Hugging the bustling thoroughfare of West Colonial Drive, West Colonial is a diverse neighbourhood north-west of central Orlando. It’s dominated by a string of shopping malls and retailers, while it also encompasses a lakeside park renowned for its recreational facilities and weekend flea market.
Things to do in West Colonial
West Colonial’s commercial heart centres around Parkwood Plaza, where you’ll find fashion stores, furniture retailers and Asian groceries. Once you’ve built up an appetite, you can feast at Joen Korean, Tous les Jours or Pho 54. Also nearby is the flea market-style Magic Mall and the Westernway Shopping Centre, which is home to a nail salon and a barber.
Want to stretch your legs? Head to Barnett Park, a leafy green space that hugs the south-west shores of Lawne Lake. In addition to walking trails, there are children’s playgrounds, sporting courts and a disc golf course. You can attend one of the regular fitness classes or coincide your visit with the East Colonial Outdoor Flea Market, which is packed with stalls selling bric-a-brac.
On the eastern edge of West Colonial is the Country Club Of Orlando, which was founded in 1911 with a nine-hole course designed by Tom Bendelow. It was extended soon after by the legendary golfing architect Donald Ross, with additions by Robert Trent Jones in the 1950s. In addition to its storied golf course, the Country Club of Orlando also boasts tennis courts, a croquet lawn and wellness facilities.
Getting around West Colonial
West Colonial is a five-minute drive from the centre of Orlando and 25 minutes from Orlando International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Local buses connect to West Colonial, while renting a car gives you greater freedom to explore the area.