Photo Historic Travels

Category: Downtowns

Posts that focus on visiting downtowns, whether in small towns or big cities.

How to Maximize Your Trip to Winchester Virginia
4–6 minutes

On my final full day in Northern Virginia, I actually left the NOVA area to travel to Winchester VA. Although Winchester is not considered part of NOVA, it is relatively nearby as the town was an hour away from my hotel. It was a beautiful drive to Winchester as the landscape changed from flat, urbanized land to rural mountains. This is part three of my NOVA trip, following Alexandria and Leesburg/Waterford.
Old Town Winchester

Winchester is the most unique small town I’ve been to because the main thoroughfare has no road going through it. Instead, Old Town Winchester is an entirely pedestrian friendly walking mall that retains the original buildings. It was nice to film a charming small town without having cars and trucks constantly driving by. The rest of Downtown Winchester is more conventional with roads, but it still retains its historic nature.

This Building Served As Headquarters For A Union General

There are plenty of restaurants in Winchester. I went to Benny Meloto’s Pizza which if I’m being honest was not that great of a pizza. However, it was cheap, quick, and filling (since a single slice can fit on two paper plates), so it’s an option for those who want to maximize their time in Winchester.

Places to See in Winchester

Located in the heart of Old Town Winchester is The Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum, located in what was the third courthouse of Frederick County. The downstairs section talks about the courthouse’s history while the upstairs exhibit talks about the Civil War in the Shenandoah Valley. The design of the second courthouse was so controversial that part of the county broke apart and formed its own county. The Judge presiding over the John Brown trial was came from this court. Winchester changed hands 72 times during the Civil War, the most of any place in America. Graffiti from both Confederate and Union troops remains visible today. The building remained a courthouse until 1984.

Near Old Town Winchester is the George Washington Office Museum, which delves into George Washington’s early years as a surveyor, as well as recounts Winchester’s early years. I did not know that George Washington became a burgess (member of the legislative body) for Frederick County in 1758. After George Washington left, a family lived in the office until 1908 when the city bought the property.

Also near Old Town Winchester is the Handley Regional Library. This grandiose building is still a working library, but they offer tours twice a month. Look up to marvel at the stained-glass dome.

A bit further away is the Stonewall Jackson Headquarters. Jackson originally headquartered at a hotel, but moved to this building when invited by Lewis T. Moore, the second owner of the house. The two men originally met during John Brown’s trial and execution. The tour guide recounted how the women of Winchester hated the Union so much that they grabbed guns and shot at Union troops. The actress Mary Tyler Moore is a descendant of Lewis T. Moore. Also, the visitor entrance seen above was not the original entrance to the house.

A 15-minute walk from Old Town Winchester is the Patsy Cline Historic House and Patsy Cline Memorial Park. While I did not go to the Museum, I highly recommend visiting the Park to appreciate the unique landscaping. I recommend walking to both places, since they are located in an old suburb with minimal parking.

A several minutes’ drive from downtown Winchester is the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. This museum is a bit odd, since it is a mix of a history and art museum, with displays of quilts and miniature houses. I noticed that the Shenandoah Valley history section had several historic kitchens on display. The Museum is built around the Glen Burnie estate, which remained in the family’s hands throughout the years; the last owner of the house was gay, which probably the first time I’ve ever been to a museum with some LGBT history.

The Glen Burnie Mansion, Which The Museum Was Built Around

About a 24-minute drive away from downtown Winchester is the Long Branch Historic House & Farm. The original builder of the mansion died in the War of 1812, and thus never lived in the house. After the Civil War, the widowed wife of the new owner lost the house, but ended up buying back the house and land in auction. The last private owner of the house owned successful racehorses, and modified the mansion to what it is today.

Conclusion

Those looking for a charming small town with plenty to do should look no further than Winchester, VA. You should spend at least two days exploring Winchester and the surrounding area, because I did not visit the Patsy Cline Historic House, Abram’s Delight, or explore the nearby Sky Meadows State Park. Winchester is definitely worth a stop if one is in the Washington D.C./NOVA area, and is close to both Harpers Ferry or Shenandoah National Park.

