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Get Ready to Make a Splash: Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit in Lake Mary, Florida!

Stay here and drive into Orlando. That is what Lake Mary is for, and it does the job considerably better than the hotels beside the parks. It sits 18 miles north, the roads move, and the beds cost less. The rest of this page is what you do on the days you are not standing in line for a ride.

Planning a trip to Lake Mary, Florida? This charming city sits 18 miles north of Orlando and covers most interests. History reader, serious eater or outdoors person, there is plenty to do and plenty to see in Lake Mary.

The Florida heat is part of the deal in Lake Mary, so plan around it. Swim in the crystal-clear water of Wekiva Springs State Park, or cool off at the Splash Pad at Trailblazer Park. And for something slower, walk through Central Park or take a picnic out with family and friends.

Art and history readers should make the Lake Mary Museum, which covers the city’s history and culture. And for families there is the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, or the Planet Obstacle indoor adventure park. Whatever the interest, Lake Mary holds something worth the day.

Key Takeaways

• Lake Mary, Florida has something for everyone, whether you’re a history buff, foodie, or outdoor enthusiast.
• Embracing the Florida heat is a must, with plenty of opportunities to cool off at parks and splash pads.
• Art and history lovers will enjoy the Lake Mary Museum, while families can have fun at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens or Planet Obstacle indoor adventure park.

Embracing the Florida Heat

You are in Lake Mary, Florida, and it is hot. Genuinely hot. But the heat does not have to end the day, because there is plenty to do in Central Florida that works with it rather than against it.

First, stay hydrated. Florida heat is unforgiving, so drink water and skip the sugary drinks that make it worse. You do not want to end the day feeling like a raisin in the sun.

Then get into the water. Central Florida holds some of the best water parks anywhere. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon through to Universal’s Volcano Bay, and both are a drive rather than a walk.

For something quieter, head to one of Central Florida’s beaches. The Atlantic Ocean is a short drive east, and there is nothing quite like the sand and the sea breeze after a week inland.

And to stay in Lake Mary, there is plenty of ground to cover. Walk one of the city parks or nature preserves. There is shade in them and the scenery does the rest.

And if all else fails, take the sweat as it comes. You are in Florida, after all. It is hot, it is humid, and that is part of the experience. So put the sunscreen on, take a hat, and get out into Central Florida anyway.

Art and History in Lake Mary

For the art and history of Lake Mary, there is more than you expect. A few places in town cover the area’s cultural heritage properly.

The Lake Mary Museum

The Lake Mary Museum is where to start. It holds artifacts and exhibits telling the story of Lake Mary’s past. The founding through to the growth of the town, and the people and events that shaped what is here now.

The most interesting exhibit is the collection of vintage photographs. You see how the town changed and what life looked like for the early residents. And there are antique tools, clothing and other items that fill in the daily detail.

Karpeles Manuscript Libraries

The other place for the history of Lake Mary is the Karpeles Manuscript Libraries. This museum preserves and shows rare historical documents. Manuscripts, letters and artifacts belonging to significant figures in history. Check the location before you set out, because the Karpeles collections are spread across several cities.

The useful thing about the Karpeles Manuscript Libraries is that the exhibits rotate. So even a second visit turns up something new. Past exhibits have included the works of Shakespeare, the writings of famous explorers and drafts connected to the United States Constitution, though the exact holdings are worth confirming before you plan around them.

History reader or simply after something with substance, the art and history of Lake Mary repay the time. So take the afternoon and go.

Family Fun in Lake Mary

Looking for something with the family in Lake Mary? These are the options that hold everyone.

Planet Obstacle

To let the kids burn energy, Planet Obstacle is the answer. This indoor playground runs trampolines and ninja courses through to rock climbing walls and laser tag. There is a zip line in it too. It is the right answer to a wet afternoon.

Amstar Theater

For something quieter, head over to Amstar Theater. This cinema runs the current releases alongside some classics. And they run sensory friendly viewings, which matters to a lot of families. Take the popcorn and sit down.

Sensory Friendly Viewings

And on sensory friendly viewings, Amstar Theater is not the only place in Lake Mary offering them. Other local venues, museums and libraries among them, run similar sessions. It is a way to have the family day without the overload.

So an indoor playground, a cinema or a sensory friendly session, Lake Mary covers all three. Get out and use them.

Outdoor Adventures

Looking for outdoor time in Lake Mary? There is more of it than the suburbs suggest, and it will fill the days.

Trailblazer Park

Start at Trailblazer Park. This park sits inside a larger sports complex and runs a broad range of activities. Basketball, volleyball or soccer, plus walking trails through it. There is a skate park for anyone who wants it. And through the hot months the splash pad and water park are how you beat the Florida heat.

