Orlando sunset spots: the lakes beat the rooftops

Why Orlando sunsets are good

Central Florida is flat, full of lakes and often filled with towering clouds. That makes for big, colorful skies at the end of the day, especially after summer storms clear or when winter fronts pass through. You do not need a mountain or a beach. You need open water facing west and a little timing.

The best spots

• Newton Park, Winter Garden. A small park on the southern shore of Lake Apopka, with wide views across the water to the west and north. It is one of the best sunset spots in the region, and downtown Winter Garden is a few minutes away for dinner.
• Kraft Azalea Garden, Winter Park. A quiet garden under huge cypress trees on Lake Maitland, with a classical-style structure by the water that frames the sky. It is popular for photos, so arrive early.
• Lake Eola Park, downtown. Not the best for the sun itself, but excellent for the city: the sky turns pink behind the towers and the fountain lights come on.
• Kissimmee lakefront. The parks along Lake Tohopekaliga give wide views over open water, close to the resorts south of Disney.
• The observation wheel on International Drive. The tall wheel gives a view over the whole area. A sunset ride is the best time to go, and the area around it has plenty of food. See the guide to International Drive for more.

When to go

Sunset in Orlando ranges from about 5:30 p.m. in early December to about 8:30 p.m. in late June. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early for the best light and a good spot. The 20 minutes after the sun drops below the horizon are often the most colorful, so do not leave right away.

Winter usually brings clear, crisp sunsets. Summer brings dramatic clouds but also storms, which can wash out the evening. If the afternoon storm clears by early evening, the sunset after it can be spectacular.

How to plan a sunset evening

1. Check the sunset time and the forecast, and look at the radar if storms are around.
2. Pick your spot based on where you want to eat after.
3. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early with water, bug spray and a light layer.
4. Stay for the afterglow, then walk or drive to dinner nearby.

Matching a spot to your evening

If you are staying near Disney or Kissimmee, the Kissimmee lakefront or a walk between the lakeside resorts is the least driving. If you are staying on International Drive, a sunset ride on the wheel followed by dinner nearby is the easiest plan. If you are downtown or in Winter Park, Kraft Azalea Garden and Lake Eola are both short drives, and you can catch the sunset at one and the fountain lights at the other. Winter Garden is the best choice for a full evening: watch the sky from Newton Park, then walk Plant Street for dinner and live music on many weekends.

Other ideas

Many theme park hotels and some downtown restaurants have rooftop bars or high-floor lounges with west-facing views. They are pleasant for a drink but often busy and pricey. Some resorts around the Disney lakes also offer nice views of the sky over the water, and you can walk the lakeside paths between them at no cost.

If there is a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral scheduled near dusk, look east as well as west. Launches at twilight sometimes leave glowing plumes high in the sky that can be seen from across Central Florida.

Mistakes to avoid

• Arriving at sunset time. The best light starts before and lasts after.
• Ignoring the bugs. Mosquitoes come out at dusk near water. Bring repellent.
• Standing too close to the water's edge. Alligators are active at dusk in Florida lakes. Keep a few steps back, and keep kids and pets close.
• Leaving valuables in the car. Lakeside parking lots can be targets after dark.
• Giving up on a cloudy day. Broken clouds often make the best sunsets, so go anyway unless lightning is close.