This Central Florida Lake Destination Is Called ‘America’s Seaplane City’ — How to Visit

Known as “America’s Seaplane City,” the lakefront town of Tavares — an hour’s drive northwest of Orlando in Central Florida — makes for a surprising and fun destination when you’re ready to detour inland from the Sunshine State’s beaches.

Fronting Lake Dora in the Tavares downtown entertainment district, the Tavares Seaplane Base & Marina welcomes seaplane pilots who arrive daily from points all across North America. They splash down and lift up from the many surrounding lakes, including Lake Eustis, which saw the area’s first seaplane flight back in 1914 (shortly after the first seaplane was invented in France).

Visitors can experience the thrill of a splash landing and treat themselves to incredible aerial views of the area during seaplane tours.

“Tavares is one of Florida’s quaint hidden gems,” says Peter Closi, owner of Jones Brothers & Co. Air and Seaplane Adventures, which takes passengers on flightseeing tours of the area. “It’s close enough to all the major amenities and entertainment but far enough to escape the chaos of the Orlando area. Visitors love the walkable downtown area, where the hotels, restaurants, and bars are all steps away from the Tavares seaplane base.”

Lake County has roughly 200 lakes, and seeing them from the air on a seaplane adventure really puts Tavares’ unique location on the map into perspective, he says.

“Living in Florida is all about enjoying the scenic outdoors, and from above, it’s amazing to see the lakes filled with people boating, jet skiing, tubing, and fishing, especially on weekends. It’s a reminder of just how special this area is,” Closi says.

Hillary Perry, who owns Poppy’s Ice Cream and boutique hotel Citrus on the Lake, says visitors are often surprised by the stunning natural setting of the town.

Read on to plan your visit to Tavares.

Best Hotels and Resorts

Citrus on the Lake Boutique Hotel

Stay within walking distance of downtown’s entertainment district at this boutique property with kitchenettes, balconies with lake views, an outdoor pool, and a garden where you can gather around a firepit on cool winter nights. There are several great spots to eat right on-property, too, including Poppy’s Ice Cream, Ironworks Steakhouse, and Nautilus Coffee Company (plus, hotel guests get a discount of 10 percent at those spots).

Fisherman’s Cove

RV sites, a mid-century motel, and standalone, one-bedroom/one-bathroom “lodges” make for your choice of accommodation options at this complex on Lake Harris. If you want a water view, ask to book the lodge overlooking the canal. There’s an onsite golf course and pool available for guests. Activities include weekly game nights and shuffleboard. It’s a taste of the Old Florida vacation lifestyle, to be sure.

Dora Canal Cottage

A stay in this quaint vacation rental fronting the Dora Canal comes with relaxing moments on the front porch or by the firepit and access to kayaks and a paddleboat for setting off on the water. With three bedrooms and two bathrooms, the cottage can accommodate eight people. There’s a gas grill, Adirondack chairs for lounging, and a screened-in porch with a big table for enjoying alfresco meals with views. Board games, puzzles, and a Pac-Man arcade game round out the family fun.

Best Things to Do

See the area from a seaplane.

Get an overhead view of the area during seaplane tours on one of the Cessna or Searey planes in the Jones Brothers & Co. Air and Seaplane Adventures fleet.

“I really enjoy seeing the reaction from Florida locals after they return from one of our flightseeing tours,” says Closi.  “They’re often amazed at how flat and tiny everything looks from the air. Even when you think you’ve seen all that Florida has to offer, seeing it from above provides an entirely new perspective.”

Flightseeing tours can be as brief as 15 minutes, including a “splash-and-dash” maneuver on Lake Dora. Longer seaplane flights might see you flying at low levels over the Harris Chain of Lakes to spot alligators or soaring above Lake Apopka and the nearby theme parks of Orlando.

Stroll Wooton Park.

Fronting Lake Dora in downtown Tavares, scenic Wooton Park has kayak rentals, picnic areas, a seaplane-themed playground, a boat ramp, and an onsite general store for snacks. It’s a prime spot to catch the sunset and watch seaplane takeoffs and landings since it’s right next to Tavares Seaport.

Kayak through the Dora Canal.

