12 THINGS TO DO IN MOUNT DORA, FLORIDA
Here's why this central Florida gem lives up to its slogan.
“Mount Dora has the feel of a small New England town but with lots of Old Florida charm, and there is so much to do here,” says Dylan Gamez, marketing and public relations manager at Mount Dora’s historic Lakeside Inn, the longest continually operating hotel in Florida. “No matter what kind of getaway you’re looking for, whether it’s a couple’s retreat, girls’ weekend, or a family trip, there is truly something for everyone here.”
Once a haven for hunting and fishing enthusiasts arriving by steamboat to escape chilly northern winters, today’s visitors flock to Mount Dora, a suburb just 40 minutes northeast of bustling Orlando, to play on 4,500-acre Lake Dora and see wildlife, but also to shop for antiques, soak up the vibrant art scene, and stroll the historic downtown. The charming, compact city center sports an abundance of restaurants, sidewalk cafes, independently-owned shops, and art galleries situated along picturesque streets studded with palms and towering oak trees cloaked in Spanish moss—a true postcard-worthy scene.
“Mount Dora is such a friendly, welcoming place,” Gamez said. “And everything you need is just steps away. You can park at your hotel and never have to get back in your car the whole weekend.”
Visit on weekdays in fall or spring for mild weather and fewer crowds, or during one of more than 30 festivals that take place in Mount Dora each year. While the pace here is slow, there is never a shortage of things to do. Here are our favorite ways to spend a weekend—or longer—in laidback Mount Dora, Florida.
Head Outdoors
Spend A Day By The Lake
Lake Dora is one of seven cobalt-blue lakes in the Harris-chain-of-lakes, each connected by rivers or canals for a total of 77,000 acres to explore. The waters are a haven for bass fishing, bird watching, boating, and even manatee spotting, but simply taking in their beauty from the shore is a rejuvenating way to spend a day. Mount Dora’s eastern location on the lake means gorgeous lakefront sunsets too. Stop by or stay at the historic Lakeside Inn, where you can walk the shoreline, relax by the waterfront pool with a book, or dine at their on-property restaurants with the lake as your backdrop.
Visitors hoping to spot a bald eagle, turtle, alligator, or sandhill crane need only spend a bit of quiet time on Lake Dora’s shores. To see even more wild locals, cruise the Dora Canal, a verdant passage bordered by cypress trees and home to otters, herons, wood ducks, egrets, and more. “The canal is so wild that anytime we cruise it, my husband and I play the 'Jurassic Park' theme song,” Gamez jokes.
Check Out The Boardwalk
“A must-see for any Mount Dora visitor is the Palm Island Boardwalk on the south end of town on the waterfront,” says Brian E. Young, events and promotions director at Visit Mount Dora, Inc. “This elevated nature walk will take you out onto Lake Dora at a safe distance from the water for ultimate viewing of wildlife. The boardwalk may be experienced on foot or via a Segway PT for the adventurous.” Visitors will stroll under old-growth live oaks and tall cabbage palms, and among knobby cypress trees, with ample opportunity to spot migratory birds and even gators.
floridahikes.com; 411 S Tremain St, Mt Dora, FL 32757
Tour Lake Dora By Water
Ready to venture beyond the shoreline? Lake Dora’s water activities are plentiful, with a variety of boat tours and rentals and water sports of all sorts, from skiing and tubing to wakeboarding and wake surfing.
“The history of the waterway and the nature you will experience on any of the tours offered is amazing," Young said. CatBoat Adventures are two-hour, guided trips on a two-person mini catamaran where you’re in the driver’s seat. “You’ll experience nature and history in the most unique way as you cruise across Lake Dora and through the famous Dora Canal,” Young says.
Or, cruise at a slower pace on the 80-foot New Orleans-style paddlewheel boat, Dora Queen, which launches from the adjacent town of Tavares and offers two-hour rides complete with live music and cocktails on board.
catboattour.com;148 Charles Ave., Mount Dora, FL 32757; 352-325-1442
doraqueen.com; 375 S. Sinclair Ave., Tavares, FL 32778; 352-533-3380
Take To The Air
Take the opportunity to see Lake Dora and the surrounding landscape from the air. Jones Brothers & Co. offers seaplane tours that range from 15 to 60 minutes, including a sunset tour with breathtaking views of the Harris Chain of Lakes and Ocala National Forest. You can even combine your flight with a couple of leisurely hours of kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding.
jonesairandsea.com; 210 E. Ruby St., Tavares, Florida 32778; 352-508-1800
Visit A Freshwater Lighthouse
Just a bit north of Palm Island Boardwalk is Grantham Point Park, home to one of Florida’s few freshwater lighthouses. The 35-foot-tall lighthouse is one of the city’s most prominent landmarks and a great place to watch boaters and enjoy the sunset.
gomountdora.com; 311 South Tremain St., Mount Dora, FL 32757
Arts And Culture
Visit A Modernist Museum
Home to an impressive collection of midcentury modern furniture, Mount Dora’s Modernism Museum is a worthwhile stop for design buffs and those interested in modern art and culture. The museum has hosted many exhibits since opening in 2013, including Memphis Collective furniture and design objects owned by David Bowie and sculptural furniture by artists George Nakashima and Wendell Castle. Editor's note: At the time of publish, the Modernism Museum was temporarily closed.
modernismmuseum.org; 145 E. 4th Ave., Mount Dora, FL 32757; 352-385-0034
Appreciate Local Art
Mount Dora is an artist’s and art lover’s haven, with independently-owned galleries throughout town and art festivals throughout the year. The largest, Mount Dora Arts Festival, takes place the first weekend in February and is one of the top-ranked fine arts shows in the country. More than 200 artists line the streets, as well as food and drink vendors and live music.
