Oviedo

Though less than 30 minutes from downtown Orlando and just a short drive away from major Central Florida attractions, the once-rural city of Oviedo has retained its small-town charm and family-friendly atmosphere.

Situated just south of Lake Jesup with access to both the Florida Trail and Cross Seminole Trail as well as the Little Big Econ State Forest, the Oviedo area offers plenty of outdoor adventures and on-water fun, from fishing and paddling to hiking and biking.

Some of Oviedo’s top family-friendly adventures include airboat rides at The Black Hammock, which also has a restaurant, gift shop, and vacation rentals, and Lukas Nursery Butterfly Encounter, where visitors can see finches and quail and hand-feed butterflies. Scenic Center Lake Park features a splash pad, cantina, dog park, amphitheater, and marina with swan pedal boats for rent.

Visitors seeking retail therapy can find it at dozens of stores at the Oviedo Mall. For fresh produce, herbs, and plants, the Oviedo Farmers Market takes place on the first and third Saturdays of the month at the Lawton House, one of the city’s historic landmarks and home to the Oviedo Historical Society.