Central Florida was made for the sports enthusiasts – during most of the year, the weather is perfect for hiking, running, biking and kayaking, and when it’s not, we have plenty of sports teams you can cheer on as a spectator.
Root for your home team: Teams that call Orlando home
Orlando City Soccer Club
Major League Soccer
Season: March through October
Orlando Citrus Bowl
1610 W. Church St.
407-478-4007
Orlando Magic
NBA basketball
Season: October through April
Amway Center
400 W. Church St.
800-745-3000
Orlando Predators
Arena Football League
Season: March through August
Amway Center
400 W. Church St.
407-355-2200
Orlando Solar Bears
East Coast Hockey League
Season: October through April
Amway Center
400 W. Church St.
UCF Knights
NCAA College Football
Season: August through January
Bright House Networks Stadium
University of Central Florida
407-823-1000
BIKING AND HIKING
Cady Way Trail
Entrance is 1/4 mile north of State Route 50 on Herndon Avenue
This 6.5-mile paved path connects Orlando and Winter Park and the Cross Seminole Trail in Seminole County. It features water fountains, rest stops and mile markers, as well as a cool suspension bridge that crosses Semoran Boulevard.
Econ Trail
Dean Road, just north of State Road 50
This ever-expanding trail in East Orlando begins at Jay Blanchard Park and extends all the way to Alafaya Trail. It runs alongside the Little Econlockhatchee River, which offers pretty views and plenty of good spots to fish, canoe or just sit in the grass and enjoy a riverside picnic.
Wekiwa Springs State Park
1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka, 407-884-2008, floridastateparks.org/wekiwasprings
You can canoe or kayak here (rentals are available), but this park also has 13 miles of pristine, wooded hiking, biking and horseback-riding trails. This park is popular, particularly in summer when visitors like to swim in the clear blue spring. When the parking lot fills, the park entrance closes. So get there early.
Rock Springs Run State Reserve
30601 County Road 433, Sorrento, 407-884-2008, floridastateparks.org/rockspringsrun
The park, located about 10 miles west of I-4 on County Road 433, is really just a giant swatch of underdeveloped land. It features 17 miles of multi-use trails.
West Orange Trail
501 Crown Point Cross Road, Winter Garden
This 22-mile trail stretches through Winter Garden, Apopka and Orlando. It's open to walkers and bikers, and some parts are open to horses, too. Four trailheads with parking are located at various points along the way.
BICYCLE SHOPS
Ace Metric
1844 E. Winter Park Road, 407-790-7802, acemetric.blogspot.com
This bike shop rallies cycle enthusiasts from all around and carries cool gear for those on the go, too. The new location, next to Stardust Video & Coffee, is sleek and stylish and industrial.
Kyle's Bike Shop
203 N. Primrose Drive, 407-228-7088, kylesbikeshop.net
Bike sales and service, including repairs and custom wheels. Kyle's also has a parts junkyard, so if something's broken on your bike, they might be able to save you some money on the repair with a gently used part rather than ordering new.
Loco Motion Bikes
1776 Jake St., 407-898-6411, locomotionbikes.com
In addition to sales and demos, this bike shop also offers rentals, a service that's particularly appealing because of its Baldwin Park location, just a leisurely ride away from a paved bike path that winds around Lake Baldwin.
Mr. Bikes n Boards
950 W. State Road 434, Longwood, 407-790-4964, mrbikesnboards.com
This is the former Mesh Skate park owner's store. It leaves the park behind and goes heavy into skateboard and cycle culture. Mr.'s repairs old bikes and sells new ones.
Orange Cycle
2204 Edgewater Drive, 407-422-5552, orangecycleorlando.com
This is the area's largest bike store, and it not only carries cycles, clothing and gear – it's also a hub for the cycling community. This shop holds bicycling events and repair clinics, and its website is full of useful information if you're looking for bike paths or trails.