Mount Dora Center for the Arts also sponsors Art in the Alley every second Friday on Royellou Lane, and there are other arts and crafts festivals throughout the year.
Hunt For Antique Treasures
Collectors from across the country descend upon Renninger’s Antique Market, a sprawling antique center, flea market, and farmer's market, where 200 vendor booths overflow with vintage finds in all styles. During its Antique Extravaganzas, the market hosts more than 1,500 antique dealers and more than 800 booths.
renningers.net; 20651 US-441, Mount Dora, FL 32757; 352-383-3141
Celebrate At Town Festivals
Mount Dora is also known as "The Festival City" for good reason. The town celebrates blueberries, beer, and bicycles at various events throughout the year, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. You can plan your trip around a film festival, a storytelling festival, a Jane Austen festival—and of course, they do it up big for the holidays.
“Christmas in Mount Dora is spectacular with millions of lights throughout town and a large singing Christmas tree,” Young says. “The light display at the Mount Dora Marina on the lakefront is among the best you will ever see.” There are multiple events throughout the season, like Light Up Mount Dora and street and boat parades. At Children's Christmas in the Park, the young at heart can have the unusual experience of snow sledding in Florida. The Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce keeps a running list of major events in town.
Food And Drink
Travel The World In One Spot
Not only does Mount Dora boast an impressive number of dining options, but you can find cuisines from around the world as well as inviting outdoor seating and live music. “Mount Dora Marketplace is like a co-op with a ton of little eateries, from breweries to crepes and a Colombian restaurant,” Gamez says. “You can get an empanada from here, a crepe from there, a beer from the brewery, a hodge lodge of all the deliciousness, and sit and enjoy.” Above the Marketplace is the HandleBar, a speakeasy-style outpost with beautiful, handcrafted cocktails and views of downtown.
facebook.com; 100 E. 4th Avenue & 334 N Donnelly St., Mount Dora, FL 32757
Enjoy A Taste Of England
The Magical Meat Boutique is a pub owned by generations of British sausage makers and offers authentic English breakfast and delicious fish and chips. They also host live music and occasional tea parties, which feature imported scones and clotted cream.
facebook.com; 322 N. Alexander St., Mount Dora, FL 32757; 352-729-6911
Indulge In Fine Dining
The Goblin Market Restaurant and Lounge “has a superb menu, the wine selection is excellent, and the service and atmosphere are hard to top,” says Young. This restaurant has developed a loyal following in its 28 years of serving up gorgeous plates and cocktails.
At 1921 Mount Dora, elevated fare from celebrated chef Norman Van Aken pays homage to local Florida ingredients with an eye toward modernity and sustainability. Housed in a historic residence across the street from the Modernism Museum, the restaurant features artful masterpieces, including a Murano glass chandelier above the chef’s table and hand-crafted tables and seating in the Nakashima room.
goblinmarketrestaurant.com; 330 Dora Drawdy Way, Mt Dora, FL 32757; 352-735-00591921mountdora.com; 142 East Fourth Ave., Mount Dora, FL 32757; 352-385-1921
Where To Stay
Step Back In Time At A Victorian Hotel
Whether you stop by to take in the Lakeside Inn’s spectacular Lake Dora view, grab a meal at one of its four on-site restaurants, or book a stay, a visit to this pretty yellow piece of history is a must. The oldest continually operating hotel in Florida started as the 10-room Alexander House when visitors in the late 1800s enjoyed Florida’s mild winter weather and the bounty of the lake. Today, visiting the 85-room Victorian-era inn feels like stepping back in time and is a place where you can truly unwind. There are four dining options at the inn, including the Beauclaire Dining Room; The Verandah, which sports beautiful lake views; Tremain’s Tavern for a traditional club-like atmosphere, light bites, and live entertainment; and the Waterside Bar for cocktails al fresco.
lakeside-inn.com; 100 North Alexander St., Mount Dora, FL 32757; 352-383-4101
Book A Room At A B&B
Mount Dora is home to a wealth of charming bed and breakfasts just steps from lively cafes, restaurants, shops, parks, and the lake. At the Adora Inn on North Tremain Street street, owners and professional chefs John Cataldo and Arthur Natale craft daily gourmet breakfasts with a focus on fresh ingredients. Set in a 1916 residence, the inn pays homage to history but is outfitted in clean, tasteful, and modern finishes with a focus on comfort.
Other charming local stays, like the Magnolia Inn Bed & Breakfast and Grandview of Mount Dora Bed & Breakfast, are right downtown and lean into Mount Dora’s Victorian-era style.
adorainn.com; 610 North Tremain St., Mount Dora, FL 32757; 352-735-3110magnoliainn.net; 347 East Third Ave., Mount Dora, FL 32757; 352-735-3800
Read the original article on Southern Living
2025-01-18T04:16:38Z