Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Lady Lake, FL

Located in the far northwest region of Lake County, Lady Lake is a town whose population has significantly increased since 1990.

A portion of this growth can be attributed to The Villages, which is situated nearby. This extensive retirement community resembles a miniature city, featuring various public districts accessible to non-residents.

Lady Lake itself is a modest area that caters to older visitors, with RV resorts and camps on its periphery, many gracing the shores of picturesque lakes in the vicinity.

I found numerous attractions to appreciate in Lady Lake, including a farmers’ market, magnificent old live oaks, and a historical museum housed in a vintage railroad depot.

1. Spanish Springs Town Square

Source: Peter Titmuss / shutterstock

Lady Lake is adjacent to an extensive 55+ retirement community, where golf carts serve as the primary mode of transportation. Covering approximately 32 square miles, The Villages exceeds the size of Manhattan and continues to experience rapid population growth.

At the time of creating this article, there were over 80,000 residents, increasing more than 30,000 since the 2010 census.

To better appreciate this distinctive location, a visit to Spanish Springs Town Square is highly recommended. Designed as a mixed-use development, this shopping, dining, and entertainment hub boasts a Spanish Colonial architectural style.

The Main Street features boutiques and dining establishments like Dunkin’ and Panera Bread, culminating in a town square at the southern end.

This area is brimming with activity throughout the day and hosts live entertainment each evening. It is fronted by the Sharon L Morse Performing Arts Center, which offers live performances 365 days a year in a state-of-the-art, 1,000-seat theater.

2. Farmers’ Market

Source: Lady Lake Farmer’s Market / Facebook

During my visit, this seasonal market was in the process of relocating to the Rolling Acres Sports Complex.

Held weekly every Tuesday from October through March, the Lady Lake Farmers’ Market offers healthy ingredients for home-cooked meals. This venue also serves as a wonderful opportunity to engage in networking, make new acquaintances, and support local businesses.

In addition to fresh produce, the market features homemade pastries, honey, flowers, arts and crafts, and plants.

3. Lady Lake Historical Society Museum

Source: Ebyabe / Wikimedia

Established in 2000 within a refurbished train depot, this charming museum explores the history of Lady Lake. The building dates back to 1883 and was sold shortly thereafter to the Florida Southern Railway.

For much of its existence, this structure served as storage before becoming the town library from the 1980s until the new library was inaugurated in 2000.

The museum now serves as an excellent venue to delve into the history of Lady Lake. Exhibits highlight the Timucuan and Seminole Native American cultures, the development of the railroad, and the evolution of everyday life through the years.

One display that particularly fascinated me was a recreated general store, filled with items from the 1930s and 40s.

The surrounding area is known as Veterans Park, which features the museum along with a Depression-era log cabin built by the Works Progress Administration, in addition to several preserved train cars.

4. Hampton Beach, Lake Weir

Just five minutes north of Lady Lake lies a delightful public park on the eastern shore of Lake Weir. The name Hampton Beach derives from the local Hampton family, who donated this land to Marion County in the early 1980s.

This park includes a modest yet well-kept shoreline with a shallow swimming area. Behind the beach stands a stunning grove of mature live oaks, adorned with Spanish moss and accompanied by saw palmettos.

It’s an ideal location for a scenic picnic, particularly when the light becomes enchanting later in the day.

5. Lake Griffin State Park

Source: OnTheTrail / shutterstock

This 620-acre park is situated just a few miles south of Lady Lake, providing an excellent retreat into nature on Florida’s eighth-largest lake.

Water-based activities are the highlights at Lake Griffin State Park, where renting a kayak or canoe or participating in a guided paddling tour is highly advantageous.

On land, a half-mile path navigates through a portion of the basin swamp, leading to one of the park’s major attractions.

This is the Mammoth Live Oak tree, which is about 400 years old and is among the oldest live oaks in Florida. The park also offers excellent fishing opportunities, with plentiful largemouth bass, speckled perch, and bluegill.

Moreover, you can opt to stay overnight, as the park features 40 campsites equipped with water, electricity, and sewer hookups.

6. Heritage Park

This charming little park, situated between US 27 and Old Dixie Hwy, was established in the late 2010s and includes informative signs detailing significant milestones in the town’s history.

For me, it’s a serene oasis for reflection or a pleasant place to enjoy a day. It has winding paths, white picket fences, fountains, flowerbeds, and a gazebo used for occasional public events.

The focal point of the park is an enormous live oak tree, estimated to be more than 200 years old, with branches that gently touch the ground.

7. Rolling Acres Sports Complex

This expansive recreational area on the western side of Lady Lake boasts a variety of sports facilities. During my visit, I observed three soccer fields and a 250-foot softball field.

The centerpiece of the complex is the Lady Lake Bob Johnson Legacy Golf Driving Range. Nestled amidst lush parkland, it features at least two dozen hitting stations.

While I was there, a bucket of 60 balls cost $6. On Tuesdays, the complex hosts Lady Lake’s farmers’ market, and it also has a dog park located at the rear, equipped with plenty of seating beneath two canopies.

