Besides a private boat, there is no better way to explore the beautiful lakes and canals of Winter Park! Here is what you need to know: - Time Investment: One Hour (In my opinion, the perfect amount of time) - Investment: $20 for adults, $10 for children. Truly a deal and enjoyable for all ages. - What you will see/learn: If you like history, nature, or just getting a really good tan you will not be disappointed. The true highlight was getting all the tea about the beautiful houses that line the canal and their owners. - Tips: Bring water, sunscreen, and a good hat. If you are hard of hearing, sit near the front. There is a bathroom right before you purchase the tickets and a small covered seated area if you come early. The ride is very gentle and my four year old took a nice little nap as soon as the motor started running. It can get really hot so I recommend booking an early or late afternoon tour if you are sensitive to the sun. We all had lots of fun. read more

My mom absolutely LOVED this! We brought her for her birthday and she had the best time! Firstly, I recommend getting there with plenty of time to park and check-in. The tours are on a first come, first serve basis and leave every hour on the hour. One of the canals was closed for construction when we went but it was truly still so lovely. Our tour guide provided so much history and information! Pro-Tip: SUNSCREEN, handheld fans and water. The boats are not covered and it can get very hot. They do not allow umbrellas for cover. This tour has been around for a while and I can't believe this was my first time taking one. I absolutely had the best time. Looking forward to bringing more visitors to do something so very central Florida! It's grand! read more

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We had the pure pleasure of taking this boat tour in Winter Park while visiting our daughter in Orlando. We so enjoyed it! The ride between lakes was relaxing and so informative. Our guide knew so much of the history of the area. Would highly recommend! read more

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This is a great way to learn a little about Winter Park. Our captain was funny and knowledgable. Ask for T3! It's about an hour boat ride. Be prepared with water or your favorite hydration beverage. Highly recommend a hat and sunscreen. read more

We picked a perfect day for the scenic Winter Park boat tour. Although I've never seen it advertised it seems very popular with a lot of people waiting to board. I wore sneakers to make sure I could board easily but the pontoon boats fit so neatly with the dock that flip flops wouldn't be a problem. Our tour guide Kevin was knowledgeable and interesting. Loved hearing about the houses and their history. Fun day, do it. read more

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This is one of the cutest and coolest things I've done in Florida! I am easy to please. You just take a good old placid lake tour (with the gators) on Lake Osceola with a country captain that provides both facts and minor comedy along the way. It's exactly an hour long, and exactly $20 after tax for adult entry ($10 children, who are required to wear life jackets). If you've been on boat tours in Chicago, this definitely seemed similar, but in a contrasting rural/suburban environment. The boat went pretty fast through the lake, and the ride through the canals was quite interesting, especially when there were kayakers in the way. If you're on the side of the boat, there may be some low hanging branches that come at you. If you find yourself in or near Winter Park, I'd take the scenic boat tour here. They are generally open every day of the year except Christmas, and run every hour until 4pm. I suggest showing up early as crowds form closer to the hour, and you will be called up to sit based on when you've purchased the ticket. Get your photo in with the boat tour sign before other people show up and do the same. There's a whole area of residential parking right before the entrance to the docks. Protip, make sure you have good sunblock on and wear sunglasses, because the sun WILL be shining on you. If I ride with them again, I hope I get closer to the front next time! It's a pretty relaxing activity. read more

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This is a perfect event with your family especially the elderly. It's a slower pace, smooth, and informative boat ride. We went through a couple canals and serval lakes that set front to the most beautiful houses owned by celebrities of different genres. It was $20 per person (no tax added) for an hour tour. We definitely got a bang for our buck! read more

Scenic Boat Tour - Just a taste of what the properties look like - Boat Tours Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

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I took my work team on the Scenic Boat Tour for a retreat day and it was exactly what we needed after the crazy year end season. We went on a weekday and parking was a challenge to find, so we missed the scheduled tour at the top of the hour, but thankfully there was plenty of people wanting a tour that they sent out a second boat for us! We went through the Winter Park chain of lakes and our guide pointed out interesting facts and information about the houses around the lakes. It was a gorgeous day and it felt so relaxing to be out on the water! I highly recommend checking out the Scenic Boat Tour with friends, family or even your corporate team. It's a wonderful experience and so fun to learn more about our local area! read more

