Altamonte Springs, FL Road Trips

The city's name is believed to come from the Spanish term for "high mountain." The population was about 42,000 and rising as of 2013. The city began its rise in growth and status in Metro Orlando in the early 1970s with the construction of the Altamonte Mall which was originally anchored by Sears, Burdines, Jordan Marsh and Robinson's of Florida. It was the metropolitan areas first two level shopping mall. The Interstate Mall across the highway also opened anchored by Montgomery Wards department store and AMC Interstate Six Theaters. Luxury modern apartment complexes were soon lining Wymore Rd., Lake Orienta and Palm Springs Dr. Many new homes subdivisions began sprouting up along Montgomery Rd., Maitland Ave and Palm Springs Dr. and the beautiful wooded areas surrounding Sanlando Springs, Wekiva Springs and the Wekiva River. Growth boomed through the 1970s and 1980s into the 1990s before leveling off around the new Millennium. Growth picked up again at a steady pace in the mid-2010s as the city became more established and considered a more "close in" location to Downtown Orlando and the booming offices of Maitland Center.

Cranes Roost Park, 274 Cranes Roost Blvd. A 37-acre lakeside park features one mile of continuous lighted boardwalk and covered pavilions, various ornamental plants, huge shade trees, park benches, floating stage, 900-seat amphitheater, handicapped accessible restrooms and ranger station. Many of the City's major events take place here. Free. (updated Sep 2018) Eastmonte Park, 830 Magnolia Drive. Eastmonte Park is one of the City’s premier parks and is home to the Altamonte Baseball Academy, racquetball and tennis programs and Special Needs activities. The park features great amenities including: 3 picnic pavilions, 4 indoor air-conditioned racquetball courts, 5 lighted baseball fields; 3 with artificial turf infields, batting cages and pitching lanes, playground area with handicap accessible features, lighted tennis court, bambino buddy ball field, outdoor basketball court. (updated Sep 2018) Hermit's Trail, Hermit's trail and Highway 436 - This small neighborhood park offers both active and passive recreation options including an equipped playground, and picnic pavilion. Lake Lotus Nature Park, The park is a 150-acre nature preserve in west Altamonte Springs. Open Thursday-Sunday 8:30AM-5:30PM Lake Orienta Public Boat Ramp and Recreational Area, A 1.5-acre picnic/recreation area with access to lake Orienta, which boasts 135 acres of lake that allows for fishing, skiing, and other water sports. Merrill Park, 985 Merrill Park Dr. Softball fields, beach volleyball courts, picnic pavilions, playground, exercise trail. Free. (updated Aug 2018) Sanlando Park, 401 W.

1 Wekiva Golf Club, 4100 Wekiva Club Ct, Longwood, ☏ +1 407 862-5113. 18 holes, over 6,640 yards with a par of 72 (Public). 2 Seminole Wekiva Trail, 371 San Sebastian Prado. A nearly 14-mile paved trail built on the former Orange Belt Railway. The trail has more tree-lined than open sections and passes near several parks. It starts at 436 near 434 and runs mostly North to Lake Mary where it joins the Cross Seminole Trail at the pedestrian bridge over Interstate 4 in Lake Mary. There are several trailheads along the route with differing amenities including restrooms and water fountains. A local artist and carpenter, Jeff Sonksen, started a project named, Paint the Trail. It is an impressive collection of trail side paintings. Heading North on trail, look for the paintings just south of E.E. Williamson Rd. Several locations on the trail have paintings. Free.

There are a lot of chain restaurants. Taste of India, State Road 434 "Murano's", Cranes Roost Park, Uptown Altamonte Bubbalous Bodacious Barbecue, E. Altamonte Ave. (SR 436) 1 Uncle Jones BBQ, 1370 E Altamonte Dr. Serving great potatoes, along with lima beans, BBQ pork, corn bread, fried okra, and Texas toast. Seasons 52, 463 E. Altamonte Drive..

Cool Wave Frozen Drink, ☏ +1 407-865-7405.

Days Inn, 150 South Westmonte Drive, ☏ +1 407-788-1411. Quality Inn, 235 S Wymore Rd, ☏ +1 407 862-2800. Check-out: 11AM. Howard Johnson Plaza Altamonte, 230 W. State Road 436. The Howard Johnson Plaza Altamonte formerly the Magnuson Grand Hotel Orlando is a short drive to Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, Amway Arena, Orlando Space Center and other local attractions.

As in most of Florida, the easiest way to get in is by car.

The easiest way to get around is also by car. SunRail, +1-855-RAIL-411 (7245-411). It is limited to a north-south route through the center of the area, with a southern end in Poinciana, and northern end in DeBary. Bus connection is provided from Orlando International Airport to the Sand Lake Road station by Links 11, 42 and 111; and from Orlando-Sanford International Airport to the Sanford station by Link 46E. Base one-way fare is $2, with an addition of $1 for each county line crossed. A round-trip ticket is slightly cheaper. There is no service on weekends and some federal holidays. 1 Altamonte Springs railway station, 2741 S Ronald Reagan Blvd. (updated Oct 2020)