Park Central Orlando, FL

Orlando has a short history compared to other Florida cities. The U.S. Army erected Fort Gatlin just south of present-day Orlando in 1838, but the city was not incorporated until 1875. Like many other Orlando neighborhoods, Park Central developed as the community expanded and more people needed housing.

Park Central does not have any museums, but it's only a few miles from the Orlando Museum of Art, the Museum of Arts and Sciences, the Orlando Science Center and the Orange County History Center. The Downtown Art District has several art and theater venues. Stop by CityArts Factory to see a rotating collection of works by local and international artists, or take in a show at the Mad Cow Theatre. The Florida Film Festival, the Orlando International Fringe Festival and other annual events also take place just a few miles from the Park Central neighborhood.

Several restaurants line South John Young Parkway, putting Park Central residents less than two miles away from their favorite dishes. The nearby Millenia neighborhood has a mix of chain restaurants and locally-owned eateries.

Visit Sushi Hibachi when you're in the mood for your favorite sushi roll. In addition to vegetable rolls, salmon rolls, and other favorites, Sushi Hibachi has special rolls on the menu. Satisfy your taste for adventure with the rainbow roll, a California roll topped with avocado, salmon, and tuna. If sushi isn't your style, order one of the hibachi entrees. Each dish comes with meat, vegetables, and your choice of noodles or fried rice.

NaraDeva Thai Restaurant has an elegant interior and a menu featuring flavorful Thai dishes. Start with steamed dumplings, steamed tapioca balls or a salad with peanut dressing. When you're ready for your entree, try the crispy duck with spicy Thai basil sauce or the coconut rice with Thai jerky.

Build your own sandwich or salad at Greens & Grille in Millenia. Available meats include flank steak, turkey breast and chicken breast. Greens & Grille also has Portobello mushrooms, salmon, and tiger shrimp. If you'd rather try one of the chef's creations, order the Southern gentleman, a sandwich made with pork loin, Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, roasted tomatoes, sherry thyme vinaigrette, and honey mustard on French bread.

Park Central residents often visit bars and clubs in Millenia, but Orlando OBT Karaoke offers a break from the bar scene. Instead of belting out your favorite tunes in front of a crowd of strangers, rent a private karaoke room for your group. A small room costs just $20 per hour, making it very affordable if you go with several friends. Elephant Bar Restaurant on Conroy Road also serves drinks.

For a VIP lounge experience, venture to downtown Orlando to visit Eve. Styled after the nightclubs of Hollywood and Las Vegas, Eve has a main level with three VIP areas, three full-service bars, crystal chandeliers, and a dance floor.

Park Central does not have any music venues within its boundaries, but downtown Orlando has Venue 578, an establishment featuring live shows and table service. The Social on North Orange Avenue has a full bar and hosts performing artists in a variety of genres. To see national acts, visit the Amway Center on West Church Street.

Park Central has a mix of off-street parking and free parking in front of the businesses along Park Central Drive, Battery Park Loop and other roadways. If you need to go to downtown, park in one of the 13 pay lots operated by the city. Many residents drive their own vehicles when commuting to work or running errands, but public transportation is also available. Interstate 4 is less than 12 miles away from the center of the neighborhood, making it very accessible for Park Central residents.

The Lynx bus system serves Park Central and surrounding neighborhoods. Take bus 107, the Florida Mall/Downtown route, from the Florida Mall stop to downtown Orlando. Taxi drivers also pick up fares in the Park Central neighborhood, but you'll need to schedule your pickup ahead of time. If you can’t get a taxi, schedule a pickup with uberX, the low-cost ride-sharing service operated by Uber.

Park Central has a low walkability score and a lack of bike lanes, so many residents drive, take public transportation or use taxi services if they need to venture more than a mile or so from the neighborhood. If you enjoy cycling, other Orlando neighborhoods have well-maintained trails to keep you safe.

Head to Lake Eola Park to get some exercise or simply enjoy the fresh air. Walk on the sidewalk circling the lake, feed the birds or run around with the kids on the playground. The park also has a musical fountain that lights up at night. Lake Eola Park has no admission fee, but it costs $15 to rent a swan-shaped paddle boat for 30 minutes. Dogs are welcome, but be sure to keep them leashed at all times.

Exercise enthusiasts often visit Lake Underhill Park to burn calories and stretch their muscles. The park has several exercise stations to make it easy to track your activity. Visitors also enjoy boating, fishing and bird watching.

Orlando Wetlands Park is a bit of a drive from Park Central, but it has more than 1,500 acres of lakes and marshes, making it an ideal retreat for budding photographers and nature enthusiasts. The park hosts the Orlando Wetlands Festival every year, drawing hundreds of people to see comedians, live animal demonstrations and musical performances. Because alligators live in the wetlands, pets are prohibited.

Park Central has a lower cost of living than Downtown Orlando. Residents pay an average of about $680 per month for a one-bedroom apartment, and the neighborhood gas average of $2.23 per gallon sits just 1 percent higher than the national average. A pint draught of domestic beer costs around $3, depending on the brand and venue. Taking the bus to downtown Orlando costs $2 one way, but Lynx has daily passes available for $4.50.

Locals visit the Millenia and Orange Blossom Trail neighborhoods when they have the urge to shop. The Mall at Millenia houses Armani Exchange, Prada, Burberry and other high-end stores. When you finish shopping, have a bite to eat at Brio Tuscan Grille, Blue Martini or The Capital Grille. The Florida Mall is also within a few miles of the Park Central neighborhood. Stores inside The Florida Mall include Billabong, American Girl, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Fossil and Guess.

Visit Art Angels Market, the self-proclaimed home of funky junk, to find shabby chic furniture, re-purposed decorative items or antique treasures for your home. Carousel Emporium has 6,500 square feet of furniture, fine china, jewelry, pottery and collectibles.

Park Central has a Publix supermarket less than 2 miles from the center of the neighborhood. Residents shop there for pantry staples and prepared foods. For specialty items, visit International Food Club in the Horizons West neighborhood. The store has a wide selection of teas, spices and breads. It also has a Mediterranean deli featuring spinach pie, falafel and stuffed grape leaves. If you want fresh produce and handmade items, visit the Orlando Farmers Market. Held every Sunday in Lake Eola Park, the market features a beer and wine garden, seasonal produce, plants and crafts made by local artists.