among the best by multiple publications. Downtown Winter Park features not only the usual shops and merchants, but also a beach, boat launch, park, golf course, and train station. With Rollins’s campus downtown, too, it’s like studying on vacation!

Downtown is nestled along the western bank of Lake Virginia. The historic district is mostly dominated by shops and businesses, but some housing is available in the northwestern corner. Walkability is high in this neighborhood, and the short commute to class is unbeatable. 

Further west, South Orlando Avenue near Lake Killarny is a popular area for its close proximity to both campus and I-4. It’s also home to a Trader Joe’s and abundant lakeside views.

To the east, the Ward Park neighborhood offers many amenities along Aloma Avenue including a Whole Foods, Mellow Mushroom and Panera Bread. Rollins campus is just down the road, so the area is still very college friendly.