Kayaking and Hiking

To get on the water, kayaking is the way. Lake Mary is ringed by natural habitat and wetland, so there is plenty to paddle through. Rent from one of the local outfitters and take the calm water at your own pace, with the wildlife alongside. And for something harder, hike one of the trails in the area. The Seminole Wekiva Trail is the popular one, with over 14 miles of paved path through forest and wetland.

Whatever the outdoor plan, Lake Mary has a version of it. So take the gear and go.

The Golfing Experience

Ready to tee off in Lake Mary? The golf here is better than the setting suggests. Palm trees, rolling fairways and island greens, and the course does the rest.

Timacuan Golf Club

The course to make in Lake Mary is the Timacuan Golf Club. Designed by Ron Garl and Bobby Weed, this award-winning course is rated among the better ones in Florida.

With well-kept tee boxes and Miniverde greens, Timacuan Golf Club plays hard without punishing you, whatever the handicap. The signature hole is the island fairway on the 14th. It has been written up in Women Magazine and has taken awards from Golfweek and the Orlando Sentinel Readers Poll.

But the island fairway is not the whole of Timacuan Golf Club. The course runs holes with real undulation and hazards that will find any weakness in your game. And there is a hole-in-one on the island green for somebody, eventually.

So what are you waiting for. Take the clubs to Timacuan Golf Club and see what Lake Mary golf is actually like.

Trailblazer Park is better than a municipal sports complex has any right to be. There is a splash pad, a skate park and courts for the usual sports. Central Park is the quiet alternative when you have had enough of the noise. The Seminole Wekiva Trail runs fourteen miles of paved path through forest and wetland. And the springs are where you actually swim, in water that stays cold all year.

Food and Dining

Lake Mary carries a broad range of dining and it will handle most cravings. A proper dinner or a quick plate, both are here.

For good old-fashioned American cuisine, head to the local grill. Burgers, fries and a cold beer with the game on one of the many TVs. And for something more ambitious, there is the Death Burger Challenge, which is not for the faint of heart. Finish it inside 30 minutes and you go on the wall of fame.

For something more upscale, Lake Mary has the restaurants. Italian through to sushi, the range is wide. Seafood people should take the fresh catch of the day. And the sushi rolls are the order if you want something different.

But dining in Lake Mary is not only the food. It is the room as well. Many restaurants run outdoor seating where you eat with the Florida evening around you. And there is live music some nights.

So a casual meal or a proper night out, Lake Mary covers both. Take the appetite out and work through the local scene.

Shopping in Lake Mary

You cannot visit Lake Mary without shopping. The city runs shopping centers and stores across the budgets. High-end boutiques through to discount stores, it is all here.

The main shopping in the Lake Mary area is at the Seminole Towne Center Mall. The mall runs over 120 stores, major retailers like Macy’s, Dillard’s and JCPenney among them, though the anchor line-up has changed in recent years and is worth checking. You can lose hours in it. And there is a cinema and restaurants when the shopping has worn you out.

For something more unusual, head to the Lake Mary Farmer’s Market. The market runs every Saturday with vendors selling fresh produce through to handmade jewelry. You never know what turns up, and something usually comes home with you.

Jewelry people should make the Goldsmith Jewelry Shoppe. This family-owned business has been trading in Lake Mary for over 30 years and carries a wide selection of fine jewelry. Engagement rings through to custom work. And if what you want is not there, they will make it.

So shopping in Lake Mary is straightforward and it covers the range. Shopping centers and stores enough that something will suit the style and the budget. So take the wallet and go.

The Lake Mary Farmer’s Market

Looking for a way to spend a Saturday morning? The Lake Mary Farmer’s Market is the answer. The market is where the locally grown produce, the baked goods and the handmade work all are.

At the Lake Mary Farmer’s Market you find vendors selling fresh vegetables through to artisanal breads. And the sweet end is well covered, with several stalls doing cookies, cakes and pies.

But the Lake Mary Farmer’s Market is not only food. There is handmade work too, jewelry, pottery and clothing among it. And dog owners should look for the pet food and treat vendors, because the dog will notice.

The best thing about the Lake Mary Farmer’s Market is the crowd. You meet the local farmers and makers and end up talking to people. So take a bag and go over to the Lake Mary Farmer’s Market.

The Local Community

And then the locals of Lake Mary, Florida. They are a friendly lot and they will talk to you. A good time or simply some company, you find both here.

One of the better things about the community in Lake Mary is that something is always on. Farmer’s markets through to outdoor concerts, the calendar does not empty. And living here means getting all of it regularly.

But it is not only the events that make the locals worth knowing. It is the attitude and the humor. People here will make a joke or tell you a story without being asked.

