Founded in 1994, Celebration is a planned community created by a real estate division of The Walt Disney Company. Disney commissioned famous architects to create the master plan and to design the buildings.
Celebration has the flavor of a southern American village from the 1930s. Residential neighborhoods are clustered around a small, pedestrian-friendly downtown area. Market Street has a storybook atmosphere with a Caribbean flavor. Sided in brightly-colored stucco, the downtown buildings have wide overhangs, shutters, verandas, and arcades.
Places to Stay
Nestled lakeside in downtown Celebration is the “Bohemian Hotel Celebration” offering a charming blend of Old Florida elegance and contemporary luxury. The “Mona Lisa” is a an all suite hotel is located near the entrance to Celebration and easily accessible from I-4 and US 192. Just outside of the “bubble” is US Route 192, a 10 mile strip of commercial development that has just about every chain hotel you can think of.
Places to Eat
There are variety of dining options in Downtown Celebration with world-class restaurants and specialty food stores offering a variety of international cuisines perfect for any occasion. Cafe D’Antonio features items representative of many of Italy’s varied regions. The Celebration Tavern is a New England style restaurant and tavern that has become the town’s social hub and place to be seen since opening. The Columbia Restaurant overlooks Celebration’s picturesque lake and offers classic elegance in a Mediterranean style setting where diners can enjoy fine Spanish/Cuban cuisine in our old-world-style dining rooms, an outdoor cafe, or courtyard. Imperium Wine Room is a 100 seat, class-service, food and wine bar offering the highest quality food and wines with a 50 seat patio. Enjoy the delights of the Confectionery Chocolates and Ice Cream from Kilwin’s. The Market Street Cafe makes over 60 items from scratch every day. Savor quality authentic Japanese food and sushi at Seito Sushi. Shannon’s of Celebration is an authentic Irish restaurant in a perfect lakeside setting. Discover the authentic taste of Thai food at Thai Thani. Upper Crust Pizza and Starbucks round out the downtown Celebration food choices.
This is, of course the heart of tourist country, so venturing out of the confines of Celebration will prove to be a restaurant and fast food wonderland.
Places to Go
Downtown Celebration has the finest selection of shops and boutiques with something for everyone in the family. Enjoy walking the brick-lined streets of Celebration Town Center and spend time with family and friends.
The town of Celebration also hosts a variety of special events throughout the year. Whether you prefer to stroll down Market Street perusing fine art, dance to family friendly music in front of the lake, or watch snow falling during the holiday months, there’s always something to do in Celebration!
Just two blocks from Market Street is the Celebration Golf Club, a daily fee golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Getting Around
Celebration is located approximately 20 miles southwest of Orlando just off Interstate 4, exits 65, 64 or 62. US Route 192 runs east-west. Once in the Celebration “bubble” it’s not unusual to see electric vehicles, Segway human transporters and bicycles in your travels. Celebration has miles of wide, paved and wooden trails and paths. It is a very walkable community so park your car and explore!
Celebration is a beautiful community. We went there this past July 4th for their fireworks. It was great!
We visited Celebration on Saturday and had lunch at the Market Street Cafe. The meal was excellent and the portions were more than enough. After lunch we sat in the rocking chairs under the umbrellas overlooking the lake… very peaceful.