A neighborhood like no other where community comes to life
By Riesa Pascal-Porro
Located just minutes from Orlando International Airport, Lake Nona is one of Central Florida’s most vibrant and thriving destinations. The master-planned community spans 17 square miles and seamlessly blends culture, innovation, art, and technology to create a one-of-a-kind space for people to live, work, dine, shop and explore. Whether you’re visiting for the day or planning an extended stay, Lake Nona offers numerous experiences that embody modern living.
Fun Around Every Corner
From live music and community events to family-friendly recreation, Lake Nona offers a variety of entertainment experiences for visitors of all ages. At the center of it all is Boxi Park, Central Florida’s first outdoor entertainment venue built from repurposed shipping containers… yes, you heard that right! Repurposed shipping containers are an iconic feature of this 30,000-square-foot venue which features a stage for live performances, beach volleyball courts, a playground, a fenced dog park, and a diverse lineup of food and beverage concepts (more on those later). Visitors and locals alike flock to Boxi Park to enjoy a year-round calendar of concerts, movie nights, fitness classes and seasonal celebrations.
Just steps away from Boxi Park is Lake Nona Town Center which serves as a 100-acre bustling hub of shopping, dining and entertainment for the community. The Town Center is truly the heart of Lake Nona and its modern, open-air design brings together people from all walks of life to indulge in its many offerings. For those seeking a more relaxed outing, Laureate Park Village Center offers a welcoming, friendly atmosphere with an exciting variety of retail and entertainment options. From lakeside programming at Dockside to the monthly Lake Nona Farmers Market, the neighborly and inviting atmosphere of Laureate Park Village Center continues to draw visitors back time and time again.
Public Art & Installations
An appreciation for the arts is deeply woven into the fabric of Lake Nona where visitors can find world-class art integrated into the streets, parks and various public spaces. Take the Lake Nona Sculpture Garden as just one example. The 50,000-square-foot outdoor gallery offers free admission and is home to works from one of the world’s largest private art collections, The Lewis Collection. The garden is open to the public year-round and invites visitors to stroll among internationally acclaimed sculptures including Arturo Di Modica’s iconic Charging Bull and works by Henry Moore, Philip Jackson and local artist JEFRE.
Nearby in Laureate Park, Brooklyn artist Tom Fruin’s Glass House transforms reclaimed materials into a colorful stained-glass-inspired installation that shifts with the changing light. Needless to say, this unique installation has quickly become one of Lake Nona’s most photographed landmarks. Meanwhile, The Beacon & Code Wall in Lake Nona Town Center invites daytime visitors to decode messages embedded in the dichroic glass façade. When night falls, the six-story Beacon comes alive with an immersive display of light, music and digital art.
Near the Code Wall is Lake Nona’s latest art installation, Prismatic. The mural’s vibrant display was inspired by a spectrum of 20 different colors produced by a deconstructed prism. Just around the corner at the entrance to Town Center is JEFRE’s reflective Disco sculpture which welcomes guests into the bustling space. These popular installations and many other creative works throughout the community reflect Lake Nona’s commitment to the arts and to making ordinary things extraordinary.
Eat, Drink & Explore
Now on to everyone’s favorite subject… where to wine and dine! Simply put, Lake Nona’s culinary scene is a beautiful reflection of the community itself: innovative, diverse and thoughtfully curated. At the top of the fine dining scene is MICHELIN-recommended BACÁN located inside the Lake Nona Wave Hotel. Inspired by the bold flavors of the Americas, the restaurant pairs an open-theater kitchen with imaginative cuisine and tableside presentations that elevate the entire dining experience. Also set within the Wave Hotel is Nami, yet another MICHELIN-recommended restaurant. Nami offers diners a contemporary take on Japanese cuisine, complete with an immersive 18-course Chef’s Counter experience.
