Tavares

The lakeside community of Tavares, situated 35 miles northwest of Orlando, is a truly unique destination known as “America’s Seaplane City,” where pilots can swoop down and fuel up, fly-in dinner dates aren’t unusual, and chartered day trips take visitors all the way to Key West and back.

With its abundance of waterways, Lake County lives up to its name, and Tavares, the county seat, is surrounded by lakes Eustis, Harris, and Dora, which offer plenty of opportunities for boating, paddling, and fishing. At the vibrant waterfront area on Lake Dora known as the Pontoon Promenade, visitors will find the Tavares Seaplane Base & Marina, Prop Shop at Woodlea, picnic pavilion, gazebos, and boat ramp, with popular downtown restaurants and family-friendly parks close by.

Aerial adventures here can take the form of seaplane tours, which offer birds-eye views of everything from the natural Central Florida landscape and waterways to major Orlando theme parks and attractions, or seaplane excursions that take guests on romantic dinner fly-ins, bar-hopping, and more. For adventures on the water, visitors won’t want to miss taking a sunset or afternoon cruise on the luxury paddlewheel boat the Dora Queen. In addition, pontoon boat eco tours bring passengers along the picturesque, mile-long Dora Canal, which connects Lake Dora and Lake Eustis, and offer excellent opportunities to spot wildlife, including alligators, herons, and egrets.

While in Tavares, families with young children will want to check out the seaplane-themed splash pad at Wooton Park, located next to the seaport, and visitors of all ages will enjoy spending time at Hickory Point Park, which offers 24-hour access for fishing and boating, a nature boardwalk and trail, and swimming beach. Throughout the year, visitors can catch the community’s special events, including the annual Sunnyland Boat Festival, July 4th Celebration, Boo! Festival, and Christmas Celebration.

Plan your trip at Discover Lake County.