Some important information: The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley is closed on Monday, while the Patsy Cline Historic House is closed on Tuesday. When arriving at Long Branch Historic House & Farm, ignore what Waze says and turn right to the north entrance. Once you arrive, the visitor entrance is neither the front or back door, but in a small wing to the left (in orientation of the picture above). Once you arrive, let someone know that you’re a visitor and you would like a tour of the house, as they may be in the back.

Below is my companion YouTube video entitled Best Things to Do in Winchester Virginia. Please subscribe if you liked the video.
August 2, 2026
Discovering Beautiful Leesburg and Waterford
3–5 minutes

The first thing that comes when thinking of Northern Virginia (NOVA) are major cities and endless suburban sprawl. However, at the furthest corner of NOVA are two small towns, Leesburg & Waterford, which retain their picturesque historic charms yet remain under the radar. These two towns are about 11 minutes apart, making them a perfect destination to spend a day or two. This blog post about Leesburg and Waterford is the second of a three-part series on my recent trip exploring NOVA following Alexandria and followed by Winchester.
Exploring Downtown Leesburg

After finishing the museums listed below, I walked around Leesburg’s charming downtown. Unlike other small towns, Leesburg’s commercial district surrounds a block rather than stretching out on the main street. A few blocks away is Market Station, a collection of shops and restaurants surrounding an old historic mill.

First Downtown Leesburg…

Now Market Station…

While I never got the opportunity to eat in Leesburg, I did make a fun stop at a store. Sunflower Shack sells old fashioned sweet treats and home decor items. Although I could not buy any chocolates because it was such a hot day, I did buy four sodas. The sales clerk kindly wrapped up the sodas when I told them I was from out of town; the sodas managed to survive the trip home in perfect condition.

Museums of Leesburg

Oatlands Historic House and Gardens was built by George Carter, the son of Robert Carter III, whose house I saw in Williamsburg. George Carter fought his father’s decision to manumit (legally free) his slaves. The tour heavily focus on the lives of the enslaved people and what happened to them after emancipation. The tours also talked about the Eustis family, the second family who lived in the house. Oatlands also has a beautiful walled garden just steps from the mansion.

Dodona Manor was built in 1803, but is most associated with George C. Marshall, whose second wife bought the house in 1941. The second wife had a brief career as a Shakespearean actress in Britain, but her Kentucky accent held her back. The tour guide noted the modesty of George C. Marshall as his bedroom was small and spartan. One interesting thing on display was a television set, which is not something one normally finds in a historic house.

Exploring Waterford

On the final day of the trip, I decided to make a detour to visit Waterford, which I only discovered from watching this video last year. Waterford turned out to be a unique experience because (minus all the passing cars) the town completely retains its colonial look. Waterford’s main street is incredibly tiny and, with the exception the mill, church, post office, and corner store, has only houses rather than the standard storefronts. Waterford’s history is also interesting because it was founded by Quakers. Why Waterford remains under the radar is a complete mystery to me.

The Old Mill Dating From the Early 19th Century

Rusted Water Wheel, Now Detached From the Mill

Beginning of Trail Leading to Catocin Creek

Conclusion

Overall, I highly recommend visiting Leesburg and Waterford as a day trip, or perhaps a two-day trip as I did not include Morven Park, which is another place I highly recommend. One could spend several hours wandering through both Oatlands and Morven Park’s gardens. The two small towns are conveniently located a little over an hour away from Washington D.C., as well as being relatively near Harpers Ferry and Antietam National Battlefield.

Here are some helpful tips. While Oatlands grounds are open every day, guided tours of the house are only available from Thursdays through Sundays at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00. Oatlands is not located in Leesburg, instead being 14-minute drive away. George C. Marshall’s Dodona Manor located several blocks away from downtown Leesburg, and is only open on Friday through Sunday. Keep in mind that the entrance to Dodona Manor is on Edwards Ferry Road, not E Market Street; also, they have a tiny parking lot, so those with time and the ability to walk could park downtown and take an 11-minute walk to the house. Waterford is most known for the Waterford Fair, which happens in early October.

