A Perfect Fall Day in Mount Dora
Fall in Mount Dora looks a little different than it does up north. We may not get much in the way of fall leaves, but once the weather starts to cool down, downtown gets busy again, outdoor events return and it becomes a pretty great time to spend the day outside.
If you have friends visiting, you're coming into town for one of Mount Dora's fall festivals, or you just feel like playing tourist for the day, here's how I'd spend a fall day in Mount Dora.
Start Your Morning Downtown
Start with Coffee and Something Sweet
Start downtown at Allyson A Bake Shop for coffee and something from the pastry case. It's right on East 4th Avenue, which puts you in a good spot to start exploring downtown without moving the car again.
I wouldn't make breakfast too ambitious. There's plenty more eating ahead.
FIND BREAKFAST & BRUNCH
Browse Downtown Before It Gets Busy
Give yourself some time to wander Donnelly Street, Fourth Avenue and the surrounding blocks.
You don't need a checklist for this part of the day. Pop into the shops that catch your eye, browse one of the galleries and take a few of the side streets instead of sticking only to Donnelly.
See Mount Dora from the Water
Get Out on Lake Dora
You can see plenty of Mount Dora from downtown, but you get a completely different perspective from the water.
A Dora Canal boat tour takes you along Lake Dora and through the cypress-lined canal connecting Lake Dora and Lake Eustis. Along the way, keep an eye out for turtles, alligators, ospreys and other wildlife.
If someone were visiting Mount Dora for the first time and only had one day here, this is one of the things I'd tell them to make time for.
Stop for Lunch
By now you'll probably be ready for a real lunch. I'd stay downtown rather than getting back in the car.
Goblin Market
Tucked just off Donnelly Street, Goblin Market is one of those restaurants that feels distinctly Mount Dora. The dining rooms, bookshelves and hidden-away setting make it as much about the atmosphere as the meal.
Best for: A slower sit-down lunch.
Choose Your Own Lunch Stop
Mount Dora has everything from casual sandwiches and sushi to seafood and waterfront dining. Browse the local restaurant directory and choose whatever sounds good that day.
Best for: Keeping the day flexible.
Slow Down for the Afternoon
Save Room for Something Sweet
After lunch, wander back through downtown and stop when something catches your eye.
For something a little different, KKÔ Chocolate on Donnelly Street makes handcrafted chocolates and beautiful desserts that are almost too pretty to eat.
Almost.
Visiting on Sunday?
If you're doing this itinerary on a Sunday, make room for the Mount Dora Village Market at Sunset Park.
I'd work it into the morning before lunch rather than trying to squeeze it in at the end of the day. Grab something from a vendor, browse for a bit and then continue with the rest of the itinerary.
CHECK UPCOMING MARKET DATES
Slow Things Down by the Lake
By late afternoon, I'd quit trying to fit anything else in.
Head toward the Mount Dora lighthouse and waterfront, find a spot near the lake and slow down for a while. Watch the boats, wander along the shoreline or sit somewhere with a view.
Not every hour of a good day needs an attraction attached to it.
Stay for Sunset
Before heading to dinner, see what the sky is doing over Lake Dora.
The lighthouse and waterfront are easy places to stop, and some evenings put on a pretty impressive show.
Other evenings are just Florida being Florida. Either way, you're already by the lake.
Finish the Day with Dinner
Stay downtown and finish the day with dinner. These two options offer very different ways to end the evening.
Pisces Rising
If you want to end the day overlooking Lake Dora, Pisces Rising is an easy choice. The restaurant sits just above the waterfront and works especially well when you can time dinner around sunset.
Best for: Lake views and a relaxed end to the day.
1921 Mount Dora
For something a little more elevated, 1921 Mount Dora serves Florida-inspired food in a historic home just off Donnelly Street.
It's the kind of place I'd save for dinner rather than trying to squeeze into the middle of a busy sightseeing day.
Restaurant hours and reservation policies can change. Check directly with the restaurant before making a special trip.
Not Ready to Call It a Night?
Check the calendar before you head home. Mount Dora frequently has live music, festivals, markets and other downtown events, especially during the fall.
Or don't plan anything at all. Find a drink, listen for live music and see where the evening takes you.
SEE WHAT'S HAPPENINGPlanning Your Fall Day
More Ways to Explore Mount Dora
Thinking About Making Mount Dora Home?
I live and work here, so if a day in Mount Dora has you wondering what it might be like to call the area home, I'm happy to help you explore it from the real estate side too.
EXPLORE MOUNT DORA HOMES