Quality of Life

The attractions of Central Florida are not limited to the theme parks that draw thousands of visitors to the area. Those looking for a natural high need look no further than Seminole County.

Thousands of acres of parkland, preserves and pristine waterways make Seminole County one of Florida’s best environments to discover nature firsthand. Whether canoeing on crystal-clear rivers, enjoying an airboat ride on majestic lakes or hiking, biking, or horseback riding on scenic trails, you’ll see abundant flora and fauna and a wealth of wildlife. Bald eagles, roseate spoonbills, manatees, alligators, turtles, otters and deer are just a few of the natives you’ll encounter.

Water makes up ten percent of the county, providing nearly unlimited options for boating and water sport enthusiasts. Home to eight of Florida’s numerous springs and 2,000 freshwater lakes, Seminole County abounds with parks, preserves and wilderness areas. Lake Monroe, a 9,046-acre lake, sits at the highest navigable point on the St. John’s River – a 342-mile river that flows from south Florida north to Jacksonville. Both Lake Monroe and the St. John’s River are well-suited to a range of water and boating activities. For an up close look at the natural Florida waterways, consider an airboat ride on Lake Jessup or on the St. John’s River. If your style is more leisurely consider a dinner cruise or a narrated tour of the river. Lake Monroe is a popular sailing destination, hosting the Florida Citrus Sailfest, the largest inland sailing regatta in the nation. The Maritime Academy in Sanford also offers sailing lessons, boat rentals and group activities for area boaters.

Fishermen will find the county’s unspoiled wetlands offer great fishing. Puzzle Lake offers one of Florida’s best large mouth bass locations, while crappie, bream, bass and a variety of panfish are plentiful throughout the area. Competitive fishermen may want to get in on the annual spring crappie tournaments on Lake Monroe.

Seminole County maintains over 6,600 acres of land in seven wilderness areas and one preserve. These areas are open to the public for hiking, biking, birding, fishing, photography, and horse-back riding as well as canoeing or kayaking. Guided hikes and a variety of events designed to educate the public about the environmental jewels of Central Florida are regularly scheduled at the Ed Yarborough Nature Center at the Geneva Wilderness Area. It features exhibits, displays and special programs that highlight the diverse ecology of Central Florida.

The newest wilderness area, Black Bear, opened last fall. At approximately 1,600 acres it is the largest and one of the most truly wild of all the county’s natural areas. Located in the northwest corner of the county, Black Bear preserves a diverse array of natural Florida habitats, which visitors can see on a two-mile round trip hiking/biking trail. This area is frequented by Seminole County’s largest native land mammal, the Florida Black Bear. Other wildlife sightings on the property include white-tailed deer, river otter, alligator, and wild hogs.

The hundreds of clear water springs that flow from the aquifer were attractive to Florida’s earliest settlers. They continue to attract residents and visitors today. Wekiva Springs, located at the headwaters of the Wekiva River, offers a glimpse of what Central Florida looked like when Timucuan Indians fished and hunted here. Visitors to the springs can relax in a natural setting, enjoy a picnic, or take a swim in the constant 72-degree water. Canoe and kayak rentals are available for those who wish to paddle along the Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run. Thirteen miles of trails provide opportunities for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding. Options for camping include a full facility campground and primitive camping areas.

Seminole County also maintains 24 parks that are open to the public. Park facilities run the range from simple picnic grounds at Wilson’s Landing Park overlooking the Wekiva River to Red Bug Lake Road and Sylvan Lake Parks which offer picnicking, playgrounds, fishing, boating, tennis, racquetball, wallyball, basketball, sand volleyball, softball, flag football/soccer, jogging/walking exercise trail, and pavilion rentals. Sylvan Lake Park is a soccer lover's delight, with a sport training facility and six soccer fields. This site has been a host to many national and international soccer teams - most notably the United States Women's soccer team.

For historic interest, no park surpasses Big Tree. Located north of Longwood the park is a step back into time. The property was donated to Seminole County by Senator M.O. Overstreet and dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge in 1929. In addition to the natural vegetation and marsh lands typical of Old Florida, the park's main attraction is a 3,500 year- old Bald Cypress tree, known as “The Senator,” in honor of the property’s donor. Believed to be the largest tree in the United States it rises to a height of 188 feet and has a circumference of over 35 feet. Nearby is the younger (2,000 year-old), smaller (89 feet) sister tree, “Lady Liberty.”

