Last Updated on February 7, 2024
Looking for fun things to do in Mount Dora? There’s no shortage of classic Southern Charm in this small city. It’s also mixed with eclectic art and lots more.
Mt Dora is often referred to as the “New England of the South.” This is partially due to its beautiful lake, historic buildings, and hilly terrain, which is a rare find in Florida.
From amazing antiques to fantastic festivals, Mount Dora has a great deal of fun to offer everyone.
Things to Do in Mt. Dora
These are some of our favorite things to do in Mount Dora, one of the most eclectic and authentic “Old Florida” cities.
Lake Dora and the Dora Canal
In the late 1800s, Lake Dora was a popular spot for many hunters and fishermen in the area. Today, this almost 5,000-acre lake still attracts fishing enthusiasts.
The lake is part of the Harris Chain of Lakes and leads to the Ocklawaha River, St. John’s River, and eventually the Atlantic Ocean.
The lake is also connected to the nearby Dora Canal. Dora Canal is incredibly popular with boaters, canoers, and kayakers for its calm speeds, mangrove trees, and an array of wildlife.
If you’re interested in a boat tour of the area, we recommend CatBoat Adventure Tours. They offer multiple boat tours that stop in both Lake Dora and the Dora Canal.
You can do this all on a two-person powered catamaran!
Lake Dora Address: Lake Dora, Mt. Dora, FL 32756
Dora Queen Boat Tour
Along your tour, you will see beautiful lakefront homes as well as vintage boats. Lake Dora features some of the most luxurious houses and real estate in the area.
The town is part of the Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS).
It’s a quick drive over to neighboring Tavares where you can board the Dora Queen. The Dora Queen is a luxury 80-foot New Orleans-style paddlewheel boat.
You can experience an afternoon or sunset cruise and catch a completely different view of Mt. Dora.
They have live entertainment so make sure you check their event calendar on the official Dora Queen website.
We were fortunate to catch one of our favorite Authentic Floridian performers, Ruth King, on our last sunset cruise.
The cruises depart from nearby Tavares, but travel on the lake where you’ll see Mt Dora from a different perspective.
Dora Queen Address: 375 S Sinclair Ave, Tavares, FL 32778
Mt Dora Lighthouse & Grantham Point Park
The recently renovated Mount Dora Lighthouse is located on Lake Dora in Grantham Point Park.
Commonly referred to as “Lighthouse Park”, “The Port of Mount Dora” and “Mount Dora’s Favorite Spot”, this 35-foot lighthouse is the only inland freshwater lighthouse in Florida.
Many people consider this lighthouse to be fake. The lighthouse is created from road rubble, brick, and stucco.
The lighthouse was made in 1988 to aid the local fisherman and boaters who found it difficult to travel from Tavares to Mt Dora in the dark.
The community raised over $3000. They dedicated the Mount Dora Lighthouse on March 25, 1988. The lighthouse is now one of the state’s most beloved lighthouses.
This small park is a great spot to relax and watch the boaters drift by on Lake Dora. We recommend stopping by at dusk to see the beautiful sunset over the water.
The best part? They have hammocks on the water for you to really get your zen on and enjoy the outdoors.
Mount Dora Lighthouse Address: 357-499 S Tremain St, Mt Dora, FL 32757
Renninger’s Twin Markets
A shopper’s paradise, Renninger’s Twin Markets is located on 117 acres of land in Mt Dora with two buildings and open air-shopping areas that have attracted many dealers.
Renninger’s Flea Market and Antique Center has everything from produce stands, clothing shops, antiques, and collectibles.
Check back frequently because they host special events like antique fairs, car and guitar shows, swap meets, garden shows, and more.
The Flea and Farmer’s Market at Renninger’s is open every Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 4 pm.
While over 100 booths are located within the air-conditioned building, there is also an outdoor pavilion with an additional 400 booths!
The Indoor Antique Center at Renninger’s is open every Friday through Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm. You’ll be able to peruse through over 180 booths with antiques and collectibles galore.
