Ten Places You’d Take a Tourist to See in Your Hometown

Love this topic, since I live in Tourist Mecca. Try these on for size when you get sick of Mickey.

1. Maitland Art Center – The coolest little place you’ve never been. Andre Smith founded this artists’ colony in the 20s, and now it’s home to studios, a gallery, and some very cool Mayan fantastic gardens. My kids love going here.
2. Wekiwa Springs State Park – Florida looks like this, people.
3. Park Avenue, Winter Park – Old World shopping across from the hallmark park. My first jobs were st shops and restaurants on Park Ave. Come by before the mall stores and conglomerates buy up all the unique shops.
4. Dinky Dock – Just down the street from Rollins College, this is where Fleet Peeples taught nearly everyone in the Maitland/Winter Park area to swim. Also a good place to go necking with your boyfriend.
5. Lil 500 – Kitschy and loud. Three go-kart tracks. You’re probably big enough for the fast track. Too bad the giant slide got dismantled.
6. Morse Museum of American Art – Largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany art in the country. Beautiful stuff, especially the chapel Tiffany created for Laurelton Hall.
7. Enzo’s – Favorite restaurant in town. You’d never believe it was as good as it is, given the neighbors (kinda-skeevy-looking businesses), but behind that white wall is amazing Italian food in a beautiful setting on Lake Fairy.
8. Cassadaga – Okay, this isn’t technically in my hometown, but it’s worth the short drive up I-4. The place to go if you want to talk to a medium.
9. Blue Spring State Park – Florida looks like this, too. Come in the winter months to see the manatees.
10. Leu Gardens – Gorgeous camellias in the winter, and georgeous everything else year round. This one’s special because I had my wedding reception here.