Things To Do
🏌️♀️ Resort-Based Activities (Mission Inn Resort & Club)
Located right where you'll be staying: - Championship Golf – Two beautiful 18-hole courses, El Campeón (1917) and Las Colinas (1992), perfect for casual or competitive play. - Spa & Wellness – Treat yourself to massages, body treatments, and relaxing hydro-spa amenities. - Fitness, Games & Recreation – Includes a gym, billiards, shuffleboard, volleyball, cycling, and tennis & pickleball courts. - Conquistador Trails – Scenic eco-trails winding through the golf course, perfect for a peaceful morning walk.
🌿 Outdoor Adventures & Nature
- Lake Louisa State Park – Ideal for hiking, kayaking, fishing, wildlife watching, or a peaceful picnic by the lakeside - Crooked River Preserve & Ferndale Preserve – Rugged and serene spaces with walking/hiking trails through wetlands, hardwood hammocks, and lakeside scenery - Recreation at Griffin Waterfront & Mason Nature Preserve – Local favorite spots for tranquil walking paths, shoreline views, and occasional lake fishing/boating - Silver Springs State Park (≈45–50 min) – Known for its crystal-clear springs and iconic glass-bottom boat tours. You can also kayak, paddleboard, hike, or spot wildlife in this stunning park filled with natural Florida beauty. - Crystal River (≈1 hour) – One of the only places in Florida where you can legally swim with manatees! Even if you stay dry, enjoy scenic boat tours, kayaking, and natural springs surrounded by lush greenery.
🏰 Disney & Orlando Day Trips
- Walt Disney World Resort – Explore Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, or Hollywood Studios. A full-day experience for Disney lovers of all ages. 📍 Drive Time: ~50–60 minutes 🎟️ Tip: Buy tickets in advance and download the Disney app to check wait times and book attractions. - Disney Springs (Free to enter) – Great for shopping, dining, live music, and people-watching without needing a park ticket. 📍 Drive Time: ~45 minutes - Universal Orlando Resort – For thrill-seekers and Harry Potter fans, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are also just about an hour away. 📍 Drive Time: ~60 minutes
🚙 Day Trips & Nearby Towns
- Mount Dora (≈15 min) – A charming lakeside town known for antique shops, boutique shopping, waterfront dining, and seasonal festivals. - Tavares – “America’s Seaplane City” (≈15 min) – Watch seaplanes take off and land, stroll the downtown area, and enjoy lakefront restaurants and coffee shops. - Sebring & Highlands Hammock State Park (≈1 hr) – Shaded boardwalks, botanical gardens, and quiet Florida wilderness make this one of the state’s most beautiful hidden gems.
🍞 Local Flavors & Food Stops
- Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards – Just a short drive away, enjoy Florida wine tastings and guided tours through this celebrated vineyard nestled in rolling hills. - Yalaha Bakery – European-style bakery offering fresh breads, pastries, sandwiches, and coffee in a lakeside setting. - Showcase of Citrus – A fun spot to pick citrus, take monster truck rides through the groves, and enjoy fresh-squeezed juices. - Boondocks on Little Lake Harris – Casual waterfront spot with seafood, burgers, and cold drinks—great for lunch or a sunset dinner.