Situated about 15 miles north of Orlando, Longwood is a city in the southwestern part of Seminole County in Central Florida. It belongs to the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Area. The area around the city was first settled in 1873, when John Neill Searcy arrived from Tennessee, and Edward Warren Henck came from Boston. Both settlers were granted homesteads in the area. Soon, a small community developed. After he became the first postmaster, Henck named the settlement Longwood, after a Boston suburb he helped organize. In 1885, he was elected the town's first mayor.
By 1886, Longwood had a population of about 1,000, making it one of the largest communities in Central Florida. Almost a decade later, the town had three hotels, eight stores, five churches, and a weekly newspaper. However, the Great Freeze that occurred in 1894 led to a major exodus from the region, causing Longwood's population to decline to 325. During the early 20th century, the area began to grow again, resulting in the Boom Era. Longwood became an incorporated city in 1923.
With the rapid growth of the military and space industries in Central Florida during the 1960s and 1970s, Longwood became home to many people employed at the Martin Marietta missile plant in Orlando and Air Force bases in the region. The opening of Walt Disney World Resort in 1971 and other major tourist attractions fueled further growth. Today, Longwood has a population of about 15,100 and a land area of 5.8 square miles.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Longwood, Florida?
Longwood experiences long, hot, humid, and wet summers and short, cool, and partly cloudy winters. Typically, the temperature ranges from 51 to 91 degrees over the course of a year. It rarely falls below 34 degrees or rises above 94 degrees. If you want to do warm-weather activities during your trip, the best times to visit Longwood are March to May and October to December.
While you're planning your trip, you should bear in mind that the busiest times for tourism in Longwood are spring and summer. If you're in town during these seasons, you may have a difficult time booking your ideal accommodation, as many hotels will be full. Also, hotels tend to charge higher rates during peak seasons. You can avoid high hotel prices by booking your accommodation a few weeks in advance or visiting Longwood around the end of the year.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Longwood, FL:
Averate Rates by Star Rating
Below we've posted 3 graphs displaying average rate patterns by star rating class in Longwood, FL. Analyze these line graphs to calculate the least expensive months to book in Longwood for upcoming travels.
Which Are the Top Hotels in Longwood, Florida?
4 Star Average Prices: $131.23
For a truly comfortable stay, opt for Hyatt Place Lake Mary/Orlando-North. Located 4 miles northwest of Longwood in Lake Mary, this three-star hotel is 5 miles from Rock Springs Run State Reserve, 7 miles from the Sanford Museum, and 8 miles from Monroe Harbor Marina. It offers 128 air-conditioned rooms with wired and wireless internet connection, digital programming, flat screen televisions, MP3 docking stations, refrigerators, queen sofa beds, pillowtop beds, premium bedding, and designer toiletries. As a guest, you can make use of amenities such as an outdoor pool, a spa tub, a fitness center, an on-site restaurant, a lounge, a business center, and a free area shuttle.
The Alfond Inn is a great option for high-end travelers. This award-winning four-star hotel is situated about 7 miles south of Longwood in Winter Park, less than a mile from Mead Botanical Garden, 2 miles from the Orlando Museum of Art, and 10 miles from Spring Hammock Preserve. All of its 112 rooms come with free Wi-Fi, cable programming, flat screen televisions, safes, hair dryers, and designer toiletries. Its on-site amenities include an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a fine dining restaurant, a business center, and a conference space.
What Are the Best Budget Hotels in Longwood, FL?
3 Star Average Prices: $107.92
If you want to keep your travel costs low, consider staying at Budget Inn Lake Front Sanford. This hotel is located about 5 miles northeast of Longwood in Sanford, 2 miles from the Museum of Seminole County History, 3 miles from Spring Hammock Preserve, and 5 miles from the Central Florida Zoo. It has 100 air-conditioned rooms with complimentary Wi-Fi, cable programming, refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, and hair dryers. In addition, it offers amenities such as an outdoor pool, a picnic area, and laundry facilities.
Another budget-friendly hotel that's worth checking out is Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Altamonte Springs. Situated 4 miles southwest of Longwood in Altamonte Springs, this hotel is less than a mile from Altamonte Mall, 5 miles from Wekiwa Springs State Park, and 7 miles from the Orlando Science Center. Its 110 rooms are all equipped with free Wi-Fi, cable programming, refrigerators, microwaves, safes, and hair dryers. You'll have access to amenities such as an outdoor pool, a business center, and a conference space.