Mount Dora, Someplace Special
- Ingrid Lemme
- 13 minutes ago
- 5 min read
A Charming Lakeside Escape Filled with History, Festivals, and Family
Escape from Paradise with Ingrid Lemme-Chalut
Published on March 31st , 2025 in the Aptil issue in The Montauk Sun, in print from Tha Hamptons to Manhattan, and online at www.MontaukSun.com -- Edited by John Lomitola
Florida is known for its beaches, theme parks, and cruise ports, yet tucked among the gentle hills of Central Florida is a town that offers something refreshingly different. Mount Dora, located about thirty minutes northwest of Orlando and overlooking the wide waters of Lake Dora, feels like stepping into a slower, more gracious Florida.
For us, this visit began as a small road trip — and thanks to a thoughtful gift from our children, we also discovered a travel gadget that proved unexpectedly handy along the way. They had given us a set of accessories from OhSnap, including a magnetic car mount and wireless charger.
If you love the charm of St. Augustine, Florida -- you will likely adore Mount Dora as well. With historic streets, lakeside views, welcoming inns, and a lively festival calendar, the town attracts travelers seeking charm rather than crowds.
Arriving in Mount Dora almost feels like stepping into another era. Oak trees draped with Spanish moss shade the streets, church steeples rise above historic rooftops, and small cafés invite visitors to pause for coffee and conversation. Instead of the rush often found in Florida’s larger tourist centers, Mount Dora offers something far more relaxing — a place where people stroll slowly, shopkeepers greet you warmly, and the lake is never far from view.
Founded in the late 1800s as a winter retreat for Northerners escaping harsh climates, Mount Dora quickly developed a reputation for elegance and tranquility. Today much of that early character remains beautifully preserved. The historic downtown district is pleasantly walkable, with brick sidewalks, independent boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, and cafés lining the shaded streets.
A short walk brings visitors to the waterfront along Lake Dora and to nearby parks — Palm Island Park, Lighthouse Park, and Gilbert Park — where we even spotted a few alligators from the wooden boardwalk. Boats drift quietly across the lake while birds glide low above the water before settling into moss-laden trees.
Nearby stands the charming Mount Dora Lighthouse, Florida’s only inland lighthouse. Though modest in size, it has become one of the town’s most photographed landmarks and a beloved symbol of this lakeside community.
For our overnight stay we checked into the delightful Magnolia Inn Bed & Breakfast. The owners, Sandy and Joe, welcomed us warmly. Our room felt peaceful and inviting, decorated with crisp white linens, soft coastal colors, and tasteful antique touches. A classic four-poster bed added a touch of timeless elegance.
As evening approached we headed to dinner at 1921 by Norman Van Aken, a restaurant popular with both locals and visitors. Housed in a beautifully restored historic building, the restaurant blends farm-to-table creativity with modern art in a refined but relaxed setting. 1921mountdora.com
After dinner we took a gentle walk through downtown. Streetlights glowed softly, music drifted from nearby patios, and the lake breeze carried that peaceful calm unique to Florida evenings near the water. Mount Dora has a way of slowing the pace of the day, and nighttime in the historic district feels quietly magical.
Back at the Magnolia Inn, home-baked cookies awaited guests in the sitting room. There we struck up a conversation with Hal and Madelaine Axler, a couple returning after nearly a decade to rediscover the town. Hal Axler is the Managing Director of the Broward County Film Society and Savor Cinema and is involved with the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. Each February the festival presents more than sixty independent and international films, drawing movie lovers from around the world to South Florida. Encounters like this are part of the charm of small inns — you never know who you might meet over cookies and conversation.
Morning brought another highlight: a wonderful breakfast prepared from scratch by our hosts, including Joe’s perfectly crisp bacon. Freshly prepared dishes, hot coffee, and friendly conversation created the kind of relaxed beginning that makes bed-and-breakfast stays memorable.
The house itself has a fascinating past. Built in 1926 during the Florida land boom, it was originally the residence of L. R. Heim, a Connecticut manufacturer who held several patents in ball-bearing technology and played a role in the town’s development. magnoliainn.net
After breakfast we headed back into town for another stroll. Mount Dora has long been known as an artistic community.
At Artisans of Mount Dora — a cooperative gallery representing Central Florida artists — we spent quite a while browsing. We also visited Lee Fusion Art Glass Studio, where we discovered some of the most imaginative fused glassware we have seen.
Part of the town’s creative energy comes from its lively festival calendar. The Mount Dora Arts Festival, held each February, is considered one of the premier outdoor art festivals in the United States.
In spring, the Mount Dora Blueberry Festival celebrates the local harvest with fresh berries, crafts, and live music in Donnelly Park. In fact, the town hosts more than thirty events throughout the year.
Later that day our visit became even more special when we met members of my husband’s family for lunch at The Goblin Market, a beloved historic restaurant known for its warm atmosphere and excellent food. What began as lunch quickly turned into a small Chalut family reunion around the table.
As we left the restaurant, my husband lingered outside talking with his brother while I was drawn toward a powerful voice drifting through the street. Following the music, I discovered pianist and singer Ismael Wades from Cuba performing for tips on a nearby piano. His voice was extraordinary, rich with emotion and soul. The music moved me so deeply that we danced right there on the sidewalk before thanking him generously for the beautiful moment.
Later we stopped for Moose Tracks ice cream at Scoops on 5th and then for coffee and a cookie at Allyson A Bake Shop, where tourists and locals gather and chat. Yes, people still talk to one another here.
Before leaving town we made one final stop at the Mount Dora History Museum. Housed in the town’s original 1923 fire station and jail, the small museum offers a fascinating glimpse into Mount Dora’s past, even allowing visitors to step inside the old jail cell.
Mount Dora’s appeal lies not in grand attractions but in its authenticity. It is a place where history is preserved, independent businesses thrive, and visitors are welcomed into the rhythm of everyday life.
In a state often defined by fast-moving tourism, Mount Dora offers something different — a lakeside town where time slows, conversations linger, and the charm of old Florida quietly endures.
Until next month from another interesting destination.
Yours in travel — Ingrid
Ingrid Lemme-Chalut
Travel Journalist & Blogger
Escape From Paradise | The Montauk Sun
Comments