7 Unique Things To Do In Mount Dora, FL
Mount Dora is a charming little New England Style Town with an artistic vibe and something for everyone, young and old. Lake Dora is a focal point for the town and many events and festivals are held there. Each year hundreds of thousands of visitors find their way to Mount Dora for festivals and events. Don’t worry, if you find yourself moving to Mount Dors, the locals absolutely love them too!
Along with the temporary attractions, Mount Dora has many local gems that can be enjoyed all year long. You’ll want to check out these places soon, and then continue exploring the area for more! All of us at the Erica Diaz Team love to spend the day exploring the town of Mount Dora. In this article, we are sharing 7 unique things to do in Mount Dora, FL!
7 Unique Things To Do Whether You Live In Or Are Visiting Mount Dora
1. HandleBar
The HandleBar fits in perfectly with the unique and charming vibe of Mount Dora. It is the perfect addition to the other local bars in the area. However, the HandleBar has something extra special that no other bars in the area offer. They have a lively take on the bar experience in addition to their full bar. It’s something special that you can purchase. They’ve incorporated live plants into their services. Seriously, all of the plants are not just part of the ambiance… You can actually purchase them to take home. How succulent is that!

Location
Address: 100 E 4th Ave Mount Dora, FL 32757 (upstairs)
The buildings in the entertainment district of Mount Dora are charming, many of them look like they are right out of a storybook. This holds true to the building in which the HandleBar is located. The building itself is so quaint it literally makes you want to go inside and discover what business is within. Being that the bar is upstairs, it makes for a great scenic view too.
Click here to discover more about the HandleBar.
2. Festivals
Mount Dora has become “the festival city” with a long history of hosting amazing festivals and events throughout the year. With a historic downtown area, home to buildings over a hundred years old, this charming little town is ideal for holding festivals.
Known as “someplace special,” the town’s festivals are even known nationally. Mount Dora is also “the bass capital of the world,” which plays in perfectly with their annual seafood festival.
Okay, so this is actually multiple things to do, but considering that Mount Dora is known as the city of festivals, we definitely needed to include them! Some of the top festivals we recommend you at least visit once are the following:
- Mount Dora Bicycle Festival
- Plant and Garden Fair
- Children’s Christmas in the Park
- Scottish Highland Festival
- Annual Mount Dora Arts Festival
- Mount Dora Spring Festival of Arts and Crafts
- Earth Day Festival
- Mount Dora On the Water
- Seafood Festival
Click here to discover more about each of the festivals we listed above!
3. Renninger’s Twin Market in Mount Dora
How awesome! Two markets on one property and they are open every weekend. There are two large buildings and numerous open-air shopping areas that make up the Vintage Antique Center and Farmers Flea Market. Dealers at the market consist of high-quality antiques and collectibles, as well as produce stands, clothing boutiques, and other miscellaneous things.
The market also hosts a number of special events. Their antique fairs and extravaganzas are a must-visit if you’re into treasures like these. Some other popular special events are their vintage garden shows, swap meets, cars, and guitar shows!
If you’re in need of some weekend fun, you’re sure to find it here!
Location
Address: 20651 US-441, Mount Dora, FL 32757
Hours:
- Flea and Farmer’s Market Hours – Saturday and Sunday: 8 AM to 4 PM
- Antique Center Hours – Friday: 10 AM to 4 PM & Saturday and Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Click here to discover more about Renninger’s Twin Market in Mount Dora.
4. Grantham Point Park aka Lighthouse Park
A quaint little park that’s perfect for evening strolls! It’s the perfect place for picnics, fishing, and photo ops. Some of the photo ops are fantastic sunsets, picturesque views of Lake Dora, and one of the cities famous landmarks the little lighthouse. The park was created from road rubble and fill, and the lighthouse was added to represent “Port of Mount Dora”. You will see the lighthouse around town on many symbols.
Location: 311 South Tremain Street, Mount Dora, FL 32757
5. Modernism Museum Mount Dora
Main Street Leasing has managed the restaurant, office, and retail spaces in Downtown Mount Dora for over 30 years. To support their passion for keeping the area buildings occupied with unique and local businesses, they created the Modernism Museum of Mount Dora. Mount Dora is known as a fine arts destination and the museum fully supports that reputation. It offers quality artistic exhibits, educational programs, and family activities.
It’s The Modernism Museum’s mission to provide arts, crafts, and design to ignite the imagination of those who visit. They hope to bring authentic art and stories to people and increase their quality of life. The museum’s location is perfect alongside other stores that are unique to Mount Dora.
Location: 145 E. Fourth Ave, Mount Dora, FL 32757
6. Sonnentag Theater at the Icehouse
“The Sonnentag Theatre at the IceHouse is dedicated to benefiting not only Mount Dora, but all of Central Florida. We strive to provide Florida theater artists with high standards of production quality in diverse genres, and a range of opportunities to enrich their talents and experience.” – Sonnentag Theater at the Icehouse
This restored little theater is a must-visit place in Mount Dora. The entertainment changes seasonally and ranges from plays to musicals and even comedy acts. To see the 2021-2022 lineup, click here.
7. Donnelly House
The Donnelly House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This home was a gift to Annie McDonald Stone from her husband, John P. Donnelly. John was among the founders of the Mount Dora yacht club and he was also the city’s first mayor. The home belongs to the city now and is a memorial piece of the city. Be sure to check it out during the holidays, it is extra stunning with Christmas lights.
Erica Diaz Team – 7 Unique Things To Do In Mount Dora, FL
If you’re looking for a quaint little town with an artistic vibe, and plenty of outdoor activities then Mount Dora sounds like your perfect match. We would love to show you around! You can also discover more about Mount Dora if you click here!
If you’re looking to buy or sell a home in the area, or just take a look around, we’re happy to help! Get in touch with us today!