There is more to the Orlando area than Mickey Mouse and minions. Try Winter Park.

WINTER PARK — When it comes to exploring Orlando — Daytona’s almost next-door neighbor — it’s easy to assume that the nation’s top-rated theme parks take the cake.

But there is more to the area than just Mickey Mouse and minions. If you’re looking for a charming weekend getaway that doesn’t involve waiting in line for hours upon hours, try Winter Park.

Located about an hour southwest of Daytona Beach and 20 minutes northeast of downtown Orlando, or about 35 minutes on the SunRail from DeBary, Winter Park offers something for everyone. The city’s famous tree-lined, cobblestoned street, Park Avenue, is home to unique boutiques and art galleries, chic dining spots and inviting green space.

Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival

One of the biggest events of the year, the city is preparing to host the 65th annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival later this month in Central Park along Park Avenue. The three-day art show "consistently ranks among the top juried fine-art festivals in the country," according to its website.

This year, an independent panel of three judges combed through more than 1,000 artist applications from around the world to decide who would exhibit at the upcoming show.

What date is the Winter Park art festival?

The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, March 15, and Saturday, March 16, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 17. The Friday night concert starts at 5:45 p.m. with a tribute to the late Jimmy Buffet by the Landsharks. Headliner Michael Andrews and Swingerhead takes the stage at 7:30 p.m.

How many people attend the Winter Park art festival?

The art festival brings around 250,000 visitors to Winter Park each year.

Is Winter Park worth visiting?

Absolutely, and there's plenty to do.

Looking to stretch your legs after the drive? Stroll through Rollins College, the same college Fred Rogers walked through while earning a Bachelor of Music degree. Located at 1000 Holt Ave., between Park Avenue and Lake Virginia off of Fairbanks Avenue, Rollins College boasts a lovely lakefront walkway, decorative Spanish Mediterranean architecture, and even "A Beautiful Day for a Neighbor" statue honoring Mr. Rogers himself.

Hoping to soak up some sun? Take a ride on a Scenic Boat Tour. The dock, which is home to six 18-passenger boats, is located just a short walk off of Park Avenue at 312 E. Morse Blvd. Boats depart every hour between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Passengers will travel through three lakes and two canals, according to the Scenic Boat Tour’s website, where they are guaranteed to see lush foliage and maybe some wildlife, too. Tours cost $20 for adults and $10 for kids 2 to 11 years old.

Want to beat the heat? Spend the day inside by exploring one of Winter Park’s museums.

1. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, 445 N. Park Ave., invites visitors to indulge in a collection of work by Louis Comfort Tiffany — jewelry, pottery, paintings, and glass art, lamps and windows — according to the museum website. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors 60 and older and $1 for students with a valid ID. The museum offers free admission on Fridays in November through April from 4-8 p.m.

2. Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens is located on Lake Osceola at 633 Osceola Ave. According to the museum website, visitors are welcome to tour the home, galleries and sculpture gardens of acclaimed Czech sculptor Albin Polasek. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 60 and older, $10 for college students with valid IDs and $7 for students grades kindergarten through 12.

3. Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum honors the signature work of architect James Gamble Rogers II. "Initially known as the Barbour Estate, this Andalusian-style masonry farmhouse has significantly influenced the architectural and cultural aspects of this community," its website states. It is open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and noon.

Does Winter Park have shops?

Winter Park offers a handful of upscale classics: Pottery Barn, William Sonoma and Ethan Allen for home goods; Evereve, Eileen Fisher, Talbots and Lululemon for apparel; Warby Parker and SEE for eyewear accessories; and Bluemercury for cosmetics.

But what’s even more intriguing than the notable staples is Park Avenue’s collection of small businesses. Here are our top picks:

• Adjectives, a home decor store and gift shop located at 130 N. Park Ave., is part of a local chain with five locations across the Orlando area, each looking slightly different from the next. Adjectives Park Avenue showcases locally crafted artisan products that are unique, useful and beautiful.

• Forema Boutique, 300 N. Park Ave., sells trendy women’s wear. From everyday fits to exciting statement pieces, this Florida-based small business is sure to impress.

• Haven Uncommon Goods, 308 S. Park Ave., showcases a carefully selected collection of textiles, apparels, jewelry and home goods from across the country, creating a homey atmosphere for shoppers.

• Scott Laurent Collection, which is located in Park Avenue’s hidden garden at 348 N. Park Ave., features a bold, color-coordinated collection of art: glass, sculptures, jewelry and gifts. Pieces are sourced locally and worldwide.

