P O I N T S   O F   I N T E R E S T

At a Glance

At Keene's Pointe, Castle & Cooke has combined the classical architecture styles of the past with the flowing and open interiors of today. The Keene's Pointe community features 14 unique villages, set among the Butler Chain of Lakes and its golf course.

Over 400 acres just south of Keene's Pointe are designated as the Tibet-Butler Preserve, housing a bird sanctuary and several endangered species of animals and plants.

Windermere is located in Orange County, Florida, just a few miles south-west of Orlando with a population of just over 2,000. Walt Disney World and many other exciting attractions are only a few miles away.

History of Windermere

The area surrounding Keene's Pointe and Windermere is rich in history. For over 100 years, the mild climate and the beauty of the lakes have attracted settlers, farmers, tourists and homeowners.

After the end of the Seminole wars in 1858, the federal government - in an effort to bring settlers & farmers to the area, offered homesteaders 160 acres of free land in exchange for cultivating 5 acres and building a cabin. The resulting development brought more and more settlers, tourists, merchants and farmers to the area, first by dirt trails, then by steamboats and finally by railroads.

The city of Windermere was founded in 1887 and continues to grow as a highly desirable vacation destination and as a community of luxury living. Today's Windermere still shows its past in the historic Town Hall (built 1922-24), Cal Palmer’s original office building (built 1911-12), the well-preserved Bumby house (built 1911) and the Armstrong-Beggs-Parramore house (built 1890 or earlier), which served as the town’s first school in the same year.

Our Namesake

R.D. Keene (1885 – 1973) began working in the area’s orange groves at the age of 20 and quickly progressed from laborer to buyer. He ultimately owned several groves and a packinghouse of his own. In 1932 he acquired the northern portion of the land now known as Keene’s Pointe, which was used to develop orange groves. Then in the 1940’s he acquired the southern portion. R.D. was known to be an innovator and over time improved orange growing techniques and developed the preparation and marketing of frozen orange juice. As a visionary, he formed a grower’s association, later to become the Florida Citrus Mutual. However, after several devastating freezes, the Keene’s family realized the need for change and rezoned Keene’s Pointe land for developers.

Today, Windermere is a luxury community that has retained its small town charm. Many movie stars and professional athletes have made it their home. As you establish your home in Keene’s Pointe, you will become part of the next chapter in its history and development.

Community & Activities

Residents of Windermere enjoy the town hall and surrounding area, which includes the Chase Memorial Library, basketball courts, a municipal office building and the Cal Palmer Memorial Building, named after one of its founding residents. The town hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The town is literally set on a small strip of land amongst the Butler Chain of Lakes, offering residents glorious vistas and a retreat from the sometimes-tropical heat.

Shopping

Orlando's theme parks make sure that no one goes home empty-handed. There's plenty of gift shops selling everything from Mickey Mouse key chains to Alfred Hitchcock movies. But there's also an array of fine art galleries and stores with handicrafts and the likes. A selection of great Outlet malls can be found as well, such as:

Millennia Mall
World-class shopping and dining can be found at this upscale mall. Cartier, Bloomingdales, Lacoste, Neiman Marcus, Macy's are just a few of the over 140 shops and restaurants to be found.

Florida Mall
You won't believe the incredible variety of stores here, such as JC Penney's, Zales Jewelers, Pearl Vision Express, Saks Fifth Avenue, Thomas Kinkade Gallery, Officemax, Dillards and many more!

Winter Garden Village
Winter Garden Village is an open-air shopping center offering shopping and gathering opportunities to fit everyone's needs.  From department stores to electronics to a health club and specialty retailers, along with the wide array of restaurants and eateries, visitors enjoy a variety of experiences here.

Orlando Premium Outlets
Find impressive savings at Ann Taylor, Barneys New York Outlet, Burberry, Coach, Diesel, Fendi, Gap Outlet, Giorgio Armani, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, MaxMara, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, Theory, Tommy Hilfiger and more.  With 110 stores to choose from, there's something for everyone.

Theme Parks

Enjoy the immense variety of theme parks and attractions nearby! There's something for every age, interest and activity level! There are too many to list, but some of the most popular attractions are:

Walt Disney World®
The Magic Kingdom is fun for all ages. From thrill-rides to parades to meeting all of your favorite Disney characters, Walt Disney World is definitely a must see attraction.

Universal Studios Florida®
At this real working film & TV studio, an incredible array of rides, shows, movie sets and attractions put you right in your favorite scenes from your favorite movies. It's the number one movie studio in the world!

Universal's Islands of Adventure®
Experience unexpected adventure and innovative thrills as you take an un-forgettable journey through the five islands - Seuss Landing™, The Lost Continent®, Jurassic Park®, Toon Lagoon® and Marvel Super Hero Island®!

SeaWorld® Orlando
Experience thrill-a-second rides one minute and count the teeth on a shark the next! Feed the dolphins, take in an incredible performance, and just try to stay dry when the world famous Shamu® comes a-splashing! SeaWorld® Orlando has a wide variety of rides, shows and attractions, including roller coasters, flight simulator rides, children's play areas, shows featuring pets, water-ski stunts, Shamu® and family, sea lion shows and many others. Or stroll through the tropical reef aquarium, turtle point, the dolphin nursery or manatee aquarium.