And to get involved in the community, there are ways in. Volunteer with a local charity or join a sports league, and the door opens quickly.

But the best thing about the locals in Lake Mary is that they enjoy the place. They know how to have a good time and they will try something new. So if you are looking for somewhere to settle, this community is a strong argument.

The Best Places to Visit

Lake Mary, Florida is a good-looking city with plenty in it. A day out with the family, an evening with a partner, or a solo trip, Lake Mary works for all three. This section covers the best places to visit in Lake Mary.

Central Park

For a quiet afternoon, Central Park is the place. The park runs a walking trail, a playground and a pavilion built for picnics. It is where you slow down and let Lake Mary be a small town for an hour.

Obstacle Park

For something harder, Obstacle Park is the place, and it is the same venue this page names differently elsewhere. It runs obstacles built to test strength, agility and endurance. It works with a group of friends, or on your own if you have something to prove.

Magic Kingdom

For the theme park version of a day, Magic Kingdom is a drive south from Lake Mary. The park covers everything from the serious rides through to the classic Disney characters. It works with family or with friends.

Secrets of the Pharaoh

For something you come out knowing more from, Secrets of the Pharaoh is worth checking. The interactive exhibit walks you through ancient Egypt and the history and culture behind it. Confirm it is still running before you plan the day around it.

Escape Room

For something with a clock on it, an escape room is the answer. Lake Mary has several, Murder in London and Happy Accidents by Bob Ross among them. They test the problem-solving and they are genuinely good fun.

Reviews

For recommendations on where to go in Lake Mary, TripAdvisor carries the detail. Read the reviews rather than the rankings, because that is where the useful information sits.

Seminole County

To go beyond Lake Mary, Seminole County has plenty. Winter Park is the one to make, with the shops, the restaurants and the historic sites. And Viator lists tours and activities across Seminole County if you want them booked ahead.

Lake Mary, Florida is worth the stop, with attractions enough to fill a weekend. A quiet afternoon in a park or something with more edge, Lake Mary has both.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most fun way to get lost in Downtown Lake Mary?

For a good way to lose an hour in Downtown Lake Mary, head over to the Lake Mary Farmer’s Market. With over 30 vendors selling fresh produce through to handmade crafts, the morning goes quickly. Take a bag and no fixed plan.

Are there any restaurants in Lake Mary that serve food that’s out of this world?

Yes, there are. For something out of the ordinary, head over to Dexter’s of Lake Mary. The menu is as varied as it is good, and it will satisfy most palates.

What’s the wildest thing you can do at Planet Obstacle, the world’s largest indoor obstacle park?

For the hardest thing at Planet Obstacle, take the Ninja Warrior course. The obstacles test strength, agility and endurance, and it is not for the faint of heart. But it is the one people talk about afterwards.

What’s the best way to explore Lake Mary, Florida without breaking the bank?

The cheapest way into Lake Mary is a walk around the Lake Mary Trail. The trail costs nothing and the views over the surrounding country are the reason. Just take plenty of water and sunscreen.

What’s the most interesting thing about Lake Mary, Florida that most people don’t know?

Did you know Lake Mary holds the Timacuan Ecological and Historic Preserve? This 450-acre preserve carries native Florida wildlife and gives you the natural side of the area. It is the one most people drive past.

How many miles do you have to swim to get from Lake Mary, Florida to the ocean?

Sorry to disappoint, but Lake Mary is landlocked, so there is no swimming to the ocean from here. But for something on the water, head over to the Central Florida Zoo’s Zoom Air Adventure Park. Zip lines, rope bridges and other obstacles, and it will get the heart going.

Frequently asked questions about Lake Mary, Florida

Which park do you actually swim at near Lake Mary?

The springs. The spring run holds a constant temperature all year round, which makes it colder than the Florida air suggests and a great deal better than any hotel pool nearby. The park fills early on hot weekends and then closes its gates for the day. Arrive before nine in the morning if you can manage it. Trailblazer Park has the splash pad as the fallback when the springs have already reached capacity.

Is Timacuan Golf Club worth the green fee?

It is. The course was designed by Ron Garl and Bobby Weed and it plays a good deal harder than the flat Florida ground around it leads you to expect on the first tee. The island fairway on the 14th is the hole people remember afterwards. Book a morning slot through the summer months. The heat coming off the fairways by early afternoon takes the pleasure out of the back nine.

What is actually at the Lake Mary Farmer’s Market?

More than produce. There are vendors selling fresh vegetables, artisanal bread, cakes and pies, alongside jewelry, pottery, clothing and food for the dog you brought with you. It runs on Saturday mornings and it is where the town turns up. Go early for the bread if you want any. The good stalls sell out well before the crowd thins out towards the middle of the day.

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