By Cassady Quintana
If you needed another reason to love living in Orlando, here it is: we just ranked third in WalletHub’s list of Best Cities for Recreation.
Out of 100 of the largest cities in the country, Orlando came in near the top, beating out places like San Francisco, Austin, and Denver. The study looked at everything from park space and sports venues to food festivals and affordability. And while we all know about the theme parks, it turns out there’s a whole lot more that makes Orlando one of the best places to play.
Of course, Disney and Universal get a lot of the attention (and deservedly so), but WalletHub pointed out that we also have one of the highest numbers of water parks, boat tours, zoos, aquariums, and water sports spots per capita. You can go paddle-boarding in the morning, hit up the zoo in the afternoon, and catch an Orlando City game in the evening, all without leaving the city limits.
Orlando also shines when it comes to outdoor space. We rank among the top cities in the U.S. for sports venues per capita and recreation centers, plus we’re 11th in the nation for the percentage of city land that’s designated parkland. Varying from neighborhood parks to large urban green spaces, there’s no shortage of room to get outside, get moving, or just relax. Check out this list of parks in your area!
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Lake Eola Park – Downtown Orlando
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Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake – Southwest Orlando
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Harry P. Leu Gardens – Audubon Park/Garden District
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Mead Botanical Garden – Winter Park
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Blue Jacket Park – Baldwin Park
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Cypress Grove Park – Edgewood/South Downtown
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Loch Haven Park – North of Downtown Orlando
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Shingle Creek Regional Park – Southwest Orlando/near International Drive
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Blanchard Park – East Orlando
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Split Oak Forest – Southeast Orlando (near Lake Nona)
But it’s not just about physical activity, recreation here includes good food and local flavor, too. Orlando ranks high for its number of affordable, highly-rated restaurants, as well as ice cream and frozen yogurt shops, and we’re eighth in the country for food festivals.
It’s not lost on us locals that recreation in Orlando is more than just an occasional treat, it’s part of our daily life. You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy the city, and that’s a big reason why so many people choose to call it home.
So next time someone asks what you love about living in Orlando, feel free to tell them it’s because we’re one of the best cities in the country for enjoying life, and now we’ve got the stats to prove it.
Read the full report by Wallet Hub here
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