Orlando North, Seminole County’s abundant outdoor activities make our destination one of the safer places to visit in the Sunshine State. We’re the perfect destination for people who are looking to experience natural Florida and want to do so in a sensible — and affordable — way. Our many open-air attractions, parks, hotels, and restaurants are open and ready to welcome you!
Orlando North, Seminole County’s top priority is the health and safety of our visitors. Therefore, we are following state and federal guidelines related to COVID-19, and are keeping visitors informed when protocols change. Local businesses are adhering to state and federal guidelines as well.
So if enjoying an adventurous, sunny, and safe getaway has been on your mind lately, Orlando North, Seminole County is just the ticket. Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect when you visit. Please be sure to call or check the websites of any of these businesses for the most up-to-date information.
RESTAURANTS, BARS AND CRAFT BREWERIES
Seminole County is in Phase II of Florida’s Step-by-Step recovery plan, which means that restaurants can operate at 50% capacity indoors and at full capacity outdoors. Parties should not exceed 10 people. Restaurateurs have instituted spacing techniques to ensure guidelines are met. Guests will take comfort in knowing that the state’s mandate requires eateries to clean and disinfect all surfaces after each use, and that includes laminated menus. Servers and other restaurant personnel are wearing masks.
Establishments that only serve alcohol, including craft breweries, remain closed. However, Hourglass Brewing is selling growlers, six-packs and kegs to go — for those who still want to get a taste of our area’s craft beer scene.
HOTELS
Orlando North’s hotels are open and welcoming guests. They are following state and federal guidelines, and have been provided additional guidance standards by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association. These comprehensive standards cover such things as food safety, cleaning and sanitizing, monitoring employee health and hygiene, social distancing, and more.
Five major hotel brands located in Orlando North/Seminole County — Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Choice and Hyatt — have each rolled out detailed programs that go above and beyond standard health-and-safety measures. High-touch and public areas are more frequently sanitized. In many cases, housekeeping service is contoured to fit guest preferences. Food and beverage services have been modified to observe social distancing and enhanced cleanliness standards. The hotels use cleaning products that meet CDC guidelines.
Here are a few specific examples:
- By September, every Hyatt Hotel will have at least one person on property trained as a hygiene manager.
- Marriott has formed a Global Cleanliness Council that consists of both in-house and outside experts on such issues as food safety, infection prevention, housekeeping and more.
- Hilton provides a completely contactless arrival for guests who want one. A CleanStay seal is placed on room doors after they have been thoroughly cleaned so that guests know that no one else has entered the room since that time.
PARKS, CAMPING & SPORTS
Orlando North’s numerous county and state parks are open for hiking, biking, and other recreational outdoor activities. Camping availability varies by location. County-owned campsites are mostly open and following social distancing protocols. Camping in state parks is a case-by-case situation, but currently, no walk-in overnight sites are available.
Most city-owned parks remain open. Click here for detailed information on the status of municipal parks, playgrounds, playing fields and other recreational facilities.
ATTRACTIONS
Orlando North’s primary attractions are open and welcoming guests while following safety guidelines and best practices.
• Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, one of the finest zoos in Florida, is employing modified operations.
• The Rivership Barbara-Lee, a paddleboat that departs from downtown Sanford and cruises the St. Johns River. The operators are limiting the number of people on the boat and recommend calling ahead to make a reservation.
• The Black Hammock, an outdoor complex whose specialty is wind-in-your-hair airboat rides.
• Seminole Aerial Adventures, a fun zipline complex that adjoins the Central Florida Zoo.
• Wekiva Island, an authentic-Florida outdoor facility where guests can rent canoes, kayaks and paddleboards, lounge in cabanas, take a dip in the river, and other refreshing activities. Wekiva Island has instituted heightened pandemic guidelines.
Click here for more things to do in Orlando North, Seminole County.
SHOPPING
Large indoor malls are open, with stores limited to 50% capacity. However, cinema multiplexes remain closed. Most of the quaint shops in Historic Downtown Sanford are open and adhering to social distancing guidelines.
Want to learn more about travel safety? Listen to Dr. Todd Husty, Medical Director/Physician Advisor, Seminole County, talk vaccines, treatments and travel safety on the ONSC Podcast! Listen here:
Spotify
This blog was published July 24, 2020. To see the most up-to-date information, please visit the Seminole County COVID-19 page.