Longwood
Discover Longwood’s historical and natural wonders.
Longwood is one of Seminole County’s oldest cities, dating back to 1875 when it was primarily a winter resort. Luckily, a few gems from that era have been preserved. One of these is the Bradlee-McIntyre home, the only remaining winter cottage of its size built in the 1880s and a fine example of Queen Anne-style architecture. You can see it in Longwood’s charming 
Historical District, which spans 190 acres and offers a total of 37 fascinating historical structures. And a stay in Longwood wouldn’t be complete without visiting Big Tree Park. The park was once home to The Senator, one of the oldest and largest Bald Cypress trees in America. Before its fire induced collapse in January 2012, The Senator was 3,500 years old, standing 138 feet tall with a circumference of 47 feet. Now only 25 feet tall, the once great Cypress still remains on display. Discover more natural wonders at the Spring Hammock Preserve, offering 1,500 acres of wilderness on the western border of Lake Jessup. For a boat tour or fishing on the area’s many pristine lakes, rivers, bays and lagoons, visit Captain Dana’s Fishing & Scenic Tours. Or explore the waterways by canoe at Wekiva Island.
Where to Stay and Play