Jen Dantas
Lake Nona real estate broker specializing in the Orlando real estate market.
Lake Nona is an innovative, planned community in Orlando that has established itself as a destination for leisure, dining, sports, culture, and wellness, catering to all types of visitors.
With about 44 km², the neighborhood is home to companies, universities, residential areas, hotels and a charming downtown area full of modern restaurants, bold architecture, works of art spread across a “millionaire garden” and spaces for gastronomy and live shows.
Often called a “smart city with a soul,” Lake Nona combines technology, innovation and community uniquely.
Just 25 minutes from downtown Orlando and 30 minutes from Disney, this region offers permanent attractions and recurring events for different interests – from outdoor parks to haute cuisine – pleasing families with children, couples, young people, executives, retirees, tourists in general and local residents.
Below, we present a complete guide segmented by audience type, detailing activities, attractions and experiences in and around Lake Nona.
Each section provides specific recommendations for food, leisure, sports, nightlife, culture, parks, health & wellness, technology, and events, where relevant, indicating whether the attractions are free or paid (with estimated price range).
Take advantage of this guide to discover the best of Lake Nona according to your profile!
Families with Children
Lake Nona is extremely family-friendly, with countless options to entertain children and provide unforgettable family experiences. From interactive parks to casual restaurants with children's menus, there's plenty to do with the little ones.
Gastronomy for Families
Families will find several casual restaurants in Lake Nona with relaxed atmospheres and menus suitable for children:
- Park Pizza & Brewing Co. – Pizzeria and craft brewery that serves as a relaxed meeting point for locals and visitors. Known as Lake Nona's "home away from home," it offers wood-fired pizzas and local craft beers in a relaxed atmosphere. informal and familiar both in the indoor hall and in the outdoor patio overlooking a lawn where children can play. Price range: $$ (pizzas around US$ 12–20; free starter, pay as you go).
- Boxi Park – Gastronomic park outdoors made with reused containers, ideal for families. It has several food and drink kiosks (from tacos to burgers), tables in an open area and a expanded playground for children of all ages. It also has two sand volleyball courts and a stage for live shows, all in a 30,000 ft² space. pet friendly and with free entryParents can relax with food and drinks while the little ones have fun on the playground. Price range: $–$$ (fast dishes from US$ 5–15 at the kiosks; entrance free).
- Canvas Restaurant & Market – Airy lakeside restaurant with New American cuisine inspired by Latin and Southern roots. Offering options ranging from fresh seafood to children's dishes, there's a market with a gourmet shop next door. Great for family brunch on weekends, with a beautiful view and outdoor space for children. Price range: $$ (~US$ 15–30 plates).
- Giovanni's Italian Restaurant – A family-friendly Italian restaurant in the area (Narcoossee Rd) with pizza and pasta. It has a children's menu and even gluten-free options, designed to please. the whole family. Simple and welcoming atmosphere, ideal for a family lunch after a walk. Price range: $$.
Ice Cream Shops and Sweets: For dessert, it's worth taking the kids to Jeremiah's Italian Ice, which serves more than 40 flavors of Italian ice (Italian ice cream style shaved ice) as well as soft serve ice cream and gelati combinations (layers of ice cream with Italian ice) – guaranteed success with the kids. Price range: $ (about US$ 4–6 per serving; free to look, I only pay for what I consume).
Another sweet stop is the Before It Melts, an artisanal ice cream shop that started in Boxi Park and now has a store in downtown Lake Nona, with creative flavors and local production.
Leisure and Entertainment
When it comes to leisure, Lake Nona offers adventure parks and interactive attractions perfect for kids to release energy and families to enjoy together:
- Nona Adventure Park – This is the adventure park A must-see for families in Lake Nona.
It has a huge inflatable water park (obstacle course style over water), a cable park for wakeboarding/water skiing and an 18-meter climbing tower with a treetop course and climbing walls – everything in one place.
There is even a children's area called “Tot Town” for the very little ones, as well as kayak rentals and stand-up paddle.
In other words, fun for all ages, from the brave teenager to the little explorer. According to the park itself, they offer activities for all ages, including the inflatable Aqua Park, the cable wake park, the 60-foot climbing tower, Tot Town area and kayaks, making up the “ultimate outdoor experience” for you and your children.
