Main picture is a Store Front—I believe on Donnelly in Mt  Dora

No reply from the train as to sites—-did locate this info that might help a bit.  So that’s another location where the train stops

Saturday March 9th, take the train to Wooton Park and DragonFest. Park for FREE and ride the train to the DragonFest Concert Featuring: Parmalee for only $5.00 per person round-trip. Parking at Mount Dora Plaza located at 2700 W. Old Hwy 441, Mount Dora, FL.

Train departure times from the parking lot at 3:45 PM & 6:10 PM. Additional departure time may be added based upon demand. Return train ride to parking lot departs the concert at 9:30 PM.

per some research

•  Tavares: 305 E. Ruby St, Tavares, FL 32778 – (Corner of St. Clair Abrams & Ruby)

•  Mount Dora: 150 W. 3rd Ave, Mount Dora, FL 32757 – (Corner of Alexander & 3rd – )

Our local theater scene features the Clermont Performing Arts Center — a 1,200-seat performance hall, which is the largest in the county, as well as a 250-seat black-box theater. The newly refurbished center is part of the 69,000-square-foot Clermont Arts and Recreation Center at  3700 S. Highway 27, atop the hills of Clermont overlooking Lake Felter. Moonlight Players in downtown Clermont. The Clermont City Center is located downtown and is available to rent through the South Lake Chamber of Commerce.

https://www.clermontfl.gov/visitors/about-us.stml

As my regulars know I feature question from readers and future readers and this week a couple who came into the museum asked what there was to do in Clermont.

And so we skip the Keys this week and away we go

Well if you start at the town’s center and drive south along and around the small lakes (on CR 561), it is said you’ll pass along a lovely mile and will come to Cypress Cove

Cypress Cove Marina

http://cypresscovemarina.com/

12540 County Road

561 Clermont, FL 34711

Here you can find boat rentals from Kyakas to paddle boards

While I’ve never used them if you’re into water sports looks like someone you might like to check out

A bit further South will bring you to

Lake Louisa State Park

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/lake-louisa-state-park

While the main entrance is on US 27—there is a secondary entrance of SR 561.

This park is within the Green Swamp and contains many lakes and water ways which you can explore by boat or by walking along the many pathways that crisscross the park—the wilderness feel is enhanced by the fact that the land is unsuitable for farming and thus has remained undeveloped.

Clermont and Nearby Attractions

• Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards.
• Florida Citrus Tower.
• Diamond Players Club Clermont.
• Presidents Hall of Fame.
• Citrus Valley Campground.
• Universal Studios.
• Walt Disney World.
• https://www.citytowninfo.com/places/florida/clermont

Citrus Tower

Home

•  141 N Highway 27,
• Clermont, FL 34711
• (352) 394-4061
• Ride to the top of The Citrus Tower and stay as long as you would like:
  Adults: $8.00
  Children: $6.00

Group Rate: 20% OFF 20 people or more!

Monday -Saturday
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Closed Sundays, Thanksgiving, & Christmas

This use to be a famous part of vacationing in Florida (it was completed in 1950s), but in more modern times few visitors have ever hear of it.  While the citrus for the most part is gone, you can see Disney and Orlando and lots more from this tower perched along US 27..

Lily’s Gifts

Is the gift shop here and carries everything from home deco to what they describe as items “with that Florida feel.”

South Lake County experienced one of its early boom periods after the Civil War, when many pioneers were motivated by the offer of free land by the Homestead Act of 1862 and the desire to start a new life with their families. Railroads connected the eastern seaboard with Florida in the 1880s and brought a large influx of new residents. Rail lines between Sanford and St. Petersburg in addition to smaller lines, such as the Tavares & Gulf, brought visitors and new commerce to the communities of Montverde, Clermont, Minneola, Tayorville, (which later became Groveland) and Mascotte and the area prospered. Clermont became known as the Tomato Capital of Florida. A few miles north of Groveland, dozens of wealthy northerners started what was to be an enclave of mansions or villas known as Villa City.

History Of South Lake

The
Mulberry Inn

915 W. Montrose Street   34711

352-242-0670

This lovely former home,  was built around 1890 by one of the town founders who was also a mill owner Achibald Gano.

