Last Updated on April 22, 2024
Looking for fun things to do in Maitland? We’ve got you covered!
Located in the Greater Orlando area, bordering Winter Park, Altamonte Springs and Eatonville, there are many authentic things to do in Maitland, a quaint city full of Florida history.
Despite its proximity to a bigger city, Maitland manages to have a down-home feel (although it is changing fairly rapidly). It’s full of excellent museums, stunning nature walks, a classic citrus stand, and fantastic places to eat.
Check out the top things to do in Maitland:
Visit the Art & History Museums of Maitland
Did you know that the small city of Maitland is home to a group of five museums? They are divided into two campuses: The Packwood and Lake Lily Campus.
The Packwood Campus
The Packwood Campus includes the Maitland Art Center, Maitland Historical Museum, and the Telephone Museum.
The Lake Lily Campus
The Lake Lily Campus includes the Waterhouse Residence Museum and the Carpentry Shop Museum.
NOTE: Waterhouse Residence Museum is currently closed for renovations.
They are also called the Art & History Museums of Maitland and include:
- The Maitland Art Center – W Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL 32751
- Maitland Historical Museum – 231 W Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL 32751
- Waterhouse Residence Museum – 820 Lake Lily Dr, Maitland, FL 32751
- Carpentry Shop Museum – 820 Lake Lily Drive, Maitland FL 32751
- The Telephone Museum – 221 E Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL 32751
Maitland Art Center
The Maitland Art Center has been open since 1937 and was started by American Artist and Architect André Smith.
The architecture is in the stunning aesthetic style of “Mayan Revival”, and is one of the few surviving samples of this in the Southeast area.
This was one of the main reasons the Maitland Art Center is the only National Historic Landmark in Central Florida.
In addition to hosting art exhibitions with beautiful contemporary art, the Art Center has two residency programs for professional artists, with a significant emphasis on art instruction.
Check with the Maitland Art Center for details on their current exhibit.
Address: W Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL 32751
Tickets to the museums are $6, Seniors (65+) and Children (5-17) $5,
Maitland Residents, Military Personnel, Maitland Seniors, are $5. Children (under 5) are free.
The campuses are closed on Mondays.
Maitland Historical Center
At the Maitland Historical Center, you can discover the rich history of Maitland and its similarities to the American experience.
Check with the History Center for details on the current exhibit.
Address: 231 W Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL 32751
Waterhouse Residence Museum – Currently Closed for Renovations
The Waterhouse Residence Museum was the family home of pioneer settler and builder William H. Waterhouse in 1884.
The house has been restored to the time of the Waterhouse family and the lifestyle the middle-class enjoyed during the late Victorian era.
Make sure to take the guided tour to be transported back to 1884, when staircases were built from Florida’s heart of pine, visitors arrived with calling cards, and you could smell the nearby orange groves.
Address: 820 Lake Lily Dr, Maitland, FL 32751
Carpentry Shop Museum
William Waterhouse also built his very own woodworking and construction business in 1883, which now serves as the site of the Carpentry Shop Museum. This shop was where William and his son Charles built most of their family home.
The shop has now been restored, and you can view a collection of woodworking tools that were popular during the turn of the twentieth century, some of which were owned by the Waterhouses.
Address: 820 Lake Lily Drive, Maitland FL 32751
The Telephone Museum
This museum takes you on a journey of communication, technology, and the history of the telephone.
For example, you’ll learn about local Winter Park resident Carl Galloway who placed phones in the homes of his best grocery store customers to improve orders.
There are also interactive, hands-on displays and exhibits where you can try to work a switching station and see how communication has changed over time.
Address: 221 E Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL 32751
Take a Walk Around Lake Lily
If you’re looking for a peaceful and serene walk, make sure to stop by Lake Lily.
This paved 0.4-mile path around Lake Lily is perfect for a stroll through nature. Not only will you get your steps in, but you’ll also be able to see turtles, birds, ducks, and even baby ducklings at times.
Lake Lily is also home to art festivals and other special events throughout the year.
Address: 701 Lake Lily Dr, Maitland, FL 32751
To keep up with events in Maitland, click on the It’s My Maitland website.
Fly Over to the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey
Did you know that Maitland is home to its own birds of prey rehabilitation center? The restored lakefront bungalow, located on Lake Sybella, is a two-story wood-framed house.
It is one of the few remaining architectural styles of its kind.
The Florida Audubon Society purchased the house which serves as a meeting place, office, and gift shop for Audubon.
In the 1970s, the gift shop manager Doris Mager began caring for sick and injured birds brought in by the community. Eventually, the center transitioned to the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in October of 1979.
You’ll see bald eagles, hawks, owls, and many other birds as they receive care, and learn more about these grandiose birds.
The birds that can fly are kept in large pens similar to their natural environment. The more seriously injured or young birds are kept in the infirmary, which has viewing windows.
The entire staff at the Audubon Center is extremely knowledgeable and happy to teach you about these beautiful birds.
Tickets are $8 for visitors above the age of 3, and anyone below the age of 3 is free. You can also purchase a family annual pass (for a family of 5) for $50, or an individual annual pass for $30.