On site there is the Splashes Bar & Grill serving pizzas, snacks and ice cream to recharge your batteries between adventures.
Prohibited: Paid – Tickets per attraction/time of use (e.g., ~US$$25 per person for 50 minutes at the aqua park; combos available). Spectators are free. Highlight: Life jackets provided and eye monitors ensure children's safety.
Photo: Sculpture Charging Bull by Arturo di Modica in the Lake Nona Sculpture Garden, a 50,000 sq ft garden featuring palm trees, tropical flowers, and eight world-renowned works of art, accessible free of charge to visitors.
Boxi Park – In addition to being a dining option, Boxi Park offers regular entertainment for families. On weekends, there are live music on stage – often with local bands playing lively covers – and children can dance in front of the stage.
During special events, they also set up toys like bouncy castles, face painting, and workshops for little ones. Boxi Park promotes “Family Fun Day” Regularly, there are activities dedicated to children (craft workshops, balloon sculptors, etc.) and attractions such as an inflatable climbing wall (see schedule on the website). With a playground and open space, it's a safe environment for children to run around while parents relax.
Prohibited: free (special events may have paid consumption, but the park is open to the public).
Tip: Arrive early on Saturdays, when it opens at noon, to get a table in the shade while the kids enjoy the newly expanded playground. “ready to tire children of all ages!
Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge – For an educational outing, this wildlife refuge near Lake Nona rescues and rehabilitates native Florida animals. Families can visit the headquarters (about 15 minutes from Lake Nona) to see the local animals, such as eagles, owls, foxes, and deer, up close.
THE new facility in Lake Nona It is beautiful and the entrance costs only US$ 5 per person (suggested donation) – Children under 2 years old generally go free. Dedicated staff members share stories about the orphaned or injured animals in their care, making the visit a lesson in conservation. Tip: There are occasional picnics and children's events; check to see if there will be any "Animal Encounters" on the date of your visit.
Sports and Physical Activities
Active families will find ways to play sports together at Lake Nona:
USTA National Campus (National Tennis Center) – The gigantic complex of the US Tennis Association in Lake Nona is open to the public and serves tennis players from all levels and ages . They are almost 100 tennis courts of different surfaces (including 32 hard courts and 32 clay courts), as well as smaller courts for children.
Families can reserve a court by the hour (from ~US$ 15/hour) and play like professional tennis players. There are often children's clinics and classes for children (even children's rackets to borrow).
Even non-players can visit to watch free youth or college tournaments—a great opportunity to introduce children to the sport.
The campus also has an interactive area of Net Generation where children can playfully play ball. Prohibited: free for visitors; use of court is paid.
Emphasis: it is the largest tennis center in the country, serving as training ground for future championslakenona.com and receives family tournaments and events such as Kids' Days where children and parents play together.
Heroes Community Park – Community park in Lake Nona (on Dowden Rd.) with soccer fields, basketball courts, a walking trail, and a playground. A free place for families in the community to gather for informal games.
You can take a ball and play with the kids in the open fields. There's also a skate park and scooter area – teenagers will enjoy it.
Prohibited: free.
While very popular with adults and young people, Drive Shack can also be fun for families, especially with older children.
It is a three-story high-tech golf entertainment center with putting bays facing a large fairway and equipped with real-time electronic ball tracking.nonaorlandoproperties.com.
Virtual golf games (like hitting targets or playing “minigames” with your shots) make the experience accessible even to beginners and children – it’s practically a golf bowling! It has a restaurant menu and a sofa in each bay, so the family can snack while playing.
Prohibited: The space itself is free, but to play, you rent the stall by the hour (e.g., ~US$ 30–50/hour depending on the time, up to 6 people per stall). Open until late at night, but families with children usually go during the day. Tip: Go during weekday morning hours for cheaper rates and a quieter environment for little ones to try out the game.
Nightlife (Family Friendly)
Family-friendly nightlife? In Lake Nona, Yes! Of course, with children the nights end earlier, but there are family night programs like:
Outdoor cinema and park events: Lake Nona organizes movie nights occasional in parks like the Heroes Park or in the area of Water Mark Park (within Laureate Park).