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This narrated hour long open air pontoon ride is through the lakes and canals in Winter Park showcases the wildlife, historic mansions and homes and Rollins College. The tours run hourly from 10am to 4pm daily. Tickets must be purchased in person at the ticket booth and is first come first serve. The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children 2-11. The boat ride was informative, scenic and relaxing. We arrived around 9:30am and were able to take one of the several 10am boats. Free parking at the end of the street and restrooms available at the dock. This tourist activity is a must do in the Orlando area. read more

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The Scenic Boat Tour in Winter Park is wonderful. I attempted to go on a grey and kind of rainy day, so the tours were paused and I had to go back the following week. I am so glad that I went back when the sun was shining because it made the tour so much better to be out on the water when it was warm. You have to purchase tickets at the dock on the day of your boat tour. You will have some time between purchasing your tickets and taking your tour, so you can either sit by the dock, or explore Park Ave. The tour itself takes 18 passengers and the guide is informative about the lakes and canals, which is cool. It really is scenic, beautiful and relaxing! read more

Had a great afternoon with my sister! She suggested a boat tour and it turned out better than I had anticipated! Overall it was very interesting! Met a great boat host/operator and we got to discuss food, travel, football and right the I knew this was going to be a a good time. Although we didn't get him on our boat we did have a wonderful operator who was very well spoken and gave provided some interesting details! read more

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I enjoyed this tour! The man giving the tour was knowledgeable of the area and the homes. There is no shade on this boat so make sure to bring a hat, water and wear sunscreen if you burn. There are moments when the boat goes fast so make sure your hat is secure and won't blow away. read more

I went on a boat tour recently and it was so much fun and a relaxing way to spend some of the day! You cannot book in advance so be sure to give yourself time for parking and waiting in line. The tour guides are very nice and knowledgeable. I also thought I had lost my bag here (I didn't) and they were so helpful with looking for my lost item and even called back to follow up later that day. Definitely recommend and would do it again! read more

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An absolute must-do when you're in the Park Ave area! I don't know how many times I've done this tour now (10? More?) but it never gets old and I love bringing friends and family to show them the beautiful lakes of Winter Park. You'll not only see the beautiful sites but also learn a bit about the local history. I love that this is such a long-running local institution that operates basically everyday (except Christmas and during serious storms). The guides are always entertaining and knowledgeable. Please don't forget to tip - if you don't have cash, they now have handy Venmo codes! Another tip - the boats are open air with no cover, so definitely apply some sunscreen or wear a hat if it's a sunny day! read more

Scenic Boat Tour - Boat Tours Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

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We live in Jacksonville. My wife and I did this scenic boat tour about two years ago and had so much fun! We love seeing the beautiful homes and canals that connect each lake. Our oldest daughter was traveling with us during this trip and surprised her by taking her on this boat tour. She loved it as well. If you are ever in the Winter Park area you MUST do this boat tour. * Tours leave promptly on the hour and last approximately 50 minutes. * The tour guides / boat operators are a wealth of information about the area and the homes on the lake. Definitely highly recommend this boat tour! Great experience and great value. read more

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Tucked away on a dead end street, this tour boat company provided us with a relaxing ride and provided fun facts about the homes we saw. Our trip included going through hand-dug canals. Our guide was informative and fun. My only nit, our tour didn't last the full hour. It was more like 50 minutes. read more

Scenic Boat Tour - Lake view from dock. - Boat Tours Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

I've been enjoying this since I was a kid, and still enjoy it into my 30s.. it is relaxing and beautiful way to explore Winter Park! The tour takes you through scenic lakes and canals with incredible views of historic homes, tropical foliage, and Rollins College. Our guide was friendly and full of interesting local facts--just the right balance of fun and informative. The boats are comfortable, and the one-hour ride is perfect for all ages. Whether you're a visitor or a local, this is a must-do experience that really shows off the charm of Winter Park! read more

Great tour that lasts about 45 minutes- 1 hour for $20/adult after the taxes and everything! It was a nice daytime activity to bring my family to so we could show them some of the architecture and history of Winter Park. The tour goes through 3 lakes and 2 canals. There's free parking there! The tours leave every hour on the hour with a couple sprinkled in-between. Definitely get there a little early because the boats fill up pretty quickly. It's first come first serve and the boats can hold about 18 people. I learned a lot and I would absolutely do this again :) the skippers are great as well! read more

