Mount Dora is one of Florida’s most unique cities. Sometimes called festival city, it is one of the most delightful, picturesque small towns in Florida.
Mount Dora offers a glimpse of Old Florida, even though it’s only an hour outside of Orlando.
Mount Dora exudes charm. Bed and breakfasts, antique shops, unique restaurants, and gorgeous historic homes are some of its biggest attractions.
Days can be filled exploring its many historical landmarks, browsing in antique shops, shopping in boutiques or just relaxing in one of the downtown parks.
The Donnelly House is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. John P.
Donnelly, a Pittsburgh native, came to Mount Dora in 1879 and married Annie McDonald Stone in 1881. He built the beautiful Queen Anne style house in 1893 as a gift to her. Donnelly was among the founders of the local yacht club, and served as the city´s first mayor in 1910.
Evenings offer a multitude of restaurants with chef-inspired menus, wine bars with impressive options or just a pleasant view as the sun sets over Lake Dora.
First-time visitors are usually drawn to its lighthouse. Dedicated on March 25, 1988, the lighthouse is just a short walk from downtown to Grantham Point Park, sometimes called “Lighthouse Park.” Considered by many to be a faux lighthouse, it is actually registered as an inland aid to navigation and is the only one in Florida.
But it’s the antique shops that make it Lake County’s most popular tourist destination. The Renniger’s Antique Market draws thousands of visitors to its weekend fairs and special events with high quality antiques and collectibles all in a 40,000 square foot, air conditioned building.
Village Antique Mall has more than 60 antique vendors in their 12,000 square-foot air-conditioned building. The mall features a huge collection of antique furniture, vintage costume jewelry, shabby chic and retro items.
Mount Dora also has great fishing, parks, water sports, lakes and picnic areas, a fitness trail and nature walks.
Mount Dora is not just antiques though. There’s a multitude of gift shops, fashion boutiques and art galleries, all within walking distance of each other.
Check out the Mount Dora festivals that attract in hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world, especially during October’s annual bicycle festival and the nationally juried craft festival. Add to those the spring sailing regatta, another nationally juried arts festival, antiques fair, and music festival and it seems there are non-stop events year-round.