Tavares can oftentimes be overshadowed by neighboring Orlando, but this slower-paced, lake-front city has plenty to offer those visiting the area. Many know Tavares as the home of seaplane tours, and with so many beautiful lakes surrounding the city, it’s not hard to see why you’d want to take such a tour. These same lakes also allow visitors to enjoy plenty of public land usage, from taking a stroll along nature boardwalks to trying your luck at a round of fishing. If you’re traveling with your family, the kids are sure to enjoy checking out the local splash park and swinging on the monkey bars at the Lake Idamere Park playground. For more information on these points of interest and fun things to do in Tavares, Florida, be sure to read on.
1. Take a seaplane tour over beautiful Lake Dora
Lake Dora is a great place to cool off when the Florida weather gets warm, but perhaps one of the best ways to experience it is from the air! While in Tavares, you’ll certainly want to check out the seaplane tours offered by Jones Brothers & Co, especially this one that gives you breathtaking views of Lake Dora. The tour lasts approximately 10 minutes and besides the views of Lake Dora, you’ll get to see downtown Tavares from the air, the view of which isn’t at all shabby. Tours depart every hour from 10 am to 4 pm and tickets can be purchased via their website. This unique tour is a sure winner if you don’t know what to do in Tavares, Florida.
Tour Lake Dora
Address: 100 Alexander St, Mt Dora, FL 32757
Website: Tour Lake Dora
Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)
Price: From 49 USD
2. Solve a murder mystery on a train ride
Don’t forget to pack your thinking cap for your trip to Tavares, you’ll need it for this experience! Purchase your ticket and climb aboard a train at the Royal Palm Railway, where you’ll soon find yourself faced with the task of helping Detective Inspector Royellou to solve a cold-blooded murder. Once you start your investigation, you’ll find that everyone aboard is a suspect and Royellou isn’t altogether competent. This comedic and tourist thing to do in Tavares, Florida, lasts approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Murder on the Royal Palm
Address: 305 E Ruby St, Tavares, FL 32778
Website: Murder on the Royal Palm
Opening hours: Fri: 5:15pm; Sat: 2:45pm & 5:15pm; Sun: 2:45pm
Price: 35 USD
3. Learn about the local history at Lake County Historical Museum
If you want to learn a bit more about the local history in and around Tavares, the Lake County Historical Museum is the place to go. The museum has been telling stories of the area’s history since 1954 and it has many artifacts from Lake County and throughout Florida, all designed to tell the area’s unique story. Exhibits include artifacts about native peoples, native wildlife and information on local businesses and public figures.
Lake County Historical Museum
Address: 317 W Main St, Tavares, FL 32778
Website: Lake County Historical Museum
Opening hours: Tue & Sat: 10am - 2pm; Wed - Fri: 10am - 3pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
Price: Free
4. Spend a day at Aesop's Park
The community vegetable garden is a relatively new feature within Aesop’s Park, but it is just one of many such gardens that are becoming more common within the country. In the garden, you’ll find where individuals or families are renting plots in which to grow herbs and vegetables and teaching the youngest generation how to do the same. While visiting, please be mindful to keep audible cell phone use to a minimum, which will allow other patrons to enjoy a bit of quiet outdoor time in their garden.
Aesop's Park
Address: 501 E Caroline St, Tavares, FL 32778
Website: Aesop’s Park
Price: Free
5. Cool off at Children's Splash Park
If your kids have been having a blast checking out Tavares, but are in desperate need of a cooldown, look no further than the Children’s Splash Pad located in Wooton Park. The splash pad is unsurprisingly seaplane-themed and offers children water slides and other water excitement. If you think the park is something your kids would enjoy, plan ahead and try to arrive early, as the park has a strict maximum occupancy level and admittance is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Children's Splash Park
Address: 100 E Ruby St, Tavares, FL 32278
Website: Children’s Splash Park
Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily from Memorial Day - mid-Aug); Sat - Sun: 10am - 6pm (mid-Aug - Sept 30); (closed from Oct - May)
Price: 2 USD
6. Spend some time on the trails of Tavares Nature Park
Tavares Nature Park is a great place to enjoy the natural beauty of the Tavares area. The park is made up of 101 acres (40.8 hectares) of land, which is full of great trails to hike during your visit. Many of the trails take you through wooded areas, allowing you to bask in the solitude of the area, all while being a short drive back to Tavares. Be sure to pack your lunch, as there is a great picnic area to refuel at after your hike.