Open at the same time as the Indoor Antique Center is the Street of Shops. Outside of the main building are a few small buildings that line the walkways and are full of even more antiques and merchandise.
Renninger’s Twin Markets Address: 20651 US-441, Mt Dora, FL 32757
Modernism Museum
The Modernism Museum in Mt Dora is a unique and inspiring cultural destination.
Located in the heart of historic downtown Mount Dora, the museum showcases modernist artwork from the 20th century, from the likes of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali.
Don’t miss the definitive Memphis Collection, including items personally owned by the legend, David Bowie.
The Modernism Museum is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Modernism Museum Address: 145 E 4th Ave, Mt Dora, FL 32757
Donnelly House
Many visitors to Mt Dora remember this ornate Victorian house painted in an eye-catching yellow. Known as “the Gingerbread House”, the Donnelly House has been on the National Registry of Historic Places since 1975.
John P. Donnelly built this Queen Anne-style home for his wife Annie McDonald Stone. Donnelly was the city’s first mayor in 1910 and helped found the Mount Dora Yacht Club.
The house is currently owned by the Free Masons. Mount Dora Ghost Tours does tours at the house. You can book them on their website.
Donnelly House Address: 535 N Donnelly St, Mt Dora, FL 32757
Downtown Mount Dora Village Market
Located in the heart of charming and historic Mount Dora, the Mount Dora Village Market has over 50 vendors and is open Sundays from 9 am – 2 pm in Sunset Park.
You can pick up fresh seafood, produce, plants, and crafts. It’s similar to a flea market.
You can also check out the quaint shops and diverse restaurants of Downtown Mount Dora while you’re visiting the market.
Downtown Mount Dora Village Market Address: 239 W 4th Ave #237, Mt Dora, FL 32757
Wanting to check out other fantastic farmer’s markets across the state of Florida? Check out: Nothing Beats Fantastic Florida Farmers Markets.
Long & Scott Farms
No visit to Mount Dora is complete without a stop at Long & Scott Farms.
Take a look around Scott’s Country Market for fresh produce, jams, jellies, honey, sauces, home decor, and more.
A must-buy is the famous Scott’s Zellwood Triple-Sweet Gourmet Corn!
The market is closed for the summer. However, you can order many of their jams, jellies, sauces, and produce anytime online on their website.
Located just outside of the store is Scott’s Country Cafe. It serves delicious farm-to-table food made with ingredients grown on the farm.
We recommend the Zellwood Sweet Corn Chowder, but you can’t go wrong with their sandwiches, hand-spun milkshakes, or fresh-squeezed lemonade.
During the fall season, you can enjoy old-fashioned autumn fun at Scott’s Maze Adventures Park.
ou’ll be able to experience a seven-acre corn maze, jumping pillow, zip line, super slide, and more.
Long & Scott Farms Address: 26216 County Rd 448A, Mt Dora, FL 32757
Sonnentag Theatre at the IceHouse
In 1948, Mount Dora residents were so passionate about creating a theater officers were elected that night for a new troupe.
Things moved very quickly, and within days the group found a former, acoustically perfect ice plant to house their new theater.
They opened the Sonnentag Theatre to a full audience less than a year later and performed for the city of Mount Dora in the ice plant for ten years.
The theater was able to be rebuilt in 1957 on newly donated land to its current 270-seat house. The theater continues renovating with modern updates while keeping its classic vintage charm.
Stop by for a wonderful night of theater with any of their upcoming shows.
Sonnentag Theatre at the IceHouse Address: 1100 N Unser St, Mt Dora, FL 32757
1883 Lakeside Inn
While visiting Mount Dora, there’s no better place to stay than the historic Lakeside Inn, built in 1883.
To this day, the hotel is the oldest continuously operating hotel in the state of Florida.
Lakeside Inn has seen guests like President Calvin Coolidge and a laundry list of celebrities.
The relaxing grounds are filled with beautiful moss-draped oak trees near the white sand shoreline of nearby Lake Dora. You can sit on a rocking chair on the verandah and take it all in.
