Things to Do Around Lake Dora

Things to do around Lake Dora go well beyond boating and fishing, with Mount Dora's historic downtown, the scenic Dora Canal, and a full annual festival calendar giving residents and visitors plenty to explore.

The Mount Dora Arts Festival Draws Visitors From Across the Region

Dating back to the mid-1970s, the Mount Dora Arts Festival remains one of the area's signature annual events, drawing artists and visitors from well beyond Lake County each year.

The Mount Dora Craft Fair Offers a Second Major Annual Draw

The Mount Dora Craft Fair gives local artisans a real showcase and adds another major annual event to the town's already strong reputation as a genuine arts-and-crafts destination.

The Christmas Lighted Boat Parade Turns the Lake Into a Stage

Now in its 35th annual running as of 2025, the Christmas Lighted Boat Parade transforms Lake Dora into a shared community spectacle each December, with decorated boats drawing crowds along the shoreline.

Dora Canal Boat Tours Offer the Area's Signature Scenic Outing

Operators like Rusty Anchor run boat tours along the Dora Canal, widely described locally as one of the most beautiful canals in the country, connecting Lake Dora to Lake Eustis through a picturesque, cypress-lined route.

Tavares Seaplane Tours Offer a Unique Aerial Perspective

Jones Brothers and similar operators run seaplane tours from Tavares, "America's Seaplane City," giving visitors a distinctive aerial view of the Harris Chain not available at most other Florida lake destinations, and the experience ranks among the more memorable ways to see the entire chain at once.

The Historic Lakeside Inn Offers a Tangible Link to the Past

The Lakeside Inn, dating to 1882-83 and documented as having hosted a January 1930 stay by President Calvin Coolidge, gives visitors a chance to experience a real piece of Florida history firsthand, and its Verandah restaurant remains one of the very few confirmed true lakefront dining spots in the entire surrounding area today, worth a visit.

The Nunan Butterfly Garden Offers a Quieter Nature Outing

The Nunan Butterfly Garden, the correct official name for this attraction, gives visitors a quieter, nature-focused alternative to the busier downtown festival scene.

Photography Opportunities Abound Along the Historic Waterfront

Between the historic Lakeside Inn, the cypress-lined Dora Canal, and Mount Dora's colorful downtown storefronts, photographers find no shortage of subject matter throughout the area, particularly during the softer light of early morning or late afternoon.

Grantham Point and Palm Island Park Offer Easy Waterfront Access

Grantham Point and Palm Island Park give visitors and residents casual waterfront access and green space without requiring direct lakefront property ownership, making them popular spots for a relaxed afternoon.

Downtown Antique and Boutique Shopping Draws Day-Trippers

Mount Dora's downtown built a national reputation for antique and boutique shopping over several decades, and that reputation continues to draw steady day-trip visitors from across Central Florida looking for a full afternoon of genuine small-town browsing.

Fall Foliage and Seasonal Festivals Add a Distinct Rhythm

Beyond the headline spring and winter festivals, the area hosts a range of smaller seasonal events throughout the year, giving both residents and repeat visitors genuine reasons to return across every season rather than treating a single visit as fully representative of the area's year-round character.

Kayaking and Paddleboarding Offer a Slower-Paced Way to Explore

Paddlers enjoy a quieter, slower-paced way to experience the Dora Canal and Lake Dora's shoreline than powerboat traffic allows, appealing to visitors seeking a more contemplative outing on the water.

Bass Tournament Weigh-Ins Offer Free Spectator Entertainment

Given the Harris Chain's deep competitive bass fishing history, major tournament weigh-ins draw real spectator crowds to public docks, offering a fun, free activity for visitors even if they don't fish themselves.

Orlando's Attractions Round Out a Longer Visit

Given the area's roughly 30-to-45-minute drive to Orlando, visitors planning a longer stay have easy access to the region's larger theme parks and attractions as a complement to Lake Dora's quieter, small-town offerings, making it possible to combine a big-city theme-park trip with a considerably more relaxed lakeside stay.

Wineries and Local Tasting Rooms Round Out an Afternoon

A growing number of local wineries and tasting rooms give visitors an easy afternoon activity beyond the water, adding to the area's reputation as a well-rounded small-town destination rather than one defined purely by its lake access.

Farmers Markets Offer a Relaxed Weekly Outing

Local farmers markets give visitors and residents alike a relaxed, recurring weekly activity, offering fresh produce and local goods in a low-key setting distinct from the bigger annual festivals.

Visit at Least Once Before Assuming You Know What This Area Offers

Given how varied these options are, from historic architecture to scenic boat tours to major sporting events, visitors benefit from spending at least a full weekend exploring before forming a complete impression of the area, since a single afternoon visit can't capture the full range of what Mount Dora, Tavares, and Eustis collectively offer.