Tavares Nature Park
Address: Milwaukee Ave, Tavares, FL 32778
Website: Tavares Nature Park
Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)
Price: Free
7. Enjoy a day away at Summerall Park
Summerall Park is located on the Dora Canal, and it offers visitors a beautiful place to relax and enjoy time spent with friends and family. The park offers great fishing opportunities and features a boat ramp for easy water access. After you’ve had your share of fishing, be sure to make a day out of it and have a picnic at one of the available tables with food grilled up on the barbeque pit.
Summerall Park
Address: 1001 Wells Ave, Tavares, FL 32778
Website: Summerall Park
Price: Free
8. Snag a great antique at Through the Years Vintage Market
Visiting an antique store is a unique experience in that no matter how many you’ve been to, you never truly know what you’ll come across once you step inside. The same is true for Tavares’ Through the Years Vintage Market, which has been pleasing patrons since October of 2014. Browse through the store’s extensive vintage Pyrex collection to find the perfect piece for your kitchen, or find the next conversation piece to greet visitors in your living room.
Through The Years Vintage Market
Address: 102 E Alfred St, Tavares, FL 32778
Website: Through The Years Vintage Market
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5:30pm; Sun: 11am - 4pm (closed on Mon)
9. Take a stroll along the boardwalk at Hickory Point Recreation Park
The boardwalks within Hickory Point Recreation Park are a great way to get in your steps for the day while seeing the area in all the glory of its native state. Lake Harris makes for a beautiful backdrop as you make your way down the boardwalk path. This attraction in Tavares, Florida, has more than just the boardwalk for you to check out; you’ll also find a playground for the kids, picnic areas and a designated swimming beach, all on a total of 68 acres (27.5 hectares) of land.
Hickory Point Recreation Park
Address: 27341 FL-19, Tavares, FL 32778
Website: Hickory Point Recreation Park
Opening hours: 24 hrs (daily)
Price: Free
10. Play golf at Deer Island Country Club
If you have any interest in golfing, you’ll definitely want to check out the course at Deer Island Country Club, then you could say you played golf at the only island golf course in central Florida! The course features 6 tee options and 18 spectacular holes which are a 72 par. Play your way through the course, and enjoy the wonderful wetland scenery all at the same time. Once you’ve made your way through all 18 holes, be sure to stop by the Clubhouse for a drink from the full bar or a bite to eat at the restaurant.
Deer Island Country Club
Address: 18000 Eagles Club House Way, Tavares, FL 32778
Website: Deer Island Country Clubn
Opening hours: 7am - 5pm (daily)
Price: From 25 USD
11. Indulge in a seafood feast at Tiki West Raw Bar & Grill
This family-owned restaurant is the place to visit if you get a hankering for seafood during your time in Tavares. You’ll find most dishes served here are Southern-inspired, with just a bit of a Caribbean twist to them. Start your meal with crab cakes or clam strips before moving on to your main course of truffle lobster macaroni or mahi tacos. If you have members of your party that aren’t so keen on seafood, no worries! You’ll find other menu items that include chicken tenders, burgers and quesadillas.
