
Port de Soller Sunday 23 October 2016
October 23, 2016
Manhattan Beach in January 2017
January 17, 2017
This Holiday Season I am visiting my daughter and her family in Lake Mary, Florida just north of Orlando. Yesterday we spent the afternoon in the charming town of Winter Park served by Amtrack and Sun Rail railroad lines as well as being easily accessible by car. The town is characterized by quaint shops and a variety of restaurants as well as a large green space park directly across from Park Avenue, the “main drag” of Winter Park Florida. Our focus today will be the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tours whose departure dock is only a few blocks along Morse Avenue from Park Avenue.

Winter Park Scenic Boat Tours

Waiting for the next tour boat
Each boat carries up to 18 passengers at $14 for adults and $7 for children aages 2-11 for a lovely narrated tour which lasts one hour. Details are available at scenicboattours.com.

Captain steers us through the canals

Canals of Winter Park Lakes

Lake Mizell
The tour takes in the three beautiful lakes Osceola, Virginia and Mizell which are connected by a series of narrow canals expertly navigated by the captain of the boat who also offers commentary on the many historic homes which front the lakes including some of the buildings and dormitories of Rollins College located in Winter Park. The lakes are home to a variety of water fowl and other birds including Bald Eagles and serve as the basis for several water sports including boating, water skiing and the training site for the Rollins College competitive rowing team.

Water skier Lake Osceola

Lilly Pads Lake Virginia
My daughter and her family and I found the boat tour to be a very pleasant, enjoyable way and informative way to spend a part of our afternoon especially because at this time of year in the north central part of Florida the temperatures are relatively mild and the humidity is low. If you and your family are visiting Disney World, Epcot Center or Universal Studios in Orlando, I would highly recommend a visit to Winter Park including an hour spent on the very enjoyable Winter Park Scenic Boat Tours.

Twilight Lake Mizell