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Clermont, Florida: Where Fun Never Gets Old – Best Places to Visit and Things to Do!

Lake Louisa is the big park out here and Palatlakaha River Park is the quieter one. Lake Minneola is the water itself and Waterfront Park is the edge of the whole thing. The Citrus Tower is the view and the Showcase of Citrus is the grove itself down there. Southern Hill Farms is the other U-Pick out there, with all the blueberries on it. Climb.

Are you planning a trip to the Sunshine State and wondering what to do in Clermont, Florida? This is where to start. Clermont is a town in Central Florida that most people drive past, and it runs activities and attractions at any age. Somebody who follows the natural world, food or history, Clermont covers all three.

Clermont’s Natural Wonders earn the stop for anybody who wants to be outside. With 22 parks and over 300 lakes, Clermont runs more hiking, fishing, boating and wildlife watching than you will get through. Palatlakaha River Park is what people take, for where it sits, how easy it is to reach, and the range of habitat on it. And check out Showcase of Citrus, where you can pick your own citrus fruit and take a cold beer or a glass of wine at the bar.

Looking for a Foodie’s Paradise? Clermont has a diverse culinary scene that will satisfy any palate. From farm-to-table restaurants to food trucks, there’s something for every taste and budget. Don’t miss out on the local favourites, such as the fried green tomatoes at Lilly’s on the Lake or the award-winning BBQ at Uncle Kenny’s BBQ. After dinner, head over to Clermont’s Vibrant Downtown to enjoy a variety of shops, bars, and live music.

Key Takeaways

• Clermont, Florida offers a wide range of activities and attractions for all ages.
• Nature lovers will enjoy exploring Clermont’s Natural Wonders, including its 22 parks and 300 lakes.
• Foodies will love Clermont’s diverse culinary scene and Vibrant Downtown area.

Clermont’s Natural Wonders

If you follow the natural world, Clermont is where to be. With its parks, its lakes and its wetlands, you will not run out of ground. Here is the country not to miss:

Lake Louisa State Park

Lake Louisa State Park is the piece of Clermont’s park system that carries the rest. With over 4,500 acres of rolling hills, open country and clear lakes, it will hold anybody who follows the natural world. Walker, camper, or simply somebody after somewhere quiet, Lake Louisa State Park covers all three. Here is what runs on it:

Hiking

With over 20 miles of trails, Lake Louisa State Park will keep anybody who walks going. From easy strolls to climbs that cost you something, there is a trail here at every level.

Camping

If you want to pitch a tent, Lake Louisa State Park runs over 60 campsites. Seasoned camper or first-timer, everything you need is here.

Swimming

With three lakes on it, Lake Louisa State Park is where to cool off on a hot summer day.

Wildlife Watching

Lake Louisa State Park holds a broad range of wildlife, deer, alligators and bald eagles among it. Bring your binoculars and see how many you can find.

Palatlakaha River Park

Palatlakaha River Park is one of the places nobody sends you to in Clermont. Set on the banks of the Palatlakaha River, this park is what the boaters, the anglers and anybody who wants to be outside actually take. Here is what runs on it:

Boating

For where it sits and how easy it is to reach, Palatlakaha River Park is where to put a boat in and work the river.

Fishing

Experienced angler or first-timer, Palatlakaha River Park is where to cast a line and see what comes up.

Hiking

If you would rather stay on land, Palatlakaha River Park runs several hiking trails winding through the range of habitat on it.

Wildlife Watching

Palatlakaha River Park holds a broad range of wildlife, otters, turtles and alligators among it. Keep your eyes up and see what you find.

Florida Scrub-Jay Trail

If you follow birds, the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail earns the walk. This 1.3-mile trail winds through the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest and holds the Florida Scrub-Jay, a threatened species found only in Florida. Here is what to expect:

Florida Scrub-Jays

The main draw of the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail is the Florida Scrub-Jay itself. With its bright blue feathers and its habit of coming close, this bird is what the watchers come for.