Dining & Entertainment

The Orlando area is home to a fabulous variety of first class restaurants. From favorite cuisine's such as American, Italian, Chinese and Thai, to the more exotic tastes of Africa, Greece, Cuba and Scandinavia. There are also an impressive number of National award-winning restaurants, such as:

• Emeril's Restaurant
• Manuel's on the 28th
• Morton's The Steakhouse
• The Palm
• Roy's
• Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
• Seasons 52
• Victoria & Albert's

There are also a number of exciting dinnershow restaurants, offering great food paired with a variety of entertainment options, such as:

 

Arabian Nights is a dinner show that brings a fairy tale to life on horseback. As the story unfolds, guests see a wide variety of equine entertainment, from "Dancing Horses of the Desert" to "Square Dance" on horseback. As you watch the show, a feast is served followed by a scrumptious dessert.

.

The Florida Medieval Times
The Castle has been open for performances daily since 1983. In addition to its beautiful white brick facade and moat, it is also home to the Medieval Life village where visitors can experience life as it was in the 11th Century. Set within the walls of the European-style castle, the live show recreates a Middle Age tournament of skill and sport, featuring valiant knights and powerful stallions. And the hands-on medieval feast is sure to please all guests!

 

Pirates Dinner Adventure
This exciting dinner show puts you and your family right in the middle of all of the swashbuckling action. This Broadway-quality show is presented on an enormous, fully-rigged pirate’s galleon. The elaborate set provides the backdrop for action, romance, and comedy.

Spas & Fitness Clubs

Disney's Grand Floridian Spa & Health Club
Charming Victorian elegance and lavish decor combine with impeccable service to offer guests of this world-class spa a truly unique experience. Our spa invites you into an environment of gracious hospitality and luxurious service. Our commitment to your well being is embodied in each of our customized therapies to elevate your spirit, relax your body and invigorate your mind. Enjoy a Grand level of massage therapies, facials, hand & foot and body treatments.

Euro Day Spa & Salon
Central Florida's Award winning Day Spa was voted Best Day Spa in the Orlando area by the readers of Orlando Magazine for 1999, 2000 & 2001. The large variety of available services include luxurious algae, mud and dead sea salt treatments, massages and reflexology, a full service salon, facials and skin treatments, nailcare, toning and infratonic QGM therapy.

Eo Inn & Urban Spa
Located in downtown Orlando, overlooking Lake Eola the Eo Inn & Urban Spa was built approximately 1923. Treatments range from massages, body care and facials to manicures, pedicures and a beauty salon.

Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa
Located in the Walt Disney World Resort this 10,000 square foot European style spa offers more than 60 services and treatments, full service beauty salon and fitness center, private spa lap pool, sauna and whirlpools.

The Arts

The Orlando Philharmonic began in 1991 as a Chamber Music group. It began operating as the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra (OPO) in 1995. Program planning for the season is done by Music Director, Hal France and resident conductor, Andrew Lane, who also leads concerts. In their concert season OPO performs rich musical offerings of Mozart, Tchaikovsky, O'Connor, Bach, Schumann, Brahms, Vivaldi, Mahler and Sung, to name a few.

The Orlando Ballet
Orlando Ballet was founded in 1974 and is one of the oldest and most renowned professional dance companies in the Southern US. Directed by the legendary Fernando Bujones, the company’s mission is to set and promote the standards of dance not only as an art form, but also a vehicle for bringing culture and artistic education to the community. Orlando Ballet is central Florida’s only fully professional Ballet Company. The 29 year-old organization performs at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre.
 

The Orlando Museum of Art
Reflecting the continuing growth of Florida, the Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) is dedicated to enriching the cultural life of Florida by providing excellence in the visual arts. OMA has dedicated itself to collecting, preserving and interpreting notable works of art, to presenting exhibitions, and to providing first-class educational programs to reach every segment of a diverse community.

For over forty years the adventurous Robert Ripley explored the uncanny and amazing mysteries of the earth. Ripley's Believe It or Not!® Orlando Museum is proud to offer visitors this fantastic collection of the world's strangest oddities!

Nature & the Great Outdoors

West Orange Trail
This world-class rail-trail offers many amenities and scenic routes for joggers, hikers, bikers, walkers and horseback riders. The trail is approximately 19 miles in length and paved. It winds alongside picturesque Lake Apopka and the Winter Garden Historical Museum. The trail also provides access to and from Clarcona Horseman’s Park. Visitors have access to several trail heads with concessions, bike and blade rentals, parking etc.

Boating and Fishing
With 8,500 miles of tidal shoreline, 7,800 lakes, 320 springs and 35 rivers, water defines Florida. In the Orlando area alone, there are some 300 lakes!

Tibet-Butler Preserve

This 440-acre nature preserve offers opportunities for the whole family to learn about Florida's fragile ecosystem.  The on-site Vera Carter Environment Center houses a variety of exhibits on local flora and fauna, and is also the beginning of miles of beautifully maintained trails and boardwalks that meander through pristine wilderness.  The preserve borders the Tibet-Butler chain of lakes from which is takes its name.

Oakland Nature Preserve

With a 3,000 foot boardwalk that winds through wetland, this park primarily offers scenic hiking trails through the nature preserve.  The boardwalk ends at Lake Apopka, a popular location for bird watching.  See Red-winged Blackbirds, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, and more in your walks through the preserve.

Sports

Orlando Centroplex
Located in Downtown Orlando, The Orlando Centroplex acts as Central Florida's home for the very best in entertainment, sports, expositions and the arts. It consists of