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The best things to do in downtown Orlando are walking the loop around Lake Eola Park, shopping the Sunday farmers market on its shore, seeing a show at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and eating your way through Thornton Park’s brick streets. Downtown is compact enough to cover on foot, and it is the most walkable place to stay in Orlando if you want evenings out rather than theme park mornings.
Downtown Orlando at a glance
| Spot | What it is | Time to allow |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Eola Park | Lake loop, fountain, swan boats, amphitheater | 1 to 2 hours |
| Orlando Farmers Market at Lake Eola | Weekly Sunday market on the lakeshore | 1 hour |
| Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts | Broadway tours, orchestra, concerts | An evening |
| Thornton Park | Cafes, wine bars and small inns east of the lake | A meal or two |
| Church Street | Historic district with bars and restaurants near the arena | An evening |
Browse independent businesses on our Downtown Orlando area page.
What is there to do in downtown Orlando?
Downtown Orlando revolves around Lake Eola Park, the performing arts district along Magnolia and Orange avenues, and the restaurant streets of Thornton Park and Church Street. In a single day you can walk the lake in the morning, browse a market or museum, have a long lunch, and see a Broadway tour at night without moving your car.
It is also the gateway to the city’s best neighborhoods for food and nightlife (Ivanhoe Village, Mills 50 and Audubon Park), all five to 10 minutes away. Our guide to things to do in Orlando for adults covers those. For the bigger picture, see Central Florida beyond the theme parks.
What is Lake Eola Park known for?
Lake Eola Park is known for its fountain, its swans and its swan-shaped pedal boats, all framed by the downtown skyline. The paved loop around the lake is just under a mile, flat and shaded in places, and it is busy with walkers and runners from early morning until late evening.
- The fountain: The Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain in the middle of the lake is the city’s signature image, lit in changing colors after dark.
- Swan boats: Rent a swan-shaped pedal boat from the boathouse on the lake’s edge for a lazy half hour on the water. Late afternoon is the prettiest time.
- Real swans: Several species of swans live on the lake year-round, along with ducks, ibis and herons.
- Walt Disney Amphitheater: The lakeside stage hosts concerts, movie nights and holiday events.
Park in the metered spaces on the streets around the lake or in nearby city garages. On weekend mornings the streets fill early; arrive before 10am.
When is the Lake Eola farmers market?
The Orlando Farmers Market at Lake Eola takes place every Sunday on the shore of the lake, near East Central Boulevard. Vendors sell produce, plants, baked goods, local honey, prepared food and handmade goods, and there is often live music.
It is the easiest weekly local event in Orlando. Bring cash for smaller vendors, come hungry, and walk the lake loop after you shop. Arrive in the first hour for parking and the best produce. Check the event listing for current hours.
What shows are at the Dr. Phillips Center?
The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, at 445 South Magnolia Avenue, hosts touring Broadway productions, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, opera, dance, comedy and headline concerts. It is the region’s main stage for the performing arts.
The venues
- Walt Disney Theater: the large main hall used for Broadway tours and big concerts.
- Steinmetz Hall: an acoustically adjustable concert hall built for orchestra, chamber music and opera.
- Seneff Arts Plaza: the open-air plaza out front, used for outdoor performances and free community events.
- Smaller rooms: a cabaret-style space for jazz and intimate shows.
See the current lineup on the Dr. Phillips Center website. On busy nights, book dinner within walking distance (Hotel Beauden and Church Street are a few blocks away) and arrive 45 minutes before curtain to park and clear security.
Where should you eat and drink in downtown Orlando?
Thornton Park, on the east side of Lake Eola, is the best part of downtown for a relaxed meal; Church Street and the blocks around the Dr. Phillips Center are better for pre-show dinners and a night out.
DoveCote
DoveCote, at 390 North Orange Avenue, is a French-inspired brasserie on the ground floor of an office tower, with a bar that fills with downtown workers after 5pm. It is a reliable choice for brunch, a business lunch or dinner before a show.
Thornton Park
Thornton Park’s few blocks of Washington Street and Summerlin Avenue hold cafes, wine bars and casual restaurants under oak trees, with Lake Eola a block away. It is the downtown neighborhood that feels most like a neighborhood: go for a slow brunch or an evening glass of wine on a patio.
