A Weekend Getaway to the Best Lake Town in Florida

There’s something inherently funny about a place called “Mount” anything in pancake-flat Florida. And no, you won’t need any crampons to visit Mount Dora, but the gently rolling hills and tranquil lakes dotting the landscape make it feel like more of an escape than anywhere else in the state. Mount Dora has been a weekend destination for more than 130 years, first luring vacationing Floridians with its idyllic charm in the 1880s. Today, it’s Florida’s best example of a true lake town, where streets fan out from Lake Dora and filled with boutiques, pet-friendly restaurants, and a smattering of local bars.

Mount Dora’s calming allure extends past its charming downtown. It’s also a jumping off point to the abundant nature of Lake County, from the wilds of the Dora Canal to the mud flats and lakes around Clermont. The town is an ideal destination for pet owners looking for a range of pet-friendly activities. The area’s smooth, even geography is perfect for senior dogs to navigate. Meanwhile, energetic pets looking for more excitement will be thrilled to climb the more hilly regions’ steeper elevation changes and explore Lake Dora.

So come along to Florida’s best lakeside escape, and see why Mount Dora is such a special weekend getaway destination for you and your four-legged friend.

4 hours and 15 minutes from Miami

The 4,385-acre Lake Dora is Mount Dora’s centerpiece, where you can spend an afternoon fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish. Lake Dora has a collection of dog-friendly parks including Palm Island Park and an off-leash park. If you’re looking for something more relaxing, simply kick back in an Adirondack chair and enjoy the beauty of its still waters from the historic Lakeside Inn.

The waters can be mighty inviting, and the best way to explore them is on a Cat Boat with Cat Boat Adventures. These little, one-passenger power boats are like water-bound go-karts, allowing you high-speed access to all of the lake. A two-hour tour takes you deep into the Dora Canal, a slice of Old Florida carved to connect Central Florida’s Harris chain of lakes. Despite the name, however, Cat Boat Adventures are not pet-friendly, so you will want to leave your furry friend behind for this tour.

For something even more peaceful that your furry companion can also enjoy, rent a kayak or standup paddleboard Adventure Outdoor Paddle in Tavares, about 15 minutes away by car. You’ll enter the canal from a different vantage point, but the scenery is the same. While the kayaks and paddleboards are safe for pets, please ensure that your fur baby wears a life vest at all times.

If you’d rather a bigger vessel take you along the lakes, Premier Boat Tours runs a similar two-hour excursion that departs from the historic Lakeside Inn. Perfect for smaller dogs, pets under 20 pounds are welcome on the Premier Boat Tours excursion, as long you notify the company ahead of time and keep pets leashed.

For a pet-friendly option that will keep you drier than the kayaks and also offer lunch, check out Rusty Anchor Boat Tours.

On dry land, head to Lake Louisa State Park to gallop into the thick of Lake County on horseback. During the hourlong rides, you’ll learn all about the forest surrounding you and the wildlife that calls it home. Then, cap the whole thing off with champagne and charcuterie at sunset. Pets are allowed in most park areas but are prohibited from entering the playground, swimming area, cabins, or park buildings.

The park also offers a handful of “glamping tents” if you want to stay overnight. They’re pretty simple but do have Florida’s most important amenity: Air conditioning.

Not that anyone’s confusing Mount Dora with Napa Valley, but it’s as close as you’re getting to a wine country escape within a day’s drive of Miami. Nestled in the hills near Clermont you’ll find the picturesque vineyards of the Lakeridge Winery, a sprawling production estate open to dogs as well as those under 21 and offering free tours almost every day. As with most wineries in the southeast, sweeter wines made with muscadine grapes are the specialty, so if you’re into that particular style, Lakeridge is absolute heaven.

Even if you’re not a sweet wine connoisseur, the winery also produces cabernet, pinot grigio, and other varieties on-site. Whatever your wine preference, Lakeridge allows you to do something you’d rarely expect to find in the flatlands of Florida, bringing the scenery and relaxation of wine country just a few hours from Miami.

For local flavor: Mount Dora’s restaurants benefit considerably from its proximity to Central Florida farms, and the best place to experience its bounty is 1921, a boutique restaurant in a 100-year-old house whose walls are lined with modern art. The menu changes seasonally, but always try the vegetable plate’s mixture of roots, greens, and grains to get an idea of how the chef uses rotating crops. Goblin Market is equally impressive, plating local food in a setting that feels more like an ornate library than a restaurant. The Salted Fry is probably the town’s most interesting concept, a gluten-free restaurant specializing in gourmet French fry creations.

For breakfast that’ll hold you over all day: Even if you’re not a big breakfast person, it’s hard to resist the offerings at Twisted Biscuit. This locals’ favorite diner has been a family-owned staple for decades, known best for its freshly made biscuits topped with everything from hogfish to fried chicken and fresh berries. If you’re not down for a morning food coma, try Foxtail Coffee downtown for a pastry and some cold brew.

For pre-dinner drinks: No bar puts you in the Mount Dora state of mind quite like the one at the historic Lakeside Inn. Grab a beer from the bar, relax out on the covered patio, and enjoy watching the sun set over the lake like vacationing Floridians have for over a century. You can get an even closer view of the water from the hotel’s Waterside Bar, which abuts the swimming pool and the lakeshore. Away from the water, hit the cleverly named One Flight Up, a wine bar and cafe with a dog-friendly deck overlooking Mount Dora’s downtown.

For history: The iconic choice in Mount Dora is the historic Lakeside Inn, the oldest continually operating hotel in Florida. It’s been around since 1883, painstakingly preserved to give you a sense of what weekend getaways were like before air conditioning. The hotel has AC now, don’t worry, along with rooms in both its historic main house and long annexes. Kick back by the waterfront pool or run your toes through the cool grass on its stately lawns. Then retire to the bar at night for piano music and classic cocktails. Dogs under 25 pounds are welcome to stay at the inn, but unfortunately, if your breed is bigger, you will have to lodge elsewhere.

For large groups (and dogs): The Estate at Mount Dora is a fabulous option set in a 6,750-square-foot palazzo. Originally named the Fansworth House, The Estate is another piece of Mount Dora history. The property is nearly a century and a half old and is equipped with a carriage house and a 19th-century piano. It offers lodging for individuals, couples, and groups of up to 28 people who want to book the entire property. Dogs are welcome to stay at the estate for a fee with no restrictions on size.

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