Mount Dora, Florida

Overview

Mount Dora, Florida, a picturesque town of 16,341 residents, perches at 184 feet above sea level atop rolling hills overlooking Lake Dora, 35 miles northwest of Orlando. Known as the "Festival City" and a haven for antiques, this lakeside gem-founded in 1880-draws over 500,000 visitors yearly to its quaint streets brimming with Victorian charm, boutique shops, and over 1,500 antique dealers across events like Renninger's Antique Extravaganza. Its calendar bursts with festivals, from the nationally ranked Mount Dora Arts Festival to the Craft Fair's 200,000 attendees, all set against a backdrop of oak-lined shores and the historic Lakeside Inn, Florida's oldest continuously operating hotel since 1883. Mount Dora offers an offbeat blend of lakeside serenity, treasure hunting, and festive energy an escape where history and celebration thrive.

Top Attractions (Where Festivals & Lakeside Fun Collide!)

Renninger's Antique Center & Flea Market

A 140-acre complex with 180 indoor antique booths and up to 800 vendors during Extravaganzas – vintage finds galore! (Free entry, extravaganza days may vary).

Lakeside Inn

An 1883 gem with 90 rooms, rocking-chair porches, and stunning Lake Dora views. Florida's oldest continuously operating hotel – history meets relaxation!

Mount Dora Arts Festival (February)

A top-ranked, juried event where the streets explode with color from over 300 artists every February. A cultural highlight! (Free, downtown).

Lake Dora & Dora Queen Cruises

Explore the 4,475-acre Harris Chain lake by boating, fishing, or taking a sunset cruise on the Dora Queen, an 80-foot paddlewheeler. ($35, departs Tavares).

Donnelly House

An 1893 Queen Anne masterpiece, this steepled icon is pure Victorian Mount Dora charm. A must-see for architecture lovers. (Free to view exterior).

Palm Island Park & Lighthouse

Stroll the lakeside boardwalk draped in Spanish moss, spot gators, and admire the picturesque 35-foot lighthouse built in 1988. (Free).

Unique Stories & Facts (More Than Just a Pretty Lake!)

• "Antiques Capital of Florida": Mount Dora rightfully earned this title back in the 1980s. Renninger's Antique Extravaganzas are legendary, rivaling huge markets in Texas and Atlanta!
• A Presidential Retreat: Way back in 1930, President Calvin Coolidge sought some Florida sunshine and wintered at the historic Lakeside Inn. You can almost hear his rocking chair still creaking on the verandah!
• "Florida's Most Beautiful Mile": The mile-long Dora Canal, connecting Lake Dora to Lake Eustis, is a stunning natural tunnel of ancient cypress trees and mangroves, teeming with wildlife. It's a paddler's dream.
• Festival Powerhouse Roots: The nationally acclaimed Mount Dora Arts Festival started humbly in 1975 with just 50 artists. Now, it's a Sunshine Artist Top 200 event, showcasing the town's massive cultural heart.

Best Travel Seasons (When to Hit the "Festival City"!)

Popular Activities (Antique Hunts & Lakeside Adventures!)

• Antique Treasure Hunting: Scour Renninger's massive Antique Center year-round, or brave the crowds for the epic Extravaganza weekends (Jan, Feb, Nov) with over 800 dealers! ($4-$10 entry on Extravaganza days).
• Festival Hopping Fun: Catch the nationally ranked Mount Dora Arts Festival (February), the bustling Mount Dora Craft Fair (October), or the lively Mount Dora Bicycle Festival (November). Downtown vibes are free and fantastic! (Check visitmountdora.com for dates).
• Boating on Lake Dora: Cruise the scenic lake on the Dora Queen, an 80-foot paddlewheeler offering sunset tours and live music. ($35 per person, departs from Tavares).
• Historic Walking Tour: Stroll down Donnelly Street's charming brick paths, admiring the Victorian architecture, unique boutiques, and the iconic Donnelly House. (Self-guided, free).
• Kayaking the Dora Canal: Paddle the calm, cypress-lined waters of "Florida's most beautiful mile." Perfect for spotting alligators, turtles, and wading birds. (Rentals ~$30/day from local outfitters).
• Lakeside Lounging & Sunset Views: Grab a rocking chair on the historic Lakeside Inn's verandah or pack a picnic for Palm Island Park to catch a stunning sunset over Lake Dora.

Casinos Nearby (~30 Miles)

Your Best Bet is on Finding a Rare Antique! Mount Dora is all about charming festivals, lakeside beauty, and treasure hunting in antique shops, not slot machines or poker tables. Florida's gaming laws mean you won't find any casinos within a 30-mile radius. The closest major casino action is at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa, about 100 miles away. Instead, try your luck sipping local flavors at the Mount Dora Winery!

Oddities Nearby (~20 Miles - Keep Mount Dora Delightfully Different!)

Haunted Tourism Nearby (~20 Miles - Lakeside Spirits & Victorian Ghosts!)

• Lakeside Inn (Downtown Mount Dora): As Florida's oldest continuously operating hotel (since 1883), the Lakeside Inn is bound to have a few lingering guests! Staff and visitors have reported creaking floors, cold spots, and even sightings of President Calvin Coolidge's spirit still enjoying the verandah.
• Donnelly House (Downtown Mount Dora): This stunning, empty Victorian mansion is a prime spot for local ghost stories. Passersby and paranormal groups have reported seeing lights flicker and shadowy figures in the windows, believed to be past residents.
• Local Antique Shops (Downtown Mount Dora): Many of the historic buildings housing antique shops are said to come with their own spectral shopkeepers or former owners who can't quite part with their treasures. Ask the shop owners for their tales!
• Mount Dora History Museum (Downtown Mount Dora):** Housed in the town's first fire station and jail (from 1923), some visitors and staff have reported unexplained noises and a general "eerie" feeling, possibly tied to its past as a lockup.