My 1st visit to Lake Oceola was a great one that included the scenic boat tour ride. Staff was courteous, friendly, knowledgeable and professional. Beautiful lake water landscape to see and learn some history of the area. I'm Looking forward to visit the area again and enjoy the boat tour ride too! read more

This has been on my list since seeing it on an Instagram reel. You can kayak but I definitely recommend the boat as it's a little faster and the breeze feels great. Our tour guide was very informative on the lakes and the different houses and history of the area. A really beautiful spot. You can't make reservation ahead so get there early! Luckily it was so busy when we went they opened a second time slot in the morning. read more

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I'm pretty sure I've reviewed this before, but because this is a Winter Park favorite, I'm happy to say again how wonderful this 45 minute boat tour is. Reasonably priced with daily hours and tours every hour, this is a wonderful way to start the day in Winter Park. The tour takes you by beautiful homes and into to canals that are between beautiful homes. The boat houses located along the canal range from modern, to a couple of originals. Bring a hat & glasses, sit back, enjoy the ride and great narration from your captain. read more

My husband and I had the opportunity to experience this tour, we have been hearing about it for years and finally, we did it! We're pleased to say that we were very happy with the tour and the tour guide, we definitely lucked out on the weather, it was the best! The tour guide is very knowledgeable about things in the lake, stories about some lake homes, and about the area in general that makes the tour very educational and at the same time very relaxing! Either if you're looking to do this for fun, take some people from work as an activity, or family is an awesome option. We went on the last slot so we were able to see the sunset. My mom and her friend just visited and they did this and also they had a lot of fun and enjoyed it. It's about our two hour and 20 minute ride! read more

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This was a nice tour. The lakes and canals are beautiful, and the history of the surround homes and historic homes was interesting. read more

Scenic Boat Tour - Boat Tours Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

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What a fun little adventure right in the middle of Winter Park. We were a group of four friends on a girls weekend looking for some local flavor. The boats leave every hour and for $20 you can't go wrong. Find out about the chain of lakes surrounding the area and see some amazing homes and scenery and Rollins College. Our driver was Wendell and he had the stories and jokes to make the hour go by fast and enjoyable. If you're wondering where the rich live this is a view into the backyards of gorgeous lakefront estates. The stories are interesting and the views are great. Depending on the temps it can windy or cooler on the water. Highly recommend! read more

Scenic Boat Tour - Boat Tours Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

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The Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour is everything! I forgot my tour guide's name but he was hilarious. I was entertained the entire time - learning the history and enjoying the beautiful scenery. This activity is definitely a must do in Orlando! read more

A really cool way to see houses and sites that are not visible from the road! Our guide was friendly and very knowledgeable. The pace was appropriate. Getting tickets and getting on and off the boat was easy and well organized. Bring your own sun screen. read more

Very relaxing and informative tour. The crew and all involved here great and personable

5 Stars for a wonderful way to spend an hour in Winter Park! The Winter Park Boat Tour runs 364 days a year (all but Christmas day) and as the weather cools down, this is the time to enjoy it. What: This is a pontoon boat tour of the channel of lakes around Winter Park. It takes your through small, charming channels that are surrounded by boat houses and gorgeous homes, as well as the open lakes where you get to see how the 1% live. Besides gawking and picking your dream home, the guide will take you on a voyage through history to point out notable sites (ex: Mr. Rogers' home). The tour guides clearly love their jobs because they are always so funny and informative! How: You don't have to make a reservation for these tours, just show up by the small dock (plenty of parking) and go to the ticket window to purchase your $15 ticket to ride. From there they will call you up to join the next tour. My understanding is they can do private tours for groups, but I may be wrong about that. My suggestion? Don't go during the hot summer months. There is no covering and you will burn. I opted to go on a beautiful day (highs in the low 70s) and it could not have been more amazing. Also- hold on to your hats! read more

Scenic Boat Tour - Boat Tours Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

Captain Tom "Cruise" made our Saturday so much fun! From telling the best dad jokes to giving us incredible history fun facts of the area, this is definitely a perfect activity for friends, couples or solo! read more

Scenic Boat Tour - Boat Tours Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

