Everyone knows that Florida has great beaches, but did you know that it can also be the perfect waterfront vacation spot?
So, Mount Dora comes into play. This cute place is great for a real holiday because it has a calm atmosphere and a slow pace that are usually only found in small towns. Mount Dora trip has a cute downtown, a lake that’s six miles long, historic buildings, and a lot of art shops and studios. Mount Dora has something for everyone, whether you want a busy trip or a relaxing one, a romantic getaway or something for the whole family.
Best Hotels in Mount Dora Trip, Florida
By staying at Lakeside Inn, you can be a part of Mount Dora’s past. This hotel has been open since 1883 and is the oldest one in Florida that is still running. In 1930, President Calvin Coolidge and his wife stayed at the inn for a month. Today, the bright yellow buildings have 90 guest rooms and suites, a large lakefront pool, two docks that are great for exploring Lake Dora, and a 200-foot veranda with white rocking chairs.
But Lakeside Inn isn’t the only place that has been serving guests for more than a century. The Heirloom Inn is also a good option for a place to stay in the old downtown area. This building has six rooms, and some of them have full kitchens. It also allows pets, so you can bring your animal friend with you on your trip to Mount Dora.
Stay at Adora Inn if you want to stay at a top-rated bed-and-breakfast that mixes its historic past with more modern style and amenities. The only thing that is missing from the six comfortable rooms is a TV. The goal of this place is to help people unwind and relax. Don’t miss out on the delicious breakfasts with several courses.
Best Things to Do in Mount Dora, Florida
Most people think that Mount Dora trip got its name from a nearby mountain, but that is not true. Instead, Lake Dora gives the town its name, and there are many things to do there for both tourists and people who live there.
Start by going to Grantham Point Park, where you’ll find one of Mount Dora’s most famous landmarks: a 35-foot-tall lighthouse that is one of the few freshwater lights in Florida. Take a seat on one of the benches to watch the sunset or fish in one of the marked spots.
Nearby is a walk that goes along the water and leads to Palm Island Park. This one-of-a-kind oasis has a mile of raised boardwalks that let you walk through tall grasses and marshlands while cypress trees rising above provide shade. Palm Island is also a great place to see wildlife in a safe way. You might see migratory birds or even snakes.
For a closer look at the lake, you can rent a kayak or paddleboard from Adventure Outdoor Paddle, go on a small catamaran tour with CatBoat Adventure Tours, or take a slower tour on the Dora Queen, an old-fashioned paddlewheel boat.
Even though the natural beauty of the area is beautiful, most people come to Mount Dora for its cute center. Mount Dora’s downtown is only a few blocks wide and long, but it has plenty to do to keep you busy for the day. It’s also small enough that you can leave your car at home and take a walk. There are unique shops, art studios, and craft stores all over the area. On the weekends, you can go to Village Market to try meat, cheese, and produce from nearby farms.
Best Time to Visit Mount Dora, Florida
Mount Dora has strong heat in the summer, but the oak and cypress trees in the town help with that. The spring and fall are a little cooler, and the winters are mild. But there’s more to think about than just the weather: the schedule of events for the year.
Mount Dora is a town that knows how to have fun. There are special events and festivals almost every month of the year, and sometimes they happen on more than one weekend in a row. The trip to Mount Dora has a lot of festivals, including ones for storytelling, craft beer, and even blueberries. However, there are a few that are especially famous and worth planning a trip around.
Every February, hundreds of artists get together for the Mount Dora Arts Festival. The festival shows off work in every form and draws tens of thousands of people. In the meantime, people who like to ride bikes should check the calendar for the oldest and biggest bike event in Florida. Cycle Mount Dora is a yearly event that usually takes place in the fall. It brings together more than 1,000 bikers of all skill levels for several days of riding. And if you like the holidays, go to Mount Dora in December to see a full calendar of events and more than 2,000 holiday lights shining over downtown Donnelly Park.
Even though Renninger’s Antique Center is not a real fair, it feels like one. This is a must-see for weekend guests to Mount Dora, but real treasure hunters should keep an eye out for the market’s occasional Antique Extravaganza, when the number of vendor booths jumps from 200 to 800 and more than 1,500 antique dealers bring their best items to sell.
Best Places to Eat and Drink in Mount Dora, Florida
Even though Mount Dora is a small town, the food scene there is surprisingly big. There are more than 30 restaurants in the downtown area alone, so everyone can find something they like, from foreign food to Southern classics.
Mount Dora Marketplace is a good place to eat with a group of tourists, especially those who can’t decide what to eat. This food hall has many different places to eat, perfect for a quick lunch or a long, relaxing brunch. They serve everything from delicate crepes and delicious Lebanese food to craft beer and barbecue street tacos.
The Modernism Museum is right across the street from 1921 Mount Dora, where you can get a high-end meal in an art-inspired space. This restaurant serves modern Florida food, like pork rib eye with pineapple glaze and sweet potato cakes, along with beautiful works of art, like a Murano glass chandelier hanging over the chef’s table.
The Goblin Market Restaurant & Lounge is a bistro-style restaurant with eating rooms lined with bookshelves. It serves high-end dishes that are inspired by cuisines from around the world. You’ll feel like you’re eating in an elegant library.
The Magical Meat Boutique, which is an English-style pub, the Olive Branch Grille & Bar, which serves Mediterranean and Italian food, the Shiva Indian Restaurant, which is owned by a family and serves traditional Indian food and vegetarian dishes, and any of the four restaurants at Lakeside Inn are also worth mentioning.
Getting to Mount Dora, Florida
Mount Dora is an easy place to get to because it is only about 40 minutes north of Orlando. When you get to the city’s international airport, you can rent a car and start your trip. Mount Dora is close to Orlando, so you can even use a ride-sharing app to get there. Once there, you can walk around the town for the rest of your stay. It’s also easy to get here from Tampa, which is less than two hours away by car.
