A Student’s Guide to Living in Orlando and Winter Park
Perfectly positioned for magic and more.
When you're a student at Rollins College, you’re not just attending one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country—you're also living in a city where the sun shines year-round and adventure is always calling. Head from class to a kayak in minutes, grab lunch at a Michelin-recognized restaurant, and take in the bright lights of a fireworks show. And that’s just what’s happening on Monday. Explore our student-approved guide to living in Orlando, and start picturing what your life in The City Beautiful will look like.
What’s It Really Like Living in Orlando?
Head to theme parks and green parks, take in a pro basketball game or a Broadway show, and network to your heart’s content in one of the fastest-growing job markets in the nation. As a Rollins College student, your hometown is just as unique as you are.
Festivals, fairs, and markets annually
April 15, 2025
What It’s Like ... My First Semester at Rollins
From move-in day to meeting professors and fellow classmates, picture your first semester at Rollins through the eyes of first-year student Ava Bartolomucci ’28.
“Rollins is so close to venues like [Inter & Co] Stadium, where the Orlando City and Orlando Pride soccer teams play. There are so many different opportunities in the area to explore and try something new.” —Claire Angel ‘23, Studio Art major
“One of my go-to’s on the weekend is to walk over to Park Avenue for coffee and croissants at Financier Patisserie, which overlooks the park.” —Grace Hurt ‘23, Business Management major
🎵 original sound - Nicky Youre
Life at Rollins extends beyond campus. 😎 Like for part 2! ✌️
“With its trendy shops and restaurants, Park Avenue is basically an extension of campus. Drinking boba tea at Bonsai Tea is one of my favorite happy places between classes.” —Jordan Febish ‘23, ‘24MBA
May 14, 2024
Close to Everything
Near adventures and opportunity galore, Rollins is more than a home base to live and learn—it’s a gateway to the best of Winter Park and Orlando.
Experience the Magic of the World’s Best Theme Parks
From The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to “The Happiest Place on Earth,” you’ll feel like you’re in a galaxy far, far away—even though these enchanting escapes are just a 40-minute drive from campus.
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World-Famous Theme Parks
Orlando is home to world-class theme parks and attractions that take the concept of making magic literally. Indulge your imagination at Disney World’s four parks, immerse yourself in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at three Universal parks, or cool off at water parks all around town.
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Amazing Attractions
Fly across the swamp on an airboat ride, take in a game of imaginative mini golf, zipline over alligators, or witness a live rocket launch. With dozens and dozens of attractions to choose from, life in Orlando is never boring.
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Entertainment Districts
International Drive (aka I-Drive) is a bustling tourist hotspot minutes from downtown Orlando that boasts everything from indoor skydiving to go-kart racing. The ICON Park outdoor entertainment complex features an aquarium, dozens of dining options, and is home to the world’s sixth-tallest Ferris wheel.
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Check Out the Growing Food Scene
Craving global flavors or your favorite comfort dish? You’ll find it here. Orlando’s food scene dishes up a variety of options that cater to all tastes, timeframes, and budgets. Plus, every neighborhood has its own specialties, so half the fun is exploring new flavors.
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Close to Campus
Steps from campus, along Park Avenue, you’ll find some of the best restaurants in town. Enjoy breakfast or weekend brunch at The Briarpatch, a student and local favorite. Grab lunch at Power House Cafe for a quick and fresh Mediterranean option. Or indulge your inner foodie with some of the city’s best seasonal Italian fare at Prato.
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Cafes & Coffee
Ranked a top city for coffee lovers, Orlando is home to countless coffee shop options. From student-approved study spots like Barnie's Coffee & Tea Co. and Stardust Coffee & Video, to popular shops like Foxtail Coffee Co. and Lobos Coffee Roasters—you won’t have to go far for your caffeine fix.
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Food Halls & More
Butchers, bakers, and green juice makers all reside at East End Market, a group of merchants in the hip neighborhood of Audubon Park. Come for the specialty meats and cheeses, local produce, and craft coffee—stay for the dreamy garden vibes of the market’s cozy courtyard. Or check out the Milkhouse, a creative space featuring local fare and craft cocktails.
