A free teaching museum on the Rollins College campus in Winter Park, about 24 miles from Lake Nona, with a collection that runs from antiquity to contemporary art.
The Rollins Museum of Art is on the Rollins College campus in Winter Park, about 24 driving miles from Lake Nona Town Center. Admission to the museum is free. It was founded in 1978 as the Cornell Fine Arts Museum and was renamed the Rollins Museum of Art in 2021. Its collection of thousands of works runs from antiquity and old master paintings to contemporary art, including the Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art. Part of the Alfond Collection is displayed at The Alfond Inn, a Rollins-owned hotel a few blocks from campus.
The Rollins Museum of Art is Winter Park's other great museum, and it is free. It is a teaching museum on the Rollins College campus, with a collection that ranges from Renaissance paintings to contemporary work, and it takes little more than an hour to see.
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 fit it into a day in Winter Park.
How far is the Rollins Museum of Art from Lake Nona?
The Rollins Museum of Art is about 24 driving miles north of Lake Nona Town Center, on the Rollins College campus at the south end of Park Avenue.
The usual route takes SR 417 north, a toll road, and then local roads west into Winter Park. Parking is on the Rollins campus; check the museum's website for visitor parking details before you go.
| Distance from Lake Nona Town Center | About 24 miles |
|---|---|
| Location | Rollins College campus, 1000 Holt Avenue, Winter Park |
| Admission | Free |
| Founded | 1978, as the Cornell Fine Arts Museum |
| Also on view | Part of the Alfond Collection at The Alfond Inn |
What is in the Rollins Museum of Art's collection?
The collection covers thousands of works from antiquity to today, including old master paintings, prints from the 15th century onward, photography and contemporary art.
Its best-known holding is the Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art, a large collection of contemporary work donated to Rollins. The museum rotates what is on view and presents changing exhibitions, many tied to teaching at the college, so the galleries look different from one visit to the next.
What is the art at The Alfond Inn?
The Alfond Inn, a Rollins-owned boutique hotel a few blocks from campus, displays a significant part of the Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art in its public spaces.
The museum describes the hotel as an extension of the museum, and its lobby and public areas are hung with contemporary art. It makes a good second stop after the campus galleries, and the hotel's restaurant is a convenient place for lunch.
Why is the Rollins Museum of Art free?
As the teaching museum of Rollins College, it offers free admission to all visitors.
That makes it one of the easiest museums in the Orlando area to drop into for an hour, and a good introduction to art for children. The museum also offers guided tours and a free audio guide through the Bloomberg Connects app. Hours vary by day and the museum closes during installations, so check its website before you go.
How can you combine it with a day in Winter Park?
Pair it with the Morse Museum on Park Avenue, lunch in town and the Scenic Boat Tour for a full Winter Park day.
The Rollins campus sits at the south end of Park Avenue on Lake Virginia, a short walk from the shops, restaurants and Morse Museum. See our Winter Park day trip guide for a full plan.
How does the Rollins Museum of Art fit alongside Lake Nona's other nearby museums?
The Rollins Museum of Art is one of two major museums in Winter Park, with the Loch Haven Park museums a short drive south in Orlando.
See our guides to the Orlando Museum of Art and the Mennello Museum of American Art. For more of Orlando, see the Explore Orlando hub.
Pros, Cons and Our Take
Pros
- Free admission.
- A wide-ranging collection, from old masters to contemporary art.
- Contemporary art also on view at The Alfond Inn nearby.
- Easy to pair with the Morse Museum and Park Avenue.
Cons
- About 24 miles each way, with tolls if you drive.
- A small museum that rarely fills a trip on its own.
- Closed on Mondays and during installations.
- Campus parking takes some planning.
Our Take
The Rollins Museum of Art is an easy yes on any Winter Park day. It is free, it takes about an hour, and its collection is broader than its size suggests. Visit it with the Morse Museum and finish at The Alfond Inn to see more of the contemporary collection over lunch.
What the Neighbors Know
For Lake Nona residents, the Rollins museum is usually one stop on a Winter Park day rather than a trip on its own. Because it is free, it is also an easy place to take visitors. If regular trips north matter to you, compare Lake Nona neighborhoods by how quickly they reach SR 417.
Official Sources
- Rollins Museum of Art
- Rollins Museum of Art: visit
- Central Florida Expressway Authority (SR 417 tolls)
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 Rollins Museum of Art from Lake Nona?
About 24 driving miles from Lake Nona Town Center, on the Rollins College campus in Winter Park.
Is the Rollins Museum of Art free?
Yes. Admission to the Rollins Museum of Art is free for all visitors.
What was the Rollins Museum of Art called before?
It was founded in 1978 as the Cornell Fine Arts Museum and was renamed the Rollins Museum of Art in 2021.
What is the Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art?
The Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art is a collection of contemporary work donated to Rollins College. Part of it is on view at the Rollins Museum of Art and part at The Alfond Inn in Winter Park.
