Lake Dora
4.5
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4.5
667 reviews
Excellent
503
Very good
140
Average
20
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Kathy
Delray Beach, FL4 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
A nice escape from commercial Florida, beautiful architecture from 1890’s, fun craft shows, more affordable then most and excellent quality. Nice shopping and restaurants. Highlight of the trip was sunset cruise from Lakeside Inn, several American Eagle sightings, great tour.
Written 29 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anoleslady
Clermont, FL201 contributions
June 2022
Lake Dora is really a beautiful place to visit. There are parks around it where you can sit and watch the activity on the lake or rent a Cat Boat or other type of boat in order to see Lake Dora up close. If driving your own boat is not your thing you can take a tour of Lake Dora. It is especially beautiful during the Christmas holidays. Visit Mt Dora for the day, have something to eat, shop and then go down to the lake which is accessible in- town and spend some time just watching all the wild life.
Written 20 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DebAW16
Dublin, OH198 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
This little town is a hidden gem. The restaurants are delicious, the shopping fun, and the citizens friendly. The downtown street has lovely gift shops and the quality of its stores is remarkable. Many art studios are on the street also. We went on a great boat trip that I would recommend. We saw four alligators and about seven eagles while touring the banks of Lake Dora. Take time to visit this town.
Written 16 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
surfmom1953
Florida45 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Lake Dora is one of the main reasons to come to Mount Dora. We enjoyed a two hour boat tour with Rusty Anchor and several walks around Palm Island. We were lucky enough to see an alligator yesterday and an amazing sunset the day before. There is always abundant wildlife to be found where ever you look.
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Escape818984
9 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
We took a Mount Dora lake and canal cruise with Premier boat tours. The crew was awesome, the pontoon boat was comfortable and we saw so much natural beauty. I recommend doing this when visiting Mount Dora.
Written 13 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Duvals
Parrish, FL7 contributions
Mar 2021
We were greeted and seated with distancing in mind and comfort. Out trip was fun and informative. I loved going through the canal and river after viewing spectacular wildlife and birds along the way and back. Fun time! Highly recommend. Reasonable rates, too.
Written 12 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geraldine M
Palm Coast, FL87 contributions
Nov 2020
Lake Dora was quite lovely today with lots of people out in boats. Strolling through the main park was absolutely beautiful. Don’t miss this part of Mount Dora. A great stroll after a good meal downtown. Got some great pictures but it wouldn’t let me post for some reason. 😢 The lunch picture came up but not rest.
Written 28 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel M
50 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Serene, usually quiet, beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Abundant birdlife. Occasional alligator floating along shore. The Dora Canal is like a movie set. Many parks on shores. One of many lakes in the chain. Will visit often, and highly recommend.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ridge line
Miami Beach, FL129 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
What a beautiful lake. Dora Canal is the best kept secret! You must explore this majestic waterway. Beautiful homes stretch the lake as far as the eye can see. Just a perfect getaway for the day. Or perhaps a weekend!
Written 17 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DonPell
3 contributions
Sept 2020
Dora Queen Steamboat ride
The boat was lovely for an artificial steamboat.. The paddle wheel was a fau paddlewheel and didn't do a darn thing.
The boat was nice, but not a 'real" steamboat. The staff were cordial and well groomed. Don't bring your camera; there is nothing to photograph!!
It was a 2 hr ride on lake Dora................ an hour longer than it needed to be!
The boat was lovely for an artificial steamboat.. The paddle wheel was a fau paddlewheel and didn't do a darn thing.
The boat was nice, but not a 'real" steamboat. The staff were cordial and well groomed. Don't bring your camera; there is nothing to photograph!!
It was a 2 hr ride on lake Dora................ an hour longer than it needed to be!
Written 24 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
terydona
Brunswick, Georgia
Any information on fishing opportunities, are there cabin rentals on the lake, and who do we contact to get fishing information?
Written 15 July 2019
Fishing on the chain is plentiful
Try VRBO for places to stay
Written 17 July 2019
Like many Central Florida lakes, the depth is very shallow in comparison to most lakes. The depth averages around 8 feet with a few small areas from 12 to 14 feet deep. It will not allow me to send a link to a bathymetric map of the Lake, so just search on Florida LakeWatch and Lake Dora bathymetic map for a PDF of the lake.
Written 14 April 2019
While melissaeliot gave a great review about the Dora Canal, I just want to clarify that the distance of the canal (between the headwaters of Lake Eustis and Lake Dora) is only 1 mile, not 6 miles, as melissaelieot stated. I strongly urge anyone visiting one of the towns on the Harris Chain of Lakes to do the boat tour.
Written 6 December 2018
Doesn't matter how long the Lake or canal. The trip was worthwhile.
Written 29 July 2019
Hi, thinking of coming for this weekends upcoming Renningers event. Does anyone know if I could rent a golf cart to drive my 80 year old mom around so she could see everything? She would love it. :)
Written 13 November 2018
I've been to Renningers many times, and Golf cart friendly it's not. Wheel chairs are common, but not golf carts. Sorry
Written 15 November 2018
Can you tell me more about the golf cart tours. I tried googling and was not having luck.
Written 18 February 2018
When I was there in Feb. '18, I was told that a gentleman rides around the town in a 6/6 passenger golf cart and will give you a free ride. I.e. you want to get to a shop 2.5 blocks away and you'd rather not walk. I was under the impression that you just flagged him down. Perhaps, he also gives helpful information about the town as he drives.
Written 18 February 2018
We drove our car from town to the parking area by the boat launch and where you see the light house. Then walked the short distance to the entrance.Some of our party we're concerned about the area closing at dusk and our desire to see the sun setting. This turned out to not be any problem for us. We all enjoyed the beautiful sunset sitting on covered benches.
Written 22 February 2018
As others have stated, Lake Dora is part of the Harris Chain and is natural. Seven of the Lakes are connected; Big Harris, Little Harris, Dora, Eustis, Beauclair, Carlton and Griffin. Griffin is separated from the rest of the lakes through a manned lock in Haines Creek. All the lakes are navigable. Lake Yale is landlocked. These are the most beautiful lakes in Florida. Great bass fishing and cruising. Water skiing not so good as we have large alligators which makes some people nervous.
Written 12 April 2018
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