Real places, real neighborhoods and current market numbers, verified by broker Ryan C. Winslow.
What Ocoee is known for
Ocoee is a West Orange County city built around Starke Lake, with a small historic downtown on Bluford Avenue and McKey Street. It sits where Florida's Turnpike, SR 408, SR 429 and SR 50 meet, which makes it a quick drive to downtown Orlando and the theme parks. Locals know it for the free Ocoee Music Festival, Toll Road Brewing, and lakefront events at Bill Breeze Park.
Captain Bluford M. Sims bought land from Dr. J. D. Starke after the Civil War and started what the city calls the first citrus nursery in the United States. Dr. H.K. Clarke, Charles J. Chunn and R.B.F. Roper platted the Town of Ocoee in 1886, naming it for a Tennessee river, and it became the City of Ocoee in May 1925. On November 2, 1920, the Election Day Massacre drove Black residents from the town, and Unity Park downtown now holds a memorial wall with their names. Ocoee is a lived-in commuter city of lake neighborhoods, gated master-planned communities and older citrus-era streets. Weeknights center on the McKey Street strip downtown, and weekends lean toward the lake, the West Orange Trail and nearby springs.
Where to live
Guard-gated, Tuscan-styled community on the shore of Lake Apopka in north Ocoee. Built mostly by Beazer Homes from 2003 to 2018, with an Eagles Landing phase by Richmond American. Single-family homes and townhomes. (source)
Established gated master-planned community in south Ocoee with entrances on Maguire Road and Roberson Road. Built mainly from 1991 into the early 2000s by Calton Homes, Beazer and Arvida, with fountain ponds and 16 cul-de-sacs. (source)
Gated Lennar masterplan of about 500 single-family homes on Lake Sims along Clarcona-Ocoee Road, built 2013 to 2023. Clubhouse, resort-style pool and direct West Orange Trail access. (source)
Gated Lennar community of about 303 homes built 2000 to 2004 off Maguire Road near SR 429. Five community ponds, tennis and basketball courts, and four- and five-bedroom plans. (source)
Non-gated Ryan Homes community of 278 homes built 2017 to 2020 in north Ocoee, next to Forest Lake Golf Club. Community pool and pavilion, with newer construction throughout. (source)
Non-gated early 1990s subdivision on the western shore of Lake Olympia off East Silver Star Road. Varied builders and floor plans, with an HOA that manages lake access and a community boat dock. (source)
Local favorites
Chef-driven New American plates and a deep wine list from owners who graduated from The Culinary Institute of America. Open since 2012. (source)
Schnitzel, short rib and apple strudel, with sourdough, stocks and dry-aged meats made in-house. (source)
Counter-service tacos, huaraches and tortas a few blocks from Starke Lake. Open daily. (source)
Pizza and calzones, including the house Bella Napoli Special, for dine-in, pickup or delivery. (source)
Family-owned shop known for extra large handmade doughnuts and an apple fritter the size of a plate. (source)
Paninis, Cuban sandwiches, quiche and coffee served inside a working bike shop. (source)
Wine by the glass paired with cheese, charcuterie and signature flatbreads. (source)
Shaved-ice snoballs in more than a hundred flavors with toppings and add-ons, next door to DG Doughnuts. (source)
After hours
Ocoee's first craft brewery, opened in 2018 at 101 W McKey Street. Twenty taps, a dog-friendly biergarten, live music, trivia and rotating food trucks. (source)
Lakefront park on Starke Lake at 125 N Lakeshore Drive. It hosts city community markets with food trucks, vendors and a DJ. (source)
Independently owned movie theater at 1575 Maguire Road, open under this name since 1995, with six screens and lower ticket prices than the big chains. (source)
25,000-square-foot entertainment center on West Colonial Drive with 120-plus arcade games, mini bowling, a restaurant and a sports bar. (source)
