Loch Haven Park

Loch Haven Park is Orlando's cultural hub — a scenic lakeside campus in the northeast part of the city that houses three significant cultural institutions: the Orlando Science Center, the Orlando Museum of Art, and the Mennello Museum of American Art. The park itself is free; the museums each charge separate admission.

For families with curious kids who've run out of enthusiasm for theme parks, this park is a meaningful alternative. The Orlando Science Center alone deserves a dedicated half-day visit — it's a proper multi-floor science museum with interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and programming designed for kids and teens alike. It's one of the genuinely excellent children's science institutions in the Southeast and is worth planning around rather than treating as an afterthought.

The park grounds surrounding the museums are lovely and free. Situated between two small lakes (Formosa and Highland), the landscaped paths and open lawns work well for walks, picnics, or just getting the kids some air between museum visits. The park is open from 6am to 11pm, which makes evening visits (a rarity for outdoor parks) a real option — the lake views at dusk are genuinely nice.

For families who want to maximize the visit: pick one museum per trip rather than trying all three in a day. Three museums is too much for younger kids and risks everyone running out of energy before getting to the best parts. The Science Center is typically the top choice for families with kids in the 4-14 range.

Loch Haven is about 15 minutes from downtown Orlando and 25-30 minutes from the theme park corridor — far enough to feel like a genuine departure from the tourist zone, close enough to be practical.