Spanish moss dripping from cypress trees and ferns everywhere make for a stunning backdrop as you paddle a kayak or stand-up paddleboard through the Doral Canal. You can head out on your own by renting something that floats from Adventure Outdoor Paddle, or opt to join one of their guided eco-tours through the historic canal that dates to the 1800s. Guides might even find baby alligators to point out along the way, as well as herons, egrets, turtles, and other typical Florida wildlife.

Admire more than 20 gardens in one setting.

Learn about the state’s endemic and thriving plant life during a visit to Discovery Gardens, a 3.5-acre site home to more than 20 different gardens showcasing different gardening techniques that work well in Central Florida’s climate. More than 700 different plant species are represented here, and the setting makes for a beautiful place for an educational and inspiring walk. Kids love the butterfly garden, Five Senses Garden, and water features to splash in.

Enjoy a sunset cruise aboard a paddleboat.

It’s a surprise to find a New Orleans-style paddleboat plying the waters of Central Florida — and boarding the Dora Queen for a two-hour cruise around Lake Dora is as transporting as it sounds. With room for 70 passengers, the boat has a bar on the upper deck and plenty of lounge-style seating, and sunset cruises have live music. Other themed cruises include New Year’s outings complete with fireworks, Christmas-themed cruises, and afternoon fun cruises.

Best Restaurants

Puddle Jumpers Lakeside Grill

This favorite for burgers in downtown Tavares has views of the lake and live music several nights a week. The restaurant overlooks the Tavares Seaport so you can get some great views of planes doing those splash-and-dash maneuvers while you’re tucking into wings or mahi tacos.

BTW — Burgers, Tacos, Waffles

The thinking behind this fun spot? A seasonally rotating food truck-style menu with a little something for everyone in a brick-and-mortar setting. Taco Tuesday is a big hit with the locals, and Waffle Wednesday is also beloved for its truffle waffle fries and waffle fries poutine. Right along Main Street, BTW is the perfect downtown spot for a casual and family-friendly lunch or dinner.

The Deli Llama

A gourmet sandwich bar by day, this downtown Tavares hot spot draws the evening crowds to its Llama Lounge for small bites and crafted sake cocktails. Among the favorite menu items are the Figgy Jam Grilled Cheese, Llama Cuban, and a delicious pork barbecue sandwich called The King.

Twisted Biscuit Diner

A top choice for a comforting breakfast and great mimosas and bloody marys in Tavares, this diner-style spot puts a twist on Southern favorites — all wrapped up with a biscuit bow. Satisfy your sweet tooth with the Chunky Monkey Biscuit, baked with pecans and chocolate and piled high with bananas, whipped cream, pecans, and chocolate drizzle. If you’re swaying more savory, the Son-of-a-Biscuit, with crispy fried chicken and spicy honey, is sure to please.

Ironworks Steaks and Fine Cocktails

An old ironworks factory-turned-steakhouse is the favorite local date night for a memorable dinner out in Tavares. Ironworks Steaks and Fine Cocktails does a divine New York strip that gets smoked table-side under a glass dome. There’s also a perfectly-marbled coulotte steak slathered with a whiskey bourbon glaze. The creative cocktail list includes a dessert root beer float libation spiked with vodka and root beer liqueur.

Best Time to Visit

You can visit Tavares and Lake County year-round, but temperatures are most pleasant in the fall, winter, and spring if you’re hoping to avoid summer’s heat and humidity. The spring and fall months also usher in fun annual festivals including October’s ROCKTOBERFEST and Monster Splash Seaplane Fly-In. Perry, who relocated to Central Florida from upstate New York in 2003 and settled in the Tavares area in 2020, says her favorite time of year here is the holiday season. “The annual Candyland Christmas Celebration & Parade truly transforms the area into a magical winter wonderland. The festive atmosphere, the dazzling lights, and the joyous events make it a special experience,” she says.

How to Get There

Most visitors fly into Orlando International Airport and then rent a car for the quick one-hour drive (roughly 50 miles) northwest to Tavares. Daytona Beach International Airport is 61 miles (just over one hour) to the northeast.

How to Get Around

You’ll want a car to make the most of your time in Tavares and Lake County. Plan to visit nearby towns like Mount Dora, Eustis, and Leesburg.