Mount Dora

Mount Dora lies in the Orlando area at an elevation of about 50 m (165 ft) on the shore of Lake Dora. The Simpson family settled here in 1874; the village was first called "Royellou", and since 1883 it has carried the name of the lake, which recalls the early settler Dora Ann Drawdy. The downtown area has been a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places since 2009 and is known for its antique shops and galleries. At Grantham Point Park stands the 11 m (35 ft) Mount Dora Light, dedicated in 1988 and, according to Wikipedia, Florida's only inland freshwater lighthouse.

Two to three hours are enough for a stroll through the streets and along the lakefront. Large events such as the Arts Festival in February, the Blueberry Festival in April and the Craft Fair in October (over 250,000 visitors, according to Wikipedia) fill the downtown. Arrive early then and expect to look for parking; otherwise the center is easy to explore on foot after parking once.