These free events feature children's films shown on an inflatable screen at dusk, and families enjoy picnics on the lawn. Check local schedules and neighborhood groups for dates.
Art After Dark @ Lake Nona Town Center: Every Friday and Saturday night, Lake Nona Town Center comes alive with the event Art After Dark, an outdoor arts and crafts fair with live music.
It's a perfect family evening out – kids will love browsing the artist booths (sometimes featuring children's crafts) while adults enjoy the music.
The event takes place between 6pm and 10pm in the center, free. There are often food trucks and desserts for sale. A safe and lively atmosphere for a night out with the kids.
In the month of December, Lake Nona holds its Christmas festival called “Oh, What Fun!”. For several nights around Christmas, the Town Center transforms into a winter village with Christmas decorations, artificial snow falling on weekend nights, North Pole-inspired acrobatic shows, and family activities.
On Sundays of the festival there is the Family Fun Day with special activities for children (games, performances by children's choirs). Santa Claus will be present at his little house for photos (booking is required).
Prohibited: free, with paid options of typical foods and products in Christmas fair.
It's a must-see evening program for families visiting in December – magical and suitable for children of all ages.
Culture and Education
Even little ones can enjoy Lake Nona's rich cultural offerings:
- Although it's a tour that appeals to adults, the outdoor sculpture garden in front of the Wave Hotel also delights children.
The monumental works – such as the enormous sculpture of Charging Bull and abstract figures – stimulate the imagination of children, who can walk along the paths between the palm trees. Important: Teach children not to touch the sculptures, but encourage them to describe what they see.
The visit is quick and free, great for introducing art in a fun way (some pieces resemble animals, which generates immediate interest). - The Beacon and Code Wall: In the heart of downtown Lake Nona stands a six-story tower called The Beacon and an interactive wall next to it (Code Wall).
At night, The Beacon lights up with colorful projections, music, and interactive elements., becoming a visual spectacle that leaves children open-mouthed.
Already the Code Wall It has glass panels that glow and display messages in binary code – a fun opportunity for technological learning; there are plaques that help decipher the messages hidden on the wall (inspiring words about the Lake Nona vision).
This free mini-show runs regularly after dark and lasts for a few minutes on a loop. Children love the somewhat futuristic experience of seeing the tower come to life with light and sound.
Educational Events: Look out for family-friendly events at places like the **Valencia College Library (Lake Nona Campus)** or the Nemours Children's Hospital Museum (In the hospital lobby there are interactive health exhibits for children).
Lake Nona Performance Club sometimes promotes family health days, with fitness activities for parents and children.
Parks and Nature
Contact with nature is essential for children, and Lake Nona offers beautiful green spaces:
- Lake Nona Trails: The community was designed with miles of bike paths and landscaped sidewalks. One idea is to create a Family bike ride – many local accommodations offer bicycle rentals.
Cycle with the kids along the cycle paths that surround the lakes of Laureate Park, enjoying the modern homes and safe urban surroundings. The bike path along Tavistock Lakes Blvd, for example, passes playgrounds and sports fields where you can stop. - Neighborhood Playgrounds: If you need a break from letting the kids run around, look for playgrounds in Lake Nona's residential neighborhoods (open to the public during the day).
THE Heroes Park has children's toys and courts. In Laureate Park (neighborhood), the Courtney Moore Park and the McCoy Community Park There are grassy areas and playsets that residents frequent with their children – visitors are welcome as long as they respect the rules.
Health and Well-being
Traveling with kids can be tiring – but Lake Nona focuses on wellness that benefits the whole family:
- Lake Nona Performance Club (LNPC): This state-of-the-art health club has programs for all ages. For residents and guests (there are day pass for a fee), LNPC offers an indoor pool, climbing wall (Rox Climbing Gym), sports area and even supervised kids' area.
Parents can exercise while their children take swimming lessons or play safely. On Saturday mornings, LNPC often brings instructors for open yoga classes. Sculpture Garden (including families can participate in these free sessions) Yoga in the Garden at 8am)
Cost: variable (adult day pass ~US$15; younger children can enter free with an adult). - Wellness Events: Lake Nona promotes a healthy community culture – one example is the “Sunlight Yoga”, morning yoga classes open to the community free every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in a lakeside park (Dockside at Laureate Park).
