Working Holiday Visa - Mount Dora: Southern Charm in Central Florida

Indeed the rolling hillsides and winding roads are a welcome unique feature in the generally flat topography of Florida. Which makes it Florida's only "mountain top town", it has an elevation of 184 feet above Lake Dora. Mount Dora is only 27 miles or 43 km northwest of Orlando. And one of its main attractions was a scenic railway, i had read that it was a very picturesque small town located on a lake. I stumbled over a little town by the name of Mount Dora just about 45 minutes north of Orlando, in my quest to find unusual destinations to visit in the Orlando area.

And Louis, ella, tremain - Roy. C. Named after the three children of Postmaster R, in 1880 the town's first name was Royellou. She and her husband homesteaded two miles south of Mount Dora. In 1846 Lake Dora was named for Dora Ann Drawdy. Mount Dora's history dates back to the 1800s.

While today Mount Dora's major industry is tourism, with a great deal shipped from Mount Dora, at one time citrus was the major industry in the area. The first railroad service through Mount Dora began in 1887 and by 1915 there were two passenger trains daily in each direction. 000 people, the town now has a population of around 10, incorporated as a town in 1910 with 370 residents. Then in 1883 the town was renamed Mount Dora.

Including: the town also has a number of claims to fame, according to the Local Chamber of Commerce,

- The Friendliest Small Town

- Best Antique Shopping

- The New England of the South

- The City of Parks

- Festival City

- Top 100 Great Towns of America

- Best Romantic Escape

- Money Magazine "Top Places to Live Today"

We departed in a Pullman sleeper railcar originally built in 1949 that was later refunctioned as a commuter railcar. The ride I went on is a one hour train ride between Mount Dora and Wooton Park in Tavares. Florida, located in Mount Dora and Eustis, which is part of the Inland Lakes Railway, what drew me here personally was the ride on the the "Herbie Express".

With an opportunity for a short visit in Eustis to enjoy Ferran Park and area shops, the Lake County Champion round trip is 2 hours and 20 minutes. And the Magnolia Sun Lunch Train, the Blue Swan Dinner Train, such as the Lake County Champion, the Lake Eustis / Mount Dora Railway also features other train rides. A young conductor explained the local sights to us and kept us entertained. And suburban residences, the route initially takes you along Lake Dora and later continues inland past shopping malls.

The grounds are beautifully landscaped. Gingerbread trim and a steep roof crowned with a corner spire, it features a wrap-around porch. Established in 1883, the oldest structure in Mount Dora is the Lakeside Inn.

This Queen Anne-style structure uses design elements characteristic of the Victorian Era. Mount Dora's most renowned architectural jewel is the Donnelly House. Home of the Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce since 1973, many of the walking and trolley tours through this quaint town start at the former 1915 Atlantic Coast Line Depot.

The Donnelly House is just one of the many restored 19th and early 20th century buildings in the Golden Triangle area. The home sits on Donnelly Street within walking distance from downtown Mount Dora. The first mayor of Mount Dora, the Donnelly House was constructed in 1893 by John Phillip Donnelly.

Interesting cafes and restaurants as well as charming bed and breakfasts, decorative art galleries, fashion boutiques, the town also features a large variety of gift shops. Renninger's Twin Markets is renowned for its antiques shopping. This charming little town also features a whole host of specialty retailers and is one of Florida's largest antiques and collectibles centers.

The park also features a tennis court and shuffleboard facilities. Offers free concerts and other civic events, located right downtown and dating back to 1924, donnelly Park. Are the many public green spaces by the water, which also refers to itself as "City of Parks", one of my favourite features of this town.

Its 300 member association plays host to local and regional tournaments. One of the largest in the United States, the park is adjacent to the Mount Dora Lawn Bowling Club. The view from the waterfront bench was magnificent and I relaxed on the bench as I soaked up the sunshine. Which is located across from the lighthouse, after my demanding stroll through Mount Dora's winding streets I walked down to the waterfront to Evans Park.

Croquet court and children's playground along Alexander Creek, picnic area, gilbert Park features a public boat ramp. This lighthouse was built of bricks and donated by local residents. Simpson Cove and Grantham Point are adjacent to Palm Island Park and feature the only inland freshwater lighthouse in Florida.

And local indidgenous plants can be admired here as well, including bald eagles, other wildlife. Palm Island Park features a 1700 foot fresh water hiking trail and boardwalk through oak trees draped with Spanish moss.

Crafts Fair and Plant and Garden Fair, bicycle Festival, golf Tournament, antique Car Show, other events include the Antique Boat Show. 000 people each year and has been ranked among the top art shows in the country, this event attracts over 150. The City hosts many major annual events such as the popular "Mount Dora Arts Festival".

Tennis Resort and the Pine Meadows Country Club, the Mission Inn Golf & heathrow Country Estates Redtail Golf Course, eagle Dunes Golf Course, deer Island Golf Club, the Country Club of Mount Dora, including the Black Bear Golf Club, the Mount Dora area also offers a variety of other golf courses. This outing was a real bargain, and at $18 including cart, he played a beautifully manicured full-size 18-hole course. My husband played golf at the Mount Dora Golf Association, while I was exploring this charming little town.

Mount Dora is a great day trip from Orlando and we enjoyed our drive back through the countryside of rural Florida. Soaking up the sun while waiting to hear about my husband's golf adventures, i capped off my explorations with a delicious late afternoon ice cream on the patio of the Sunshine Mountain Bakery.

For more information about Mount Dora you can visit the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce's website.