About 20 miles from the bustling metropolis of Orlando, you'll find the much calmer, stunning city of Apopka. The Acuera people were the first to inhabit the area, but they were taken over by Spanish colonists and the Seminole Indian tribe. That tribe was forced out by early American settlers, who established a Masonic lodge that served as a major meeting place for years.
Apopka's rich history is dotted with fascinating and charming notes. It has five buildings on the US National Register of Historic Places, including a railway depot and a lumber yard. It's also known for having one of the longest-serving mayors in the United States, thanks to John H. Land spending over six decades in the position.
The city has been growing rapidly, with its population almost doubling between 2000 and 2019, and now sitting around 52,000. Despite the influx of people, Apopka is still a great retreat from the 281,000 people in Orlando. In 2012, the city was named the 14th friendliest city in the US.
The town is often called the Indoor Foliage Capital of the World because of the plentiful greenhouse nurseries centered there. But it isn't just indoor plant growth the city has to brag about; its incredible landscape is one of the biggest things that people are attracted to in Apopka. The area offers plenty of waterfront views with its numerous lakes and springs and is the perfect outdoor recreation spot, thanks to its many trails and state parks.
One of the greatest draws is the Wekiwa Springs State Park. Seek some relief from the Florida heat in the gorgeous emerald water and dense canopy forest. Whether you want to take a dip in the water or glide over it in a canoe or kayak, there's plenty to cool you off. There are also miles of trails that you can cross on foot, by bicycle, or even horseback.
The West Orange Trail is another crowd favorite. The 22-mile expanse is paved the entire way through, making it a comfortable trek for all ages. The trail goes through downtown Apopka and even features a butterfly garden along the way. All that incredible scenery is honored each year at the Old Florida Outdoor Festival. The annual event brings people close to nature and wildlife while hosting several hunting and fishing competitions, music shows, food stands, and arts and craft booths.
The word "Apopka" comes from the Seminole word "Ahapopka" which translates directly to "potato eating place." Today, their city offers a lot more to eat than potatoes. If you're looking for some down-home Southern food, there are plenty of options. Chuck Wagon Home Cooking has biscuits and gravy for breakfast and meatloaf and country-fried steak at lunch. For a restaurant that plays to its strengths, head on over to The Catfish Place. Get your all you can eat deep-fried catfish, along with some shrimp and oysters.
If you're thinking Mexican, check out Garibaldi Mexican Restaurant and Bar. This place serves up specials like pollo ranchero and steak tampiqueño. Top it off with a 45-ounce margarita. For a more upscale outing, you could try out the stellar Italian food at Caffê Positano. Head to the Backroom Steakhouse, which earned itself the #1 ranking among steakhouses in Central Florida, serving up everything from sautéed escargot and crispy BBQ pork belly, to sautéed Australian lamb chops and 50-ounce Tomahawk ribeye steaks.
The talented team at King Kutz Landscaping is entirely committed to our beautiful community. We truly believe Central Florida is one of the best places to live, and we're proud to contribute to the area's standard of excellence. For landscapers who care about our client's happiness and satisfaction above all else, call King Kutz today for a free estimate.