By Tim Cotroneo
You’ve got Florida circled on your warm weather calendar, but this time you’d like to experience a destination that is outside the Big 3 of Orlando, Miami, and Tampa.
Lake County Florida is an under the radar gem that offers unique vacation opportunities for day trips, great dining, and waterfront activities that will deliver memories to last a lifetime.
When you search for “Lake County” you discover this is an actual county covering over 1,000 square miles with an equal number of signature lakes. Conveniently located just an hour northwest from the Orlando International Airport, the charmingly petite cities that make up this region offer distinct personalities, excursions, scenic geography, and dining hot spots.
Let’s look at some of Lake County’s best of the best attractions. These highlights cover day and evening diversions vacationers will enjoy minus the congestion of big city tourism.
Howey in the Hills – Your Day Trip Hub
You’ll need a place to stay during your Lake County vacation and Mission Resort and Club is a best bet for accommodations offering a bounty of amenities. Debuting in 1970, this 500-acre property is home to 176 guest rooms and suites, two restaurants, a spa, a meeting room, a swimming pool, and two golf courses.
What’s great about Mission Resort is their convenient location to many of the neighboring cities on our list, with most located just an easy 30-minute drive. Free parking and a knowledgeable front desk team are available to answer your day trip questions.
Mount Dora – All American Downtown
Think of your favorite downtown and ponder what you like best about this setting. Did it offer a sense of place, easy walking, unique shops, classic cars, great bar and dining options, a history museum, and perhaps a marina for water activities?
All these priorities are checked when visiting Mount Dora. This city and its lake are named after Dora Ann Dawdry who homesteaded with her husband in 1850.
Visitors will love Mount Dora’s quaint downtown that features a thriving cavalcade of antique shops, boutiques, eateries, and specialty stores. There are more than enough restaurants to sample someplace new each night of the week. If you had to pick one, a great option is 1921 Mount Dora. This bistro is situated in a converted home built in 1921. Many of the menu items are farm to table fresh.
When in Mount Dora it’s hard to ignore their 6-mile-long calling card Lake Dora. A wonderful way to experience the lake is via the Sunset Cruise offered by Rusty Anchor Mount Dora. During this one-hour cruise you’ll see the Lighthouse, Alligator Cove, Palm island, Lakeside Inn, beautiful lake homes, and maybe an alligator or two.
A Baker’s Breakfast, A Nature Walk, and A Seaplane Adventure
It’s often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. There’s nowhere in Lake County where this is more true than at Yalaha Bakery located just a 10-minute drive from Mission Resort and Club.
Since 1995, vacationers and central Floridians have flocked to this German bakery that is famous for its fresh pastry, pies, cakes, breads, cookies, pretzels, and sandwiches. There are tables inside and picnic tables outside. If you prefer, grab your items to go, and head out on your upcoming Lake County day trip.
One of Lake County’s most popular destinations is the city of Tavares. Vacationers with a green thumb will enjoy exploring The Discovery Gardens. This 4-acre free site shows off the 700 different plants and flowers found in central Florida. This botanical escape is all about horticulture, gardening, landscape design, and natural resource management.
You won’t want to leave Tavares without checking out their waterfront site that showcases the town’s nickname: Seaplane City. Although Tavares’ legacy to seaplanes dates back a century, the business that continues to build on the city’s nickname is Jones Brothers Air & Seaplane Adventures.
This business, based on Lake Dora, flies passenger excursions and also trains future pilots 365 days per year. Trips include breakfast fly-ins, seaplane bar hops, river runs, gator tours, and sunset celebrations.
After your flight you can continue your seaplane mojo while satisfying your appetite at nearby Puddle Jumpers bar and restaurant. This local dining favorite touts the best crab cakes, fish and chips, and Berry Good Turkey in the county.
Towering Views and an On the Waterfront Finale
The city of Clermont is known for its rolling hills, legion of lakes, acres of orange groves, and one of the tallest buildings in Florida. Don’t leave Lake County without adding the 226-foot-tall Citrus Tower to your vacation calendar.
Take a deep breath when entering the first floor of this soaring structure and you’ll smell the aroma of Citrus Coffee Company. Ask for your favorite coffee and indulge in an orange cranberry muffin before heading to the top of the tower.
After buying your ticket, take the elevator skyward, and step out to the 360-degree observation deck. From this perch you can see Orlando’s Disney World, Sugarloaf Mountain, Cape Kennedy, and acres of citrus fields.
Whether it’s your first or last day in Lake County, why not cap off your trip with a great meal alongside one of the county’s trademark lakes. Lake Eustis belongs to the Chain of Lakes, and it is known for fishing, boating, and water sports.
The nautically-themed Lake Eustis Waterfront Grill sits on the site of a marina, and this two-story indoor/outdoor venue offers great views of Lake Eustis. Hungry customers choose from a menu that includes handcrafted wings, a grouper sandwich, or lobster mac and cheese.
You can’t help but smile as you hoist a Lake Eustis Waterfront lager and take in the picturesque view. The only downside to your Lake County vacation is that it must come to an end. The good news is you’ll go home with fond memories of Lake County’s amazing day trips, excursions, and delicious dining. https://discoverlakefl.com/
