Best History Museum in Apopka

"At the Orange County Regional History Center, you can experience life in Orlando, once known for its citrus farming and cattle, as it was long before Walt Disney famously set his sights on it. Travel through history in the restored 1927 brownstone courthouse, located in the heart of the city, and turn back the clock thousands of years to see how Florida’s indigenous people lived. Discover the life of early pioneers who slept on pillows stuffed with moss, or even step into modern times by visiting Courtroom B, the very place where notorious serial killer Ted Bundy allegedly carved his name into a desk as he sat on trial."

"For shoppers who want to pick up local products, this is the place to be. Not only will you find notorious Floridian treats, but there are also souvenirs, vintage photographs, and classic books and toys to be found here. You’ll be bringing home more than just memories of your vacation here in Orlando when you drop by this place."

"Built in 1921 by prominent African-American physician Dr. William M. Wells, downtown Orlando’s Wells’Built Hotel offered accommodations to African-American travelers who were barred from Florida’s then-segregated hotels, including famed musicians such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ray Charles and others. The hotel was even promoted in The Negro Travelers’ Green Book, which started publication in the 1930s and inspired 2018’s Oscar-winning film, Green Book. Learn more: African-American History & Culture"

"Orlando’s Randall Knife Museum is attached to the family-run workshop of the same name, which enjoys a reputation as one of the world’s finest knife manufacturers. Browse a collection of over 7,000 exquisitely made blades, including the world’s largest switchblade and the first ever knife to go to space. Also on display are military knives, swords, machetes and axes."

"Minutes from the busy city life of neighboring Orlando, visitors will find a serene escape in the Art and History’s five museums nestled within two campuses. Visitors can fill a day exploring the Maitland Art Center, Maitland Historical Museum, Telephone Museum, Waterhouse Residence Museum, and Carpentry Shop Museum. Just step inside the restored Waterhouse Residence Museum and be whisked away to Victorian times as you stroll through a guided tour admiring the Eastlake staircase and plush furnishings or reminisce about the turn of the century with woodworking tools, including ones used by Mr. Waterhouse himself."

"Part of Maitland’s cultural lineup, Art & History Museums — Maitland has so much to offer that it can’t be contained by one building. Instead, it is spread out over two campuses, both of which are on the National Register of Historic Places: the Maitland Art Center and the Victorian-era Waterhouse Residence Museum. The Maitland Art Center is also a National Historic Landmark, thanks in large part to unique Aztec- and Mayan-influenced architecture and one of the southeast’s only remaining examples of Mayan Revival designs."

"Just minutes from Downtown Orlando, the five museums that comprise the Art & History Museums – Maitland feature countless opportunities for visitors to experience hands-on history and fine art exhibitions."

"Located in Maitland close to Winter Park, about 30 minutes north of International Drive, the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center doesn’t just teach about the past. It also focuses on a future that is free of antisemitism and all forms of prejudice and bigotry. One of this museum’s most unique exhibits invites you to don Oculus googles for a powerful virtual-reality experience that will transport you to the secret annex where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis, with Frank sharing her inspirational story along the way."

"Stroll the less-than-a-mile-long loop around Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando, where you can snap photos of the swans (both real and of the paddleboat variety) gliding through the water. If you time it right, you might also be able to catch a free concert or event at the park’s Walt Disney Amphitheater."

"Pack a picnic and park yourself on the grounds of Lake Eola Park to enjoy the delightful Florida winter weather. Take a sweet stroll around this scenic park and you can even enjoy the lake from a swan boat. Have your camera ready because you'll likely see some real swans on the water as well."

"Lake Eola Park sits in Orlando downtown on 512 East Washington Street. The park has a 0.9-mile sidewalk that surrounds the lake!. It’s the ideal spot for visitors who would want to track their walking or running distances."

"Tucked within the Mills 50 District, the area with one of Orlando’s largest Vietnamese populations, Veggie Garden provides some of the best vegan food in the community. While parking is limited in the back, it’s best to park on the street, but once inside, you will be warmly greeted in this quaint neighborhood establishment. The prices are affordable and the food authentic."

"Colonial Drive, Suite #11, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the cheap Vietnamese and vegan spot 4.5 stars out of 109 reviews."