The county parks are also the sites of various Parks and Recreation Department-sponsored leagues and tournaments. Softball leagues and tennis lessons are offered throughout the county for both adults and children. Fall offerings include soccer and flag football.

Seminole County is increasingly accessible by foot and bike as the county expands it network of trails. Currently, there are almost 30 miles of recreational urban (paved) trails open, with another 39 miles of rural wilderness (unpaved) trails available. Long-term plans call for a county-wide network of bicycle/pedestrian trails connecting neighborhoods with shopping areas and schools.

The Cross Seminole Trail is a paved recreational trail that will eventually run from the northwest to the southeast across Seminole County and connect to the Cady Way Trail in neighboring Orange County. This and other trails allow visitors and residents the opportunity to hike, bike, or rollerblade through much of Florida’s natural beauty. Lined with oak and pine trees, the trails also are a haven for birds and bird watchers. Conveniently located trailheads make the trails accessible throughout the county.

The Cross Seminole Trail is part of the Florida National Scenic trail, a 1,300-mile trail that traverses Florida from the panhandle to the Everglades. Unpaved for most of the route, the trail joins the Seminole Wekiva Trail in western Seminole County. Built on an abandoned rail bed, the Seminole Wekiva Trail connects four parks, including the Seminole County Softball Complex, and provides access to Wekiva Springs River Nature Preserve.

For the golfer Seminole County offers ten courses that cater to every budget and skill level. Courses range from private and public country clubs to championship courses. All, like the Magnolia Plantation in Lake Mary take advantage of their natural setting to create a challenging course in a beautiful setting. The Lake Mary course, dubbed The Green Monster, is challenging for low handicappers while still enjoyable for recreational golfers. In addition to the driving range, the practice area includes two practice putting greens, a practice bunker and a pitching area.

The Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes in Longwood, Florida, is a private facility that delivers a world-class golf experience marked with excellent course conditions and high-end amenities. Developed with sensitivity to the environment, The Legacy Club has earned the proud distinction of being a certified Audubon International Signature Certified Sanctuary. The course regularly hosts U.S. Open Qualifiers and is often the preferred course for local PGA Tour players.

Seminole County takes its name from one of the Native American tribes that moved into the Florida territory in the early 16th century. Through the years Seminole County has been an important transportation hub and a military and agricultural center. Its warm and inviting climate and an unmatched quality of life continue to make it a great place to call home.

Just a stone’s throw away from all the major attractions, Seminole County is no bedroom community. What it lacks in theme parks of Disney World proportions, it more than makes up for in fine dining, upscale shopping and great entertainment – all surrounded by untouched natural landscapes and flanked by charming historical villages.

It’s culture without the clutter in this relaxing and easygoing area.

Shopping

For those who like to shop ‘til they drop, Seminole County has three major shopping malls and a number of marketplaces featuring major chain stores as well as unique specialty shops. They include the newly remodeled Altamonte Mall, which offers a renovated food court, a children’s play area and major anchor department stores: Dillard’s, Macy’s and JCPenney, as well as a number of smaller boutiques, such as old favorites The Gap and Express, newer offerings like Forever 21 and White House¦Black Market and upscale designers like Bebe and Coach. With more than 180 specialty shops, department stores and restaurants, and an 18-screen AMC movie theater, the Altamonte Mall is the ultimate one-stop shopping experience.

Next on the list is the Seminole Towne Center in Sanford. Located off of exit 101C and Interstate 4, the 1.485 million square-foot, bi-level Seminole Towne Center features five anchor tenants - Dillard's, JCPenney, McRae's, Macy's and Sears - along with about 120 specialty stores and an innovative array of dining and entertainment options. Highlights include The Disney Store, Things Remembered and Brookstone. And if that’s not enough, the Marketplace at Seminole Towne Center is located nearby. This 550,000 square-foot shopping center features shops such as Super Target, Kirkland’s, Old Navy, DSW, Circuit City, Linens N’ Things and more.

