Mount Dora, Florida - A Road Trip Worth Taking
When you see a place starting with the name “Mount”, you immediately think of places like Mount Everest, Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Rainier. These famous “mounts” are thousands of feet in the air. You won’t get a nosebleed at Mount Dora at a mere 184 feet above sea level.
The generosity of calling the town a “mount” comes from its position overlooking beautiful Lake Dora. Of course, considering Florida’s highest point is only 345 feet above sea level, Mount Dora is over halfway there.
Mount Dora has the charm of an old Florida town. Founded in 1884 by settlers looking for a homestead that had fresh water, plenty of forests for wildlife and high ground for building, Mount Dora was the perfect location.
The town overlooks Lake Dora and the view is stunning. There is an abundance of aquatic activities on and around the lake including the occasional seaplane landing for lunch or dinner. Nearby is the Seaplane Capital of Florida, Tavares.
In Mount Dora, you will find a 12-square-block area of shops. The variety includes antique stores, art galleries, apparel, jewelry and a ton of places to eat and drink.
If shop-hopping is a passion of yours, Mount Dora is the place to go. The quaint specialty shops peppering streets through the town will amuse your artistic flair. Driftwood art seems to be a common theme.
The restaurants in Mount Dora offer many different ethnic foods. The selections include German, Cuban, Italian, Mexican, Thai, Mediterranean and even a British tearoom! This array of eateries for a small town is nothing less than amazing.
Of the ones we have tried, Pisces Rising on west 4th Ave gets our vote. The menu includes a collection of seafood and American classics with flavorful twists. Named after the zodiac sign, Pisces delivers some unique items like Fried Shrimp Mac & Cheese, Brisket Poutine and a mouthwatering French Chicken dish.
Mount Dora has numerous events and festivals during the year. Some of them include:
- Renninger’s Antique Extravaganza
- Scottish Highland Festival
- Annual Arts Festival
- Annual Blueberry Festival
- Annual Bicycle Festival
- Christmas Light Up
- Children’s Snow in the Park
These are just a few events. Contact the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce for a full list of dates and times. Call 352-383-2165 or visit www.MountDora.com
Mount Dora is a perfect day trip in Florida. Located about 45 minutes northwest of Orlando, 45 minutes southeast of The Villages and one hour and forty-five minutes east of Tampa. The drive will take you through some of the most picturesque lakes in Florida. North, south, east or west, whichever direction you come from, you will find lakes surrounding Mount Dora.
Mount Dora’s Chamber of Commerce describes the city as “Someplace Special”, we agree!.