Church Street and Wall Street Plaza
The Church Street historic district, near the Kia Center arena, has restored brick buildings with bars and restaurants that fill up on game and concert nights. Nearby Wall Street Plaza is a cluster of bars around a small courtyard, popular for late nights.
Libra at Hotel Beauden
Libra, the restaurant and bar inside Hotel Beauden, serves a menu with Hispanic, Floridian and Asian influences and hosts a Sunday jazz brunch. It is a few minutes’ walk from the Dr. Phillips Center.
Where should you stay in downtown Orlando?
Stay downtown if you want to walk to Lake Eola, shows and dinner. These three properties are all within a few blocks of the lake or the performing arts center.
| Hotel | Address | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Beauden, Autograph Collection | 325 South Orange Avenue | Full-service hotel near the Dr. Phillips Center |
| The Wellborn | 211 North Lucerne Circle East | Historic boutique stay near Lake Lucerne |
| Eo Inn | 227 North Eola Drive | Small inn in Thornton Park across from Lake Eola |
Hotel Beauden
Hotel Beauden, Autograph Collection is the former Grand Bohemian Orlando, which took its new name in 2026. Its 248 rooms were renovated in an $18 million project completed in 2024. The lobby has a new mural by artist Amy Rader, and the hotel’s Rotunda lounge and Libra restaurant are good for a drink before a show.
The Wellborn
The Wellborn is a small boutique hotel on Lake Lucerne, on the south side of downtown, within walking distance of the Dr. Phillips Center and Church Street.
Eo Inn
Eo Inn faces Lake Eola from North Eola Drive in Thornton Park, putting you a short walk from the Sunday market, the lake loop and the neighborhood’s cafes.
What holiday events happen in downtown Orlando?
Downtown Orlando’s holiday season centers on Lake Eola, with a tree lighting, a holiday market and a nightly light show on the city’s Christmas tree. Exact 2026 dates are announced by the City of Orlando each fall, so check the event listings below before you go.
- Orlando Tree Lighting Celebration: the city lights its large Christmas tree at Lake Eola, usually in early December, with music and family activities.
- Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree Show: a light show on the tree synchronized to music. In 2025 it ran nightly from early December into early January, with shows every hour from 5:45pm to 9:45pm, near East Washington Street and North Rosalind Avenue.
- Lake Eola Merry Market: a holiday edition of the lakeside market with local makers and gifts.
- A Christmas Carol: Orlando Shakespeare Theater, a few minutes north in Loch Haven Park, stages it from November 25 to December 24, 2026.
How do you get around downtown Orlando?
Walk. Downtown is about a mile across, and most of what is in this guide is within 15 minutes on foot of Lake Eola. LYMMO, the city’s free downtown bus circulator, connects the main corridors, and SunRail’s Church Street station links downtown with Winter Park, Sanford and Kissimmee during operating hours.
Winter Park is the easiest side trip by train; our guide to things to do in Winter Park covers the Morse Museum and Park Avenue, a short walk from the Winter Park station.
What sports and big events are downtown?
Downtown Orlando is home to the Kia Center, where the NBA’s Orlando Magic play, and Inter&Co Stadium, home of Orlando City SC and the Orlando Pride soccer clubs. Camping World Stadium, just west of downtown, hosts college bowl games and large concerts. On game nights, expect busy garages and full restaurants along Church Street, so book dinner early.
FAQ
Is downtown Orlando worth visiting?
Yes, especially for adults and anyone who wants a break from the resort corridor. Lake Eola, the Dr. Phillips Center, Thornton Park and nearby neighborhoods give you a full day and evening. It is about 20 to 30 minutes from the theme parks by car.
How long is the walk around Lake Eola?
The loop around Lake Eola is just under one mile and takes about 20 minutes at an easy pace. It is flat and paved, so it works for strollers and wheelchairs. Add time for the swan boats and the playground.
What day is the farmers market at Lake Eola?
Sunday. The Orlando Farmers Market at Lake Eola runs every Sunday on the lakeshore. Arrive early for parking and check the listing for current hours.
Where should I park for the Dr. Phillips Center?
Use one of the city parking garages within a few blocks of the center, and arrive at least 45 minutes before showtime. On big nights, many theatergoers park once near their dinner spot and walk to the show.
Is there a free way to get around downtown Orlando?
Yes. LYMMO is a free bus circulator serving downtown’s main streets. Downtown is also small enough that walking is often faster than finding parking twice.