This a great and fun trip for locals and tourists alike. The boat captains are all very knowledgeable and they tell you about some very interesting history including past famous authors celebrities and more that lived on the water there. The trip costs around 20$ for an hour per person and is absolutely worth it. The captains accept tips via Zelle, cash app and cash of course. Was surprised to find out that this was one of the very first tourist attractions in Florida. Enjoy! read more

Lovely boat tour of lakes and canals in Winter Park. Skipper Mickey was very thorough on our tour, and gave us lots of history tidbits about the beautiful houses on the water. I loved hearing about Mr. Rogers and his history in the area. Fun for nature and history lovers alike. read more

Scenic Boat Tour - Boat Tours Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

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We went today with some visitors. Don was great and fun. He was very knowledgeable about the lakes and Winter Park and Rollins history. read more

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We had such a fantastic time on this tour! Going into it, we had no idea so many lakes were connected throughout winter park! The scenery was absolutely beautiful, and our tour guide had so much information and delivered it in a fun manner. The price was reasonable at $15 per person, and it didn't feel rushed or crowded at all. Just an overall great experience and a nice way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon. read more

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This boat tour is an institution--it has been running daily except for severe weather and Christmas for decades! It's a lovely relaxing way to see the sights of a beautiful neighborhood in the Orlando area and learn a thing or two about its history as well. I've done it several times and it's always a must-do when I'm visiting! read more

Not a 3 hour tour, only one but all around the lakes and through the canals. Very cool and relaxing. Our captain was informative and fun. Definitely worth it if you are visiting Winter Park. read more

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The tour takes you through three of the seven lakes in Winter Park, as well as two narrow man-made canals. Along the way, you'll see some of the city's most famous landmarks, including the Rollins College campus, the Winter Park Marina, and the Morse Museum of American Art. The tour is narrated by a knowledgeable guide who will tell you about the history of Winter Park and the different points of interest you see along the way. The tour is also a great opportunity to see some of the local wildlife, including alligators, turtles, and birds. The Scenic Boat Tour is a great way to spend a few hours in Winter Park. It's a relaxing and informative way to see the city's beauty. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Winter Park. The only drawback would be that there might be a long wait before you can hop on an available boat and there are no reservations. read more

We had an amazing time on our scenic boat tour! Our guide Keith was very kind, informative, and had a nice dry sense of humor. It was a beautiful day and we loved being out on the water. The sights are beautiful. Definitely worth doing and I would probably do it again. read more

Scenic Boat Tour - Views going through a canal on the scenic boat tour. - Boat Tours Near Me - Winter Park, Florida

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This boat tour takes you throughout Lake Osceola, Lake Virginia and Lake Maitland. It is walking distance from Park Avenue in Winter Park, FL.I enjoyed learning a brief history of The Kraft Azalea Gardens, The Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens and Rollins College.The guide gave me a quick shout out because I graduated Rollins College.I love this boat tour. read more

A must do if you are in the area! I have seen tons of "hidden Florida" videos and blogs and this Scenic Boat Tour in Winter Park is ALWAYS on the list! A true gem. And hour tour through 3 lakes and 2 canals with wonderful local and historic facts to entertain. We happened to go on a gorgeous day! They can sell out for time slots and it's cash only- my advise, pick a time and go first thing in the morning to book your slot. Parking is limited, and a bear- so arrive early to secure a parking spot, especially if you are meeting other there- make sure your entire party arrives early to park. We had 2 groups get pushed because they weren't all present for boarding. This company has things down- they are smoothly running tours in and out between 10am and 4 pm. We had 4 boats going out when we toured. I think we could easily do this tour again in the future! Wonderful staff and great fun on the water! read more

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After a couple of days at Universal, my mom, stepdad, and I decided to spend a day in Winter Park. Our last activity before dinner was a scenic boat tour on the Winter Park chain of lakes. It was amazing, such a wonderful experience - especially on a beautiful day! I highly recommend it - but here are some details I think are important to share. All tours are first come, first serve. Tours leave every hour between 10am and 4pm. It's a popular thing to do on a weekend day when the weather is nice. We showed up twenty minutes before the tour we wanted to be told they only had tickets for the last two tours of the day. So we bought tickets for the last tour of the day, left did some other things, and came back later! Our boat driver was friendly and funny and shared a lot of great info about the lakes system! It was gorgeous out on the lakes and the narrow canals for the boats to pass through were amazing. What a great way to spend an hour in Winter Park! read more

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