MOUNT DORA

Founded in 1880, Mount Dora charms visitors every year with its small-town flair. It offers something for everyone, young and old alike. Take a walk down to the Port of Mount Dora and see the 35-foot red and white striped lighthouse that overlooks Lake Dora. Visit the Lakeside Inn and sit on the rocking chairs, taking in the beautiful sunset off of the lake. The yellow hotel was built in 1883 and is the oldest continuously operating hotel in Florida.

Take a stroll down Donnelly Street or one of the intersecting streets and you’ll find adorable stores selling books, pet supplies, local souvenirs and even Christmas ornaments. Just outside of downtown is Renninger’s Twin Markets. If you are a lover of antiques and unique finds, Renninger’s is the place to go. They have various events throughout the year like a Steampunk Show and they also do American Civil War reenactments.

Hungry? Whether you are looking for fine dining or just a quick bite, there’s something for everyone. Just to give you some ideas –  there’s sushi, empanadas, burgers, lobster rolls, ice cream, boba tea, mimosas, and tacos all within a few minutes of one another. The walkable downtown area is also dog friendly, featuring many outdoor dining options so your four-legged friend doesn’t have to stay at home.

It’s a city where you say hello to your neighbors, hold open doors for strangers or stop to pet a cute dog. It’s a town where the bookseller knows your name and where you joke with shop owners, and where the juice bar employee remembers your order.

Commonly known as the “Festival City”, this town is home to many celebrations throughout the year, including (but not limited to) the Mount Dora Arts Festival in February, the Mount Dora Blueberry Festival, the Mount Dora Seafood Festival and the Mount Dora Craft Fair.

This picturesque suburb is a short drive to Orlando, The Villages and Sanford.

This delightful city makes “best towns in Florida” lists frequently like recent entries in Southern Living, Country Living and Travel and Leisure.

Come to visit the charming town and experience the small-town hospitality. With the close proximity to busier cities, you can live and play here, but work in Orlando.

This city is also home to the infamous Van Gogh house, which earned national news coverage back in 2018.

Fun fact: Mount Dora was once painted pink for the 1981 film, “Honky Tonk Freeway”.

This town makes up part of the “Golden Triangle” – along with Eustis and Tavares. The three geographically close cities are easy to navigate so it’s easy to jump from one to the other. Perhaps you visit for the Mount Dora Craft Fair, then head over to the Tavares Dog House for lunch and finish off your day with a beer at Wolf Branch Brewing in Eustis and a walk through Ferran Park. The three cities have lots of things to do while maintaining the feel of a small town. That’s why it’s such a great area to call home.

For more information, check out their area chamber of commerce’s website by clicking on the image below!