FLORIDA PLACES AND DESTINATIONS - LONGWOOD
Just a stone’s throw away from all the major attractions of Central Florida, and within a 15-minute drive from its tourist-magnet neighbor Orlando, Seminole County offers great accommodations, fine dining, upscale shopping, superb golf courses, and state-of-the-art sports facilities and training complexes - flanked by charming historical villages.
One of these charming towns is Longwood
Historic Longwood features a cluster of intriguing cottages and gift shops whose merchandise ranges from American country/traditional furniture and collectibles to gift baskets and creative wearables. There's even a Victorian tearoom and gift gallery.
For a more sophisticated shopping experience, visitors head for the Longwood Village Shopping Center – home to a collection of upscale boutiques and restaurants including Banks Clothiers.
Antiques abound in the Longwood antique district where visitors search for gems old and new in the many antique shops found in the historic town.
For more history, and probably the best example of Victorian Cottage Style architecture in Central Florida, The Bradlee-McIntyre House is now located in Longwood after being moved there from Altamonte Springs. Built circa 1885, it is the only surviving "cottage" in Orange and Seminole counties. The Queen Anne Style three-story, 13-room winter vacation house features an octagonal tower and "ginger-bread" trim typical of the flamboyant houses of the Victorian Period.
With nature always an important attraction in Seminole County, Big Tree Park near Longwood is home to “The Senator”- the oldest and largest bald cypress tree in the world, standing more than 138 feet high with a diameter of 17 feet.
Photo: Visit Florida
