15 Best Things to Do in Casselberry (FL)

In the southern end of Seminole County, Casselberry is just ten miles north of downtown Orlando. Highway 17 and State Road 436 intersect here, connecting the city with communities across Central Florida.

One thing that strikes me about Casselberry is how much there is going on at Lake Concord Park. There are dozens of public events here all year round, from jazz festivals to a monthly food truck/music event.

Despite being in a massive urban area, there’s a lot of green space and wilderness. For one, the city’s Secret Lake Park is a sensational haven. Then in under 15 minutes you can get to Wekiwa Springs State Park, and the shore of Lake Jesup for hikes or airboat adventures.

1. Lake Concord Park

Surrounding Casselberry’s City Hall there’s an attractive park on the southern shore of Lake Concord.

Trails weave through this space, under some fine old live oaks, and along the western shore of the lake via a wonderful boardwalk. There’s a splash pad, a sculpture garden, fountains on the lake, and the Casselberry Art House, which I’ll come to later.

Lake Concord Park stands out most of all as a place for events. Barely a weekend goes by without something happening at the amphitheater. I’ll do my best to list the big ones later in this article.

On the eastern shore is the little Sunset Park, which lives up to its name late in the day.

2. Secret Lake Park

On the shores of three lakes, this park has a big lineup of recreation amenities. Basketball and tennis courts, and soccer and softball fields are a few of the major attractions.

Still, for those who prefer a casual stroll to strenuous sports, there’s a paved path meandering through the landscape. This links with a boardwalk and a fishing pier on the lake.

If you have your own kayak or canoe, this is a wonderful place to launch your vessel and do some paddling.

For families, there are two playgrounds at Secret Lake Park, while the Recreation Center hosts dozens of programs and activities throughout the week.

3. Casselberry Art House

Since 2002, a mid-century residence by Lake Concord has been turned into a local arts hub. The acclaimed Casselberry Art House hosts exhibitions, workshops, music performances, and lectures from local and visiting artists.

Many of their programs are focused on little ones, but there’s plenty for adults as well. Whether you’re into pastels, acrylics, watercolors, drawing or pottery, you’ll likely find something that catches your interest.

The Casselberry Art House stages month-long exhibitions all year round. These feature work by some of the most renowned artists in Central Florida.

I’d urge you to check out the Florida Painters Group show every January. Finally, the Sculpture House, a few steps and usually has three shows each year, and there are also displays at the City Hall.

4. Bowigens Beer Company

Making waves on Central Florida’s craft beer scene this brewery opened in Casselberry in 2015. There’s a brewery/taproom here, at a stripmall along SR 436, and another taproom in Avalon Park that opened in 2021.

As for beer, the taplist has changed every time I’ve stopped by. Still there’s a core lineup that will always be available.

As a fan of malty beers I’m into 7 Layer Stout, which, as the name implies, is brewed with seven different malts. Other regulars are Bow 9 (Pale Ale), 407 Pils, and TrHOPical Fusion (IPA).

There’s no kitchen here, so you’re welcome to order your own food in, while dogs are welcome on the patio.

5. Spring Hammock Preserve

Just five minutes north of Casselberry is 1,500 acres of spectacular mature woods on the west shore of Lake Jesup.

The Spring Hammock Preserve is made up of pine flatwoods, upland hardwoods, and hydric hammocks in the swampier parts.

The latter features some trees of truly amazing dimensions. Lady Liberty here is a bald cypress, dating back at least 2,000 years and standing more than 80 feet tall.

The preserve is on the 23-mile Cross Seminole Trail, running from Lake Mary in the north to Winter Park in the south.

There’s an extensive system of boardwalks in the park, taking you as far as the edge of the lake. On my last visit these were in varying states of repair, but most were still navigable.

6. Colorado Fondue Company

Of all the cuisines you might expect to find in Central Florida, I doubt fondue is high on the list. Still, Colorado Fondue Company has been a local fixture in Casselberry for more than 30 years now.

Composed of a choice of melted cheeses, luxurious fondue is their claim to fame, and comes with artisan breads, corn chips, fruit, and vegetables.

The menu includes a wide choice of appetizers, soups and salads, and a variety of entrees. Many of these are prepared with fresh, seasonal, local ingredients.

There are also chocolate fondues for dessert. These are prepared with bourbon and butterscotch, or Belgian chocolate, Irish cream, and homemade caramel.

7. Semoran Skateway

Family owned and managed since the late 1970s Semoran Skateway, is one of those attractions that generations of locals have grown up with.

Tuesday to Sunday, this roller-skating rink has a tight public skating schedule. Kids can come to learn to skate on Tuesdays and Saturdays. On a Tuesday this session is followed by Family Fun Night, with admission part of the cost of the lesson.