Other Bird Species

Alongside the Florida Scrub-Jay, the trail also holds a broad range of other bird species, woodpeckers, warblers and vireos among them.

Scenic Views

As you walk the trail, the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest and the ecosystem on it open out around you.

So pack your bags, grab your binoculars, and get out into the country around Clermont.

Foodie’s Paradise

Are you after your next meal in Clermont? This town will feed you. With restaurants across the board, coffee and tea spots, and food trucks in numbers, Clermont holds anybody who follows food.

Clermont’s Best Restaurants

Clermont holds some of the strongest restaurants in Florida, running cooking across the board to cover any craving. Seafood, Italian or American, you will find it here. The restaurants to take include:

Restaurant	Cuisine
The Crooked Spoon Gastropub	American
Corelli’s Italian Restaurant	Italian
Lilly’s on the Lake	Seafood
The Chef’s Table at the Edgewater	American
The Cellar Door	Wine Bar

Coffee and Tea Spots

If you follow coffee or tea, Clermont runs plenty of options. A straight drip coffee or something more worked, you will find it here. The spots to take include:

Axum Coffee

Palate Coffee Brewery

Infusion Tea

The Nestlé Toll House Café by Chip

Food Trucks Galore

Looking for something more casual? Check out Clermont’s food truck scene. From tacos to burgers to Mediterranean cooking, there are food trucks here across the board. The ones to take include:

Twisted Plates

The Big Hot Box

The Crepe Company

Kona Ice

Whatever you are after, Clermont’s food will cover it. So grab a fork and get on with it.

Clermont’s Beaches and Waterfront

If you want sun and water, Clermont runs strong options on beaches and the waterfront. Swimming, fishing, or simply sitting by the water, all three are covered.

Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park is where to start. On the shores of Lake Minneola, this park opens the water out and runs plenty to keep you moving. Take a walk along the paths, play a game of basketball, or eat outdoors in the shade. And if you want a run at something, try wakeboarding or water skiing with Revolution Adventures.

Lake Minneola

And if you want to be actually on the water, Lake Minneola is the answer. This 1,888-acre lake works for swimming, boating and fishing. There are plenty of boat ramps and docks, so you can put your own boat in or rent one locally. And if you want something faster, try wakeboarding or tubing.

But the strongest part of Lake Minneola is the beach. Clermont has its own beach. The Lake Minneola Beach is where to sit and take the sun. There are picnic tables and grills, so you can make a day of it. And if you are feeling brave, get in the water. Just watch for the alligators.

So if you want sun and water, head to Clermont’s beaches and waterfront. With this much on, the day will hold. Just do not forget the sunscreen.

Historical Clermont

If you follow history, you have timed it, because Clermont runs plenty. Here are the historical attractions not to miss:

Clermont Historic Village Museum

Step back and take the Clermont Historic Village Museum, where you can work eight historic buildings restored to what they were. You get the city’s history and the people who built it. From the railroad depot to the Memorial Library, it covers the ground.

Presidents Hall of Fame

Who does not want a presidential wax museum? At the Presidents Hall of Fame you get life-size wax figures of all 44 U.S. presidents, along with other historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Elvis Presley. You can also work a replica of the Oval Office and the Lincoln Bedroom.

World War II Museum

If you follow military history, take the World War II Museum. This museum holds a deep collection of artifacts from the war, uniforms, weapons and vehicles among them. You can climb inside a restored Sherman tank. And do not miss the exhibit on the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American pilots in the U.S. military.

Working historic structures or the city’s past, Clermont runs plenty of historical attractions to hold you.

Clermont’s Vibrant Downtown

If you want somewhere with life in it to spend the day, Clermont’s downtown is the answer. With plenty to see and do, it will hold you.

Downtown Clermont

Downtown Clermont is where to start. Take a walk down the Art Walk and work the local arts scene. With murals and plenty else, the creative energy and the Florida spirit of the place come through.

If you want something to eat, there are plenty of options. From Cheeser’s Palace Cafe to Clermont Brewing Company, you will find something that lands. And if you want something sweet, stop by Correli’s Pantry.