Lakeside Inn has 90 guest rooms, suites, and the Beauclaire Dining Room, Tremain’s Tavern, Grand Lobby, and Gatehouse Gift Gallery.
You can also dip in the lakefront swimming pool, book a guided boat tour, carriage ride, nature walk, and more.
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle, grab a rocking chair and enjoy a good book with family and friends.
1883 Lakeside Inn Address: 100 North Alexander St., Mount Dora, FL 32757
Mount Dora Historic Train Depot
Home of the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce and the Mount Dora Visitor Center, the Mount Dora Historic Train Depot opened in 1915.
The station, built in 1895, was primarily used to ship citrus, agricultural products, and other fruits.
However, it also had a passenger line that ended its service in 1949. The Chamber of Commerce bought the station in 1981. In 1992 it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
The building has a brand-new tin roof, beam ceilings, pine flooring, and the restoration of the wooden sliding doors that once led to the train platform.
Stop by to see this beautiful historic site and learn about the sites of Mount Dora from the Visitor Center experts.
This location is also a venue that hosts a variety of special events.
Mount Dora Historic Train Depot Address: 341 Alexander Street, Mount Dora, FL 32757
“City of Festivals”
Mount Dora is the “City of Festivals” since it’s home to many fun-filled annual festivals for the whole family to enjoy.
Mount Dora Art Festivals & Events
Attending an event always tops our list. Here are a few of our favorite festivals.
- Annual Florida Highwaymen Art Show, Sale & Benefit – August 12 & 13, 2023. Presented by Heron Cay Bed & Breakfast Inn & Kelvin Hair, Son of Alfred Hair. It takes place at the Donnelly Pavillon.
- Mount Dora Craft Fair – October 28 & 29, 2023. Central Florida’s biggest craft festival ranked #2 by Sunshine Artist Magazine as the Best Classic/Contemporary Craft Festival in America. 400 vendors hit downtown Mount Dora selling their crafts, art, and more.
- Annual Mount Dora Arts Festival – February 3 & 4, 2024. The Mount Dora Arts Festival brings together several hundred artists throughout downtown Mount Dora for the weekend! This juried festival is for the whole family to see beautiful art, eat delicious food, and purchase from vendors.
Mount Dora Food Festivals
- Mount Dora Blueberry Festival – Florida’s local blueberry industry is celebrated at the peak of the season in Mount Dora each year at Donnelly Park. Local blueberry farms sell freshly picked berries and blueberry products, along with crafters, live music, a pancake breakfast, blueberry beer, and wine, a blueberry pie-eating contest, and more.
This is a FREE event for the community. - Mount Dora Seafood Festival – This festival celebrates delicious fresh seafood with over 100 vendors selling food and more! Both days of the festival weekend will feature live music and free concerts, a Pirate Village, Seafood Tasting Tour, and free Kids Zone with activities for the whole family. Dates: TBD
Other Mount Dora Festivals
- Florida Storytelling Festival in January
- Annual Scottish Highland Festival in February
- Annual Sail Boat Regatta in March
- Annual Mount Dora Earth Day in April
- Mount Dora Freedom on the Waterfront in July
- Annual Mount Dora Bicycle Festival in October
- Annual Mount Dora Plant and Garden Fair in November
Starry Night House
When in Mount Dora, take a drive by the Starry Night House. You can learn more at Home is Where the Art is at the “Starry Night” House in Mt. Dora
City of Mount Dora Map
Additional Places to Visit in Mount Dora
Mount Dora Center for the Arts
138 E 5th Ave, Mt Dora, FL 32757
Mount Dora Public Library & Butterfly Garden
1995 N Donnelly St, Mt Dora, FL 32757
Julianne’s Coastal Cottage
135 E 4th Ave, Mt Dora, FL 32757
Palm Island Boardwalk
411 S Tremain St, Mt Dora, FL 32757
NOTE: We are working on a separate article on the best places to eat in Mount Dora.
While in the area, check out: