There are plenty of reasons the Scenic Boat Tour in Winter Park is an old standby when it comes to showing guests from out of town a good time.
The dock on Lake Osceola is easy to find and just a short walk from lots of good eats on Park Avenue.
At $14 for adults and $7 for kids (ages 2-11), it’s far cheaper than an afternoon at the theme parks.
And the tour guides are friendly and knowledgeable.
Most of all, though, the tour gives passengers a view of Central Florida they might least expect.
Narrow canals canopied by lush oaks and palms provide passage through the chain of lakes and a view you won’t find anywhere else.
A peek into the backyards of stately old mansions and ultra-modern glass designs. Cranes, an occasional gator and paddle boarders fill out the vista against a backdrop of the Rollins Campus or Kraft Azalea Garden.
It’s enough to keep locals coming back — even without a guest.
Beth Kassab is a columnist at the Orlando Sentinel. She can be reached at bkassab@tribpub.com.