Below is my companion YouTube video about Leesburg and Waterford. If you enjoyed the video, please like and subscribe.

Restaurants in the Greater NOVA Area

There are plenty places to eat in Leesburg (not so much Waterford), either in the downtown area, Market Station, or the strip malls at the edge of town. If you want more dining options, try some restaurants in the greater NOVA area, such as those listed on my Alexandria blog post. In order from closest to furthest to Leesburg: Swadi Pakistani Kitchen, Rice Culture (Chantilly location), Malaysian Kopitiam, Marufuji Japanese Market, Hawk & Griffin, Fettosh, and El Pike Bolivian Restobar. There are also two Roy Rogers fast food restaurants located within Leesburg.
July 27, 2026
Best Things to Do in Alexandria
I always wanted to see Alexandria and experience the beautiful historic old town. The hour-long glimpse of Alexandria I got several years before only served to whet my appetite for more. Finally, I got extra days off work, so I decided to explore more of what Travel & Leisure calls one of the best cities in the U.S. This blog post about Alexandria is the first of a three-part series of my recent trip exploring Northern Virginia (NOVA), followed by Leesburg/Waterford and Winchester.

5–8 minutes
Exploring Historic Alexandria District

After arriving in downtown Alexandria, I first had lunch at Mia’s Italian Kitchen. The restaurant is located in the pedestrian friendly section of King Street. The restaurant is three stories tall, but I forgot to see the second and third floor. I had the Bucatini Cacio e Pepe, which was perhaps my favorite meal of the trip. There are plenty of other restaurants nearby is you want a different option.

Historic Alexandria is definitely a must-see destination. There is so much to do and see within downtown Alexandria, as well as admire the old buildings. Some roads were made out of cobblestone, which added to the ambience of Alexandria’s historic nature. There were also several small parks located on the waterfront conveniently located near downtown.

First the Architecture and History…

Ruins of Ice Well That Could Store Up To 62 Tons of Ice For Local Tavern

Now the Nature…

Museums of Alexandria

Historic Huntley was built in 1824 as a summer home of the original owner. Today the interior of the house is non furnished, and one side of the building has it so visitors can see the brickwork and roof of the house. Something unusual is that the outhouse and slave quarters were brick structures, as those structures were usually made out of wood.

The founding father Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee originally purchased the lot the Lee-Fendall House is located on, but his father-in-law Philip Fendell first lived in the house. Many members of the Lee family lived in the house throughout the years, but not Robert E. Lee. Later on, John L. Lewis, the president of the United Mine Workers Union lived here.

It is believed that the Carlyle House inspired both Mount Vernon and George Mason’s Gunston Hall. General Edward Braddock stayed here before the French and Indian War started and was a terrible house-guest. The front stone work is a replica of the original stone, while the other three sides have the original stone walls covered in stucco.

I recommend getting a guided tour of the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum because I decided to do the self-guided tour and did not really find much interesting about it. The tours fill up fast so either arrive early or expect to kill time before the tour begins. On Saturdays during the summer the museum stays open till 7:00. As for the history of the building, the Apothecary opened in 1792 and stayed a family business until 1933.

Torpedo Factory Art Center

Located on the waterfront is the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Thirty different artists have their own gallery where they display their artwork. It is fun place go window shopping and sightseeing even if (like me) you’re not interested in contemporary art.

Located within the Art Center is the Alexandria Archaeology Museum. While there, I learned that Alexandria’s waterfront has been expanded over the years; in fact, the land the Torpedo Factory is own was not around in 1748. I also learned that several ships were found buried under Alexandria’s waterfront.

Conclusion

Overall, I highly recommend Alexandria as a day trip, or perhaps spend several days because I did not have time to visit The George Washington Masonic National Memorial, or even know about River Farm until my Historic Huntley tour guide mentioned it. If you are visiting Washington D.C, definitely schedule a day to visit Alexandria. Or, you could do what I did and make Alexandria a launching point to explore the NOVA area, such as Woodbridge.

