Are you an adventure seeker or is coffee shop hopping more your vibe? Hitting the road with the whole family or planning a different kind of date night? Here’s your chance to carve out your own special way to Do Orlando North and share it with the world.
Explore authentic, hand-picked experiences created by locals filled with hidden gems, off-the-beaten-path adventures and so much more.
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We started off our 2 day adventure in North Orlando with a trip to the Lake Mary Farmers Market. It is open to the public every Saturday from 9am-1pm and offers a wide variety of hand-made items, local fresh produce, baked goods and more. This area not only brings in the locals but is perfect for out of towners looking to unwind and take in the local communities of the surrounding areas.
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We enjoyed breakfast at New City Coffee co. They are known for their delicious pastries and specialty cold brews, including a coffee flight that is a must-have. We tried two of their specialty coffees and snacked on some delicious breakfast sandwiches made in house. The staff was so inviting and kind and helped us create the perfect morning mix to start our day.
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Next door to the coffee shop was the cutest children's boutique, Bunny & Clyde. My husband and I are expecting our first little girl in August and were so excited to do some first time shopping for her. This specialty boutique has everything from gift items for a new mom-to-be, to everything and anything needed for children ages newborn to 5. We picked out a few items and are already planning on visiting again very soon.
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We stopped by the Veterans Memorial Park, at the Monroe Harbor Marina for a nostalgic visit as this is where we came for our first trip to this area one year ago. This area is absolutely stunning and offers marina views as well as a trail for walking, biking, or rollerblading. If you are looking for a wonderful place to relax on a swinging bench just to take in the sights and sounds then this place is for you. You will find yourself surrounded by families, pets, and boats as far as the eye can see.
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Historic Downtown Sanford is known for its nostalgic charm and lively atmosphere. Here you can find flavors from all over in their many choices of restaurants and fine dining. They also have a local food truck night that is a must-do! There is plenty of FREE parking in adjacent lots making it a breeze to park and step right into the action. We personally love visiting Wondermade for its homemade marshmallows and desserts, The Old Jailhouse for its historic charm and The Station for its draft drink selection and unique appetizers. We came back at night for some food truck food and dessert. There is always something delicious to eat in Sanford and we have plans on coming back to try out the famous Hollerbach's Willow Tree Cafe on our next visit.
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We had the absolute pleasure of staying overnight at Springhill Suites Orlando North/Sanford. The manager was an absolute dream and treated us like family upon arrival. The front desk staff was also hospitable and kind and were always checking in to see how they could make our stay more pleasant. The room was clean, spacious, bright and provided us with everything we needed for a great sleep in order to recharge and get ready for day 2. As a mom-to-be, I am always concerned with the bed support and I was so pleased with the great night's sleep I got while staying with Springhill Suites. They provide breakfast in the morning, but we had something else very exciting planned. We will definitely take advantage of their great amenities in the near future.
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We checked out of our hotel and headed back to Lake Mary for a very special dining experience at Lake Mary Social. This establishment opened its doors in 2021 and is an elevated American cuisine by evening and an upscale lounge by night offering exquisite dining and unrivaled service. Chris and I had the pleasure of attending Sunday brunch and were completely blown away by the detail in design, with lavish timeless finishes. The service and attention to detail did not go unnoticed and we are so excited to come back and experience the nightlife of this restaurant in the near future.
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We ended our day 2 with a nostalgic trip to the Altamonte mall. Spring is in season and with some spring cleaning, there comes spring shopping as well! This mall has one of the biggest Barnes and Noble stores I have ever seen in Florida and as a New Englander I found this to bring back so many wonderful memories of coming here with my family. Chris and I love shopping and found ourselves going to the mall for many date nights, so coming to the mall was a very full- circle moment for us. This mall is the perfect size in my opinion. It offers shops for all ages and styles and we just loved that it was not super crowded. We were able to relax and soak in not only our time together but also a wonderful experience overall. Altamonte mall sits right in the heart of Altamonte, adjacent to Florida's Interstate 4. We personally loved the apple store and Bath and Body works, because who doesn't love a few candles to go home with after an amazing staycation.
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