A small city-owned museum of American art on the shore of Lake Formosa, about 24 miles from Lake Nona, with a sculpture garden under a centuries-old oak.
The Mennello Museum of American Art is on the shore of Lake Formosa in Orlando's Loch Haven Park, about 24 driving miles from Lake Nona Town Center. It opened in 1998 and is owned and operated by the City of Orlando. It holds the largest collection of paintings by the self-taught artist Earl Cunningham in the United States. Its sculpture garden surrounds a live oak estimated to be about 350 years old. It is a Smithsonian affiliate and shows rotating exhibitions of American art.
The Mennello is Orlando's small, lakeside art museum: a few galleries of American folk and fine art, a sculpture garden and a view across Lake Formosa. It is the easiest museum in the city to enjoy in an hour, and it pairs naturally with a longer visit elsewhere in Loch Haven Park.
This guide is written for people weighing a move to Lake Nona. It covers how far the museum is, what is there and how to plan a visit.
How far is the Mennello Museum from Lake Nona?
The Mennello Museum is about 24 driving miles from Lake Nona Town Center, on Lake Formosa at the edge of Loch Haven Park.
The usual route takes SR 417 north and the East-West Expressway (SR 408) west, both toll roads, then local roads north to Loch Haven Park. The Mennello shares the park with several other cultural institutions, so it is easy to combine two in one trip.
| Distance from Lake Nona Town Center | About 24 miles |
|---|---|
| Location | 900 E. Princeton Street, Orlando, on Lake Formosa |
| Opened | 1998 |
| Owned by | City of Orlando |
| Known for | Earl Cunningham paintings; lakeside sculpture garden |
Who was Earl Cunningham?
Earl Cunningham was a self-taught American painter whose bright, imaginative scenes of ships, harbors and Florida landscapes form the heart of the Mennello's collection.
The museum's founders, Marilyn and Michael Mennello, collected his work and donated it, and the museum now holds the largest collection of his paintings in the country. His work is a good introduction to American folk art, and it appeals to children as well as adults.
What else is at the Mennello Museum?
Alongside the Cunningham collection, the museum shows rotating exhibitions of American folk and fine art, and its sculpture garden runs down to the lake.
The sculpture garden is built around a live oak estimated at about 350 years old, known locally as "The Mayor," with contemporary sculpture placed around the grounds. As a Smithsonian affiliate, the museum sometimes hosts exhibitions drawn from national collections. The museum also holds events on its grounds; check its calendar for what is coming up.
How long should you plan for a visit?
About an hour is enough for most visitors, which makes the Mennello a natural second stop after the Orlando Museum of Art or the Science Center.
Because it is small, it is also a good first museum for children, who can see everything before they tire. Take time for the sculpture garden and the lake view, which are part of the appeal.
Is the Mennello Museum good for families?
Yes. Cunningham's colorful paintings, the sculpture garden and the museum's small size make it one of the most approachable art museums for families in Orlando.
The museum runs family programs and events through the year. Check its website for current hours and admission before you go.
How does the Mennello fit alongside Lake Nona's other nearby museums?
The Mennello shares Loch Haven Park with the Orlando Museum of Art and the Orlando Science Center, and Winter Park's museums are a short drive north.
See our guides to the Orlando Museum of Art, the Orlando Science Center and the Morse Museum. For more of Orlando, see the Explore Orlando hub.
Pros, Cons and Our Take
Pros
- A small museum you can enjoy in about an hour.
- A unique collection of Earl Cunningham's folk art.
- A lakeside sculpture garden under a centuries-old oak.
- Easy to pair with the other Loch Haven Park museums.
Cons
- About 24 miles each way, with tolls.
- Small enough that it rarely fills a trip on its own.
- Rotating exhibitions vary in scale.
- The garden is less pleasant in the midday summer heat.
Our Take
The Mennello is best as part of a Loch Haven Park day rather than a trip on its own. Visit the Science Center or the Orlando Museum of Art first, then finish with an hour at the Mennello and a walk through the sculpture garden by the lake.
What the Neighbors Know
Lake Nona residents who enjoy the public sculpture around Town Center tend to like the Mennello's garden too. It makes a good family outing that doesn't take the whole day. If regular trips into Orlando matter to you, compare Lake Nona neighborhoods by how quickly they reach SR 417.
Official Sources
Buying or selling in Lake Nona? Call/Text David Myers at 407.801.3286 or use the contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is the Mennello Museum from Lake Nona?
About 24 driving miles from Lake Nona Town Center, on Lake Formosa at the edge of Loch Haven Park in Orlando.
What is the Mennello Museum known for?
The Mennello Museum of American Art is known for the largest collection of paintings by self-taught artist Earl Cunningham in the United States, and for its lakeside sculpture garden.
Who owns the Mennello Museum?
The Mennello Museum of American Art is owned and operated by the City of Orlando.
How long does a visit to the Mennello Museum take?
About an hour is enough for most visitors, including time in the sculpture garden.
