guides · From the editor's notebook
A Local's Guide to Tavares: America's Seaplane City on Lake Dora
Tavares is "America's Seaplane City" on Lake Dora -- a downtown built around a lakefront seaplane base, with scenic flights, a paddlewheel riverboat, busy Wooton Park, and tiki bars on the water.
Tavares calls itself "America's Seaplane City," and it earns the name -- this Lake County town built its whole downtown around a lakefront seaplane base on Lake Dora, where little planes take off and land on the water all day. Add a paddlewheel riverboat, a busy lakefront park, and a row of tiki-style waterfront bars, and Tavares is the "have you ever done that?" town of the region.
What is Tavares known for?
Seaplanes and the lake. The downtown seaplane base on Lake Dora is the centerpiece -- you can watch the planes from the boardwalk or, if you're game, take a scenic seaplane flight over the chain of lakes. Wooton Park is the lakefront hub for it all, with a splash pad, a beach, an amphitheater, and the docks where the seaplanes and a paddlewheel riverboat come and go.
Things to do in Tavares
Spend the afternoon at Wooton Park on Lake Dora -- watch the seaplanes, let the kids hit the splash pad, and catch a lakefront event. Book a scenic seaplane flight or a paddlewheel cruise from the base for the signature Tavares experience. Rainy day or restless kids? Bowl 360 and Jungle Zone cover indoor family fun.
Where to eat in Tavares
The waterfront is the whole point. Hurricane Dockside Grill sits right at the seaplane base, Tiki West Raw Bar and Kalua Beach Bar bring the island-bar energy, and Lake Harris Hideaway and Puddle Jumpers put you on the water. Downtown, O'Keefe's Irish Pub and Ruby Street Grille anchor the square, Bru Tap House covers the beer, and Twisted Biscuit Diner and Mary's Kountry Kitchen handle breakfast. BTW - Burgers Tacos Waffles and Bella Nonna Pizzeria round out the casual picks.
When to go
Fall through spring is the comfortable season for the lakefront and the flights -- mild weather and clear skies for getting up over the lakes. Summer is warm with afternoon storms, so plan seaplane time for the morning. Wooton Park hosts events year-round.
Planning your visit
Tavares is in Lake County's Golden Triangle, about an hour northwest of Orlando and minutes from Mount Dora and Eustis. Wooton Park and the downtown are walkable together. Book seaplane flights and paddlewheel cruises ahead, especially on weekends.
The bottom line
Tavares is the seaplane town -- a downtown built around planes landing on Lake Dora, a lakefront park, and tiki bars on the water. We surface what's worth the trip; you choose the takeoff. See what's on this week at the Lineup.