11 Great Neighborhoods: Mills 50 & The Milk District

(ROBERTO GONZALEZ)

Mills 50® sits approximately one mile Northeast of Downtown Orlando, 0.5 miles south of the Orlando Art Museum. It encompasses Orlando’s most established and historic neighborhoods, including Colonialtown, Lake Eola Heights, Park Lake Highland, and Hillcrest. Schools within the district include Lake Highland Prep and Hillcrest Elementary. In Orlando’s early years, the area near the Colonial / Mills intersection was initially a storefront retail shopping area. Many historic buildings remain today, still keeping their facade’s original sidewalk canopies.

(ROBERTO GONZALEZ)

If you’re interested in discovering a unique blend of independent businesses that include holistic living services, check out the Mills Avenue Colonial Drive neighborhood. This eclectic neighborhood features massage therapy, vegetarian food, fine teas, fresh-roasted coffees, yoga, spiritual healing, acupuncture, martial arts, tattoo studios, visual artists, printing, signs, design studios, photographers, and spas and hair salons. With this eclectic collection of businesses, they boast artistic, spiritually minded, environmentally aware, and LGBTQ communities.

(ROBERTO GONZALEZ)

However, the cultural cornerstone of the district is the active Asian community. The neighborhood is home to many Asian markets and restaurants offering Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean, and Vietnamese menu items. Their commitment to the area and consistent presence have helped enrich and maintain the district’s locally owned, culturally diverse business community.

(ROBERTO GONZALEZ)

You’ll also find hidden gems like Bites & Bubbles and The Strand serving sophisticated entrees and Black Bean Deli, Black Rooster Taqueria, and Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa offering consistent counter items. Many already know this, but the Mills 50® District is also home to many unofficial Orlando landmarks, including Colonial Photo & Hobby Shop, Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquors, Will’s Pub, and The Historic Cameo Theater, and Track Shack.

(ROBERTO GONZALEZ)

One cow and twenty acres of land were all it took for T.G. Lee and his wife, Elizabeth, to open a dairy farm east of Orlando in 1925. The first flight arrived at Orlando Municipal Airport up the street three years later. In the decades since, The Milk District, still anchored by its namesake dairy, has developed into a diverse community of small businesses, residents, and visitors.

(ROBERTO GONZALEZ)

The Milk District’s close proximity to Downtown Orlando and other micro-districts, paired with a casual, laid-back vibe, is a great place for individuals, couples, and families alike. The food options in The Milk District are some of the best around, with Stasio’s Italian Deli & Market, Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria, Mx Taco, and of course Gringos Locos!

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