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11 Snazzy Things to do in Mount Dora | A Family Guide

There are many things to do in Mount Dora, Fl that are family-friendly.  This charming town is also the perfect spot to set up a home base for visiting attractions all around the Central Florida area.

kids in pool with beach ball, things to do in Mount Dora

I grew up in Mount Dora and I now take my kids back home every summer.  It is interesting to reflect on my experiences in this town as a child and teenager, and how I see it as a parent with my own children.

I love to take them home to swim in my parents’ pool, take them to see my old school (now called Mount Dora Christian Academy), Walk through the Mount Dora shops, and let them play and explore at the parks and playgrounds I used to enjoy.

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If you’re wondering ‘is Mount Dora worth visiting?’, YES! and here are 11 snazzy things to do in Mount Dora, FL for a fun-filled family vacation.

1. Take a boat tour of Lake Dora and the Dora Canal

Mount Dora is located in Lake County and the name was given for a reason.  It has over 1,000 lakes.  Growing up, I was never more than a mile from any lake.  One of the best ways to explore the “real” Florida is to take a boat tour on Lake Dora and the Dora Canal.

This beautiful lake is part of the larger Harris chain of lakes which includes 7 lakes all connected by canals.  Premier Boat Tours and the Rusty Anchor are two guided pontoon boat companies who take visitors around Lake Dora, sharing stories about the history and ecology of the area.  You will be enchanted as you glide under a canopy of mossy oaks and cypress trees.  Your guide will help you spy herons, turtles, and possibly even some alligators.  My kids had a great time on the boat tour, especially when the captain let each of them drive the boat.

Because Florida has such mild winters, any season is a great time for a boat tour.  One of the festive things to do in Mount Dora at night is to take a Christmas boat tour.  Throughout December, The Rusty Anchor offers tours to view the marinas, docks, and piers lit up with Christmas lights while guests sip hot apple cider and enjoy cookies.

things to do in Mount Dora, Lake Dora boat ride

2. Play and have a Picnic at Gilbert Park playground

If you are looking for kid-friendly things to do in Mt. Dora, Gilbert Park is a wooden playground area shaded by sprawling oak and palm trees, that sparks adventure for imaginative play.  I remember when Gilbert Park was being built and what a fun playground it was.  It has recently undergone renovations, and now includes a pirate ship playscape and more inclusive areas within the park.

My kids loved running through the wooden castle halls and climbing through the rope web.  This is a great park to visit when its hot (and let’s be honest, that’s most of the time in Florida) because due to the shade, you don’t risk your child being burned on the equipment.

Gilbert Park has several covered pavilions and picnic benches around the playground.  Grab some lunch from one of the cafes or restaurants in downtown, like Copacabana Cuban Cafe, and enjoy a picnic by the lake.  Copacabana has Cuban sandwiches as well as a kids’ menu that includes the regular burgers and nuggets, but also Bistec de Palomiila (tender, thinly sliced steak).  Yeah, my boys would go for that!

3. Visit the Grantham Pointe Lighthouse and spot the wildlife from the Palm Island Park boardwalk

things to do in Mount Dora, lighthouse

Across the street from Gilbert Park is the Grantham Pointe Lighthouse and Palm Island Park boardwalk.

The lighthouse is Florida’s only freshwater lighthouse and has become a local landmark.  It was erected in 1988 to help fishermen and recreational boaters navigate along Lake Dora’s shoreline and the Gilbert Park docks.   This is a great family photo op with beautiful Lake Dora in the background, and it’s one of the many free things to do in Mount Dora.

From the lighthouse, follow the boardwalk through the canopy of oak and cypress trees on the Palm Island Park boardwalk.  This is where you can watch for many different types of birds, turtles, and alligators.  Kids will enjoy watching the birds on the water hunt for fish.  You can even enjoy fishing together as a family.  Just make sure you have a FL fishing license.  Lake Dora has largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish.

4. See a Play at the IceHouse Theatre

Mount Dora has a thriving fine arts community and the IceHouse Theatre plays an important part.  This theater building was remodeled from an ice plant in the late 1940s and the Icehouse Players have been performing ever since.  This is an affordable thing to do in Mount Dora on the weekend as tickets are less than $25 for adults.  The theater performs classics such as Singing in the Rain and a holiday special each December.  They also have a youth program where children from the community star in play adaptations like Oliver! the Musical.

5. Spark curiosity at the Modernism Museum

Another way Mount Dora expresses its creativity is at the Modernism Museum, located in downtown.  This unique collection focuses on the art of functional objects.  There are many pieces that can spark conversations about what is art.  Is furniture functional or beautiful?  Can you design a cool and different type of furniture?  How can you make this normal, everyday object into a work of art?  And the list can go on and on.  The Modernism Museum can spark inspiration and curiosity in your young artist.  The museum is only open Friday through Sunday, so make sure to plan to visit on those days.