But eastern Seminole County residents shouldn’t fret, as the area has a mall of its own conveniently located in Oviedo. A smaller mall designed with skylights throughout to let natural light shine in, the Oviedo Marketplace has tons of flourishing ivy and potted plants, as well as 95 retailers, including Sears, Dillard’s and Macy’s, numerous restaurants and a movie theater for a full day of shopping and fun.

If malls aren’t your thing, Seminole County has a variety of other shopping venues as well. One of the oldest is the Flea World flea market. Located in Sanford, the air-conditioned flea market offers aisle after aisle filled with bargains in every conceivable category in its 2,000 indoor booths. Patrons can also check out the nearby Antique World for old time collectibles, or enjoy amusement park rides at Fun World. Antiques abound in Longwood, at the various shops found in the historic downtown. However, downtown Historic Sanford is still considered the antique shopping epicenter of Seminole County. In addition to a growing number of shops that sell imported goods and fun, vintage kitsch, there are also gift shops and restaurants lining the streets of the

business district. With its brick walkways and tropical foliage, downtown Sanford has become a welcoming destination for strolling and shopping.

In Heathrow/Lake Mary, Park Place and the Colonial TownPark provide upscale shopping and dining options. One of the several town centers in Seminole County, Colonial TownPark consists of 850 apartment homes, 1.7 million square feet of office space and a 225,000 square foot lifestyle retail center, anchored by Amstar Cinemas, Albertsons and eight different restaurants. First purchased and developed in 1999, the Colonial TownPark provides a town square environment where people can stroll leisurely or park and make a quick stop at a specific store. They include A Door U, Bead Expressions, Inc., Carrs Barber Club, Relax in Comfort and Shear Bliss Salon. Other offerings include Real Deal Memorabilia for signed sports and celebrity memorabilia; Portfolio Fine Jewelry, Central Florida’s premier diamond dealer; Timmy's Toy Chest, Inc., an upscale toy store with unique and educational playthings; Mary France Inc., a leader in the fashion business that offers an ever-changing assortment of apparel, jewelry, accessories and shoes; and Walk on Water, a store founded on Christian principles that sells sophisticated sportswear and is focused on serving others and making a difference in the lives of those in Seminole County’s community. At Walk on Water, customers will find the latest styles in clothing, handbags, footwear, gifts and accessories, from big names like Tribal, Fresh Produce, Lucky Brand Jeans, Tommy Bahama, Quiksilver Edition, Brighton and Vera Bradley.

Another mixed-use development is the Winter Springs Town Center. Located in the middle of the affluent community of Winter Springs, the Winter Springs Town Center is an active mixed-use development surrounded by the outdoor beauty of the nearby wetlands of Lake Jessup. Along with parks, plazas and green spaces and architecture reflecting a vibrant Mediterranean style, the Winter Springs Town Center is home to 41 upscale condominiums and 110,000 square feet of retail/restaurant space. Current tenants include lifestyle retail anchor, restaurant, specialty, entertainment and service companies, such as Publix, Wendy's, Subway, Marble Slab Creamery, Barnie's Coffee, Hollywood Bistro, Merle Norman Cosmetics, Mt. Fuji Sushi, Toastissimo’s, WineStyles, Tijuana Flats, Beef O’Brady’s, The UPS Store, Wireless Zone and E & O Fusion, among many others. Live entertainment at this location is scheduled around different holidays by the city of Winter Springs.

Last, but certainly not least is Uptown Altamonte, a bona fide city center incorporating large scale apartment buildings and planned high rise condominiums. The construction also includes surface street shops and retailers with a distinct urban feel, and a park area that includes a people friendly-square for weddings, festivals and city holidays. Stores include DSW, Steinway Piano Gallery, Visionworks, Boaters World, Kirkland’s Home, Petco, The Vitamin Shoppe, Pier 1 Imports, Casual Male XL, Jared, Michaels, Baer’s, Office Depot, Alfred Angelo, Gourmet Shoppe, Massage Envy and ReNew Salon & Spa.

Dining

Dining choices abound in Seminole County, feeding appetites and budgets of all tastes, from the economy to the exquisite. On the cheaper end of the spectrum are food courts available at all of the malls, offering a variety of fast food fare, as well as economy chains such as Einstein’s Bagels, Starbucks and Panera Bread. For those seeking full service dining experiences, Seminole County offers many alternatives.