Here are some helpful tips. Historic Huntley is only open on Saturdays with tours at 10:30 and 12:00 between April and October. Historic Huntley is not located within downtown Alexandria, instead being about a 20-minute drive away. The other three museums are located within historic Alexandria, and the Carlyle House and Apothecary Museums are two blocks down from the Torpedo Factory Art Center. The Lee-Fendall House is a 15-minute walk from the Art center, and it’s a pleasant walk through quaint neighborhoods.

Below is my companion YouTube video about Alexandria. If you enjoyed the video, please like and subscribe.

Restaurants in the Greater NOVA Area

For those wanting to travel through the Greater NOVA area, there are so many restaurants serving different all different kinds of cuisines. Listed below are the restaurants I went to on this trip in the order of closest to furthest from Alexandria.

El Pike Bolivian Restobar serves (as you can probably guess) Bolivian food. I had the Falso Conejo, which is a saucy steak dish. It was conveniently opened late because when I arrived at NOVA, many of the restaurants I wanted to go to were already about to close for the night. Located in Arlington.

Fettoosh serves Moroccan Food. Moroccan food is similar to other Middle Eastern Cuisine, but there are some unique dishes like Chicken Tagine, which I ate. The parking lot is very small, so I parked at the grocery store across the street. Located in Arlington.

This is the Chantilly Location

Rice Culture serves taiyaki (fish shaped Japanese pancake with filling inside) as well as soft serve ice cream. I couldn’t decide between getting a taiyaki or a pandan flavored something so I combined the two–Pandan does not have much of a taste. There are two locations, the closest one to Alexandria is located in Vienna.

Hawk & Griffin serves traditional British Pub food and goes all out on the pub theming. I went there to have Sticky Toffee Pudding, which was so good I didn’t mind the fruit in the pudding. I was the only person there not watching the World Cup. Located in Vienna.

Marufuji Japanese Market has everything that one would need to make Japanese food. The place is definitely a must see even if you’re on vacation and really can’t buy much. I bought several ramens that I have never seen before. Located in Vienna.

Malaysian Kopitiam serves (once again) Malaysian food, which I would describe as being a mix between Chinese, Indian, and Thai cuisine. I had the Nyonya Chicken, which was like Sweet and Sour Chicken but spicier. Located in Centreville.

Swadi Pakistani Kitchen serves food from Pakistan, which is similar to Indian food but with beef dishes. I had the Nihari, which is a curry with slow-cooked beef. The person who took my order actually recognized me from the nearby Dunkin Donuts I went to that morning. Located in Sterling.

Roy Rogers restaurants are the local fast-food chain of the greater DC area. I had breakfast there, but they are known for their roast beef sandwiches and “fixin’s” bar. It was not an outstanding breakfast, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. Located all over NOVA.
July 19, 2026
Beautiful Byrd Theatre in Carytown Richmond
Following my visiting The Commodore Theatre, I wanted to go watch a movie at another historic movie theater. Few theaters in Virginia could match the Byrd Theatre in terms of grandeur-a real movie palace. I ended up going twice within the span of several weeks to watch two different movies. The Byrd Theatre is situated in Carytown, a vibrant shopping district in Richmond, and this blog post illustrates why Carytown and The Byrd Theatre are must see destinations. Keep reading to learn of my restaurant and shopping recommendations.

3–4 minutes
Carytown

The Byrd Theatre is located in Carytown, a dining and shopping district in Richmond Virginia. Carytown gave hipsterish vibes, as the parking garage behind the Theatre was covered in Street Art. I highly recommend walking down Cary Street to see a colorful, trendy area of Richmond.

Cary Street Park and Shop Center

One particularly notable thing to see in Carytown is the Cary Street Park and Shop Center (AKA Cary Court), an Art Deco shopping center. Cary Court is one of the oldest shopping centers in America, built in 1938, as proven by the image above. Definitely a unique place to go window shopping.