6. Have high tea at the Windsor Rose Tea Room

I love tea, and tea parties, and tea rooms.  Growing up, visiting the Windsor Rose Tea Room was a special, elegant treat.  The Windsor Rose is a great choice whether you’re feeling fancy or just want a warm, comforting meal.  You would never think it, but even my boys love having tea.  Something about putting sugar and milk in tea and slathering scones with clotted cream makes them willing to put on a nice shirt and sit up straight.  The British-inspired tea room is lovely and elegant.  When you visit Mount Dora, make sure to set some time aside in the afternoon for a tea-time treat.

things to do in Mount Dora, tea time

7. Go on a Ghost Tour

With a tour as historic as Mount Dora, you are bound to hear some haunted stories.  If you like the spooky and supernatural and are looking for things to do in Mount Dora at night, check out the Mount Dora Ghost Tours.  This after-dark experience leads you through the streets and alleys of Mount Dora on the hunt for lost souls and spirits.  Your guide will share tails of paranormal activity and the history of the town.  The 1 hour and 45-minute tour starts at $25.  They also offer a paranormal experience at the Donnelly House, a stately, maybe haunted Victorian house.

8. Pick strawberries, blueberries, and more at a farm

things to do in Mount Dora, strawberry picking girl

Oak Haven Farm and Winery offers two delicious products under a giant historic oak tree.  The U-pick strawberry section of the farm is open from December to March, with a hot dog stand open on the weekends.  There is something about picking your own produce that makes it taste even better.  This is a great opportunity to sample some springtime flavor in winter, especially if you are visiting from up north.

While you are there, don’t miss out on a wine tasting.  You can sample 5 wines for $1.00.  They offer a unique selection of wines, including strawberry wine, blueberry wine, and muscadine wine.  All of which have earned awards at international competitions.

In the town next to Mount Dora, Eustis (which is adorable and worth a visit as well), is Amber Brooke FarmThis has something for everyone.  They offer blueberry picking in March and April, strawberries from December to March, and pumpkins from September through November.  The farm also grows peaches, sunflowers, and zinnias.

There is plenty of fun to enjoy the whole afternoon at the farm.  There is a gem mining trough where kids can sift for colorful rocks that is available September through May, and plenty of old-fashioned farm-fun activities like a cow train, corn hole, slide hill, sand pit, and giant spider web play area.  If you visit in the fall, don’t miss out on their Fall Festival that happens each weekend.

Because of Florida’s warm weather, produce is grown year-round, and the Central Florida area has many farms to choose from.  There are two other farms to check out in the Central Florida area.  Far Reach Farm in Tavares has U-pick blueberries, strawberries, and sunflowers.  Lastly, Graham Farms in Umatilla specializes in peaches, blackberries, oranges (you can’t go to Florida and not eat a Florida orange!), and sunflowers.

All of these farms are the perfect backdrop for family pictures or a romantic thing to do in Mount Dora.  You can hire a photographer or diy it with a tripod.

Things to do in Mount Dora, couple in orange grove
things to do in Mount Dora, kids and oranges

9. Inspire your artist at the Annual Arts and Crafts festival

One thing is for sure, the people of Mount Dora know how to put on a festival.  This town hosts multiple festivals each month, and there is always something interesting to see or do at every one of them.  The two major, award-winning festivals held in Mount Dora are The Arts Festival, held in February, and The Mount Dora Craft Fair held in October.  These two festivals celebrate the creativity of Florida’s local artisans.  The entire historic downtown is blocked off and hundreds of white-tent booths line the streets.  There is music, delicious food, and beautiful pieces of every kind of art.

Some other fun and interesting festivals that you might encounter during your stay in Mount Dora might include The Florida Storytelling Festival, the Scottish Highlands Festival, the Sail Boat Regatta, the Annual Taste in Mount Dora and Craft Beer Fest, and the Mount Dora Plant and Garden Fair.

Check out the Chamber of Commerce to find dates and times for all the local events.

10. Go camping at Trimble Park

Get the family out into nature and go camping at Trimble Park.  This 15 site campground is at quaint and charming as the town of Mount Dora.  Situated between two lakes, this campground has giant mossy oaks to shade each campsite and a lake breeze with beautiful views.  Clean bathhouses, a playground, and boat ramps make this campground worth your time.  Now, remember, it is Florida and mosquitos are the size of Chihuahuas, so bring your bug spray if you plan to be outside for more than two minutes.  But also bring some binoculars to watch for herons, osprey, alligators, and even squirrels.  With such a limited amount of campsites, make reservations online in advance.  Campsites can accommodate vehicles up to 35 feet.

