An Overnight in Celebration, FL

Description:

This hotel is as picture-perfect as the town that surrounds it. Its three-story, wood-frame design is straight out of 1920s Florida, as is its interior. A lovely dark wood bar is set just off to the right as you enter, and the lobby is filled with antiques and artwork, creating a warm inviting "old Florida" atmosphere. The beautifully decorated rooms have incredibly comfortable beds; to enjoy a soothing view, ask for a lakefront room. The upscale ambience caters to adults, especially those seeking a romantic getaway. The only drawback: You'll have to deal with the traffic on U.S. 192 to get anywhere.

Our Local Expert Says:

best Sangria! Columbia's renowned sangria is prepared tableside with bubbly champagne, brandy, liqueur, and citrus juices.

Description:

In 1997, the oldest restaurant chain in the state of Florida opened its 6th location in Celebration, Florida. Serving Spanish/Cuban cuisine in a lively and eclectic environment, Columbia has quickly become a favorite local spot. Southern Living Magazine agreed when it chose Columbia as their "Favorite Romantic Restaurant" in 2004.

Columbia is rich in history and tradition. Founded in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez Sr., today, all seven Columbia Restaurants are owned and operated by 4th and 5th generation members of the Hernandez Gonzmart family. The menu and setting are evidence that the family has worked hard to maintain their proud heritage.

A good way to start off is by ordering sangria and the Tapas. The sangria is prepared tableside to maximize the experience. For something different, try the white sangria (Sangria de Cava), which is a mix of bubbly champagne, brandy, liqueur, and citrus juices. Tapas are perfect for sharing with the entire table. These Spanish appetizers, though generally quite small, can form an entire meal when many are ordered together. This way you can sample and share a number of interesting dishes. Make sure you rely on your server to help make your choice from the many entrée possibilities. Those unfamiliar with Spanish/Cuban cuisine may find the menu a little overwhelming. Whatever you choose, you can be sure that the entree portions will be large and the food will be excellently prepared.

You definitely can't lose with the Paella, Columbia's Original "1905 Salad," or the Red Snapper "Adelita." Choose from the outstanding collection of Spanish wines, a collection that has won the restaurant the Awards of Excellence from Wine Spectator three years in a row. Finish the meal by sharing one of the many desserts, such as the generously portioned White Chocolate Bread Pudding,
Godiva Chocolate Cake, or the renowned Crema Catalana.

After dinner, you can take a stroll through the pretty downtown area of Celebration or relax in one of the
rocking chairs overlooking the lake. Fabulous food, attentive service, old-world ambiance and excellent
location make this one of my favorite romantic spots in Central Florida.

Our Local Expert Says:

Wonderful starlit ride through Celebration's lovely streets

Description:

Misty Blue Acres Carriage Company is The Official Carriage Company For Celebration, Florida. Find the office south of Orlando in Saint Cloud, or make reservations for a weekend ride in the nearby beautiful and tranquil town of Celebration. Rides are offered Friday and Saturday nights as well as Sunday afternoons. Choose from a one or two horse-drawn carriage ride between two elite teams of Percheron horses for a romantic ride just for two, or make arrangements for a special group or family ride. Misty Blue Acres Carriage Company also provides pony rentals, hayrides and sleigh rides for birthday parties, holidays or other special occasions. -Diane Dilov-Schultheis

Description:

Pleasantville literally came to life in 1996 with the creation of the Town of Celebration. As eerie as this might sound, this quaint little town is tucked just far back enough from Disney and its related tourist hot spots to make it a quiet place to spend an afternoon or evening. Start your visit by heading down to Market Street, where you'll find lots of parking on the adjacent streets. If you plan to stay for dinner, you can make a reservation at one of the many great restaurants. Columbia is my favorite,
but there is also Seito Sushi, Cafe D'Antonio, Market Street Café, as well as a few other great restaurants. Then you can spend a couple of hours prior to your reservation exploring the town.

One option for exploring Celebration is renting a NEV – Neighborhood Electronic Vehicle – from Wheelz of Celebration. Much like a golf cart, you can drive around at a pretty good speed. So many of Celebration's residents own NEVs that the town created NEV parking spaces around Market and Front Street. From the comfort of your NEV you can check out the hundreds of beautiful houses, stunningly decorated during the holiday season. Make sure you head over to Eastlawn Drive where you'll see some spectacular multimillion-dollar homes.

Another option for exploring is by foot. Celebration is a very walk-able community, with sidewalks on every street and wooden boardwalks throughout. Boardwalks lead through wetland areas where you might catch a glimpse of the many forms of wildlife that also make their home here. There have been many sightings of deer, turkey, and even alligators. Your last option, and my personal favorite, is to take a horse-drawn carriage ride from Front Street and around the main village. For a nominal fee, you can take a romantic, 20-minute ride while you admire the manicured lawns and traditional architecture.

For those interested in a little window-shopping, there are lots of interesting shops throughout the Market Street area. You'll also find the AMC Theater, designed by Cesar Pelli and inspired by the Cathay Circle Cinema in LA, where Walt Disney premiered Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937.

After dinner, head over to one of the many cafes and listen to jazz or grab a latte from Starbucks and relax in a rocking chair next to Lake Celebration. You may also want to visit Celebration Hotel. Their beautiful lobby bar is the perfect setting to enjoy a cocktail. This boutique hotel sits just on the edge of downtown and is decorated brilliantly with original art and interesting furniture. Not a bad idea for an overnight if you're looking for a romantic getaway.

There are many events throughout the year to be aware of, including The Taste of Celebration (November), The Celebration Spring Art Festival (April), and The Celebration 4th of July Festival. Visit www.celebrationfl.com to learn more about these and other great events. No detail was overlooked when this community was designed. The intention was to create a cozy, safe, hometown feel and this is exactly what you'll find. Even if this community is not somewhere you'd like to live, you'll still admire the amount of thought and planning that has gone into every aspect of Celebration.

Description:

Find this friendly tavern in the heart of the Celebration area just a little south and west of Orlando. Step inside and feel like you are far away from central Florida in an authentic New England tavern. Celebration Town Tavern is both a restaurant and tavern offering a family-friendly, welcoming atmosphere in nautical surroundings. Choose from menu selections such as sandwiches, burgers, appetizers, soups (clam chowder), salads and fresh tasty specials and seafood items like Maine lobster roll, Massachusetts's clams, the meatloaf stacker and fish 'n' chips. Choose from indoor, lounge or outside seating. Drink selections consist of beer, wine and specialty drinks from the fully stocked bar. - Diane Dilov-Schultheis

Description:

Located across from a lake wholly created by Walt Disney World as a social experiment, this restaurant features yellow walls, white tablecloths, metal lamps and both indoor and outdoor dining. An antipasto for two boasts shrimp and calamari. Pasta options include fish and shellfish served over linguini. Veal Chops are featured, as they rarely are in Italian restaurants. Other options include Spaghetti with Pesto Sauce and a personal white pizza. There's a full bar and a small dessert menu with traditional favorites including cheesecake.