For more casual but equally delicious outings, we encourage you to give Canvas Restaurant & Market a try. The restaurant serves New American cuisine inspired by Florida’s Southern and Latin American roots in a picturesque lakeside setting. Still another local favorite is Chroma Modern Bar + Kitchen. The lively venue invites guests to share contemporary tapas alongside craft beer, fine wines and creative cocktails. Those looking for comfort food with a local twist can stop by Park Pizza & Brewing Company for handcrafted pizzas and house-brewed beer. And once that sweet tooth starts acting up, you can quickly put it to rest with a handcrafted scoop from Before It Melts, a premium ice cream shop that got its humble start at Boxi Park.
And speaking of Boxi Park, no culinary tour of Lake Nona is complete without a visit to this beloved venue. The repurposed shipping containers mentioned earlier house a rotating collection of food concepts featuring everything from lobster rolls and tacos to smoked wings and burgers. Whether it’s date night, an afternoon with the family, or even a casual hang with friends, Boxi Park is the perfect place for groups to sample a variety of flavors in an unforgettable setting. Between the many award-winning restaurants and casual neighborhood favorites located within Lake Nona, every meal is an opportunity to discover something new
A Shopper’s Paradise
A destination isn’t complete without some standout shopping spots and Lake Nona has entered an exciting new chapter with the arrival of Lake Nona West. Spanning 54 acres and more than 400,000 square feet, the walkable development is redefining the retail experience by blending shopping, dining, wellness and gathering spaces into one vibrant destination. Designed with pedestrian-friendly streets, landscaped plazas and inviting outdoor spaces, Lake Nona West is as much a place to explore as it is to shop. Anchored by Target, the center is welcoming a strong lineup of nationally recognized retailers including Nordstrom Rack, Total Wine & More, Barnes & Noble, Homesense and more as additional shopping, dining and lifestyle concepts continue to join the roster.
Beyond the excitement of Lake Nona West and adjacent to Lake Nona’s Laureate Park neighborhood, visitors can also explore Lake Nona Landing which spans 52 acres and features 596,000 square feet of retail space. Over at Eagle Creek Center, shoppers will find numerous specialty retail offerings including the area’s clothing anchor, Apricot Lane Boutique. The upscale, locally owned boutique offers women’s fashion apparel, jewelry, handbags, accessories, and gifts. From national brands to neighborhood favorites, Lake Nona’s expanding retail landscape offers a shopping experience that is both convenient and distinctly connected to the community’s dynamic spirit.
Sports & Recreation
Designed with wellness at its core, Lake Nona offers residents and visitors countless opportunities to stay active. Whether you’re a professional athlete or simply looking to enjoy the great outdoors, you’d be remiss to overlook Lake Nona as the ideal destination to get that heart rate pumping. At the forefront of these offerings is the Lake Nona Performance Club. The 130,000-square-foot fitness and wellness center reimagines the traditional gym experience. The facility features leading-edge workout equipment, state-of-the-art classes and interactive programs driven by the latest performance technology.
For the outdoor enthusiast, Lake Nona boasts more than 44 miles of paved and unpaved winding trails that connect parks, neighborhoods and scenic lakes throughout the community. Visitors can also take advantage of Move Nona, which offers Bird e-bikes and scooters that make it convenient and easy to explore the city on two wheels. Additional adventure awaits thrill-seekers at Nona Adventure Park which features a floating aqua park, wakeboarding cable park, a 60-foot climbing tower and a ropes course.
And when it comes to tennis, Lake Nona dominates yet again with the USTA National Campus. The renowned complex is one of the largest tennis facilities in the world with 100 fully lit courts and 84 livestreamed courts. In addition to hosting professional tournaments and hundreds of events, the campus is also a warm and welcoming place for recreational players looking to sharpen their game or sign up for one of their 49 innovative programs. It’s no wonder Lake Nona is one of the fastest growing communities in America when you consider the many ways you can embrace an active lifestyle and enjoy an adventure-filled day without even leaving the neighborhood.