things to do in Mount Dora, heron

11. Ride a seaplane or a catboat

Seeing Florida from the air is a truly unique experience.  Seaplanes are small, single-engine planes with pontoons that glide at low altitudes to give you an amazing view of Florida from the sky.  Plus, how exciting for kids to get to ride shotgun in a plane.  There are two main seaplane companies that run in the Mount Dora area.  Straight and Level Seaplanes is located right in Mount Dora on Lake Dora.  Tony Yen, the owner and pilot, offers a variety of tours with different lengths of time and prices.  For folks on a budget the “Get your feet wet” and the “Splash and dash” packages are 10 and 15 minutes starting at $50.  For a complete Central Florida experience, where you can even see Disney, you can choose the 60-minute tour for less than $250.

things to do in Mount Dora, seaplane in sky

Jones Brothers Air and Seaplane Adventures operate out of Tavares (another adorable town you should visit).  This company has a more extensive list of tours available, but the prices are more expensive.  Their most affordable and popular tour is the Gator Tour and Attractions.  This 45-minute flight takes you to see Disney and other Orlando attractions as well as searching for gators along Lake Apopka for less than $200.  They also have tours that include paddleboats, kayaks, and boat tours as well.

What is a Cat boat you ask?  Good question.  A Cat Boat is a sing engine catamaran that seats two people.  Its basically two seats on two pontoons with an engine attached.  These cat boats are easy to use, fun to ride, and let you see the lake shoreline up close.  If you are feeling adventurous, try a Cat Boat tour instead of a boat tour of Lake Dora with CatBoat Tours.  This would be a fun activity for a family of 4.  Try taking a Cat Boat out close to sunset to enjoy a spectacular view.

Where to Eat

I’ve noted a couple of places to eat while visiting Mount Dora, but there are so many other scrumptious places to try.

  • For elegant seafood, try Pisces Rising.  It specializes in fresh Florida cuisine.
  • For an intimate romantic meal, head to the Goblin Market.  With its walls lined with books, this cozy yet sophisticated restaurant was always the ‘fancy’ place to eat growing up.
  • For a seriously delicious dive, try Mount Dora Pizza and SubsThis is where the locals go for calzones and garlic rolls drenched in butter.
  • My mom loves luncheons at the Lakeside Inn.  Make sure to sit on the porch for amazing views of Lake Dora.
  • And Jeremiah’s is an all-American bar and grill; great for burgers and beers.  It also has grilled cheese for the kids and everything in between.

Where to Stay

things to do in mount dora, Lakeside Inn

If you want the complete Mount Dora experience, then you need to stay at the Lakeside Inn.  This hotel was built in the 1880s and hosted President Coolidge back in its 1930s heyday.  The hotel complex is still beautiful with its views of Lake Dora.

There are many other historic homes that have been converted into b&bs or rental cottages.  VRBO is the best spot to find these adorable gems.

Travelocity – If you’re looking for budget friendly accommodations, this is your one-stop-shop to book hotels, airline tickets, and car rentals.  They also have cruises and vacation packages if you want to go big when visiting Florida.

More Travel Helps

Upside – If you are on a road trip, make sure to download this free cash back app.

Upside users earn up to 25¢/gallon cash back on gas, up to 45% cash back at restaurants and up to 30% cash back at grocery stores.

Roam Right – RoamRight provides travel insurance coverage with customer service and claims administration all at a competitive price.  Their policies are designed to provide coverage for any type of traveler, and they offer an easy-to-navigate technology platform for making purchases and managing coverage. From trip cancellation, to overseas medical coverage, and even baggage delays, RoamRight travel insurance can help give you peace of mind when taking your perfect vacation.

Groupon – Groupon is a great way to find discounts for things to do on vacation.  You can save money on fun activities for the whole family.

Viator– Viator delivers online and mobile access to thousands of trip activities including tours, attractions, shore excursions and private guides, in more than 1,500 destinations worldwide.  I’ve used Viator for several family trips and they have all been great.  They offer great prices, which is great for a family on a budget, and they have 24/7 customer service, so they are available to help you out whenever you need.

Conclusion: Things to Do in Mount Dora

Mount Dora is a small town with big charm.  It’s worth your time to slow down and spend the weekend in this city full of natural beauty and community creativity.

If you are looking for another sweet Florida city to explore, check out Exploring St. Augustine with Kids.


St Augustine with kids, Pin, bridge

Have you ever visited Mount Dora? What’s your favorite part?

Let me know in the comments.  Make sure to Pin this for your next trip.  And don’t forget to share if you found it helpful!


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Kyleen Bontrager, the Bonnie Traveler

Kyleen is a wife, homeschool mama, lover of teatime, and passionate traveler.  Having lived on 3 continents and visited +32 countries, she helps others enjoy memory-making experiences for multigenerational travel.  Ready for a bonnie adventure?  Let’s go!

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