Tavares, Florida Journey Information

Often called “America’s Seaplane Metropolis,” the lakefront city of Tavares — an hour’s drive northwest of Orlando in Central Florida — makes for a stunning and enjoyable vacation spot once you’re able to detour inland from the Sunshine State’s seashores.

Fronting Lake Dora within the Tavares downtown leisure district, the Tavares Seaplane Base & Marina welcomes seaplane pilots who arrive every day from factors all throughout North America. They splash down and elevate up from the numerous surrounding lakes, together with Lake Eustis, which noticed the realm’s first seaplane flight again in 1914 (shortly after the primary seaplane was invented in France).

Guests can expertise the joys of a splash touchdown and deal with themselves to unbelievable aerial views of the realm throughout seaplane excursions.

“Tavares is one in all Florida’s quaint hidden gems,” says Peter Closi, proprietor of Jones Brothers & Co. Air and Seaplane Adventures, which takes passengers on flightseeing excursions of the realm. “It’s shut sufficient to all the main facilities and leisure however far sufficient to flee the chaos of the Orlando space. Guests love the walkable downtown space, the place the lodges, eating places, and bars are all steps away from the Tavares seaplane base.”

Lake County has roughly 200 lakes, and seeing them from the air on a seaplane journey actually places Tavares’ distinctive location on the map into perspective, he says.

“Dwelling in Florida is all about having fun with the scenic open air, and from above, it’s wonderful to see the lakes stuffed with folks boating, jet snowboarding, tubing, and fishing, particularly on weekends. It’s a reminder of simply how particular this space is,” Closi says.

Hillary Perry, who owns Poppy’s Ice Cream and boutique lodge Citrus on the Lake, says guests are sometimes shocked by the gorgeous pure setting of the city.

Learn on to plan your go to to Tavares.

Greatest Inns and Resorts

Citrus on the Lake Boutique Resort

Keep inside strolling distance of downtown’s leisure district at this boutique property with kitchenettes, balconies with lake views, an outside pool, and a backyard the place you’ll be able to collect round a firepit on cool winter nights. There are a number of nice spots to eat proper on-property, too, together with Poppy’s Ice Cream, Ironworks Steakhouse, and Nautilus Espresso Firm (plus, lodge visitors get a reduction of 10 p.c at these spots).

Fisherman’s Cove

RV websites, a mid-century motel, and standalone, one-bedroom/one-bathroom “lodges” make on your selection of lodging choices at this advanced on Lake Harris. If you would like a water view, ask to guide the lodge overlooking the canal. There’s an onsite golf course and pool accessible for visitors. Actions embody weekly sport nights and shuffleboard. It’s a style of the Outdated Florida trip life-style, to make certain.

Dora Canal Cottage

A keep on this quaint trip rental fronting the Dora Canal comes with enjoyable moments on the entrance porch or by the firepit and entry to kayaks and a paddleboat for setting off on the water. With three bedrooms and two bogs, the cottage can accommodate eight folks. There’s a fuel grill, Adirondack chairs for lounging, and a screened-in porch with an enormous desk for having fun with alfresco meals with views. Board video games, puzzles, and a Pac-Man arcade sport spherical out the household enjoyable.

Greatest Issues to Do

See the realm from a seaplane.

Get an overhead view of the realm throughout seaplane excursions on one of many Cessna or Searey planes within the Jones Brothers & Co. Air and Seaplane Adventures fleet.

“I actually get pleasure from seeing the response from Florida locals after they return from one in all our flightseeing excursions,” says Closi.  “They’re usually amazed at how flat and tiny all the pieces seems to be from the air. Even once you suppose you’ve seen all that Florida has to supply, seeing it from above gives a wholly new perspective.”

Flightseeing excursions may be as transient as quarter-hour, together with a “splash-and-dash” maneuver on Lake Dora. Longer seaplane flights would possibly see you flying at low ranges over the Harris Chain of Lakes to identify alligators or hovering above Lake Apopka and the close by theme parks of Orlando.

Stroll Wooton Park.

Fronting Lake Dora in downtown Tavares, scenic Wooton Park has kayak leases, picnic areas, a seaplane-themed playground, a ship ramp, and an onsite normal retailer for snacks. It’s a first-rate spot to catch the sundown and watch seaplane takeoffs and landings because it’s proper subsequent to Tavares Seaport.

Kayak by the Dora Canal.

