Winter Springs is a city in Seminole County, Florida. It is located in the Central Florida Region & Orlando – Kissimmee – Sanford, Florida Metro Area.
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Winter Springs, Florida
The City of Winter Springs Florida has been ranked among the best places to live in Florida. It stretches from Oviedo to Longwood and is just north of Casselberry. Located in Seminole County and part of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford Metro area, Winter Springs is known for being a high quality place to live for both professionals and families with it’s more natural suburban communities and the city’s focus on keeping it beautiful.
Community & Culture
Winter Springs has a strong sense of community with a focus on family activities, outdoor recreation, and local events. The city hosts various events throughout the year, including arts and crafts festivals, holiday celebrations, and community service initiatives. There is a growing arts scene, with local galleries, performances, and educational programs. The residents of Winter Springs are active in maintaining the city’s friendly, small-town atmosphere while promoting growth and development in a sustainable way.
The city keeps its community spirit alive focusing on family activities and the natural beauty of the area. The cost of living is higher than the average across the country but lower than some of the surrounding communities in Seminole County.
The City of Winter Springs website provides a Family Fun Guide that showcases all of the Parks, Facilities and Programs in the city.
Education
Winter Springs is part of the Seminole Public School District which is highly rated in Florida. Within the city is Winter Springs High School, Indian Trails Middle School and several Public Elementary Schools as well as private and special education schools. There are no large colleges directly in Winter Springs, but it is part of the University of Central Florida community, the largest public university in the country, situated only 15 – 20 minutes from the main campus. Full Sail University is another nearby college that is popular among locals.
History
The city was originally incorporated in 1959 as North Orlando, whose name originated from the North Orlando Company who was leading the efforts to grow the city. But this led to confusion that the city was part of Orlando on the northern end, even though it does not border Orlando. When the Winter Springs Development Corporation acquired the 3,500 acres of land to the east of North Orlando, then was annexed into North Orlando, it was decided by the council due to the unpopularity of the name, that the city would be renamed. While there were a lot of name choices that were submitted including Norlando, to keep a similarity in the name, the council chose Semoran as the name. This name was quickly outed by the public and by popular vote the city was named after the company for the area it acquired, Winter Springs. The City of Winter Springs was incorporated in 1972 and is the largest city by land area in Seminole County Florida.
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Food & Drink
Winter Springs supports locally owned businesses and while there are plenty of chain restaurants in the area, there are a few locally owned favorites offering a range of dining options offering American, Italian, Mexican, and Asian cuisines.
- Stefanos Trattoria Italian Restaurant: a local favorite
- LaSpada’s Original Hoagies: Known for their delicious sandwiches and casual dining atmosphere.
- Stonewood Grill & Tavern: A great spot for a nice dinner, offering steaks, seafood, and a full bar.
- The Kookaburra: A local café specializing in coffee and Australian-style meat pies.
Shopping
Winter Springs Town Center is located at the northern end of Tuskawilla on State Road 434. This multi-use center is a mix of shops and small businesses. A hub with various shops, restaurants, and services, creating a vibrant area for community activities.
The closest mall is The Oviedo Mall located only a few minutes from Winter Springs and there are several more within a 20-40 minute drive. These include the Altamonte Mall, the Seminole Town Center, the Florida Mall, and Mall at Millenia.
Winter Springs also hosts seasonal farmers markets where visitors can purchase local produce, crafts, and other goods.
The ARToberFEST Festival of the Arts is held annually in October at the local Winter Springs Town Center that features German Food and local artists from the area.
Nature & Outdoors
Winter Springs is part of Seminole County whose slogan is “Florida’s Natural Choice” and it really is full of nature, outdoor activities, parks and recreation. 12 park sites managed by the City of Winter Springs offer playgrounds, sporting facilities and hiking and biking trails, a dog park and more, making Winter Springs a great place to live if you love getting outdoors and enjoying nature.
Winter Springs is certified as a National Arbor Day Foundation “Tree City USA” since 1988 and continues to receive awards for it’s exemplary participation in the program. The city’s focus on nature and protecting the environment and the beautiful trees in the area are apparent by their city’s Arbor Ordinance that requires that a permit be submitted with a fee for each tree removal over a specified size and specifies that a replacement tree be planted from the City Arborist approval list.
Parks
- Central Winds Park: One of the largest parks in Winter Springs, offering a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including sports fields, tennis courts, and a playground.
- Red Bug Lake Park: Features a lake for fishing and picnicking, walking trails, and a peaceful atmosphere.
- Winter Springs Nature Preserve: A serene, natural area with trails for hiking and opportunities to view wildlife.
- Trotwood Park: Another great local park with walking trails and sports facilities, perfect for a day of recreation with the family.
Sports & Recreation
Winter Springs is home to the Tuscawilla Country Club featuring a championship 18-hole golf course in some of the most pristine landscape in the state of Florida. Parks in the area feature facilities for the areas popular sports including basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, softball, tennis, football, lacrosse, swimming and fishing.
Health & Medical
There are a few Urgent Care facilities in Winter Springs as well as health care professionals and assisted living facilities, and the Oviedo Medical Center is within 5-10 minutes. A few AdventHealth hospitals are nearby in surrounding cities.
Travel, Transportation & Tourism
Winter Springs is not a place that is known for tourism but it is part of the Orlando metro area in Central Florida and it’s huge tourism industry. Many visitors stay in the area while visiting the attractions.
Because Winter Springs is a suburban community on the outskirts of Orlando, the commute time is longer then the national average but driving around town is easy without a lot of traffic. Walking and biking is most often only within communities and parks.
Winter Springs is well-connected by State Road 434 and Interstate 4, providing easy access to nearby cities and attractions. The city is served by the SunRail commuter rail station in the neighboring city of Sanford, offering connections to other parts of Seminole County and greater Orlando.
Commute Times:
Driving into Orlando is about 15-25 minutes.
Disney World drive time is about 40 minutes.
A drive over to the east coast beaches, New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach, Port Canaveral, Cocoa Beach area all about an hour.
Getting to either the Orlando International Airport or the Orlando Sanford International Airport is approximately 20-30 minutes.
Places to Stay
- Hampton Inn & Suites Winter Springs: A convenient, family-friendly hotel offering amenities such as an outdoor pool and complimentary breakfast.
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Orlando East/UCF Area: A nearby option offering modern accommodations, ideal for travelers visiting the Winter Springs area.
- Vacation Rentals: Several vacation homes and Airbnb options are available in the area for those seeking a more private, home-like stay.
Thinking about moving to the Orlando area? Winter Springs is a great choice for a family focused community just outside of the Orlando crowds.
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