8. The Orange Blossom Opry

For a taste of rural entertainment, a traditional opry is just a few minutes away in Weirsdale. Located in the former Weirsdale School gymnasium (erected in 1923), this venue has a rich history dating back to 1991.

With a busy schedule, the facility offers weekly live music from Thursday to Sunday. While the dominant genre is country music, there is a range of entertainment options available.

For instance, I had the pleasure of attending a highly talented Fleetwood Mac tribute band performance called Fleetwood Mask. There were also tributes to Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, Santana, and The Eagles during my visit.

You can enjoy pre or post-show refreshments at the Tin Roof Cafe, and there is even a gift shop for souvenirs.

9. Lake Sumter Landing

This is another of the three public squares in The Villages, located on the southern shore of Lake Sumter.

Offering picturesque lakefront views, the area resembles a charming New England seaside town, complete with a boardwalk, clapboard houses, and traditional brick storefronts.

This quaint streetscape boasts a diverse mix of local and national shopping and dining options. Here, you can discover local boutiques selling clothing, pet supplies, shoes, wine, art materials, and unique gifts.

These stores are interspersed with well-known chains like Johnny Rockets, Haagen-Dazs, Sonny’s BBQ, Panera Bread, in addition to various independent establishments offering seafood, Thai cuisine, steaks, and sandwiches.

Like Spanish Springs Town Square, Lake Sumter Landing provides live entertainment every evening of the week, and later I will discuss the Old Mill Playhouse, the nostalgic movie theater nestled in the heart of this area.

10. Tree Tops Golf

Source: Tree Tops Golf / Facebook

This 18-hole mini-golf facility serves as an excellent venue for family and friends to gather for a friendly round.

Set under a canopy of palms, the course at Tree Tops Golf is enhanced with tropical landscaping, waterfalls, and small ponds. Without extravagant obstacles, the primary challenge arises from the course’s topography.

If you are keen on enhancing your skills, there is a golf studio available offering private lessons conducted by a PGA professional. This facility is equipped with a Trackman simulator for detailed analysis of your technique.

Additionally, Tree Tops Golf features two slow-pitch softball batting cages for those wanting to practice a different swing.

11. Grand Oaks Resort

Source: Ebyabe / Wikimedia

Situated in the northeastern region of Lady Lake, this boutique resort focuses on equestrian activities. Spanning over 400 acres of historic live oaks and expansive pastures, Grand Oaks offers a range of accommodations from RV sites to two-bedroom villas.

The resort features a year-round schedule of Olympic-standard horse events, including dressage, CDEs, and hunter/jumper competitions.

Patrons do not need to be guests to dine at The Bistro. This beautiful establishment serves lunch, dinner, and brunch on Sundays while offering stunning views of the property.

12. Old Mill Playhouse

Source: Peter Titmuss / shutterstock

Located at Lake Sumter Landing, the Old Mill Playhouse offers visitors the opportunity to view some of their favorite films on a large screen.

This eight-screen cinema, set within an opulent Beaux-Arts environment, showcases the latest film releases alongside classic favorites.

The interior, with its vibrant carpets and art deco design, reflects the golden era of cinema during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, making it a splendid destination for movie aficionados of any generation.

Rather than relying on digital displays, the traditional marquee displayed outside impressed me with its nostalgia—one of many endearing features found throughout The Villages.

13. Corkscrew Winery

Source: thecorkscrewwinery.com

For wine enthusiasts or those who appreciate a relaxing evening with a drink, this is the ideal destination for unwinding.

Located within Spanish Springs Town Square, Corkscrew Winery also provides unique wine-making experiences. Tailored for local residents, this process allows participants to create their own blends from the raw juices.

After fermentation, you will have the opportunity to cork your own personalized bottle of wine and design a label for it.

You may also have the chance to brew your own beer at Corkscrew Winery. However, if you are simply passing through, I recommend visiting on a Friday or Saturday evening when there is always live music available.

14. Uncle Donald’s Farm

Source: Theresa Guevara Chang / Facebook

Having opened its doors in 1980, Uncle Donald’s Farm invites guests to interact with various friendly animals.

Among the gentle creatures are cows, goats, and llamas, alongside an eclectic mixture of other fascinating animals, such as tortoises, ostriches, and magnificent birds of prey, along with adorable young fawns.

And of course, no Florida farm would be complete without a few alligators!

The farm’s chickens are heritage breeds, noted for their quality, including New Hampshire and New Jersey varieties. Depending on the season, hayrides are offered.

15. Lady Lake Public Library

Source: Lady Lake Public Library / Facebook

For those seeking tranquility in Lady Lake, the local library offers a wealth of literature. The Lady Lake Public Library features an extensive collection of books and free Wi-Fi access, along with various community events.

These events include frequent author signings and an engaging summer reading program aimed at children.

Parents seeking educational activities for their children on rainy days will find a dedicated Children’s Library within the facility.

Additionally, residents can broaden their knowledge through numerous self-directed free courses available at the library to learn new skills.