Ivanhoe Village Main Street

Encompassing historic neighborhoods, acclaimed dining, cultural venues, specialty shopping, funky street art and lots of indie flair, Ivanhoe Village Main Street is the sort of community that has something for everyone — unless you are looking for the “same old, same old.” It is nestled between downtown Orlando’s core and the vibrant Mills 50 district.

The area is centered by its namesake, Lake Ivanhoe. (Get out and enjoy some paddleboarding on it while you are there.) The surrounding homes are part of the National Register of Historic Places, but despite that designation, this vibrant community does not live in the past. Numerous new restaurants, shops, apartments, condominiums and other construction have sprung up in recent years, with more on the way.

Like most of Orlando’s urban core, Ivanhoe Village is also awash with natural beauty thanks not just to its central lake but to tree-lined streets and a robust parks system that present numerous opportunities for walking and biking. The community connects to the Orlando Urban Trail, a 3-mile path that runs from Lake Highland in Orlando to Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park, including six gorgeous lakes.

Last but not least, Ivanhoe Village features Loch Haven Park. In addition to boasting numerous Orlando cultural venues, the park is hosts the annual Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival — the longest-running fringe fest in the United States.

Yes. Gourmet takes on comfort food classics are integral to Orlando’s homegrown dining scene, and Ivanhoe Village Main Street offers prime examples. One of the area’s newest additions is also one of its most acclaimed: The Pinery, a MICHELIN Recommended restaurant that celebrates Florida’s forgotten history.

Situated on the shores of its namesake lake, Russell’s on Lake Ivanhoe offers upscale casual dining with a fresh, innovative menu, complemented by amazing views. For fresh Mexican, visit Reyes Mezcaleria in the adjacent North Quarter District, headed by Chef Wendy Lopez of Food Network fame.

As good as Ivanhoe Village Main Street’s dining is, the nightlife is even better. Take The Imperial at Washburn Imports, for example. By day, it sells furniture, but at night, it transforms into one of Orlando’s hottest speakeasies, offering a wide range of craft beer, wine and gourmet bites.

Speaking of beer, you can quaff locally crafted brews at Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. and Ten10 Brewing Company, the latter of which straddles the line between Ivanhoe Village and the neighboring Mills 50® district.

Craft beer and wine are both on the menu at Grape & The Grain, which hosts food trucks and live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. Other nightlife standouts in this area include Savoy Orlando, which caters to LGBTQ+ revelers, plus many others.

Yes. For years, Ivanhoe Village Main Street’s primary lakefront shopping district was locally known as Antique Row. Not only can you still get in some quality antiquing when you visit the area, but that retro mindset has influenced many of the newer retail options that evolved with the area’s dining and nightlife.

Officially part of Ivanhoe Village Main Street but also easily accessible from downtown’s Mills 50 district, beautiful Loch Haven Cultural Park is a nexus of art and culture in Orlando. It is anchored by the Orlando Museum of Art, which was founded in 1924 and hosts a dozen or more rotating exhibits every year.

Culture aficionados will find even more to love here, including The Mennello Museum of American Art, Orlando Shakes (aka Orlando Shakespeare Theater), and the headquarters for Orlando Ballet, which performs at downtown Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Loch Haven Park is also home to the STEM-focused Orlando Science Center and the Orlando Family Stage, both of which are geared toward kids and their families. You can even visit the Orlando Fire Museum while you are there.