The Byrd Theatre

The Byrd Theatre imposes over the rest of Carytown through its size (it’s the largest building on Cary Street) but also through its magnificence. This opulence continues inside with its luxurious interiors, transporting one to a different era of 1928, when the Theatre first opened. Unquestionably a unique movie watching experience.

First the Lobby…

Now the Auditorium…

Before every movie, a Wurlitzer organ rises to the stage and plays a medley of 1920s tunes; it’s incredible how one man could play such a giant instrument. The Wurlitzer fit perfectly with the first film I watched (Metropolis) but it was a little jarring to go from 1920s tunes to a late 1990s anime (Perfect Blue). Still, the organist gives each film watching experience a unique touch and added to the historic ambience of the Byrd Theatre.

As for my opinion of the two films, Metropolis was not as good as I remembered it (I first saw it around 15 years ago), but I still thought it was entertaining. I thought Perfect Blue was entertaining, good story but I didn’t really care for the ending. Overall, I enjoyed my two times at The Byrd Theatre and highly recommend going here to catch a film.

More Information About The Byrd Theatre

The Byrd Theatre is a repertory theater that plays a variety of different movies. Besides silent films and anime, the Byrd Theatre also plays more commercial fare such as popular action flicks and children’s animated movies; they even have sensory friendly screenings. They also have several film festivals; Perfect Blue was shown as part of the Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair festival. More information about The Byrd Theatre here.

As for parking, there is a small parking garage right behind the Theatre and maybe another one elsewhere. Otherwise, you will have to deal with street parking, and from what I remember from the second trip, curb parking can fill up pretty fast.

Restaurants in Carytown

There are many restaurants in Carytown, serving all manner of different cuisines. I went to the following two places because (among other reasons) they were close to The Byrd Theatre.

Carytown Indian Cuisine: On the first trip, my Dad and I went to this restaurant, where I tried Kali Mirch. The restaurant is literally right across the street from The Byrd Theatre. It serves very good Indian food.

Nomu Ramen: On the second trip, I went to this restaurant, where I tried curry ramen. It didn’t occur to me that eating at a Japanese restaurant would fit with watching a Japanese film until I was driving home. It’s across the street from The Byrd Theatre and less than 200 feet away.

For the Love of Chocolate: Located within the Cary Court Shopping Center is this candy store, which sells a variety of chocolate products. I highly recommend stopping; I would have bought so much but it was a hot day and I still had a movie to go watch.
June 29, 2026
Best Places to Discover Southwest Virginia: Unique Things To Do
7–10 minutes

I have lived in Virginia for most of my life, and yet Southwest Virginia had always remained a mystery to me. I had never even heard about Breaks Interstate Park or the Great Channels of Virginia until my adulthood. For someone living in Coastal Virginia, Southwest Virginia (or SWVA) is around a six-hour drive, and for certain destinations even longer. Finally, I received time off from work so I took the opportunity to finally explore what Southwest Virginia had to offer. Keep reading to watch my companion YouTube video.
Abingdon

The Barter Theatre

I chose Abingdon as my headquarters for this Southwest Virginia trip because it is consistently ranked as the prettiest small town in SWVA. While I would personally rank Damascus (discussed below) as more beautiful overall, Abingdon is still a very charming small town with many historic buildings.

This Was Right Next To My Hotel

On our first night there, my Dad and I ate at The Tavern, located in the oldest building in Abingdon. I recommend dining at the restaurant for its atmosphere. We ate outside because the forecast said rain for most of my trip, but I would have been equally happy eating in one of the many historic rooms.

The History Of The Building

A little bit outside the city is the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace, which serves as a welcome center and sells handiwork by local artisans. There were also exhibits about local history but some of them were covered-up by items for sale. The place is worth a quick stop to check everything out, about 15 minutes at most unless you intend on buying something.

The Channels Natural Area Preserve

On Monday I went to The Channels Natural Area Preserve and Breaks Interstate Park (discussed below). These two places were the highlight of my trip. It seems so strange that these two places are not frequently advertised in the best of Virginia.