Ragin Cajun
1809 S. Orange Ave., 407-999-9821, ragincajunbikeshop.com
Commuters, tricycles, mountain bikes, fixies and even unicycles – this family-owned south Orlando bike shop is friendly, full-service and caters to cyclers of all ages and interests.
Retro City Cycles and Greenway Bicycles
1806 N. Orange Ave., 407-895-2700, retrocitycycles.com
The owners of Retro City Cycles don't just run a bike shop – they sort of run a cycling community. They're members of various biking organizations, they helped found women's mountain biking club the Dirty Divas, and they select the bikes they sell in store with the help of customer feedback.
BOOT CAMPS
Bill Bennett Boot Camps
1035 N. Mills Ave., 407-242-5333
Camp Gladiator
Various parks and locations around Orlando, 214-205-1334, campgladiator.com
Forte Fitness Boot Camp
2501 General Rees Ave., 407-340-7618, fortefitness.com
Not Your Average Boot Camp
401 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-865-2876, notyouraveragebootcamp.com
Orlando Fit Body Boot Camp
1223 N. Mills Ave., 407-536-9540, fitobdybootcamp.com
CANOEING AND KAYAKING
Blue Spring State Park
2100 W. French Ave., Orange City, floridastateparks.org/bluespring
Covering more than 2,600 acres, Blue Spring State Park is a designated manatee refuge. It is an excellent place for a swim, paddling or a picnic. During manatee season, mid-November through March, the waterways are closed – you can look at the dozens of manatees that winter here, but you won't be allowed in the water.
Econlockhatchee River
Chuluota, dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/paddle.htm
An absolute jewel hidden at the eastern edge of the Orlando sprawl, the Econ can be easy or difficult, depending on the water levels (high in the summer, low in the spring). Paddlers will be able to catch a glimpse of a diverse array of wildlife from sandhill cranes to bald eagles to bears along the 19-mile stretch.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Near Titusville, fws.gov/merrittisland
This refuge offers somewhat limited paddling opportunities since paddling is not permitted in refuge impoundments, but what is available to paddlers can be spectacular. You might see manatees, scrub jays or an alligator if you're lucky. We also suggest Turnbull Creek and Eddy Creek for paddlers.
Rock Springs Run-Wekiva River
Apopka-DeBary, dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/paddle.htm
Put in at King's Landing near Apopka, if you want to experience the entirety of this 27-mile respite from congestion and travel a designated wild and scenic river right in the heart of the Orlando metro area. Stop at Wekiwa Springs State Park on your way for a swim in the clear blue springs.
1,000 Islands
Cocoa Beach, kayakcocoabeach.com
This site is found on the Banana River in Cocoa Beach. Paddlers often find themselves a bit geographically challenged when they are visiting here, so bring a compass with you.
Bioluminescent Bay
Mosquito Lagoon, near Titusville
If you can't afford to travel to Puerto Rico's famous bioluminescent bay, Florida's Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon come alive with bioluminescence from May through September. The luminescence is caused by dinoflagellates (tiny things you can't see), which glow neon-blue whenever the water is disturbed. Guides are recommended for this paddling adventure, but they are not necessary.
5KS, MARATHONS AND FUN RUNS
Savage Race
March 28-29, 17951 Hamilton Road, Dade City, savagerace.com
This aggressive 6.5-mile race requires participants to conquer 25 insane obstacles with names like the Colon Blow, the Mud and Guts, and the Nutt Smasher.
IOA Corporate 5K
April 16, Lake Eola, Central Boulevard and Eola Drive, corporate5k.com
Insurance Office of America has sponsored this event since its inception 21 years ago; business and nonprofits form teams to participate, and more than 18,000 runners and walkers from 700 organizations participate.
The Color Rave 5K Glow Run
April 18, Bill Frederick Park, 3401 S. Hiawassee Road, thecolorrave.com
Run/dance/walk your way through this nighttime 5K, in which runners are decked out with glow sticks, glowing paint and other glowing gear. Pre-party it up before the race and get decked out for your run, then party at the finish line at the Electric Glow electronic dance party.
