This Picturesque Small Town In Florida Is Perfect For A Weekend Getaway Drive
Mount Dora is a charming lakeside town that feels like stepping back in time, with tree-lined streets, antique shops, and a lighthouse that watches over sparkling Lake Dora.
Located about 45 minutes northwest of Orlando, this hidden gem offers the perfect escape from crowded theme parks and busy city life.
Whether you love nature walks, treasure hunting at flea markets, or sipping coffee under oak trees, Mount Dora has something special waiting for you.
Grantham Point Lighthouse Park
Mount Dora’s adorable inland lighthouse stands proudly at this tiny waterfront park, proving you don’t need an ocean to have nautical charm. Built in 1988 as a decorative landmark rather than a fully functioning beacon, the white tower has become one of the most Instagrammed spots in town.
Photographers flock here at dawn and dusk when golden light dances across Lake Dora’s rippling surface. The gentle lake breeze makes this an ideal pit stop after exploring downtown’s shops.
Cross the street to Gilbert Park for more lakeside fun, or stroll along nearby boardwalks for extended water views. The compact size means you can snap your photos and move on without dedicating hours to one location.
Palm Island Park Boardwalk
Eight acres of pure Florida wilderness await at this nature preserve, where a wheelchair-friendly boardwalk winds through towering cypress trees draped in Spanish moss. Birders bring binoculars hoping to spot herons, egrets, and anhingas drying their wings in the morning sun.
Keep your eyes peeled for gators sunbathing along the shore or playful river otters zipping through the water. The peaceful atmosphere makes you forget civilization exists just blocks away.
Free parking sweetens the deal, plus you’ll find picnic pavilions perfect for a lakeside lunch and a fishing pier where locals cast lines hoping for bass. It’s Old Florida at its finest, minus the tourist traps.
Historic Downtown Shopping District
Forget cookie-cutter malls, Mount Dora’s downtown core bursts with personality thanks to dozens of independent boutiques, art galleries, and cozy cafés tucked under majestic live oaks. Window shopping here feels like a treasure hunt, with each storefront offering something you won’t find anywhere else.
The walkable layout means you can park once and spend hours browsing without moving your car. Grab an iced coffee, duck into a vintage bookshop, then emerge with finds you never knew you needed.
Centered around North Donnelly Street and 4th Avenue, this district captures that classic small-town Florida vibe people drive hours to experience. There are very few chain stores here, just pure local charm and plenty of small-town character.
Lakeside Inn Historic Hotel
Florida’s oldest continuously operating hotel has been welcoming guests since 1883, when Grover Cleveland was president and Florida was still considered frontier territory. The white veranda lined with rocking chairs practically begs you to sit, relax, and watch sailboats glide across Lake Dora.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the inn oozes history from every creaky floorboard and vintage photograph. Even if you’re not staying overnight, stop by to soak up the atmosphere and imagine what travel looked like over a century ago.
The Lakeside Inn is also the main departure point for several boat tours through the scenic Dora Canal, making it a convenient hub for multiple adventures in one spot.
Dora Canal Eco-Cruise
Glide through a living tunnel of cypress trees on this narrated pontoon adventure departing from the Lakeside Inn. The Dora Canal connects Lake Dora to Lake Eustis, and its narrow, shaded waterway looks like something from a fairy tale or a dinosaur movie.
Your guide points out anhingas perched on branches, turtles sunning on logs, and the occasional gator lurking near the banks. The two-hour trip strikes the perfect balance between educational and relaxing, giving you Old Florida scenery without requiring hiking boots or bug spray.
Weekends get busy, so reserve your spot ahead of time. Premier Boat Tours currently operates these popular excursions, check their website for up-to-date schedules and seasonal changes.
Renninger’s Antique Center and Flea Market
Treasure hunters, rejoice! This sprawling twin-market campus combines an indoor Antique Center with a massive outdoor Flea and Farmer’s Market, creating a vintage lover’s paradise. Whether you’re hunting mid-century furniture, quirky collectibles, or fresh produce, Renninger’s delivers in spades.
Special shows throughout the year draw dealers and collectors from across the country, turning the grounds into a buzzing hive of haggling and discovery. Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll be walking for hours.
The Flea Market operates Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the Antique Center opens Fridays through Sundays. Check the calendar before visiting to catch themed events or extravaganzas.
Modernism Museum Mount Dora
Who knew Mount Dora harbored a temple to sleek design and bold aesthetics? This compact museum celebrates modernism through rotating exhibits that have featured everything from Memphis Group furniture to David Bowie-related art pieces. It’s a refreshing cultural detour amid all the antique shops and Victorian architecture.
High-quality curation means every visit offers something thought-provoking, despite the museum’s small footprint. You won’t need hours to explore, making it an ideal downtown stop between lunch and shopping.
The Modernism Museum’s hours can vary or close temporarily for exhibit changes, currently listed as Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., but check ahead before visiting.
Mount Dora Arts Festival
Every winter, Mount Dora transforms into an open-air gallery when more than 250 juried artists descend on downtown for one of Florida’s premier fine-arts festivals. Painters, sculptors, jewelers, and photographers line the streets beneath those iconic live oaks, turning the entire historic district into a walkable celebration of creativity.
Best of all? It’s completely free to attend, so you can browse masterpieces without worrying about admission fees. The festival typically runs in early February each year, drawing thousands of art lovers and collectors.
Plan ahead, hotels book up fast, and parking becomes a competitive sport. But the lively atmosphere and world-class talent make any logistical headaches worthwhile.