In Altamonte Springs, Mimi’s Café has a tropical atmosphere and serves large sandwiches along with more substantial entrees. The tropical theme continues at the newly opened Elephant Bar, where boisterous jungle forests meet city chic, with its African inspired prints, plants, palm trees and bamboo ceiling fans. Drink and appetizer specials are offered daily during happy hour. Events include singles meetup nights on Tuesdays. And while the kitchen may close, the bar stays open until 11 p.m. weekdays and midnight Saturdays.

Seasons 52 in Altamonte Springs is another unique grill and wine bar, with a seasonally changing menu that features fresh foods in healthy portions. This guide for healthy eating continues to the desserts - rich concoctions served in small shot glasses, providing just enough sweetness to cap off the perfect meal often accompanied by live music.

In Uptown Altamonte, there’s Gina’s Lakeside Grill. This two-story eatery serves satisfying, home-style Italian fare in an atmosphere enhanced with wall murals. An outdoor dining area offers al fresco dining opportunities and may be a good choice for families with young children. Entrée favorites include Portobello mushrooms stuffed with spinach and Italian sausage, an antipasto topped with meats and cheeses, and Rollatini, a flank steak rolled around deli meats, cheese and eggs and risotto topped with shrimp and scallops. Ever-popular tiramisu is offered for dessert, and there's a full bar.

Another Italian delight is Enzo’s Restaurant on the Lake in Longwood. In operation for nearly 20 years, this restaurant occupies an old home overlooking pretty Lake Fairy. Here diners can enjoy fine Italian food served in a relaxing atmosphere accented by hardwood floors and terra cotta tile. Menu offerings include antipasto, rack of lamb, veal scaloppini and pasta stuffed with shrimp and lobster. A full bar is available as well. Patrons can also take the time to stroll amid the plants, flowers and award winning sculptures at Enzo’s lakeside garden and gazebo.

For stylish dining in Winter Springs, Thai Basil is a good option, with its rich purple- and avocado-colored walls, silver-patterned ceiling tiles and miniature watercolors hung from gossamer ribbons with opulent bows. Patrons can dine on Asian favorites, such as pad Thai, spring rolls, curry, and of course, Thai basil.

Surprisingly, Casselberry offers a cornucopia of family-owned eating establishments for comfortable dining that won’t break the bank. To start, there’s Rolando’s Cuban Restaurant. While the atmosphere may be casual, the authentic, home-cooked Cuban food makes up for the lack of ambience.

If Arabic is your style, Aladdin's Middle Eastern Café offers traditional Middle Eastern food - primarily Lebanese - with loads of meat options for carnivores and falafel and hummus for vegetarians. Weekends feature a buffet.

For a different twist on food from the region, try Cypriana Café or Greek Flame Taverna. Both offer Greek favorites such as pita and tzatziki sauce, gyros, souvlaki and fresh seafood in a casual setting.

And if kosher cuisine is what you crave, Seminole County does offer a few options. Amira's, set in a commercial stretch of State Road 436 and buried amongst carpet, tile and furniture outlets, is one of the best. It isn't fancy, but it does serve up the goods - matzoh ball soup, potato knishes, and delectable deli sandwiches - as well as a nice selection of Israeli delights on the menu.

For glatt kosher cuisine, Kosher Ole Gourmet Israeli Café in Fern Park serves up the goods as well. The restaurant is open for brunch and dinner on Sunday and weekdays, serving dairy and seafood delights in a cozy 50-seat dining room. Mexican offerings include burritos stuffed full of rice, refried beans, fish and veggies, quesadillas, nachos and salads. The Italian section of the menu provides pastas and pizzas, and there are six seafood selections, such as grilled Tilapia fillet with a special lemon garlic and spices marinade served with a side of steamed vegetables. Other fish entrées include salmon glazed with garlic sauce and traditional fish and chips with tartar sauce. The Middle-Eastern-heavy menu includes fresh Israeli salad standards like babaganoush, hummus, tahini and tabouli, and of course, falafel.