Families with calm children or teenagers can enjoy meditating and stretching outdoors. Guided meditation sessions are also available on Wednesday mornings.lakenona.com, which can be a different experience for older children to experience mindfulness together with their parents. - Hospitals and Health: We hope no one needs it, but it's worth knowing that Lake Nona is home to the Nemours Children's Hospital and other cutting-edge healthcare institutions. In the event of any unforeseen health issues with children, the region has fast, world-class medical care.
Technology and Innovation
As a “smart city,” Lake Nona also entertains children curious about technology:
Autonomous Bus (Move Nona): Lake Nona was a pioneer in Florida in implementing shuttles autonomous electric vehicles circulating on local roads.
Families can have the futuristic experience of riding in a driverless vehicle! The service Move Nona operates free short routes connecting points in and around Lake Nona Town Center.
Inside the bus, an attendant is present for security, but the vehicle drives itselfl. Kids are thrilled—it's safe and slow (max 25 km/h). Check to see if it's open that day (usually on weekdays and downtown events).
Cost: free.
- Cisco Explorium (NAO Robot): At some community events in Lake Nona, a little robot named NO to interact with children – he dances, talks and teaches basic programming skills.
Stay tuned to the schedule of Lake Nona Education Initiative; sometimes they hold robotics workshops for children in partnership with the local school. - “Technological” stop: Even without scheduled events, simply walking through downtown Lake Nona can yield hi-tech surprises for observant children: smart solar trash cans, public benches with USB chargers, streetlights with adaptive lighting.
Make it a game: ask your kids to find "modern things" on the street. They might feel like tech hunters!
Family Events and Festivals
Lake Nona has an active calendar of community events which are great family programs:
- Run Nona 5K & Nemours Kids' Run: Traditional annual race (usually in August or September) that turns into a nighttime family party at Lake Nona Town Center.
There's a 5K race for adults and a special children's race sponsored by Nemours Hospital – many children participate in costume. After sunset, there's a party with DJ, inflatable toys, face painting and dunk tank (crazy tank) for kids to enjoy.
The highlight is the after-party around the illuminated Beacon. Even non-runners can come cheer and enjoy the attractions.
Enrollment: paid (around US$$ 30 adults, Kids' Run usually free or nominal). - Farmer's Market: The Lake Nona Farmers Market takes place biweekly node Laureate Park Village Center, on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, from 5 pm to 8 pmlakenona.comIt's a peaceful walk where local families meet – there are stands selling fruit, organic vegetables, bread, crafts, and sometimes food trucks.
Kids can taste local honey, choose homemade sweets, and learn about fresh food.
Prohibited: free (spend only what you buy). Note: There are also occasional Saturday editions at Town Center, so check the current schedule. - “Ties and Tiaras” Father-Daughter Dance: An annual event in Lake Nona (usually around Father's Day or in March) where fathers and father figures bring their little girls for a night of dancing and fun. Princess-themed, it includes music, snacks, and party favors—a sweet treat for anyone in town during this time (advance ticket purchase required; benefits local organizations).
“Spooky Nona” Festival: Around Halloween, Lake Nona often hosts themed events for kids, such as a costume contest at Boxi Park or trunk-or-treat (distribution of candy in decorated trunks) in community parking lots. Check the schedule in October—it's a safe way for little ones to enjoy Halloween away from the overcrowded parks.
In summary, Families with children Lake Nona is a welcoming and diverse destination. Many attractions are free or low-cost, and even the paid ones offer good value for money, offering unique experiences (like the Adventure Park).
Lake Nona's modern and clean infrastructure, safety, and community spirit give parents peace of mind to enjoy their vacation with their children. 🏡👨👩👧👦
Is Lake Nona for you? I say: yes!
If you're looking for quality of life, innovation, nature and that modern yet welcoming atmosphere... Lake Nona is your placeHere you'll find excellent schools, leading clinics and hospitals, gastronomy, art, and technology on every corner—all just minutes from Orlando.
And the best part: the neighborhood is still expanding, that is, Those who buy now have everything to see the property appreciate quickly.
Want me to show you the available homes in Lake Nona? There are beautiful, move-in ready options—and I can help you every step of the way.
Call me and let's find your dream home here! 🧡
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