Mount Dora Day Trip from Southwest Orlando

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 from Southwest Orlando?

With connector roads like the 429, Mount Dora is closer than you may think. Heading north from Southwest Orlando, most residents can reach the downtown within 45 minutes or less. Let's break down the distances and approximate drive times from each.

Distance to Mount Dora:

• Downtown Winter Garden, Florida: 24 miles, approximately 35-40 minutes
• Downtown Windermere, Florida: 28 miles, approximately 40-45 minutes
• Downtown Clermont, Florida: 25 miles, approximately 45-50 minutes
• Dr Phillips, Florida: 36 miles, approximately 45-50 minutes

Keep in mind that if you are located in the southern Winter Garden areas around Horizon West, because of the access to the 429, drive times are still within 40-45 minutes. For those located in southern Clermont, expect about an hour drive. Travel times will of course vary based on the day of the week and time of day. How far is Mount Dora from Downtown Orlando? Depending on the route choosen, downtown Orlando is approximately 30 miles from Mount Dora and will take around 45 - 50 minutes.

What Can You Do In Mount Dora In One Day?

In short, a lot. Because of the compact downtown area and distance to additional spots to explore, if you have a day to spend, you'll be able to get a real feel for the area. Let's break down your day by food & drink, shopping, and outdoor adventures. Located on the eastern shores of Lake Dora, Mount Dora's downtown area offers the best of small-lake-town vibes. Walkable and easy to navigate, the downtown's central hub is along North Donnelly Street. Most of the action will be between West 5th Avenue and West 3rd Avenue, with plenty of side streets to meander down and drop into a cozy shop or eatery. Looking for some views of Lake Dora? Head down to W. 4th Avenue at the Mount Dora Dock for sweeping views of the waters. Pro Tip: Don't miss sunset views by the water.

Shopping in Mount Dora

For those that love to browse boutique shops, hunting down the perfect gift or treat, downtown has no shortage of options. Some of our favorites include these must-visit stops:

• Mount Dora Olive Oil Company | 351 N Donnelly St | We love exploring the dozens of specialty olive oils and balsamic vinegars, sampling to find our favorite finds to take home. 
• Naples Soap Company | 429 N Donnelly St | From handmade soaps to lotions and candles, this Florida-based company was created to provide products made with natural ingredients, especially for those with sensitive skin.
• Barrel of Books & Games | 403 N Donnelly St | This independent corner bookstore has a great selection of new releases and classics along with tons of games and a room dedicated to comic books.
• Piglet's Pantry | 400 N Donnelly St | You can't visit a new place without a special treat to take home to your furry friends, with a wide variety of treats, including fresh-made bakery items.
• Becker's Best Shoes | 404 N Donnelly St | We had to include this stop on our list since we visit every time and love the huge selection of shoes, including options you just can't find in most brand-name stores.

Where to Eat & Drink in Mount Dora

Here's your warning now. There are so many dining hot spots to choose from that you'll definitely have to plan multiple trips to get them all in. For those visiting for the first time, we've gathered our must-hit locations. This list is literally just a "taste" of what Mount Dora has to offer. We can't wait ourselves to head back for our next visit to explore more.

• WAVE Asian Bistro & Sushi | 301 N Baker St, Unit 100 | Known for their unique creations like sushi pizza, sushi donuts, sushi hot dogs, and even the viral sushi push-pops trending right now. Pro tip >> Don't sleep on the krab rangoon mozzarella sticks. They bring a bar food staple and asian staple together in the tastiest of appetizers.
• The Salted Fry | 112 W 3rd Ave | We discovered this gem on our first trip to Mount Dora and it is a must-visit each time we go back. 100% gluten-free (and you wouldn't know it if they didn't tell you). We highly recommend the poutine or pizza fries and the Hardy Gnome Club sandwich. 
• Serendipity Brews | 144 W 5th Ave | This unique spot serves both coffee and local brews. Grab a pastry, breakfast sandwich, or a lunch wrap.
• Allyson A Bake Shop | 122 E 4th Ave | Satisfying your sweet tooth is easy here. Choose from their homemade selection of bars, cookies, muffins, and cupcakes.

Spending Outdoors in Mount Dora

From the many parks to local tours, Mount Dora has a little something for everyone who wants to get outside. For a day trip to the area, let's take a look at some of the local favorite ways to get to know the area.

• Gilbert Park & Grantham Pointe | 357-499 S Tremain St | No visit to Mount Dora is complete without a stop at the Port of Mount Dora and the famous lighthouse. Between the lakefront views and the photo ops, this stop is a perfect backdrop for a picnic.
• Donnelly Park | 530 N. Donnelly St | Located in the heart of downtown, Donnelly Park is home to Pickleball courts, Shuffleboard courts, and a tennis court.
• Elizabeth Evans Park | 100 N. Donnelly St | This lakeside park has a barbecue area with picnic tables and has great views of the lighthouse
• Palm Island Park | 411 S Tremain St | Bordering Lake Dora, this 8-acre preserve has a waterside boardwalk and trails.

If you're looking to get out on the water, there are boat tours and fishing excursions available on Lake Dora. For an evening of spooky haunts, walking ghost tours are available from several companies that include everything from history to a haunted pub crawl.

Planning Your Visit in Mount Dora

Knowing your way around a new place can be fun, but having a game plan in place will make your half- or full-day even easier. Here are a few tips to make the best of your Mount Dora adventure:

• Parking in Mount Dora
  • Parking is available throughout downtown, including street parking as well as public lots and garages. In fact, did you know that downtown offers free, on-demand shuttles? Freebee services serve all around downtown; just download the app to request a ride. Closest parking lots include 3rd & Donnelly, 3rd & Baker, 4th & Baker, and City Hall (back lot after 5pm and weekends).
  • Pro Tip: Try the parking garage located at 250 N Donnelly Street, giving ideal access to all of downtown (and bonus if you get a lower level spot, your car will stay cooler)
• Events in Mount Dora
  • Mount Dora is known as the festival city and rightfully so. There are more than 30 events held throughout the year, including the popular Light Up Mount Dora during the holidays, the Bicycle Festival in the fall, the Craft Fair in the fall, and the Arts Festival in February. Be sure to check the town's annual calendar before planning your visit to catch one the many festivals happening.
• Arrive Early on Weekends
  • As with many weekends throughout the area, parking lots can fill faster. Coming early to town will give more parking options and cooler temperatures to walk around in.

Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting Mount Dora

A local Perspective on Living in Southwest Orlando

For Jeffrey and Renee Funk, living in Southwest Orlando has always meant more than being close to work, schools, or daily conveniences. It also means having so much of Central Florida within reach, from day trips to Mount Dora and Sanford to weekends spent exploring your own backyard in Winter Garden, Clermont, and beyond.

As longtime Windermere residents and local real estate professionals, Jeff and Renee understand how location shapes everyday life. The right home is not only about the property itself. It is also about the places nearby, the routes that make getting around easier, and the experiences that become part of life over time.

For those considering a move to Windermere, Winter Garden, Dr. Phillips, Clermont, or another Southwest Orlando community, start a conversation with The Funk Collection for a local perspective on finding the right place to call home. Schedule a call with Jeff to get started.

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