Things To Do
Downtown Mount Dora
Our favorite little downtown!! Downtown mount Dora is filled with sweet little shops and boutiques, wonderful restaurants and snack shops! Kurtis and I have had many downtown dates! If you’re wanting a simple afternoon activity downtown is a wonderful option!!
The Goblin Market Restaurant & Lounge
An absolute FAVORITE restaurant for Kurtis and I!! We have gone here several times and the food is always amazing! The atmosphere is cozy and moody adding to the experience. If you go make sure to get the crab bisque!!
The Deli Llama, Cafe.- Espresso & Sandwiches
If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat in downtown mount Dora, one of Kurtis and my favorites is the deli lama! Located in the Mount Dora market place, this quick service place has been where Kurtis and I do many quick little lunch dates. Our favorite thing is the Deli lama Cuban (literally the best one you will ever have!) and make sure to pair it with one of their teas!
WAVE - Asian Bistro & Sushi
If you are in the mood for Asian food specifically sushi this is a must try!! The wave is famous for making sushi rolls in the shape of other foods, such as a pizza shape, a burrito shape, and a taco shape!! It’s very fun and unique! If you’re not in a sushi mood I would definitely recommend the orange chicken - it’s the best EVER!!
Palm Island Park
If you’re wanting see the Florida wildlife, or just enjoy a good nature trail this is a good trail to explore! Located by the light house in downtown mount Dora, this boardwalk trail goes along lake Dora and into the woods. You’re sure to spot some big alligators, birds, turtles and some large fish!!
Renninger's Flea Market & Antique Center
This flea market is the Mount Dora claim to fame! There are hundreds of vendors with all sorts of different things, from really nice antiques, to fresh produce, beautiful plants, and everything in between! This is a such a fun place to go! It’s only open on weekends so make sure you stop by (p.s. the local honey on the flea market side is the best)!
Hickory Point Recreation Park
This is another good nature trail to explore! This trail is a boardwalk trail and goes along the marshes of Lake Harris. This one is a nice shaded walk under tall oak and cypress trees.
Disney Springs
A fun way to enjoy the Orlando tourist district at night is to go down to Disney springs! Located about 45 minutes south of Mount Dora this is a giant outdoor shopping center on Disney property with stores like Tommy Bahama, Anthropologie, Lego and of course the stores filled with Disney merch. This is also a fun place to get dinner too! There are many different restaurants of all different kinds of foods! We highly recommend the boathouse restaurant, the Edison, and blaze pizza! (If you’re in a sweets mood Gideons bake shop is home to some of the best cookies and cakes- the line outside speaks for itself!)
Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf
A fun little activity on Disney property that does not require a theme park ticket is mini golf! This mini golf course is Disneys Fantasia themed and is super cute! It poses a good challenge while also being super fun for the whole family. For the more experienced golfers, there is a mini golf course right beside it that is considered one of the hardest, if not the hardest, mini golf course. This one poses a good challenge for adults and more committed players. These two courses offer a fun day out on Disney without the ticket price!!
Boma - Flavors of Africa
If you are wanting an incredible meal in the African Savannah right here in Orlando this is the place for you!! This buffet style restaurant is located downstairs in Disneys Animal Kingdom Lodge and is home to some of the best most flavorful food Kurtis and I have had. If you are a more adventurous eater and are willing to try new foods we highly recommend making this apart of your trip! Make sure to walk outside of the resort and look out for Giraffes, zebras and all sorts of other animals who walk right up to the resort while waiting! Our favorite thing on the buffet is the salmon, lamb stew, and chicken and corn chowder!
Magic Kingdom Park
The most magical place on earth!! Magic kingdom is one of the 4 Walt Disney World Theme parks and is most famous for Cinderella’s castle! This theme park is great for younger kids but just fun and magical in general. Magic Kingdom focuses on the princesses and fairy tales and is home to many rides, parades, shows and themed restaurants!!
Epcot
Epcot is Kurtis and my favorite Disney park! We go here more than any other theme park. Epcot offers many festivals throughout the year, but what makes this park special is the food! Epcot is home to different pavilions of countries from all over the world, each pavilion has dishes from that country and they’re all good! This park is more for the teens and adults because it has less rides but the rides they do have are super fun! We really enjoy the guardians of the galaxy ride, test track, and the finding Nemo ride with the second largest aquarium in the United Stated! (My absolute favorite part) Home to sharks, fish of all kinds, and Sea turtles!!
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
For all of the animal lovers out there this is the Disney park for you!! Animal kingdom is the largest Disney park in the world! This theme park is home to over 5,000 animal species of all shapes and sizes. The rides at this park are also super fun! If you love the movie Avatar you can explore Pandora, or another favorite ride is the safari, on this ride you see all sorts of animals from elephants and hippos to lions and giraffes! Definitely a fun park!
Doxology
Doxology is a women’s boutique in downtown Winter Garden and this is where Ellie worked before she began her job at the church. This boutique is special because not only is it openly faith based, this is special to our relationship because often times when I was working Kurtis would surprise me and bring me a coffee and flowers. This place is where our love story began to bloom and holds a special place in our hearts. (Plus the clothes, home decor and jewelry are all super cute- one of my absolute favorite boutiques!!)
Downtown Winter Garden
Downtown Winter Garden is another cute little spot, located about 30 minutes south of Mount Dora. Also filled with tons of boutiques, and shops! Rosalie is a fun French bakery there, as well as Axum coffee! Every Saturday there is a farmers market filled with fresh locally grown produce, flowers, and local gifts!
Downtown Winter Park
Another sweet little downtown area is downtown Winter Park. Located just north of Orlando, and about 30 minutes from Mount Dora this area is a more ritzy downtown. Filled with local restaurants and some chain stores like pottery barn and William Sonoma this downtown offers another little weekend escape away from the tourist district.