Expedition Everest Challenge
May 1-2, Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom Park, rundisney.com
An obstacle-laden 5K race and scavenger hunt that takes place at Animal Kingdom. This is the last chance you'll get to run this race, because this is the final one Disney's planning to host.
Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend
Nov. 6-7, Walt Disney World Resort, rundisney.com
A series of races for runners of all ages, including a Jungle 5K, runDisney kids races and the Wine and Dine half-marathon, which concludes with a finish line party at Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival.
Tough Mudder
Nov. 7-8, Location TBA, toughmudder.com
Hard-core obstacle race along a 10- to 12-mile-long course.
OUC Orlando Half Marathon and Track Shack Lake Eola 5K
Dec. 5, Lake Eola and downtown Orlando, trackshack.com
More than 6,000 runners take to the streets of downtown Orlando for this annual event, which is one of the biggest road events in the Southeast.
Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
Feb. 18-21, 2016, Walt Disney World Resort, rundisney.com
A weekend of "majestic" runs in the Magic Kingdom. Special courses, princess events and Disney princesses along the running route to cheer you on.
SPORTS LEAGUES
8Coed Sports and Social
Soccer, flag football, kickball and softball played in parks around the city. Open to players 18 and older.
Orlando Bike Polo
Drink casually while playing polo on a bike – just be careful, willya?
The Orlando Shuffle
Free shuffleboard games the first Saturday of each month at the Beardall Senior Center, 800 Delaney Ave.
Orlando Sport and Social Club
Fun sports league offers soccer, flag football, sand volleyball, softball, kickball and more. After the game, meet your teammates for a beer at one of the league's sponsoring bars.
WAKA Central Florida Coed Kickball
This World Adult Kickball Association league is open to players 21 years of age and older
XL Soccer
825 Courtland St., 407-641-4791, xlsportsworld.com
Adult and youth indoor and outdoor soccer leagues, offering games for all experience levels. After a game, get a bite and a beer at the Sideline Pub.
YOGA STUDIOS
Bikram Yoga Orlando
3218-B E. Colonial Drive, 407-896-2530, bikramorlando.com
Invigorating 90-minute hot yoga classes are this studio's forte.
College Park Yoga
3029 Edgewater Drive, 407-999-7871, collegeparkyoga.com
This studio teaches ashtanga, vinyasa and power yoga classes, but also offers a yoga-for-wimps beginner class. For those on a tight budget, "community yoga" is offered every Saturday at 9 a.m. for $5.
Full Circle Yoga
972B Orange Ave., Winter Park, 407-644-3288, fullcircleyoga.com
This busy studio offers classes seven days a week. Full Circle has spacious studios and variations on traditional yoga styles.
Harmony Yoga Studio
110 N. Orlando Ave, Suite 2, Maitland, 407-234-6454, yoga.harmonywellnesscenter.com
This studio offers something for everyone: gentle yoga for beginners, prenatal yoga for expecting mothers, yoga for fitness and a sampling of specialty classes, including laughter yoga and Mysore yoga.
Inspirit Yoga Studio
7575 Kingspointe Parkway, 407-203-6866, inspirityogastudio.com
Hot yoga, power yoga, ashtanga, vinyasa and more are offered at this drop-in-friendly yoga studio.
Orlando Power Yoga
2415 E. South St., 407-719-0101, orlandopoweryoga.com
The Baron Baptiste-style of power yoga takes the spotlight at this yoga sanctuary. Don't be surprised if the air conditioning's not on; to raise students' internal heat, this studio stays ablaze at 85-90 degrees.
Shine on Yoga
619 N. Thornton Ave., 321-236-2068, shineonyoga.com
This yoga studio believes yoga should be affordable and accessible to all – based on that philosophy, all classes are now donation-based, pay-what-you-can. Cash only.
Yoga in Lake Eola Park
facebook.com/yogainlakeeolapark
Free yoga classes outdoors in downtown's Lake Eola park, taught by a rotating team of yogis. Check Facebook for exact meeting spot. n