• Siegel's Clothing, 330 S. Park Ave., sells apparel from across the globe that is said to be tailored to Florida’s one-of-a-kind lifestyle, according to its website. Sportswear, dress shirts and slacks are offered for men, while colorful dresses, activewear and accessories are sold for women.

• Ten Thousand Villages, 329 N. Park Ave. #102, features artisan-crafted home goods, accessories and gifts “from more than 130 artisan groups in some 38 countries,” according to the shop’s website.

• The Ancient Olive — which can be found in a few Florida cities — has a shop tucked away in Park Avenue’s hidden garden at 324 N. Park Ave. The tasting room features “over 65 premium single parietal and flavored extra virgin olive oils, perfectly complemented by exquisite balsamic vinegars,” according to its website. Some are even offered as in-store samples.

• Writer’s Block Bookstore, 316 N. Park Ave., makes shopping for books a fun adventure. Handwritten recommendations line the bookshelves that are packed with options — nonfiction, fiction, children’s, young adult, and even books that have been banned. The store also sells hand-wrapped books — hiding the title, but showcasing an intriguing description. Buyers won’t know what they've selected until they take their pick home and unwrap it.

For those who enjoy the thrill of thrifting, Avalon Exchange (745 N. Orange Ave.) and Goodwill Boutique (750 Orange Ave.) are also located in Winter Park. Both stores are curated, promising and located on Orange Avenue, just down the street from Park Avenue.

And on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the City of Winter Park hosts a popular farmers market that provides produce, plants and baked goods — just to name a few. The market is located in Central Park West Meadow at the corner of New York Avenue and Morse Boulevard.

Restaurants in Winter Park

One of the toughest decisions that comes with visiting Winter Park is determining where to eat as there are so many exciting menus to select from.

Park Avenue offers a solution to nearly every craving. Here are our top picks:

• AVA MediterrAegean, 290 S. Park Ave., strives to provide restaurant-goers with an immersive, multi-sensory dining excursion, serving dishes with fresh, earthy ingredients that pay homage to the Mediterranean and the Cycladic Islands, according to its website.

• Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine, 108 S. Park Ave., serves authentic, carefully crafted Turkish meals that, according to its website, incorporate fresh Halal meats and authentic Mediterranean ingredients, some of which are imported from Turkey.

• BoVine Steakhouse, 319 S. Park Ave., according to its website, serves high-quality, locally sourced produce that taps into both modern and traditional flavors.

• Briarpatch, 252 N. Park Ave., offers an American breakfast and lunch with Southern influences and fresh, local ingredients.

• Financier Bistro & Bar, 212 N. Park Ave., is part restaurant, part bar, according to its website. It serves French pastries, light meals and drinks.

• Garp and Fuss, 348 N. Park Ave. #5, offers innovative American flavors and strives to create a community-centered experience in-house.

• Prato, 124 N. Park Ave., is an Italian restaurant with lunch and dinner menus that can change daily and seasonally.

• Tabla Indian Restaurant, 216 N. Park Ave., Unit H, serves Indian, Chinese and Thai dishes prepared from scratch.

• The Wine Room on Park Avenue, 270 S. Park Ave., combines shopping and dining under one roof. Wines from around the world — 156 to be exact — are up for samples and available for purchase to enjoy in the shop or at home, according to the website. And for those looking to indulge, staff members are also able to recommend the best charcuterie pairings to serve alongside each wine selection.

• Umi, 525 S. Park Ave., a Japanese fusion restaurant, prepares bold dishes from an authentic robata grill, kitchen and sushi bar. Produce, seafood and meats are sourced locally and worldwide.

But there are also some hidden gems located off the beaten path, for those looking to escape the thick of things. Here are our top picks:

• Cocina 214, 151 E. Welbourn Ave., prides itself on serving authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes that utilize bold flavors and local ingredients, according to its website.

• Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen and Bar, 1234 N. Orange Ave., offers a comfortable, coastal dining experience and serves seasonal fish caught in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

• The Ravenous Pig, 565 W. Fairbanks Ave., is a restaurant, brewery and beer garden. The restaurant’s team is led by an award-winning husband and wife duo who both grew up in Winter Park but met while studying at the Culinary Institute of America, according to its website. Its menu changes daily as the restaurant utilizes seasonal ingredients from local distributors. The beer garden serves 18 beers on tap, all of which are brewed in-house, plus wine, cocktails and “grub” from its very own food truck, according to the website.

Where to stay in Winter Park

Can’t squeeze all that Winter Park has to offer in just one day? The Alfond Inn at Rollins (300 E. New England Ave.) and Park Plaza Hotel (307 S. Park Ave.) are boutique hotels located close to the city’s epicenter and sure to elevate any visit to Winter Park.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival 2024: Where to stay, shop and eat