Mount Dora

The Jewel of Lake County

Why Mount Dora?

Mount Dora is home to several festivals and events each year, such as the downtown Art Shows, Craft Fairs, Music Festivals, Theatre, Classic Wooden Boat Shows, Sailing Regattas, Holiday Lighting Ceremonies and Parades. The steering committee is pleased to now be a part of Mount Dora’s Festival History with The Jane Austen Fest. We believe Jane would have loved Mount Dora!

Settled in 1874, the weather, wildlife, fishing, and the beauty of the part of Florida also made it a popular winter destination. Travelers would arrive by wagon train, steamboat, and by 1887, by rail. Often people have called Mount Dora “New England in the south”. Often Florida is thought to be flat terrain, however, in Mount Dora, hills abound.

Today, visitors also find themselves enchanted by the many live oaks with moss hanging off them, Arts and Crafts homes and cottages, and the quaint downtown area filled with shoppes and restaurants. Mount Dora has also been known as the Antique Capital of Florida, with Renninger’s Twin Markets drawing thousands to their Antique Mall an Flea Market, as well as the antique shops scattered about Mount Dora.

Colorful waterfront homes in Mount Dora are part of its charm

Annie Donnelly Park

Located at the intersection of Donnelly Street and 5th Avenue. Donnelly Park is officially known as the Annie E. Donnelly Park. The land was bought from Mr. Donnelly for $45,000 by ladies of the Woman’s Club in 1924. Located across the street from the Donnelly House, it is considered to be one of the “jewels” of Lake County’s Parks & Recreation system. It is also the location of Mount Dora’s famous annual tree lighting.

Our registration center is located there, as well as the Regency Marketplace on Sunday. It will be a wonderful place to take photos.

The Community Building

The Community Center, right next to City Hall, is where our Soirée, lectures, film, and much more occur. The auditorium is quite large and can sit a large number of guests comfortably. The green room is under the auditorium.

The Community Building is located across the street from the Annie Donnelly Park and our registration center.

The Donnelly House

John P. Donnelly, Mount Dora’s first mayor 1910 built this 3-story Queen Anne Home in 1893 as a gift to his wife, Annie. Listed on the National Register of Historic places.

Sign up for our Regency Afternoon Teas in this lovely home located on Donnelly Street, across from the Annie Donnelly Park and our registration center.

Mount Dora Center for the Arts

The Mount Dora Center for the Arts, across from the Annie Donnelly Park, The Center brings art to lives through classes and workshops, gallery exhibits, children’s outreach programs, and partnerships with the Art Community. Founded in 1985, the center is the hub for the annual Mount Dora Arts Festival.

Address: 138 E. 5th Avenue
Web: mountdoraart.com

Historic Lakeside Inn

Opened in 1883 and is the oldest continuously operated Hotel in Florida. Overlooking the picturesque Lake Dora, it is the last of the Grand Victorian Era Hotels still remaining in Central Florida. The Inn has hosted many dignitaries and celebrities through its 130+ year history, such as Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. President Calvin Coolidge and First Lady Grace Coolidge stayed for a month in the winter of 1930 after his presidency was over. It was also the set for the 1981 John Schlesinger movie, Honky Tonk Freeway. The Veranda is one of the best places to catch the sun setting over Lake Dora.

Room availability is limited. Make your reservations early.
Address: 100 Alexander Street
Phone: 800-556-5016.
Web: lakeside-inn.com

Lawn Bowling Club

We are a lawn bowling club with many tournaments and socials that occur throughout the year. Ours is the largest USLBA affiliated club in the U.S. with over 250 members including three members who have been selected to Team USA. In addition to bowling we enjoy various social activities such as mah jonng, bunco, bridge, art classes, and euchre. Our calendar includes fun social events for most holidays throughout the year.

Address: 125 Edgerton Court
Phone: 352-383-2294
Web: mountdoralawnbowling.com