For upscale dining, Lake Mary is the place to go. If Japanese cuisine is what you crave, there’s Amura Japanese Steakhouse, an elegant and hip eatery with sushi and hibachi creatively made and served with a hint of artistic flair. For a totally unique experience, there’s Austral Fusion Cuisine, which serves a combination of food from Colombia, Brazil, Chili and Argentina. For $29.95 per person, guests can participate in Austral’s one-menu concept, where they’ll be served a continuous procession of courses. Patrons may also choose from an extensive Latin American wine list. Friday and Saturday nights feature entertainment and dancing to a Latin beat. Daily happy hour specials include 2-for-1 domestic beers, wells and house wines.

Drinks and dancing are also part of the appeal at Dexter’s restaurant on Market Promenade Avenue. The eatery offers a unique menu as well as live entertainment on weekends. Cutting edge artwork decorates the walls, giving Dexter’s an urban ambiance and attracting people who lean toward the creative environment and menu. The artwork is created by local artists and can be purchased. Late nights Dexter’s doubles as a bar for Lake Mary residents.

Entertainment

Despite being located at a distance from Central Florida theme parks, Seminole County is far from being short on entertainment for all ages. For film-lovers, multi-screen movie theaters are conveniently located at each of the malls, as is The Picture Show, a discount theater located in Altamonte Screens, across State Road 436 from Uptown. Besides its already cheap prices, it features $0.75 flicks Tuesday nights.

Uptown Altamonte also offers a variety of fun activities, at no cost. Tuesdays jumpstart the week there, with Karaoke Madness featuring DJ Gregg, where the entire family can perform their favorite tunes and enjoy some time together. Thursdays mean Streetmosphere, Uptown Altamonte's version of the circus, as performers stage two shows of mime, juggling, balancing and magic in the Eddie Rose Amphitheater at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday Night Live presents bands such as Running with Scissors, The Trans AM's, Silvertones, Bird Dog Bobby Blues Band and Cornucopia. Monthly events include a Car Cruise with live 50s and 60s music as well as beautiful and classic cars and Cranes Comedy, on the fourth Tuesday of every month, with the best local and national comedy acts at the Eddie Rose Amphitheater. The amphitheater is also home to Red Hot & Boom, the City of Altamonte Springs’ annual Independence Day Celebration. Held July 3, the event features live entertainment, children’s activities, and a 25 minute fireworks display synchronized with a patriotic mix of today's musical hits.

Throughout the county, live music can also be heard at many bars and clubs, particularly on weekends. In Sanford, The Alley is a dedicated blues bar that often features nationally known stars and bands.

Other Seminole County bars include Clicks Billiards in Casselberry, which provides its customers with pool, darts and video games. Patrons can also sit back and relax at the bar with a cold one while watching a game on the big screen TV. Additionally, there’s Ol' Times Cigar Outlet, serving the Casselberry area by providing the finest cigars, tobacco products and accessories. Patrons will find over 700 cigar brands to choose from at mail order prices, as well as a smoking lounge and complimentary beverages.

In Lake Mary/Heathrow’s Colonial TownPark there’s the Corona Cigar Company, which bills itself as the place to go for the best cigar events. Its 3,500 square foot store features all the big names in the cigar industry, which can be purchased and enjoyed at the Avo Lounge there. While in the cigar lounge, patrons can take advantage of Central Florida’s largest port selection, as well as wine and beer featuring the best from Spain, South America and the Caribbean.

In Longwood, there’s Hookah Lounge, which offers 25 flavors of tobacco, including apple, strawberry, lime, orange, pina colada and grape. The Mediterranean-style lounge with plush sofas also offers virgin mixed drinks and a menu of snacks.

For those seeking adventure on the high seas, the Rivership Romance, a 1940’s style Great Lakes Steamer is docked at the Lake Monroe Marina in Sanford. The ship departs daily for lunch and on weekends for dinner cruises, and can be rented for weddings, parties or business meetings.

As far as art lovers are concerned, fine art can be found abundantly throughout Seminole County. Steinway Galleries in Altamonte Springs features works by many local artists, as does the Casselberry Art House. However, it not only offers exhibits, but also workshops and classes, where attendees can learn the art of watercolor painting, sculpting in clay or drawing with colored pencils.

Truly, there are so many things to do in Seminole County, too many for a mere article to do more than provide a simple taste. With so many shopping, dining and entertainment destinations, there’s more than enough to keep anybody from getting bored.