Orlando Cat Cafe

If you follow cats, do not miss the Orlando Cat Cafe. This cafe lets you take a cup of coffee with cats around you. It is the purrfect place to sit down and let the day go.

But the Orlando Cat Cafe is more than somewhere to sit with cats. They also run cat yoga classes and cat painting classes. So whether you want to move or want to make something, the Orlando Cat Cafe covers both.

So if you are in Central Florida and want somewhere with life in it, head over to Clermont’s downtown. With plenty to see and do, it will hold you.

Clermont runs a full 22 parks and over 300 lakes inside the city limits alone. Lake Louisa State Park covers over 4,500 acres of the whole of that on its own. Lake Minneola runs 1,888 acres of open water out there by itself. The Citrus Tower is 226-foot-tall and has stood there since 1956. And Showcase of Citrus has been picking the fruit there since 1961.

Outdoor Activities in Clermont

Looking for sun and something to do? Clermont runs plenty outdoors. From golfing to horseback riding, canoeing to kayaking, everybody is covered.

Golfing in Clermont

If you follow golf, Clermont will hold you. The city runs several golf courses, the Kings Ridge Golf Club among them. This course runs 18 holes of championship golf, along with a pro shop and a restaurant. So grab your clubs.

Horseback Riding

Canoeing and Kayaking

Clermont has lakes and rivers on every side, which makes it work for canoeing and kayaking. Rent a canoe or kayak from one of the local outfitters, Paddleboard Orlando or Adventures in Florida among them, and work the waterways. And you may see wildlife on the way.

So golf, horseback or paddle, Clermont runs plenty outdoors. Just bring your sunscreen.

Clermont’s Unique Attractions

Looking for something in Clermont you will not get elsewhere? This is where to start. This city runs attractions that will stay with you. Here are the spots to take:

Florida Citrus Tower

You cannot come to Clermont without the Florida Citrus Tower. This 226-foot-tall tower has been a roadside stop since 1956 and opens the citrus groves out below you. You can take an elevator to the top and see the whole area at once. And if you time it, you may catch a U-Pick farm where you can pick your own citrus.

Showcase of Citrus

If you follow citrus, Showcase of Citrus is the place. This family-owned U-Pick farm has been going since 1961 and runs citrus across the board, oranges, lemons and grapefruits among them. And that is not all of it, because they also run a monster truck tour of the groves, where you work the history of citrus farming here. And if you want a run at something, take their orange juice slushie.

Southern Hill Farms

Looking for a day out with the family? Southern Hill Farms is the answer. This U-Pick farm runs fruit and vegetables across the board, blueberries, peaches and sweet corn among them. And that is not all of it, because they also run a playground, a petting zoo and a country store selling fresh produce and homemade jams. And if you time it, you may catch one of their events, a blueberry pancake breakfast or a corn maze.

So there they are, three attractions in Clermont you will not get elsewhere. Citrus follower or simply somebody after a day out with the family, this city covers both. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and go.

Clermont’s Performing Arts Scene

Are you after entertainment in Clermont that is not a theme park or a water park? The city’s performing arts scene is the answer. From musicals to plays, everybody is covered.

Clermont Performing Arts Center

The Clermont Performing Arts Center carries the city’s performing arts scene. This facility runs shows through the year, concerts, plays and dance among them. With comfortable seating and sound that works, whatever you take there will land.

But the Clermont Performing Arts Center is not only somewhere to watch. It is also where to take classes and workshops. Acting, singing or dancing, there is a class here for it. And you may come out with something you did not know you had.

Theatre in Clermont

If you want a smaller theater, check out the smaller rooms in Clermont. These theaters put you closer to it, with actors and audience often working off each other. And you may see somebody before anybody else does.

One of the strongest theaters in Clermont is the Moonlight Players Theater. This community theater runs shows through the year, from classic plays to modern musicals. And with its seating and the people running it, you settle in fast.

So big productions or small rooms, Clermont’s performing arts scene runs both. Take the Clermont Performing Arts Center or one of the city’s smaller theaters for the evening.

