Grande Vista next March. Suggestions please.

[Quilter]

I've reserved a week at Grande Vista early March 2024. I really wanted a deluxe studio at Lakeshore Reserve but there weren't any available. Lakeshore Reserve is attractive to us because of the Ritz and JW being so close that's it's a self-contained community. We like walking the path between the 3 properties. Grande Vista is a beautiful resort and I told myself a 1 bedroom is a nice alternative (they were the same amount of points).

Orlando isn't my ideal vacation location. The sprawl and highways mess with my head. The week is a stop between our time on Hilton Head and Ocean Pointe.

Once we settle at Grande Vista I'd like to find a way to enjoy the resort and it's local area so I can mostly ignore the highways.

I'm looking for suggestions that will help me look forward to the stop and not dread the greater area. I don't mind a bit of driving. Looking for places to visit that are quaint, charming or calming.

 

[PsuFrh]

Winter Haven is suppose to be a quaint, nice town. There is a Tiffany Glass museum there. Check trip advisor for best places to visit in Orlando and Winter Garden.

 

[Dean]

Downtown Lakeland has some charm as well. One could easily combine the 2. Both will require busier roads but you could avoid the Interstate if you wanted though using I-4 would make it an easier trip. Celebration is also a decent experience. There are quite a few dinner shows that one might consider, there are 2 outlet malls if one is so inclined and any trip to a larger Bass Pro Shop or similar can be a good time.

 

[bnoble]

I will sometimes set my GPS nav app to "avoid highways" when I'm on a trip like this. Sure, it takes a little longer to get there, but it is much less aggravating, and often the drive itself is interesting.

 

[Pamplemousse]

We enjoy visiting gardens in the Orlando area- even if it’s not prime season they are lovely to wander.
Look into the Harry P Leu gardens- near by Winter Park is a great spot to wander and eat lunch.
Bok tower gardens are also a great outing.

 

[Big Matt]

There are some nice parks and restaurants in downtown Orlando. You may want to check that out.

I'm just going to throw you a curve ball.....tons of spring training baseball if you have any interest at all. There are games within an hour and more over in the Tampa area.

 

[jmhpsu93]

Head up to Winter Garden and walk or bike on the West Orange Trail, then have lunch at the Plant Street Market. You can rent bikes at several of the trail stations...there's one right in Winter Garden. It's faster by expressway obviously but you can get there via local roads too. It's the local roads that drive me nuts down here (we're at Cypress now).

 

[Quilter]

All the above have been great. Thank you.

 

[NboroGirl]

Visit Lakeridge Winery. It's out in the country, about a 40 min. drive from MGV in sort-of the country. You get a free tour and can taste 8 wines (complimentary), and their wines are very reasonably priced.

 

[mdurette]

Getting out of the Orlando area you won't be able to avoid highways all the time. Spring training for baseball is in March. We went to a game in Lakeland a couple weeks ago. An enjoyable afternoon!

 

[Red elephant]

Winter Haven is suppose to be a quaint, nice town. There is a Tiffany Glass museum there. Check trip advisor for best places to visit in Orlando and Winter Garden.

I think you mean WinterPark. It’s a historical old town and really nice. That’s where we spend our time. Really nice restaurants and boutique stores but you have to get on the highway.