Loch Haven Park

Orlando’s premier cultural destination is home to several theaters, museums, and the long-running Orlando Fringe Festival. Encompassing 45 acres, the park is surrounded by gleaming lakes and populated by mature oaks. It’s also where you’ll find“The Mayor,” one of the oldest and largest oak trees in Central Florida.

Some of Loch Haven Park’s highlights include:

• Orlando Shakespeare Theater

  Committed to staging Shakespearean plays of the highest quality, this nationallyacclaimed theater brings you world-class entertainment. Whileit’s firmly dedicatedto the Bard’s legacy, the company also has a diverse offering that includes Broadway classics like “Les Misérables” and “West Side Story” along with kid-friendly productions like “Pinkalicious” and “Stuart Little.”
  
  Special events like season galas with flowing wine and open houses that include panel discussions and backstage demonstrations also take place here throughout the year.

• Orlando Science Center

  The Science Center offers fun learning opportunities for the whole family. Fascinating exhibits, giant screen films, and live programming make for a memorable experience. There are educational events and workshops for younger kidsas well.
  
  Watch engaging films projected from a fisheye lens to a fantastic 8,000-square foot screen at the Dr. Phillips CineDome. Explore interactive exhibits on wildlife, physics, and natural history, or visit WFTV Severe Weather Center 9, a fullyfunctional replica of a TV set, and play weather forecaster for the day.

• Orlando Museum of Art

  The museum harbors an expansive collection of African, American, and Ancient American artworks, along with touring exhibitions for your enjoyment. Come here to view paintings, do sketches of your own with a Museum Educator, learn about art forms, or join the OMA Book Club for lovers of art and literature.
  
  Events like 1st Thursdays give you the opportunity to discover local artists and meet people with live music playing in the background. The annual Antiques Vintage & Garden Show features quality antique furniture, ceramics, jewelry, rugs, and textiles from the most respected dealers.

• Orlando Garden Club

  If you have a green thumb, consider joining the Orlando Garden Club, an educational non-profit that promotes gardening and civic planting in a bid to protect native plant and bird species. The club does this through programs, field trips, workshops on floral design and horticulture, and hands-on gardening at the butterfly garden.
  
  Participate in projects like grounds and patio maintenance, and buy plants and handmade crafts at their holiday market to help raise funds for the organization.

• Orlando Fire Museum

  Located in a charming brick firehouse, the museum gives you a glimpse of the Orlando Fire Department’s rich history dating all the way back to its founding in 1885. Check out the restored fire engines on display, including a 1911 horse-drawn steam pumper and a 1915 LaFrance Fire Engine. Photos and documents adorn the walls, while firefighters’ gear, such as bomb suits and old metal hats, may also be viewed.

Sit down for a lovely meal or cap the day off with a refreshing drink at any of the restaurants in the area once you’re done exploring the park’s cultural venues. For more information on Loch Haven Park, visit the City of Orlando website.