First, information about The Channels, also known as the Great Channels of Virginia: there are only 10 parking spots and they fill up pretty quickly so arrive early. We arrived at around 7:30 on a Monday to find an already half full parking lot. Although the climb only takes about three hours round-trip, be prepared for an seemingly endless amount of uphill climbing. The first three images provide important information about hiking the Channels, and more practical information can be found here.

This Is Where The Trail Begins

The Name Of The Trail And Important Information

Turn Left On This Fork On The Trail, The Right Leads To Private Property

I couldn’t find any information about how The Channels were formed, either on site or on the internet. Still, definitely a unique experience exploring the unique rock formations. Below show what you can expect to see hiking the Brumley Mountain Trail and the otherworldly beauty of The Channels.

Breaks Interstate Park

Afterwards, we drove through winding mountain roads to get to Breaks Interstate Park, a massive park that borders Virginia and Kentucky. There was much to do in the park (including a water park), but the highlight is definitely the canyons.

The Breaks is frequently referred to as “the Grand Canyon of the South” and it’s easy to see why with views like this. The Breaks is the largest canyon east of the Mississippi River. Once again, it’s so strange that this natural wonder remains under the radar.

Sign That Explains The Meaning Of The Name

While the park is massive, you can drive through much of it. Most of the scenic spots have short trails, if any, and it’s convenient to park your car up to any place you wish to stop. Do keep in mind that the Tower Overlook and the Tower Tunnel Overlook are two different places.

Cleveland Town Park

Between The Channels and The Breaks, there is a small town called Cleveland, which has a small community park. But this park is unique because it has a suspension bridge over a river. I highly recommend stopping here to take in views of the river.

Bristol

On Tuesday, we went to Bristol Virginia/Tennessee. Bristol is the largest city in the far west of SWVA. The border between Virginia and Tennessee sits right in the middle of Bristol’s main thoroughfare, State Street. One could easily have dinner in one state and catch a show in the other state.

The Virginia Side Of The Street

The Tennessee Side Of The Street

Bristol prides itself on being the birthplace of country music. On the Virginia side of the city is the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. This museum documents the historic 1927 Bristol sessions, as well as country music’s Appalachian background. Overall, an fascinating look on a topic that I am not necessarily interested in.

Chilhowie Bluegrass JAM-Boree

Parking Was Chaotic, We Parked Next To A Ditch Across The Street

To continue with the Country Music theme, we went to Chilhowie to see the Bluegrass JAM-Boree. The JAM-Boree happens every Tuesday starting at 6:30, located at the Chilhowie Lions Club. I only recommend going if you are fond of Bluegrass or Mountain Music, if not you could probably skip it. However it was intriguing seeing a world different from my own, and I was mesmerized watching the people doing buck dancing.

Big Stone Gap

On Wednesday, we went to Big Stone Gap to see the Southwest Virginia Museum Historic State Park. The town of Big Stone Gap is small but completely surrounded by the mountains giving it grand views. There’s also a river that runs through the town adding to its loveliness.

The Museum itself is actually run by the Virginia State Parks systems, making it the smallest state park in Virginia. The Museum itself is organized a bit awkwardly, with the first floor dedicated to the town’s mining boom years, the second floor dedicated to the mansion’s former owners, and the third floor dedicated to the lives of the early settlers. Still, it’s an interesting overview of the regional history.

Damascus

After lunch, we drove to Damascus, which ended up being my favorite of the small towns. While Abingdon’s buildings were nicer, charming Damascus won out with its rivers and nature. Damascus is actually an important stop on the Virginia Creeper Trail, but unfortunately the trestle was closed while we were there.

Views From The Damascus Old Mill Inn

Wytheville

On our final day, we went to Wytheville to see the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum. The town is a typical nice small town, with many nice historic buildings. The most notable thing about Wytheville is the giant pencil suspended from a building.