Spanish moss dripping from cypress timber and ferns in every single place make for a surprising backdrop as you paddle a kayak or stand-up paddleboard by the Doral Canal. You’ll be able to head out by yourself by renting one thing that floats from Journey Outside Paddle, or decide to affix one in all their guided eco-tours by the historic canal that dates to the 1800s. Guides would possibly even discover child alligators to level out alongside the way in which, in addition to herons, egrets, turtles, and different typical Florida wildlife.

Admire greater than 20 gardens in a single setting.

Study concerning the state’s endemic and thriving plants throughout a go to to Discovery Gardens, a 3.5-acre web site house to greater than 20 completely different gardens showcasing completely different gardening methods that work effectively in Central Florida’s local weather. Greater than 700 completely different plant species are represented right here, and the setting makes for a ravishing place for an academic and galvanizing stroll. Children love the butterfly backyard, 5 Senses Backyard, and water options to splash in.

Get pleasure from a sundown cruise aboard a paddleboat.

It’s a shock to discover a New Orleans-style paddleboat plying the waters of Central Florida — and boarding the Dora Queen for a two-hour cruise round Lake Dora is as transporting because it sounds. With room for 70 passengers, the boat has a bar on the higher deck and loads of lounge-style seating, and sundown cruises have reside music. Different themed cruises embody New 12 months’s outings full with fireworks, Christmas-themed cruises, and afternoon enjoyable cruises.

Greatest Eating places

Puddle Jumpers Lakeside Grill

This favourite for burgers in downtown Tavares has views of the lake and reside music a number of nights every week. The restaurant overlooks the Tavares Seaport so you may get some nice views of planes doing these splash-and-dash maneuvers when you’re tucking into wings or mahi tacos.

BTW — Burgers, Tacos, Waffles

The pondering behind this enjoyable spot? A seasonally rotating meals truck-style menu with a bit one thing for everybody in a brick-and-mortar setting. Taco Tuesday is an enormous hit with the locals, and Waffle Wednesday can also be beloved for its truffle waffle fries and waffle fries poutine. Proper alongside Major Road, BTW is the proper downtown spot for an off-the-cuff and family-friendly lunch or dinner.

The Deli Llama

A gourmand sandwich bar by day, this downtown Tavares scorching spot attracts the night crowds to its Llama Lounge for small bites and crafted sake cocktails. Among the many favourite menu gadgets are the Figgy Jam Grilled Cheese, Llama Cuban, and a scrumptious pork barbecue sandwich referred to as The King.

Twisted Biscuit Diner

A best choice for a comforting breakfast and nice mimosas and bloody marys in Tavares, this diner-style spot places a twist on Southern favorites — all wrapped up with a biscuit bow. Fulfill your candy tooth with the Chunky Monkey Biscuit, baked with pecans and chocolate and piled excessive with bananas, whipped cream, pecans, and chocolate drizzle. If you happen to’re swaying extra savory, the Son-of-a-Biscuit, with crispy fried hen and spicy honey, is bound to please.

Ironworks Steaks and Effective Cocktails

An outdated ironworks factory-turned-steakhouse is the favourite native date evening for a memorable dinner out in Tavares. Ironworks Steaks and Effective Cocktails does a divine New York strip that will get smoked table-side underneath a glass dome. There’s additionally a perfectly-marbled coulotte steak slathered with a whiskey bourbon glaze. The artistic cocktail listing features a dessert root beer float libation spiked with vodka and root beer liqueur.

Greatest Time to Go to

You’ll be able to go to Tavares and Lake County year-round, however temperatures are most nice within the fall, winter, and spring if you happen to’re hoping to keep away from summer season’s warmth and humidity. The spring and fall months additionally usher in enjoyable annual festivals together with October’s ROCKTOBERFEST and Monster Splash Seaplane Fly-In. Perry, who relocated to Central Florida from upstate New York in 2003 and settled within the Tavares space in 2020, says her favourite time of 12 months right here is the vacation season. “The annual Candyland Christmas Celebration & Parade really transforms the realm right into a magical winter wonderland. The festive ambiance, the dazzling lights, and the joyous occasions make it a particular expertise,” she says.

Get There

Most guests fly into Orlando Worldwide Airport after which lease a automobile for the short one-hour drive (roughly 50 miles) northwest to Tavares. Daytona Seashore Worldwide Airport is 61 miles (simply over one hour) to the northeast.

Get Round

You’ll need a automobile to take advantage of your time in Tavares and Lake County. Plan to go to close by cities like Mount Dora, Eustis, and Leesburg.