A Local's Guide to Mount Dora: Dining, Shopping, and Must-See Stops

Is Mount Dora, Florida, worth the trip? A resounding yes can be heard from the locals who know and love this area. This cozy lake town is located on the northwest edge of the Orlando metro area, with a vibrant downtown, and a great variety of shopping, dining, and things to do. 

It may be surprising to those considering Orlando for a move that there is so much more to downtown and being a tourism destination. The diverse neighboring cities and proximity to local destinations, including lake towns, trails, parks, and beaches, make Orlando a great hub for locals to call home. Let's explore this popular day trip destination and see what makes it so special.

How Far Is Mount Dora…

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Crooked Can Brewery & New Minneola Food Hall at Hills City Center 

Blog Author: Jen Durben | The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty

Hills City Center is a new mixed-use destination in Minneola, Florida, anchored by the Crooked Can Brewing Company and a food hall-style market featuring local restaurant vendors, outdoor gathering spaces, and community-focused amenities. For those familiar with the Plant Street Market, this new concept mirrors the Minneola space as one of downtown Winter Garden's most recognizable dining locations. The new Minneola location brings the concept to the west in a larger space of nearly 43,000 square feet, including a 2,000-square-foot taproom. So, for anyone searching for Crooked Can Minneola, new restaurants in…

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Trying to Decide Between Windermere and Winter Garden? 

Blog Author: Jen Durben | The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty

For buyers considering neighborhoods around Orlando, especially Southwest Orlando, the conversation usually includes a comparison of Windermere and Winter Garden. This makes sense in many ways. Located next to each other, with a great selection of communities to choose from, access to Walt Disney World, and a wide range of homes, from townhomes and condos to lakefront estates. Both are also appealing to those seeking access to downtown, the I-4 corridor, and beyond. 

Windermere is known for its lake-centered lifestyle among the Butler Chain of Lakes with a small-town vibe, established communities, and close proximity…

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Orlando Area Community 4th of July Guide

Blog Author: Jen Durben | The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty

Magic Kingdom Independence Day CelebrationFrom Windermere and Winter Garden to Downtown Orlando, Ocoee, Celebration, and beyond, Central Florida knows how to celebrate the 4th. In fact, Orlando was recently ranked the #3 city to spend the Independence Day holiday by WalletHub. Hometown events and city celebrations make it easy for locals to get out and commemorate the day, and especially with this year marking the 250th anniversary.

The Funk Collection has you covered with a local's guide to the 2026 Fourth of July celebrations happening in your community across Central Florida. We've also included ways you to commemorate the 4th at local theme parks, including Magic Kingdom…

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The Restaurants, Coffee Shops, and Local Shops Bringing New Energy to Downtown Clermont

Blog Author: Jen Durben | The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty

If you ask locals is downtown Clermont Central Florida's next great main street? A resounding yes! Five years ago, likely you would have heard a different answer. You may say that downtown Clermont was pretty sleepy. There were several vacant storefronts and not a lot of dining options. And while there have always been some gems that locals have loved for many years, things tended to be pretty quiet overall. But, over the last several years, downtown has seen a resurgence of life. With new dining options, markets, coffee shops, local shopping, book stores, and nightlife have popped up,…

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Why Was Orlando Ranked the Best U.S. City for a Staycation?

Blog Author: Jen Durben | The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty

This is no surprise to locals of the Orlando area. There are so many reasons why people call Orlando home, and truth be told, it's pretty cool to live in one of the top vacation destinations in the world. So, when we read that Orlando has been named the #1 Best Cities for a Staycation, we nodded along in agreement. WalletHub's study analyzed more than 180 U.S. Cities, looking at over 40 indicators of real lifestyle factors, including recreation, food & entertainment, and rest & relaxation. Let's take a deeper dive into what locals already know: that living in Orlando means the vacation feeling doesn't have to wait for…

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What are Surprising Facts About Windermere, FL?

Blog Author: Renee Funk | Co-Founder, Speaker, Trainer

Windermere, Florida, has deep roots in Central Florida, with a quaint downtown and a setting among the lakes that feel almost untouched by time. Established decades before the area’s major growth, the town has maintained its small-town vibe while also collecting its share of odd but true facts.

1. The Infamous Dirt Roads of Windermere

Why does Windermere still have dirt roads downtown? Originally, when the town of Windermere was being built, paving downtown sand streets was not a priority. Funding fell short, so the town's sandy dirt roads became part of its charm. More than 100 years later, the sand roads are still part of Windermere’s…

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A Look Back at the Landmark’s History and the Orange Crush Anniversary Event

Blog Author: Jen Durben | The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty

What is the Citrus Tower 70th Anniversary Event?

The iconic Citrus Tower in Clermont, Florida, is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a community celebration called Orange Crush. This free event will be held on Sunday, June 14th, from 10am - 4pm at the Citrus Tower located at 141 N Hwy 27 in Clermont. The day will be filled with free rides to the top of the tower, local food vendors, live entertainment, kids' activities, and so much more.

Citrus Tower Model Clermont, FloridaA brief History of the Citrus Tower in Clermont, Florida

Before the more recent growth, Clermont was known for its rolling hills, rural living, and, of…

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Trying to Decide Between Windermere and Dr. Phillips? 

Blog Author: Jen Durben | The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty

If you are looking for your next move in Orlando, whether relocating from out of state or across town, narrowing down the areas of the Orlando metro is typically one of the first decisions. And, if the decision is between Windermere and Dr. Phillips and you're not sure how they compare, this guide will help differentiate the two communities.

At a high level, these two areas feel like siblings. Both are located in Southwest Orlando and border each other (Windermere to the West, in the 34786 zip code, and Dr. Phillips to the East, in the 32836 & 32819 zip codes). Both offer well-established residential communities with a…

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The Latest Openings and Upcoming Developments in Windermere, Dr. Phillips, Winter Garden & Clermont

Blog Author: Jen Durben | The Funk Collection, Brokered by eXP Realty

If you've been asking what's new in Southwest Orlando in 2026, this post covers the latest restaurant openings, business arrivals, and development projects across Windermere, Dr. Phillips, Winter Garden, Horizon West, and Clermont.

From new restaurants and coffee shops to beloved re-openings and major mixed-use developments and lifestyle additions, Southwest Orlando continues to evolve in ways that make communities like Windermere, Dr. Phillips, Winter Garden, and Clermont some of the most talked-about cities in Central Florida real estate.

Whether you're already a local…

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