Real places, real neighborhoods and current market numbers, verified by broker Ryan C. Winslow.
What Orange City is known for
Orange City is home to Blue Spring State Park, where hundreds of manatees crowd the 72-degree spring run each winter. The town also keeps a one-square-mile historic district from its 1882 founding, and its mineral spring water won a silver medal at the 1904 St. Louis Exposition.
In 1875, Dr. Seth French, John E. Stillman and a group of partners bought about 5,000 acres here, and the town was incorporated on August 26, 1882. Its 1876 inn and 1876 elementary school still operate today. The New England style Town Hall dates to 1928, and the historic district joined the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. Orange City mixes quiet older streets near the historic core with newer subdivisions and a busy retail strip along Saxon Blvd and Enterprise Rd near I-4. Residents include retirees, young families and Orlando and Daytona commuters who want quick access to the St. Johns River and the springs.
Where to live
The original one-square-mile town from 1882. It holds 217 contributing structures dating back to 1876, in Bungalow, Frame Vernacular, Colonial Revival and Mediterranean Revival styles. Mature trees, older homes and walkable streets near Mill Lake Park. (source)
A Park Square Homes community off East Graves Avenue with new single-family homes and two-story townhomes. Amenities include a playground, walking trails with fitness stations and a gazebo. Quick access to I-4 and US 17. (source)
A subdivision with single-family homes, many with private pools. A popular pick for buyers who want a newer suburban home in town. (source)
An established residential neighborhood close to I-4, with newer construction going up nearby. A practical base for commuters heading to Orlando or Daytona Beach. (source)
A developing area of Orange City where buyers can still find vacant lots to build a custom home. (source)
An established residential neighborhood within Orange City, a short drive from Blue Spring State Park and Valentine Park. (source)
Local favorites
New Orleans style gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish, po' boys, etouffee and beignets in big portions. (source)
A strip-mall find that serves banana pecan pancakes at breakfast and butter chicken curry and prime rib at dinner, with a full cocktail bar. (source)
A Volusia County barbecue name with smoked meats and classic sides, open daily for lunch and dinner. (source)
Puerto Rican and Caribbean barbecue in a Saxon Blvd plaza. (source)
A hometown diner on the main road through town for breakfast and comfort food. (source)
Vietnamese cooking in the Saxon Blvd shopping corridor near I-4. (source)
A local sushi and Japanese spot in the Enterprise Rd shopping area. (source)
A seafood spot in the Saxon Blvd plazas near I-4. (source)
After hours
Local craft brewery on S Volusia Ave with house beers from head brewer Tim Nowlin, food specials and custom cocktails. (source)
A wine bar on Enterprise Rd for a glass after work. (source)
A coffee shop on S Volusia Ave. (source)
An ice cream shop on S Volusia Ave near the historic part of town. (source)
The town's gathering spot, with a lake, walking paths, a splash pad open March through October, and events like Food Truck Friday and Movie in the Park. (source)
Shopping
Outdoors
A 72-degree spring run on the St. Johns River and a designated manatee refuge. Hundreds of manatees gather mid-November through March, with a record 729 counted in 2023. Swimming, tubing and snorkeling run April 1 to November 14, plus the 4.5-mile Pine Island Trail. Day-use reservations are now required. (source)
A 34-acre city park at 1511 W French Ave with trails, courts and picnic areas. Home of the Manatee Festival. (source)
A lakeside city park at 207 E Blue Springs Ave with walking paths, picnic areas and a seasonal splash pad. (source)
A 72-degree swimming spring with the Old Sugar Mill Pancake House, where you cook pancakes at your table. Boat tours, paddling and a trail to an old-growth bald cypress. (source)
A 1,650-acre island on the St. Johns River reached only by private boat or the park ferry. Hiking, paddling, fishing, cabins and camping. (source)
A refuge of about 22,000 acres of marsh, swamp and hammock along the St. Johns River, with 15 miles of trails for hiking, biking and birding. (source)
Undeveloped barrier island beaches, dunes and Mosquito Lagoon, with Apollo Beach and ancient Timucua shell mounds on the north end. (source)
Things to do
Two-hour St. Johns River nature boat tours, guided kayak tours and kayak, canoe, paddleboard and e-bike rentals inside Blue Spring State Park. (source)
A three-story frontier home built in 1872 at Blue Spring State Park, open for self-guided tours. (source)
The original 1882 town, listed on the National Register in 2004. Take the walking tour on the Clio app and see the 1928 Town Hall and the Dickinson Memorial Library, dedicated in 1919. (source)
Orange City's first hotel, started by Hugh and Sophia DeYarman in 1875, still operating on US 17. (source)
Go-karts, mini golf, batting cages and an arcade at 401 S Volusia Ave. (source)
On the calendar
Two days of arts and crafts, live entertainment, frisbee dogs and kids' activities at Valentine Park, with shuttles to see manatees at Blue Spring. Proceeds support Friends of Blue Spring State Park and local scholarships. (source)
A city festival celebrating the cultures of the community at Mill Lake Park. (source)
A Halloween block party and costume contest at Mill Lake Park. (source)
The holiday lighting celebration at City Hall. (source)
The annual holiday parade down Volusia Avenue. (source)
Schools
Orange City Elementary, Manatee Cove Elementary
River Springs Middle
University High School
Listed for reference, not ranked. Confirm school zoning for any address with the district. (source)
Broker notes
I-4 (Saxon Blvd and SR 472 exits), US 17-92 (Volusia Ave), SR 472, Saxon Blvd, Enterprise Rd
Orlando Sanford International (about 25 min), Daytona Beach International (about 35 min), Orlando International (about 50 min)
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.