Grownups looking to get things rolling once more can hit the Old School Jamz session on Saturday nights. There’s also adults only skating on Sunday nights.

Throughout the week skate rental was just $3 when I compiled this list.

8. Jazz and Art Festival

One of a host of events I think you need to look out for in Casselberry is this biannual celebration at Lake Concord Park.

The Jazz and Art Festival goes down in October and then in March, bringing awesome live music, art vendors, and food trucks.

The October event has a Latin theme, and always welcomes big names. The year I wrote this article, the headliner was Grammy-nominated Cuban bandleader Pedrito Martinez.

Booked for the spring edition that year was the famed smooth jazz saxophonist Will Donato. The festival is sponsored by Central Florida radio station WUCF-FM, and always attracts a large crowd.

9. Casselberry Food Trucks

On the second Friday of the month hundreds of people descend on Lake Concord Park for great food and great music.

Taking place in the evening, Casselberry Food Trucks features two live performers each time. You’re encouraged to make yourself at home, bringing your own blankets, lawn chairs, and even tables.

Food-wise, there was an excellent lineup when I was here. I got a delicious bao bun, but there was also tacos, schnitzel, BBQ, teriyaki, and fried catfish.

On top of all this you can also browse a range of vendors selling handmade arts and crafts.

10. Aiguille Rock Climbing Center

A couple of minutes away in Longwood, this indoor climbing gym was founded in 1997. The Aiguille Rock Climbing Center offers 10,000 square feet of climbing for all levels.

Something I like about this spot is that Non-members are free to use the facilities for as long as they like with a day pass.

With a maximum height of 24 feet, the center has six auto-belays (without a partner) and five toprope walls. You can also come for bouldering, which is a great option for first-timers as you won’t need a rope or a lot of instruction beforehand.

11. Mardi Gras Music Festival

Lake Concord Park is the venue for a much-loved event taking place around Carnival time each year. For one night only, the Cajun-themed Mardi Gras Music Festival is a blaze of music, food and Creole culture.

The music lineup is a blend of Cajun, New Orleans R&B, and Zydeco, with annual regulars like the local Porchdogs. Joining in the fun are Junkanoo dancers, with whistles, drums and whimsical costumes.

Kicking off the whole party is the free Mardi Gras Dog Parade. Prizes are awarded for a host of categories, from Most Original to Cutest Canine.

12. Howell Branch Nature Preserve

From art museums to botanical gardens, the nearby city of Winter Park abounds with indoor and outdoor attractions.

Particularly close to Cassellberry is the Howell Branch Nature Preserve. Composed of nearly 11 acres of wetlands and pine hammocks, this is a picturesque spot for active and passive recreation.

Amenities include a fitness trail with built-in exercise machines, and a playground. I was also impressed with the educational plaques along the nature trail.

Dogs are allowed as long as they’re leashed and their owners clean up after them. It’s common to see a variety of wildlife along the trails, especially in the morning and evening.

13. Casselberry Golf Club

Since 1947, Casselberry Golf Club has been a favorite of diehard golfers, who appreciate its well-maintained greens and tree-lined fairways.

The par-69 track is shorter than most 18-hole courses. Still, that’s precisely what makes it so popular. The rates are surprisingly low, at $55 when I played on a weekend. You can also play a round in three hours or less, compared to four or more at longer courses.

The club offers an on-site restaurant, a driving range and fully stocked pro-shop. Meanwhile, for those in need of professional instruction, the club’s staff offer lessons.

14. Wekiwa Springs State Park

A little further out, the mesmerizing waters of Wekiwa Springs are still just 15 minutes from Casselberry.

These come to the surface in an unspoiled tropical landscape, teeming with life. The wilder parts of the state park are home to otters, multitudes of wading birds, black bears, and plenty of alligators. Manatees are also known to visit this place in the winter.

Especially in summer, the park’s primary draw is the swimming hole, fed by those refreshingly cool emerald waters. Don’t worry, there are no gators in this more developed area. I’d urge you to bring some goggles or a snorkel so you can admire the perfect clarity.

If you want to explore, you can set off on a paddling trip along the crystalline Wekiva River. Or you could hit the main hiking trail, which is more than 14 miles long.

15. A Petrified Forest Scare Trail

Starting in late September, one of Central Florida’s most acclaimed haunts is right next door to Casselberry in Altamonte Springs.

Set right in the middle of a lakeside forest, A Petrified Forest Scare Trail has more than 85,000 square feet of scares across three different attractions.

When I visited, these were The Island of the Dead Dolls (a la Mexico City), The Slaughter House, and The Human Experiment.

This haunt is a mostly outdoor experience, so check the weather before coming. One experience I’d recommend is Backstage Pass. With this you’ll see all of the creativity that goes into A Petrified Forest, and you can even do some scaring.