Orlando farmers markets: Winter Park on Saturday, Lake Eola on Sunday

The main markets

Orlando's farmers markets are mostly weekend affairs, and each has its own feel. These are the ones worth planning around.

• Winter Park Farmers' Market, Saturday mornings. Held in and around the old train depot near Central Park. It is the best all-round market in the area, with produce, plants, baked goods, coffee and breakfast stalls. It usually starts early and winds down by early afternoon.
• Orlando Farmers Market at Lake Eola, Sundays. On the east side of Lake Eola Park, from late morning into the afternoon. Expect more prepared food, crafts and live music than produce. It is lively and good for lunch.
• Winter Garden Farmers Market, Saturday mornings. In the historic downtown of Winter Garden, west of the city. Smaller and friendly, with a good mix of produce and food, and you can ride the West Orange Trail nearby.
• Audubon Park Community Market, Monday evenings. A local, evening market in the Audubon Park neighborhood with food vendors, small farms and makers. It is a fun midweek outing.
• Celebration Farmers Market, Sunday mornings. Next to the lake in Celebration, good if you are staying near the Disney area.

Days and hours can shift, especially around holidays and bad weather, so check each market's page before you go.

When to go

Florida's growing season runs opposite to the north. The best produce comes from about November through May, with citrus in winter, strawberries in late winter and early spring, and tomatoes, greens and herbs through the cool months. Summer markets are thinner, hotter and shift toward prepared food, honey and plants.

Go early in the day. The best produce and baked goods sell out, and the heat builds fast. In summer, a market visit before 10 a.m. is far more pleasant than one at noon.

How to do a market morning

1. Arrive near opening time with cash in small bills and a reusable bag.
2. Walk the whole market once before buying anything.
3. Get coffee and breakfast first, then shop for fruit and snacks for the day.
4. Ask vendors what is local and in season. Not every stall grows its own food.
5. Take your haul to a park bench or your hotel fridge before the heat spoils it.

What to buy

For visitors, the best buys are things you can eat right away or take home easily. Look for local honey, citrus in season, fresh strawberries, baked goods, hot sauces and jams. Prepared food stalls are a good, cheap breakfast or lunch, often better than anything near the tourist corridor.

Plants are tempting but hard to fly home with. Check airline and agricultural rules before you try to take fresh fruit or plants out of state.

Making a day of it

Each market fits into a neighborhood outing. The Winter Park market is a short walk from Park Avenue, the Morse Museum and the scenic boat tour, so you can easily make a full morning. The guide to Winter Park has more on what to do there.

The Lake Eola market pairs with a walk around the lake and lunch in Thornton Park. Winter Garden's market pairs with a bike ride on the West Orange Trail and a stroll down Plant Street.

If you miss the weekend markets, East End Market in Audubon Park is open most days. It is an indoor food hall with local vendors, a good bakery and a small garden out front, and it is the closest thing to a market experience on a weekday.

Tips and mistakes to avoid

• Do not assume everything is local. Some stalls resell produce. Ask where it came from.
• Bring cash and a card. Most vendors take cards, but cash is faster and some small farms prefer it.
• Check dog rules. Policies differ by market, and summer pavement is hot on paws.
• Plan for parking. Winter Park and Lake Eola fill up fast. Arrive early or park a few blocks away and walk.
• Watch the weather. Heavy rain or storms can close markets early or shrink them.