The Museum itself shows an entertaining look at Edith Bolling Wilson’s girlhood in Wytheville and her time as First Lady of the United States. The upstairs was undergoing renovations when were there, but they provide a video explaining the history behind each room. Renovations should be complete in late 2026.

Conclusion on Southwest Virginia Vacation

I accomplished a decade long (if not longer) dream of exploring Southwest Virginia. Although I did so much, there are still places I didn’t get to visit (like The Devil’s Bathtub and the Natural Bridge State Park), making SWVA a perfect vacation opportunity. I feel SWVA has much to offer for travelers wishing to discover an little known Virginia with unique landscapes and a different history.

Below is the companion YouTube Video for this blog. My video has much more footage of each destination. If you like what you see, please consider subscribing to my channel.

Restaurants In Southwest Virginia

Listed below are the restaurants I ate at on the trip that I recommend. I will go in Alphabetical Order.

Damascus Old Mill Inn: This hotel has a restaurant on the first floor. I recommend eating here for the views of the river and little waterfall. Located in Damascus.

GoodTimes Coal Fired Pizza & Pub: If you’re wondering about coal fired pizza, they use anthracite coal (different from the coal used for powering trains) found only in Pennsylvania, which emits high heat and low emissions as noted by our waitress. All this leads to a great pizza. Located in Big Stone Gap.

Jack’s 128 Pecan: This place must have been a former house, because they were many rooms all decorated differently. They had the best food of all the semi-fancy restaurants we ate on our trip.

Pal’s Sudden Service: For those looking for local color, Pal’s is the local fast-food chain of choice. With its gaudy buildings and commanding pylon signs (the message the day we went said “Respect Is Earned”), Pal’s is definitely an experience. Keep in mind it’s drive-thru only. Located all over SWVA.

Skeeter’s World Famous Hotdogs: Only two doors down from the Edith Bolling Wilson Museum is Skeeter’s, which has been open since 1925. Definitely come here if you love hot dogs, because there was only one non-hot dog thing on the menu; I had the BBQ sandwich. Located in Wytheville.

The Tavern: I’ve already talked about The Tavern above, but here’s some more about the restaurant. It serves a mix of New American and German food. I recommend eating here to absorb the historical ambiance. Located in Abingdon.
June 21, 2026
Exploring The Forgotten Side of Downtown Orlando
Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

People think of Orlando as a place of entertainment with its many Theme Parks, most of which are actually outside of the city limits. Orlando itself the fourth largest city in Florida and a major hub for business and government services. I’ve visited Orlando with my family many times, but this trip was the first time I actually stepped foot in Downtown Orlando. How does Downtown Orlando hold up as a travel destination? Stay till the end to see suggestions for a non-theme park-oriented trip to the Orlando area.
Table of contents
Lake Eola Park

My Dad and I went Orlando in order to visit my sister, arriving on a Sunday. My sister, now being a local, recommended we visit the Orlando Farmers Market at Lake Eola Park. This had to have been the largest farmers market I’ve ever seen, as there was an endless supply of vendors with food, drinks, and crafts. After a thorough search of all the options, I settled on Ethiopian and Tequeños paired with a giant cup of homemade lemonade.

Imagine Having the Ibis Be Your Trash Bird

Afterwards, the three of us walked around Lake Eola Park. We found out later at the History Center (mentioned below) that Lake Eola is not a lake but a sinkhole. It’s a very stable sinkhole since there’s a large fountain in the middle and a bandshell on the water’s edge.

Real Swans With Fake Swans

Lake Eola Park is lovely and a popular hangout location for locals. Besides the bandshell, there’s a play area, rock garden, Chinese pagoda, and rental swan boats.

Walking Downtown

After walking Lake Eola, we went off to explore more of Downtown Orlando. Orlando is a mix of different styles with gleaming skyscrapers alongside Victorian buildings.

Old and New

The skyscrapers primarily (but not exclusively) surround Lake Eola. They tower over the lake/sinkhole and provide dramatic contrast. Office buildings are not what comes to mind when one thinks of Orlando.