Planning Your Clermont Visit

So you are planning a trip to Clermont, Florida? Strong choice. With this much to do and see, no wonder this city pulls travelers. But before you pack and get on the road, there are some things worth knowing.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

First, the weather. Clermont runs a subtropical climate, which means hot and humid for most of the year. The strongest time to come is from November to April, when the temperatures drop and the humidity goes with them. But keep in mind that this is peak season, so prices run higher and the attractions get busier.

If the heat does not bother you, coming in the summer works if you are watching the money. Just come ready for afternoon thunderstorms and high humidity.

Budgeting for Your Trip

And on money. Clermont runs plenty that costs nothing or close to it, but if you plan on theme parks or guided tours, budget for them.

To save on food, take a hotel with a kitchenette or pack your own snacks and meals. And factor in transport, whether you rent a car or use rideshare.

Creating Your Itinerary

Now the good part, which is building the itinerary. With this much to do in Clermont, deciding what to take and when is the hard bit. To make it easier, group things by location or by theme.

For example, you could give a whole day to the downtown and the local shops and restaurants. Another day could go to being outdoors, hiking, swimming or horseback riding. And no visit to Clermont is finished without one of the nearby theme parks.

And build in some time doing nothing at all. Trips are supposed to hold you, not wear you out.

Tips for a Great Visit

Before you go, here is what will make the Clermont trip better:

• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, especially if you’ll be spending time outdoors.
• Bring sunscreen and insect repellent, as well as a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.
• Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly.
• Research attractions and activities ahead of time to avoid long lines and crowds.
• Don’t be afraid to ask locals for recommendations – they know the area best!

With a little planning, the Clermont trip will hold. So pack your bags, bring the willingness, and get down to Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any cool hidden gems in Clermont that tourists often miss?

Yes. Clermont runs plenty of well-known attractions, but there are some nobody sends you to that earn the stop. Have you heard of the Florida Citrus Tower? This landmark opens the whole area out below you and earns the visit for anybody coming to Clermont.

What’s the craziest thing to do in Clermont?

That depends what you mean by crazy. If you want your pulse up, check out Revolution Off Road. Here you can go off-roading, zip-lining, and drive a tank. It is not for everybody.

What are some family-friendly activities in Clermont?

If you are travelling with children, Clermont runs plenty that works. One of the strongest is Lake Louisa State Park, where you can hike, swim and camp. The other option is the Clermont Historic Village Museum, which opens up the area’s past.

Where can I find the best food in Clermont?

There are plenty of strong restaurants in Clermont, but if you want the one, take Lilly’s on the Lake. This waterfront restaurant runs food that lands, the water in front of you, and a room you can sit in for hours.

What’s the most Instagram-worthy spot in Clermont?

If you want the photograph, get to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. From there the whole area opens out around you, which is more than your Instagram usually gets.

What’s the best way to see the sights of Clermont?

The strongest way to see Clermont is by bike. There are plenty of bike rental shops in town, and the flat ground here makes it easy to work. And you take the whole of it at your own pace.

Frequently asked questions about Clermont, Florida

How big exactly is the Lake Louisa state park at Clermont, then, really now, in the end?

Over 4,500 acres of the rolling hills out there, and it runs three lakes right inside it. There are well over 20 miles of trails on it out there, at every single level of difficulty. It also runs well over 60 campsites on it if you want to stay the whole night. Alligators.

What exactly is inside the Presidents museum over at Clermont, then, really now, in the end?

Life-size wax figures of all 44 of the American presidents, all standing there together in it. There is a replica of the Oval Office and of the whole Lincoln Bedroom in there too. Elvis Presley and all of the other historical figures are in there as well as that. Wax.

How long exactly is the Florida Scrub-Jay trail near Clermont, then, really now, in the end?

A 1.3-mile trail out there, and it winds right the way through the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest. The Florida Scrub-Jay is a threatened bird that is found only in this one whole state. You also get all the woodpeckers, the warblers and the vireos along the same trail. Binoculars.

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