Experience Outdoor Fun That Even Indoor People Enjoy
With an average of 237 sunny days each year, more than 4,000 miles of coastline, and over 7,000 lakes, Florida is, quite literally, an outdoor paradise. And Rollins’ central location means it sits at the heart of it all.
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Lakes, Springs & Waterways
Florida is home to over 700 natural springs—more than anywhere else in the world. Near campus is Wekiwa Springs State Park, where you can rent canoes or hike the 13 miles of nature trails that wind through the park. And Rollins’ lakeside location gives students direct access to six waterways connected by lush canals.
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Parks & Green Spaces
No matter where you find yourself in Winter Park or Orlando, you’re never far from a lush oasis. Pencil in a digital detox at Mead Botanical Gardens, a 47-acre park teeming with butterflies thanks to its extensive pollinator garden, or Harry P. Leu Gardens, which is home to a bamboo forest and Florida’s largest rose garden.
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Beaches on Both Coasts
West-coast beaches like Clearwater and Siesta Key are made up of superfine white sand and feature smaller, gentler waves. Beachcombers favor the west coast for its rare shells, warm waters, and spectacular sunsets, while surfers flock to east-coast beaches like Cocoa and New Smyrna for large Atlantic swells.
Book Your Dream Trip
Book your campus visit today and tap into all that Rollins, Winter Park, and Orlando have to offer.
Schedule Your VisitSchedule Your VisitStep Into the Spotlight of Orlando’s Art Scene
From yearly art festivals to a thriving music scene to myriad museums, there’s no shortage of arts and culture to be found in the City Beautiful.
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Theatres & Shows
Orlando is home to some of the best regional and national theater groups in the country. Downtown’s Mad Cow Theatre produces 10 shows a year, and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts hosts an annual Broadway series that brings in shows like Hamilton and Wicked to its impressive lineup.
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Museums & Galleries
The Rollins Museum of Art (RMA) is home to thought-provoking pieces and contemporary art, plus it regularly exhibits the work of art majors as they hone their craft. You can also walk to the Morse Museum, home to the world’s most extensive collection of stained glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany, and the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens.
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Festivals & Music
Orlando is home to dozens of concerts and festivals all year long. Walk among the undead at Zombietoberfest, check out Oscar-worthy movies at the Florida Film Festival, catch up on culture at the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, or dance your heart out at EDC. And don’t forget the Kia Center attracts major concert tours—everyone from Sabrina Carpenter to Paul McCartney.
Get in the Game in a Top Sports City
It’s a fact: Orlando’s got game. From Rollins’ 21 varsity athletics teams to a variety of professional sports franchises, students in Orlando always have someone to cheer for.
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Professional Sports
Forget seasons, Orlando is home to enough pro sports teams—seven in total—that you can get your game on year-round. Watch LeBron James and Steph Curry square off against the Orlando Magic at the world-class Amway Center. Support Orlando City and Orlando Pride at the city’s downtown soccer stadium. And catch the league’s biggest stars at the NFL Pro Bowl.
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Tennis & Golf
Just a short walk from campus is the Winter Park Golf Course, affectionately known as the Winter Park 9. Check out the PGA TOUR’s biggest names at the Arnold Palmer Invitational each year. Or hone your tennis game with first-time players and even touring professionals, at the USTA’s National Campus.
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Racing & Running
Head to the Daytona International Speedway, just east of Orlando in Daytona Beach, to feel the thrill of a NASCAR race firsthand. Or hit the ground running, at one of the marathons or races hosted year-round at the area’s trails and theme parks.
Explore America's Best College Town
From incredible internships to adrenaline-pumping adventures, this college town has something for everyone.
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Why Orlando?
We’re glad you asked. This college town is perfectly positioned at the center of theme park adventures, thriving tech companies, and one of the nation’s hottest job markets. See why our students love calling Orlando home.
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Kickstart Your Career
Orlando is one of the fastest-growing job markets in the nation and is home to more than 76,000 companies, forming one of the largest business bases in the nation for recent grads and young professionals.
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Land Your Dream Internship
With leading companies like AdventHealth, Lockheed Martin, and Disney all calling Central Florida home, Rollins students don’t have to look far for opportunities to build their skills and get real-world experience.
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Learn Beyond the Classroom
With dedicated professors and countless opportunities for research, service-learning, and industry-level work in our backyard, learning goes beyond the classroom at Rollins.