Tiki West Raw Bar and Grill
Address: 118 W Ruby St, Tavares, FL 32778
Website: Tiki West Raw Bar and Grill
Opening hours: 11am - 10pm (daily)
12. Enjoy an afternoon at Lake Idamere Park
Situated on 45 acres (18 hectares) of beautiful public land, Lake Idamere Park is a great place to take the kids to let them enjoy a bit of outdoor fun. They’ll certainly be drawn to the large playground, which sits under plenty of shade trees to keep both kids and parents comfortable under the Florida sun. The park also has numerous picnic tables, making it a great place to bring your lunch to as well. If your kids are of the four-legged variety, Lake Idamere Park is still a great place to visit! You’ll find a dog park onsite, separated by size to ensure your pooch has a barking good time.
Lake Idamere Park
Address: 12335 County Rd 448, Tavares, FL 32778
Website: Lake Idamere Park
Opening hours: 6:30am - 7:30pm (daily)
Price: Free
13. Sip a cocktail at Kalua Beach Bar
The perfect bar will keep you well-hydrated with your favorite drinks during your visit, but what about the ultra-perfect bar? It’d have a fantastic view of the lake, of course! Kalua Beach Bar is the ultra-perfect bar that you’ll want to visit while in Tavares, and if you stop in on the weekend, you’ll get to enjoy some live music as well. For weekday visitors, stop by between 4 pm - 6 pm Monday to Thursday for happy hour specials.
Kalua Beach Bar
Address: 181 S Joanna Ave, Tavares, FL 32778
Website: Kalua Beach Bar
Opening hours: Sun - Wed: 11am - 10pm; Thu: 11am - 11pm; Fri & Sat: 11am - 2am
14. Bring your skating game to Tavares Skate Park
If you have any skating prowess, you’ll want to check out Tavares Skate Park while in town. The park is a total of 12,000 square feet (1114 square meters) of concrete that you can inline skate or skateboard across. You’ll also find bleachers for those in your party who’d rather spectate over skating.
Tavares Skate Park
Address: 2770 Woodlea Rd, Tavares, FL 32778
Website: Tavares Skate Park
Opening hours: 9am - 10pm (daily)
Price: Free
15. Stuff yourself with delicious food at Burgers Tacos Waffles
For a dining experience that is reminiscent of a food truck, but is within brick and mortar walls, be sure to have Burgers Tacos Waffles on your list of places to eat while visiting Tavares. When looking at the menu, you may have a hard time deciding exactly what to order. And that’s okay because it can be hard to choose between the Rainbow Road waffle, which has fruity pebbles, fresh fruit and maple bourbon syrup and the Trailer Park taco, featuring barbecue fried chicken, cabbage and homemade ranch. Here’s a hint: when in doubt, try them both!
Burgers Tacos Waffles
Address: 115 E Main St, Tavares, FL 32778
Website: Burgers Tacos Waffles
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11:30am - 10pm; Fri: 11:30am - 11pm; Sat: 12pm - 11pm; Sun: 12pm - 10pm (closed on Mon)
16. Head over to Bella Toscana Spa for a pampering sesh
There are fewer ways as great as a trip to the spa to pamper yourself, and no better time to go than while on vacation. At Bella Toscana Spa, you’ll find a full-service spa that offers customers massage services, manicures & pedicures, facials and wax treatments. You’ll start your visit by doing a Discovery Journey, which will allow your caregiver to give you the best treatments possible. If possible, it is recommended that you make a reservation for your services ahead of time.
Bella Toscana Spa
Address: 1699 Mayo Dr, Tavares, FL 32778
Website: Bella Toscana Spa
Opening hours: Tue: 10am - 5pm; Wed & Thu: 10am - 7pm; Fri: 10am - 4pm; Sat: 10am - 3pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
Price: From 10 USD
Plan to visit Tavares soon
No matter who you’re traveling with, whether it’s your family, significant other or furry friend, there’s plenty of adventure awaiting you in Tavares, Florida. Be sure to check out some of these wonderful places while in Tavares, and you’re guaranteed to make cherished memories of your trip to Florida.