A good portion of Downtown Orlando is lined with trees, which compliments the many historic buildings located throughout the city. Besides the Victorian Church Street (mentioned below), the Downtown is a mix of styles, including Mediterranean, Colonial, and Art Deco. There’s also the Brutalist public library, but the less said about that the better.

Downtown Orlando was a happening place that Sunday. Beside normal city crowds, one plaza was full of drunk college age students. My sister theorized that they were University of Central Florida students celebrating their graduation.

The Plaza on a Crazy Sunday Afternoon

The Same Plaza on a Less Chaotic Tuesday Morning

I noticed vibrant public art while walking through the Downtown. I managed to capture a couple of them on camera.

Church Street

While exploring Downtown Orlando, we walked through Church Street. It was the place to be several decades ago, but now much of it is pretty much abandoned. I did see a sign say “Church Street Improvement Coming Soon,” so maybe in a few years it will be successfully revitalized.

While some of Church Street has seen better days, the Church Street Market is thriving and does have open businesses. I did not go into any of them, but it did make for a good place to take photos.

History Center

On Tuesday, Dad and I went to the Orange County Regional History Center. The History Center is conveniently a couple blocks away from Lake Eola Park. Be aware that at certain times people are not allowed on Heritage Square Park in front of the museum, or else security will scold you.

Statue of Man Sitting On an Alligator

The History Center provided a fascinating look at the history of Orlando and Orange County. I learned so many new things, such as how ranching once played an important role in Central Florida’s economy. There’s also a section devoted to the history of the Disney Theme Parks, which is not something one normally finds in a local history museum.

Conclusion

Overall, I enjoyed seeing a side of Orlando that is usually forgotten about in the popular consciousness. I hope this blog post shines a light on this mostly unknown side of Orlando. So next time you plan on visiting Orlando, consider taking time out of your trip to visit the Downtown area. As for what I did on Monday, you will have to come back to look at my blog post about EPCOT.

Much of Downtown Orlando is pretty walkable, but you would need to drive to exploring the greater Orlando area. The Farmers Market at Lake Eola Park happens every Sunday from 10:00-3:00, more information found here. The Orange County Regional History Center is open everyday and is a five minute walk from the Lake Eola Park’s bandshell.

Restaurant Recommendations

Metro Espresso Pizza: My mother and sister discovered Metro Espresso Pizza while moving my sister and has become a favorite place. They serve very good pizza and other Italian dishes that my sister recommends.

Taco Kat

Taco Kat: As Dad and I were leaving that Tuesday, we needed a convenient location to eat lunch and say goodbye to my sister. As Taco Kat is only steps away from the History Center, we decided to go there. They serve good tacos and quesadillas.

Other Things to Do

Whether you want to take a vacation to Orlando without going to the Theme Parks or just want to add another stop to your vacation, I offer extra thing to do below. Here are some places I have been on a previous trip 15 years ago, or wished to go to on this trip in the greater Orlando area. All three museums closed on Monday.

Mennello Museum of American Art: I went to this Museum back when it was called the Earl Cunningham Museum. It still showcases his artwork (in the folk style), as well as works from other artists. Check out the giant tree in front of the Museum while you’re there. EST 10 minutes drive from Downtown.

Orlando Museum of Art: This Museum showcases American art from the 19th and 20th century. It also has a collection of African and Mesoamerican Art. EST 11 minutes drive from Downtown.

Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens: This Museum showcases the sculptures of Albin Polasek, as well as goes over his life. I still think about the story about him waiting 40 years to marry his first wife, then remarrying again a year after her death. EST 20 minutes drive from Downtown.

Nature: There is plenty of nature parks in the greater Orlando area so I will list them in order from closest to furthest from Downtown Orlando. In order: Wekiwa Springs State Park, Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve, Seminole State Forest, Little Big Econ State Park, Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Trailhead, and Lake Louisa State Park.

Sports: My sister would like me to mention that the Kia Center and the Inter&Co Stadium are within walking distance from each other. If you are staying in a Downtown hotel, one could easily walk to both places within 20 minutes or so.
June 1, 2026