Public 18-hole course at 10521 Clarcona Ocoee Road, opened in 1994 and now owned by the City of Ocoee. The Rusty Niblick Pub serves golfers and locals. (source)
Shopping
Enclosed mall at 9401 West Colonial Drive, opened in 1996, with JCPenney, a Dillard's Clearance Center and AMC West Oaks 14. The city's MLK Day celebration is held in its food court. (source)
Publix-anchored neighborhood center at 2600 Maguire Road with about 30 tenants, including Keke's Breakfast Cafe and Marco's Pizza. (source)
Working egg farm with an on-site farm market selling eggs, meats and honey at 10000 Mark Adam Road. Grocery pickup and delivery available. (source)
City market run with Orange Blossom Market Co. on the Starke Lake waterfront, with local vendors, food trucks and crafts. (source)
Outdoors
Starke Lake park at 150 N Lakeshore Drive with a boat ramp, fishing dock and pavilions. (source)
Main city sports park at 560 Flewelling Avenue with lighted baseball fields, a football field, boardwalk, fishing dock and non-motorized boat launch. (source)
Just under a half-mile path around a planted pond, four shaded outdoor exercise hubs, a boardwalk and a 48-foot fountain at 1320 S Bluford Avenue. (source)
Orange County's 22.26-mile paved trail from Killarney Station into Apopka, with ten miles of equestrian trail and several trailheads and outposts. (source)
150-acre preserve with upland trails, an environmental education center and the Healthy West Orange Boardwalk out to Lake Apopka. Open sunrise to sunset. (source)
Nearest state park. Spring-fed swimming at 72 degrees, paddling on the Wekiva River, and hiking and biking trails. Day-use entry needs an advance reservation. (source)
22,000-acre refuge on the St. Johns River with 15 miles of trails, birding, fishing and boating. (source)
Things to do
Built in 1888, one of Orange County's oldest homes, restored by the city and used for events at 125 N Lakeshore Drive. (source)
Five-acre downtown park with a lighted boardwalk, all-native plantings and a memorial wall naming the 263 Black residents harmed or driven out in the 1920 Election Day Massacre. (source)
Family blueberry farm in Ocoee since 1954 at 350 East Orlando Avenue. U-pick season opens in March. (source)
20,000-square-foot skate and bike park with ramps, rails, a grind box, a competition pump track and a wall ride. Open daily 7 am to sunset. (source)
Free drive-through tour on the Lake Apopka North Shore, where more than 360 bird species have been recorded, with an 11-stop audio tour. (source)
On the calendar
Parade from Citrus Elementary to West Oaks Mall, followed by a celebration in the mall food court. (source)
Evening market at Bill Breeze Park with vendors, food trucks, a DJ, crafts and a scavenger hunt. (source)
City event with trunk or treat, a scare zone, rides, food trucks and contests. (source)
Free two-day festival, formerly Ocoee Founder's Day, with national headliners, a car show, a fishing tournament, food trucks and fireworks. The city says it draws more than 20,000 people. (source)
Visits with Santa, cookies and hot cocoa at the historic Withers-Maguire House. Space is limited. (source)
Schools
Thornebrooke Elementary, Westbrooke Elementary, Citrus Elementary, Ocoee Elementary, Spring Lake Elementary
Ocoee Middle School, Gotha Middle School (Windermere)
Ocoee High School, West Orange High School (Winter Garden)
Listed for reference, not ranked. Confirm school zoning for any address with the district. (source)
Broker notes
SR 50 (West Colonial Drive), Florida's Turnpike, SR 408 (East-West Expressway), SR 429 (Western Expressway), Clarke Road, Maguire Road, Bluford Avenue
Orlando International Airport (MCO): about 30 to 35 minutes via SR 408. Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB): about 45 minutes via SR 429 and SR 414.
Ryan C. Winslow, broker/owner of Winslow Homes. REALTOR® since 2009, 3,000+ homes sold, broker in FL, MA, CT and RI, U.S. Army Retired.
Researched and verified 2026-09-28. Businesses change; call ahead.