Hello From
Mount Dora!
“Someplace Special”
Mount Dora
A city located in Lake County, Florida.
Mount Dora is one of those Florida places that feels intentionally slower. Set along the shores of Lake Dora, the city is best known for its walkable downtown, antique shops, art galleries, and near-constant calendar of festivals. Brick streets, historic homes, and waterfront views give Mount Dora a personality that feels more small-town than suburban, even as it draws visitors from across Central Florida. Residents often describe life here as social and community-driven, with downtown serving as a shared living room for events, dining, and casual afternoons by the lake.
Mount Dora, Florida city hall
Photo by VisionsbyAtlee via Canva
Location & Size
Founded
Mount Dora was founded in the late 1800s as a lakeside settlement that grew alongside steamboat travel and citrus farming. The city was officially incorporated in 1910. It was named after nearby Lake Dora, which itself was named for an early settler’s wife.
As railroads replaced steamboats, Mount Dora evolved into a residential and cultural center, gradually earning a reputation as an arts-focused destination. Preservation efforts have played a major role in maintaining the city’s historic character.
Population
Approximately 17,000 residents.
Known For
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Antique shopping and art galleries
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Festivals and community events
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Walkable historic downtown
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Lake Dora and boating culture
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Bed-and-breakfasts and boutique inns
Cost of living
Median Income: $69,931
Median Home Price: $395,000
Median Rent: $1,650/month
Mount Dora’s cost of living is average to slightly above average compared to other Florida cities, driven primarily by housing demand and limited inventory.
Things to do
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Browse downtown shops and cafés
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Take a scenic boat tour on the Harris Chain of Lakes
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Attend one of the city’s many festivals
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Walk the waterfront and nearby parks
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Visit local art galleries and museums
- Visit the Grantham Pointe Lighthouse, a 35-foot, inland freshwater lighthouse in Gilbert Park. It is a popular, easily accessible spot for visitors to walk, view the lake, and watch sunsets, though it is not open for climbing.
Fun Facts
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Often called “Festival City”, Mount Dora hosts dozens of festivals each year, drawing visitors statewide.
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Located over 180 feet above sea level, it is one of the highest points in Central Florida.
- Home to the only true inland freshwater lighthouse in Florida, located at Grantham Point Park.
- The scenic Dora Canal was used for re-shoots in the 1951 Humphrey Bogart/Katharine Hepburn movie, The African Queen.
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The downtown area has remained largely intact for decades.
Nearby Cities
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