Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Mount Dora, FL

Nestled on the eastern shore of Lake Dora is a charming small city, characterized by a quaint downtown perfect for leisurely walks.

Established in the 1880s, Mount Dora derives its name from the plateau on which it is situated and has earned the moniker, Festival City.

This nickname is indeed fitting, as the spring and autumn months bring an array of events attracting large crowds. The highlight is undoubtedly the Mount Dora Craft Fair in October, showcasing approximately 400 vendors along the downtown streets.

Lake Dora enhances the city’s allure, featuring an inland lighthouse, stunning sunsets over the water, and numerous tour companies ready to guide you through a leisurely cruise.

1. Downtown Mount Dora

If you appreciate strolling through charming old streets and allowing your curiosity to guide you, you will undoubtedly fall in love with downtown Mount Dora.

Vibrant yet picturesque, the downtown area boasts fascinating shops specializing in a wide range of products, from olive oil and canine treats to pottery, spices, homemade sweets, and home décor.

The dining landscape is equally diverse, featuring cuisines from around the world, including Thai, hearty pub fare, pizza, Cuban, regional Floridian specialties, Mexican, sushi, and delightful afternoon teas.

The ideal time to visit is on a Sunday morning when the Village Market hosts more than 50 vendors. Furthermore, as indicated in this article, there is almost always a public event infusing downtown Mount Dora with unique energy.

2. Grantham Point Park (Lighthouse Park)

Source: Thomas Decot / shutterstock

Mount Dora features one of the few freshwater lighthouses in Florida. Overlooking the Port of Mount Dora, this 35-foot structure may appear older than it actually is.

Constructed in 1988, the Mount Dora Lighthouse has quickly become a symbol of the city. It is equipped with a 750-watt photocell that operates a blue pulsating light, aiding navigation on Lake Dora during the night.

The pathway to the lighthouse is an enjoyable stroll, providing sweeping views of the lakefront and the bustling Mount Dora Marina.

Once you arrive at Grantham Point, where the lighthouse is located, you will find it surrounded by benches, palm trees, and expansive views of the lake. It is advisable to be here later in the day for breathtaking views.

3. Modernism Museum Mount Dora

This remarkable museum in downtown Mount Dora is dedicated to contemporary applied arts. The Modernism Museum features an impressive collection, including works by notable artists such as Ettore Sottsass and the Memphis Group, Wendell Castle, Wharton Esherick, and George Nakashima.

Exhibitions celebrate artists who have “discovered new expressive possibilities within the realm of functional objects.”

During my visit, the exhibition titled Space Oddities: The Sequel showcased the most extensive display of Memphis furniture ever exhibited in an American museum.

The exhibition featured over 75 pieces, many from the personal collection of pop icon David Bowie, an enthusiastic collector of the group’s works.

4. Lake Dora Boat Tours

A visit to Mount Dora naturally inclines one to explore the lake, and various boat tour options are available.

One popular choice is Rusty Anchor, owned by a fourth-generation native Floridian. This company provides comfortable, wheelchair-accessible boats and cruises around the lake and the wildlife-rich Dora Canal.

For those seeking speed, CatBoat Adventure Tours offers a high-speed experience. Departing from the Mount Dora Boating Center & Marina, you’ll embark on a two-hour guided tour on a swift two-person catamaran.

This guided experience includes narration detailing local wildlife and attractions such as the Tavares Seaplane Base.

Finally, Premier Boat Tours features leisurely pontoon tours through the stunning Dora Canal, with sunset tours available later in the day.

5. Trimble Park

Another picturesque outdoor area is Trimble Park, located on an isthmus between Lake Beauclair and Lake Carlton.

Managed by Orange County, this treasured spot offers tent and RV camping, complemented by a large boat ramp and docks on Lake Carlton.

It is also an excellent location for a serene walk, showcasing impressive old-growth live oaks and bald cypress trees.

You can spot Lake Carlton via a boardwalk, which provides exceptional views and opportunities to observe nearby wildlife, including alligators.

The picnic grove is remarkable as well, featuring languid live oaks adorned with lengthy strands of Spanish moss cascading from their branches.

6. Mount Dora Craft Fair

Source: Mount Dora / Facebook

For over 40 years, Mount Dora’s charming downtown has hosted an extensive craft fair. This event is the city’s prominent attraction, gaining national recognition with nearly 400 exhibitors from across the country.

When I compiled this list, it had recently been rated as the #1 event by Sunshine Artist Magazine among their all-time favorite happenings.

The fair showcases handcrafted items that are truly unique, including clothing, paintings, sculptures, glassworks, woodcarving, leather goods, jewelry, and much more.

Delicious festival food, alongside wine, beer, and cocktails, are available throughout the weekend, with a shuttle service operating from the eastern edge of the city.

7. Palm Island Boardwalk

Located south of downtown Mount Dora, you can enter this picturesque preserve at the end of Liberty Ave.

The Palm Island Boardwalk leads into eight acres of pristine nature, featuring impressive cabbage palms, live oaks, and cypress trees.

Given its location, it is no surprise that the Palm Island Boardwalk is particularly stunning at sunset, with a long section extending onto the lake, offering marvelous views and opportunities for wildlife observation.

