Tavares, Florida Journey Information

Referred to as “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 each day from factors all throughout North America. They splash down and elevate up from the various surrounding lakes, together with Lake Eustis, which noticed the world’s first seaplane flight again in 1914 (shortly after the primary seaplane was invented in France).

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

“Tavares is one among 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 world. “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 stunned by the gorgeous pure setting of the city.

Learn on to plan your go to to Tavares.

Finest Motels 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 out of doors pool, and a backyard the place you may 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 friends 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 in 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 out there for friends. Actions embrace weekly recreation nights and shuffleboard. It’s a style of the Previous 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 gasoline 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 recreation spherical out the household enjoyable.

Finest Issues to Do

See the world from a seaplane.

Get an overhead view of the world 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 among our flightseeing excursions,” says Closi.  “They’re usually amazed at how flat and tiny the whole lot appears from the air. Even once you assume you’ve seen all that Florida has to supply, seeing it from above supplies a completely new perspective.”

Flightseeing excursions might be as temporary 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 common retailer for snacks. It’s a main spot to catch the sundown and watch seaplane takeoffs and landings because it’s proper subsequent to Tavares Seaport.

Kayak by way of the Dora Canal.

Spanish moss dripping from cypress timber and ferns all over the place make for a surprising backdrop as you paddle a kayak or stand-up paddleboard by way of the Doral Canal. You’ll be able to head out by yourself by renting one thing that floats from Journey Outside Paddle, or choose to hitch one among their guided eco-tours by way of the historic canal that dates to the 1800s. Guides would possibly even discover child alligators to level out alongside the best way, 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 flowers throughout a go to to Discovery Gardens, a 3.5-acre website house to greater than 20 totally different gardens showcasing totally different gardening strategies that work nicely in Central Florida’s local weather. Greater than 700 totally different plant species are represented right here, and the setting makes for a lovely place for an academic and galvanizing stroll. Youngsters 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 dwell music. Different themed cruises embrace New Yr’s outings full with fireworks, Christmas-themed cruises, and afternoon enjoyable cruises.

Finest Eating places

Puddle Jumpers Lakeside Grill

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

BTW — Burgers, Tacos, Waffles

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

The Deli Llama

A connoisseur 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 known 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. For those who’re swaying extra savory, the Son-of-a-Biscuit, with crispy fried rooster and spicy honey, is bound to please.

Ironworks Steaks and Fantastic Cocktails

An previous ironworks factory-turned-steakhouse is the favourite native date night time for a memorable dinner out in Tavares. Ironworks Steaks and Fantastic 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 inventive cocktail record features a dessert root beer float libation spiked with vodka and root beer liqueur.

Finest 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 time’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 world right into a magical winter wonderland. The festive environment, the dazzling lights, and the joyous occasions make it a particular expertise,” she says.

How you can Get There

Most guests fly into Orlando Worldwide Airport after which lease a automotive 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.

How you can Get Round

You’ll desire a automotive to benefit from your time in Tavares and Lake County. Plan to go to close by cities like Mount Dora, Eustis, and Leesburg.