Mount Dora - Orlando / Florida Guide
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If you're thinking about a time-warp day, free of theme parks then think aboutan escape to the New England of Florida, the antique capital as well as therose capital of Central Florida, Mount Dora. Located 25 miles northwest of Orlando, via U.S. 441 or from Exit 51 from 1-4.If your West of Disney then go North about 60 miles on US27. If you take the27 route and fancy a side trip with a bit of a difference take yourselves upto Yalaha. You go up the 27 past Clermont, right along the 19 to Tavares andthen at the T junction you will see a sign saying Yalaha. There's a Germanbakery on the left hand side, on a Saturday morning they have a bit ofentertainment and you can eat outside if you wish. You can then carry on intoMount Dora. The city was first established in 1880 and was named after anearly pioneer who allow the U.S. surveyors to camp on her land while theysurveyed that part of the state. They named a lake nearby after her and thenthe town was named after the lake. The fact that is on a plateau about 250ftabove sea level was what start the Mount part of the name. It's a well preserved, frozen-in-time town with a dozen turn-of-the-centurybuildings clustered around its downtown shuffleboard courts, including theeerily exuberant Steamboat Gothic Donnelly House straight out of a CharlesAddams cartoon. Get there early and go to the Sunshine Mountain bakery for breakfast everything is fresh baked and made that day. They offer many different type ofcroissants, bagels and Danish so there is plenty to choose from. There must be about 30 restaurants in the town and we have tried a few andlooked in a lot of them. The real problem is that you can really only dojustice to one of them on a trip, especially after the stops at the bakery andcoffee shop. If your going to spend the day here you may want to skip lunchand just have a coffee and small snack, that way you can enjoy your eveningmeal. When you get into town go to the restored railroad depot, built in 1913 anddecommissioned in 1950. Here you can learn about special events and famousfestivals: The artists arrive the first weekend in February; in April, antiqueboat enthusiasts gather at the marina the first weekend; and the sailors takeover Lake Dora the second-to-last weekend for Florida's largest inlandregatta; during the second-to-last weekend in October, cyclists rally for acelebration of the sport and all levels of touring. Also in October is one ofthe state's largest craft fairs plus an invitational golf tournament. The chamber can also provide information on less-crowded times of the year andsuch activities as walking the Palm Island Nature Trail, 3,400 feet of mulchedpath and 1,676 feet of boardwalk, longest in the state; watching the action atthe Lawn Bowling Club, second largest in the state with 14 playing surfaces,eight of them lighted; or strolling the antique trail. The 5th Avenue Cafe is worth a look, it's the only restaurant dedicated toorganic cuisine. They use fresh organic ingredients, triple filtered reverseosmosis water and all stainless steel cookware. If you want a pure vegan dishor just the filet, fish or chicken, this place can offer you plenty of choice.They also offer a quick Grab 'n Go breakfast or lunch. The Lakeside Inn offers a Sunday Brunch on the Veranda and we have been toldby friends that have been that the choice and quality is good. The Inn is ina time warp, the 120-year historic landmark is a peaceful, romantic setting ofhow things were. The Inn's cluster of five buildings are grand in the quaintOld Florida style, built to last centuries and garnished with gables,balconies, porches and fanciful Victorian flourishes. The estate is gracedwith stately oak trees dripping with Spanish moss and an expanse of green thatsweeps down to an Olympic-sized swimming pool and Lake Dora. The Goblin Market Restaurant is nestled on a back alley in the historicdowntown Mount Dora village. The restaurant, housed in a renovated warehouse,features two book-lined dining rooms furnished well with modern art hung onthe walls. The private tree shaded courtyard and garden patio are open allyear for alfresco dining. Low lighting and music add the finishing touches tothe restaurant. There are many other eating and drinking places to try and while we have nottried them all you may want to wander by one of these five for a look, WindsorRose English Tea Room and Restaurant, The Garden Gate Tea Room, O'Keefe'sIrish Pub, Cafe Stella and Al E. Gators The town has 12 Antique shops and a small antiques mall with one shopspecializing in the Beatles. You can also Visit the Mount Dora English LawnBowls Club and if you feel like a break watch a game while you relax with adrink. You may also want to visit the farmers & flea market. It is a wellorganised and laid out market with some stalls under cover. There is also anantiques section consisting of around six sheds all given a colour forrecognition. You will find an extensive area set out as a boot-sale and plentyof food and drink available. It is like any other market and covers almostanything you might need to buy. Check before you go as this is not open mostweek days. However my favourite part of the town I have left to last and that's The Mt.Dora & Lake Eustis Railway It began operations on October 25th, 2003. It is a tourist passenger railroadthat runs from Mount Dora to Eustis in central Florida on the tracks of theFlorida Central Railroad. It's based in downtown Mount Dora, and operates onrails that date back to the 1880's, they offer a unique glimpse into the pastwith a number of vintage rail excursions that are designed for the wholefamily will enjoy. The Orange Blossom Dinner Train is one of only two self-propelled dinnertrains in the country. It gives you a two and a half hour journey while diningand relives the golden age of railroad travel. You take a slow eighteen mileround-trip ride along historic rails while during your ride, you are served afour-course dinner. The Herbie Express is a one hour and 15 minute trip between Mount Dora andTavares pulled by a 1942 locomotive Herbie. The 9 mile round trip passes alongthe shores of Lake Dora. You will travel along Old Highway 441 passing thru anorange grove, past a bald eagles nest. Listen to the whistle and bell of theengine as you cross thru railroad crossings. You also travel right down themiddle of the road with cars on both sides of the train. In Tavares the trainwill be turned round just like the railroads did it 100 years ago. The Wine & Cheese Express does not run that often but is a two hour round tripfrom Mt. Dora where you get to taste some fine Wines. Around Christmas timethere is a service from Mount Dora to the North Pole. You ride on The SantaExpress from Mount Dora to Santa's Flag Stop near the North Pole for a visitwith Santa Claus. At the Flag Stop, Santa Claus will board the train and joinyou for the ride back. During the return trip, Santa gives the passengers aholiday treat and you will have the chance to chat with him and tell him whatyou want for Christmas. Page added on: 20 July 2004
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