The area also includes picnic pavilions, making it a delightful place to relax on a warm day.

8. Sonnentag Theatre at the Ice House

During my visit, this community theatre was celebrating its 76th season. The Icehouse Players were established in 1948, taking their name from their original venue in the converted Mount Dora Ice Company building.

The group moved to its current 270-seat home in 1958, on land generously donated by the city. The Sonnentag Theatre at the Ice House was refurbished in 2011 and serves as a prominent venue for live entertainment in Mount Dora.

From July to June, there is a busy schedule with six productions annually, each running for several weeks. During my visit, I attended the delightful Grumpy Old Men: The Musical, adapted from the 1993 film featuring Lemmon, Matthau, and Ann-Margret.

9. Mount Dora History Museum

Established in 1923, the city’s first firehouse and jail have been transformed into a museum managed by the local historical society.

The Mount Dora History Museum focuses on the city’s early history between the 1880s and 1930s. Newly renovated at the time of my visit, this compact attraction is filled with intriguing exhibits.

Among the displays, visitors can learn about citrus agriculture, railroad history, the lives of prisoners, firefighting, and the lifestyles of affluent residents from the turn of the 20th century, including an exquisite collection of period dresses.

If you participate in a tour, you will discover the story of how three prisoners managed to escape by bending the bars of the jail.

10. Renningers Mount Dora

Source: kellyv / Flickr

This local venue can be characterized as part antique mall, part flea market, and part farmer’s market. Renningers is a cherished shopping destination, unique in the area.

The flea and farmer’s market sections operate every Saturday and Sunday from 8 AM to 4 PM, while the antique center is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Renningers hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, including swap meets, car shows, antique fairs, and live performances, and also serves as a donation site for the Salvation Army.

I appreciate the setting on more than 100 acres of gently rolling countryside, adorned with stately oaks and two expansive buildings for indoor shopping.

11. Mount Dora Spring Festival of Arts and Crafts

Source: Hazel Stanley Stewart / Facebook

During my visit, this event was recently honored as one of the Top 50 Classic/Contemporary Craft Festivals in America by Sunshine Artist.

Held downtown, the Mount Dora Spring Festival of Arts and Crafts takes place on the third weekend of March.

This festival has a rich history spanning over 25 years and features nearly 250 exhibitors. For those enthusiastic about discovering unique handmade creations, from jewelry to pottery, this is the ideal time to be in Mount Dora.

While downtown can become quite crowded during the festival, visitors can minimize traffic by utilizing shuttles located at the corner of Lincoln and Highland St.

12. Donnelly House

Source: Jillian Cain Photography / shutterstock

Mount Dora’s most iconic residence is a Queen Anne-style home built in 1893 for the city’s first mayor, John P. Donnelly.

This house overlooks the park named after Donnelly’s wife, Annie, which was sold to the city in 1923.

Now functioning as a Masonic Lodge, the Donnelly House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, making it worth a visit when you are nearby.

Visitors can participate in special experiences through Mount Dora Ghost Tours, spending 2.5 hours in this elegant yet eerie Gothic residence in search of paranormal phenomena while learning about the Donnelly family and the Freemasons.

13. Long & Scott Farms

A remnant of the area’s once-thriving agriculture, Long & Scott Farms was established in 1963.

Utilizing sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, this farm has trademarked its own Zellwood Sweet Corn, alongside a variety of other healthy crops including kale, cabbage, Kirby pickling cucumbers, and more.

Now operated by its sixth generation, Long & Scott Farms opens to the public every fall, offering numerous family attractions. During my visit, I found two corn mazes, a tree maze, a mist maze, a rock maze, and a rope maze.

Complementing these mazes are various recreational activities, including a jumping pillow, a zip line, and an impressive 60-foot super slide.

14. Sydonie Mansion

Situated just minutes south of Mount Dora, you can explore the winter residence of Pittsburgh industrialist James L. Laughlin. Originally built in 1883, Sydonie underwent a complete redesign in the Mediterranean Revival style in 1903.

At that time, it was one of the most prominent residences in Florida, encompassing 22,000 square feet and more than 40 rooms.

In the early 20th century, the estate spanned 9,000 acres, featuring exotic plants, citrus groves, a bowling alley, and sculptures.

Today, Sydonie serves as a wedding venue, but visitors are welcome for a 75-minute guided walking tour, available from mid-July through October, which includes captivating historical insights.

15. Mount Dora Blueberry Festival

Source: Szekeres Szabolcs / shutterstock

Another event to attend is Mount Dora’s Blueberry Festival, held at Donnelly Park in late April.

First introduced in the early 2010s, it was thriving during my visit. The celebration features numerous craft vendors, live entertainment, delicious food, and countless activities for children.

Certainly, antioxidant-rich blueberries take center stage at this festival. Attendees eagerly await fresh-picked berries along with pies, muffins, jams, and a variety of blueberry products.

For an optimal experience, arriving early enables you to partake in the traditional blueberry pancake breakfast, where tickets provide a stack of three blueberry pancakes topped with butter and blueberry syrup.