Just a few blocks (2) north on West Ave is

Clermont Historic Village 

http://www.clermontvillage.org/depot

352-593-8496   |   490 West Avenue, Clermont, FL

Hours of Operation

Friday – 1pm-3pm

Saturday and Sunday – 1pm-4pm

Admission

Admission: Free
Guided Tour: Suggested Donation $2*

Train Depot

Now contains the Museum

also in the Historic Village

Townsend House (1895)

Moved to this location in 2002

An Outhouse

Kern House (1895)

Replica of Herring Hooks Schoolhouse

Originally a hunting lodge which later served as a one room school house

Cooper Memorial Library (1914)

Quonset Hut WWII Museum

Palatlakaha Boardwalk and Fishing Pier 

https://www.clermontfl.gov/departments/parks-recreation/boat-ramps.stml

12th Street (C.R. 561) in the southwest part of the city.

 800 foot scenic boardwalk through the natural wetland area offering a unique look at our natural habitat.

other piers in the city include

Eighth Street Pier 

 Eighth Street and Osceola Street

Fishing, sight seeing and picnic areas

Fifth Street Pier 

 End of Fifth Street

 fishing and sightseeing.

2nd Street Fishing Pier 

Northern end of 2nd Street at Waterfront Park.

Fishing and leisure relaxation

The main highways in the Clermont area are US-27 (a major north-south highway), and State Road 50 (a major east-west highway that runs from Titusville in the east to Weeki Wachee Springs in the west).  Downtown Clermont is west of the intersection of these two highways.  Over the years, major commercial and residential development has taken place around this intersection until the real nature of Clermont is obscured by the hundreds of chain restaurants, service stations and shopping malls.

https://www.florida-backroads-travel.com/clermont-florida.html

City Parks

https://www.clermontfl.gov/departments/parks-recreation/parks.stml

WATERFRONT PARK

100 3rd St.

 Lake Minneola, between East Avenue and Eighth Street.  The site of several festivals as well as water competition.  And the coast to coat trail runs thru the park as well as a fitness trail.

Champions Splash Park is also located here. https://www.clermontfl.gov/departments/parks-recreation/champions-splash-park/

LAKE HIAWATHA

450 N. Lake Minneola Shores (west of the roundabout)

 220-acre, 2 dog parks, one playground, picnic pavilion and restrooms.

HANCOCK PARK

3301 Hancock Road

Sports fields (5 softball, 2 soccer) as well as tennis and basket ball courts.  Concessions, bathroom, kids play area, and picnic areas as well as a home t thee local girl’s soft ball league.

PALATLAKAHA PARK

1250 12th St.

Baseball and soccer fields, tennis, racquetball and volleyball courts as well as concessions. A fitness trail, playground and picnic areas.  Also fishing pier and nature walk…home of Little League Team

VICTORY POINTE

938 Victory Way

10-acre part with trails

Royal Crown Stratfordshire England Lavender flowers on White Standard Size Tea Pot

$65.75 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/598332544/royal-crown-stratfordshire-england?ref=shop_home_active_44

This winery which sets on a hill has a great view of the area and while it is a winery and sells wine and all that it is in itself a major destination with all manner of things to do.

They have just adding an after hours

Wine and Cheese Bar

https://www.lakeridgewinery.com/Events/wine-cheese-bar/

In March there’s gonna be a

Wine and Seafood` Festival

https://www.lakeridgewinery.com/Events/wine-and-seafood/

and in April

Blues at the Winery

https://www.lakeridgewinery.com/Events/blues-at-the-winery/

and there’s many more:

https://www.lakeridgewinery.com/Events/index.php

I’ve been to several and they’re great fun.

and that’s not everything in Clermont—but I’m running out of room:

There’s the Show Place of Citrus:  just click on home

Home

and check this out to learn more about the town:   https://www.clermontfl.gov/visitors/about-us.stml

Your Hometown Shopping & Dining Destination. Visit us on our Farmers Market page Facebook.com/downtownclermontfarmersmarket

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