Don’t miss their annual Baby Owl Shower!
Address: 1101 Audubon Way, Maitland, FL 32751
Catch a Flick at the Enzian Theater
Home of the Florida Film Festival and the Eden Bar, the Enzian is Central Florida’s only full-time alternative cinema.
What makes the Enzian unique is its single-screen theater that offers mainly independent and foreign films. Even better – you can enjoy dinner during the movie with table service for a perfect fusion of food and film.
You can also dine or enjoy a cocktail outside at the Eden Bar for lunch or dinner, or before/after a film. 🎥
Founded in 1985, the Enzian showed six to twelve classic films weekly. It also hosted a live show every once in a while.
By 1989, the theater began showing independent films, which was risky since no other theater in the area offered these types of selections.
However, the independent films were a huge success, and the Enzian often has the highest grosses in Florida for art-house releases.
Enzian earned a well-deserved national reputation, and the Florida Film Festival is known for its top-notch programming selections and VIP celebrity guests.
Prices for movies at The Enzian are $12.50 for a regular ticket, $11 for students, seniors, and military, $10 for a matinee, and $9.50 for Enzian Film Society members.
However, the ticket doesn’t include your delicious meal (check out the menu on the Enzian Website)!
Address: 1300 Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751
Grab a Delicious Meal at Kappy’s Subs or Mediterranean Street Food
Maitland is full of delicious restaurants. We narrowed it down to just two of our favorite places to grab a quick bite!
It’s hard to visit Maitland without picking up a sub at Kappy’s Subs (we’re big fans of the grilled ham & cheese sub).
Looking at the outside of Kappy’s, you would have no idea that this no-frills diner would have some of the best food in the Maitland area.
Kappy’s is the definition of a classic American restaurant. It has been family-owned and operated since 1967.
Kappy’s is known for its made-to-order cheesesteaks. However, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. (Did we mention we love their grilled ham & cheese sub?)
From cold and hot subs, hot dogs, burgers, chicken, fries, onion rings, milkshakes, and even breakfast sandwiches, there is something for everyone at this delicious small diner with outdoor picnic tables and a take-out window.
Kappy Subs Address: 501 N Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751
Another one of our favorite Maitland food stops is Mediterranean Street Food, located in the parking lot of The Village Plaza.
It is hard to miss this small building. It is brightly colored and adorned with beautiful paintings, of planets, mushrooms, a forest, and more.
Named the Best Parking Lot Diner in Orlando (by Orlando Weekly’s readers), Mediterranean Street Food offers delicious, fresh, and authentic Mediterranean cuisine.
You can always count on their dishes using the freshest ingredients from family recipes handed down for generations. On our latest visit, we even saw “Momma” herself preparing our meals.
Ask about the specials, and don’t miss their falafel.
Mediterranean Street Food Address: 118 Lake Ave, Maitland, FL 32751
Shop at the Sunday Maitland Farmer’s Market
The Maitland Farmer’s Market has left Lake Lily and is located at 1776 Independence Lane, Maitland, FL 32751, next to City Hall.
On Sundays from 9 am to 1:30 pm, Independence Lane transforms into a bustling farmer’s market where you can enjoy a wide array of vendors from produce, coffee, art, cosmetics, sweets, bread, honey, and more.
Address: 1776 Independence Ln, Maitland, FL 32751
Check out our list of our favorite farmer’s markets throughout Florida.
When in Season, Visit Hollieanna Groves
This citrus store and packing house in Maitland grows, picks, and packs their very own fruit.
This 3rd generation, small, family-owned and operated store has been in the area since 1952, serving delicious red navels, tangerines, tangelos, grapefruit, and more!
After the fruit is picked, it is transported to Hollieanna Groves in old-fashioned wood field boxes.
The store was first started by Hollie and Anna Oakley. In1954, Glenn Lingle purchased the store from them and ran it along with his wife and their four children.
Today, three of the Lingle children run the day-to-day operations of Hollieanna Groves.
You can sample fresh oranges, grapefruit, and freshly squeezed orange juice (unpasteurized and free of additives), and the citrus store also sells jellies, dressings, honey, candy, and lots of fun, authentic Florida products!
Remember that Hollieanna Groves is only open when the citrus is in season — November through April from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday.
Hollieanna Groves Address: 540 Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751
Fun Florida Historical Fact: Maitland was once called Fumecheliga (Musk Mellon Place) by the Seminole Indians before it was established as Fort Maitland in 1838 by the U.S. Army.
Here are a few other fun places to visit near Maitland:
I have lived in Maitland for many years and agree with you. It not only is a great place to bring up kids, but has many fun activities. I love to take my out of state grandchildren to the Birds of Prey, walking around Lake Lily, trying new restaurants and seeing a movie at the Enzian theater.
I have lived here for four years and even though I walk away clearly I have never been to any of those five museums that you listed. I need to get out it. The birds of prey is a great place especially for kids to learn and copies is a favorite for sure but a new restaurant that is one of our favorites if not our favorite is the Sanford Brewing Company Maitland on independence Lane near City Hall. Excellent beer and good food.
Thanks for this beautifully written tour – I’m so glad I live in Maitland!❤️