Things To Do

The Dora Canal Cottage offers

A tranquil world.
A hidden world.
And the wide world.

Your stay at the Dora Canal Cottage places you at the center of many worlds. You’ll experience a tranquil domain in a natural, old Florida setting. Enjoy a glass of wine by the firepit on the canal front deck. Make memories with family game night on the screened porch. Snuggle on the living room couch to enjoy a movie.

This cozy waterfront cottage also connects you to the Harris Chain of Lakes. You’ll have access to 45,000 acres of pristine waterways. You and your family can paddleboard through cypress canopies, wakeboard on the open waters, fish in one of the eight lakes, or simply take in a spectacular sunset.

The Dora Canal Cottage is a haven you’ll never want to leave. But you may want to explore small-town America. Historic downtown Mt. Dora is a short drive or boat ride from the cottage. As you visit its quaint shops and eat in one of its many gourmet restaurants, you’ll understand why Mt. Dora is designated as “Someplace Special.” Tavares, “America’s Seaplane City,” is also a short drive or boat ride away. While there, watch the seaplanes skim across Lake Dora and enjoy a meal at one of downtown Tavares unique restaurants & bars.

 

Here are a few unique and budget-friendly

experiences that Tavares and Mount Dora have to offer:

Catboat Adventures

CatBoat Adventure Tours

Mount Dora Boating Center & Marina
148 Charles Ave
Mount Dora, FL 32757

Call Us!
(352) 325-1442

CatBoatTour@gmail.com

www.catboatour.com

Jones Bros Seaplane on the water

Jones Brothers Air & Seaplane Seaplane Adventures

210 East Ruby Street  Tavares, Fl. 32778

352-508-1800

www.jonesairandsea.com

Photo of a boat from Real Florida Scenic

Palm Gardens Boat Rental

11529 North Highway 441
Tavares, FL 32778

352-343-2042

https://palmgardensmarina.com/

 

 

Floatin on a boat
MARINA LOCATED IN TAVARES, FLORIDA

Premier Get Wet Watersports

Serving Mount Dora, Harris Chain of Lakes, and Orlando area

Address:

Premier Get Wet Watersports

1000 West Burleigh Blvd

Tavares, FL 32778

Hours of operation:

7 days a week 8:00 AM – dusk

Have a special event, or want to request a guided tour?

Complete the form below

Rusty Anchor Boat Tours

400 West 4th Avenue  Mount Dora, FL. 32757

352-383-3933

www. Rustyanchormountdora.com  

Boat rented in Lake Adventures

Lake Adventures Boat Rental

1-844-525-3386

lakeadventures@gmail.com

402 N. Bay St.  Eustis, Fl. 32776

www.lakeadventuresfl.com

Lake County Farmers & Flea Market logo

Cruisin Tikis Lake Dora

info@cruisintikislakedora.com
(866) 845-4386

150 East Ruby Street
Tavares, FL 32778

www.cruisintikislakedora.com

Renningers Farmers & Flea Market Antique Center logo

Mount Dora Boating Center

 

148 Charles Ave. Mount Dora, FL. 32757

352-383-3150

Homepage

Mount Dora Ghost Tours logo

Rock Springs Run State Reserve

30601 County Rd 433, Sorrento, FL 32776

407-553-4383

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/rock-springs-run-state-reserve

Lake County Farmers & Flea Market logo

Premier Boat Tours

352-434-8040

On the Dock, 100 Alexander St, Mt Dora, FL 32757

http://www.doracanaltour.com/

Renningers Farmers & Flea Market Antique Center logo

Adventure Outdoor Paddle

 

210 E. Ruby Street  Tavares, Fl. 32778

352-217-5012

www.adventureoutdoorpaddle.com

Mount Dora Ghost Tours logo

Mount Dora Golf Club

1100 S. Highland St.  Mount Dora, Fl. 32757

352-383-3954

www.mountdoragolf.com

Alpacas from Lunasea Alpaca Farm

Mount Dora Transit

400 West 4th Ave

Mount Dora, Fl 32757

352-409-8722

Home

Photo of a child holding a baby goat at Lil Bit of Life Farm

Modernism Museum

145 E. 4th Ave.

Mt. Dora, Fl. 32757

352-385-0034

https://www.modernismmuseum.org/

 

Gator crossing the street

Mount Dora Ghost Tours

Mount Dora Ghost Tour & Haunted Pub Crawl – Sunset Park, 230 W. 4th Ave, Mt Dora

The Donnelly House Paranormal Experience – 535 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora

407-494-5655

https://mountdoraghosttours.com

Alpacas from Lunasea Alpaca Farm

Ruby Street Grille

Ruby Street Grille
221 East Ruby Street,
Tavares, FL  32778
PH:  (352)742-RUBY (7829)

www.rubystreetgrille.com

Photo of a child holding a baby goat at Lil Bit of Life Farm

The Deli Llama

124 East Alfred St.

Tavares, Fl 32778

352-508-5044

https://www.restaurantji.com/fl/tavares/the-deli-llama-inc-/

 

Gator crossing the street

Pisces Rising

239 West 4th Avenue

Mount Dora, Fl. 32757

352-385-2669

View of the field of Mount Dora's Golf Club

Goblin Market Restaurant and Lounge

330 Dora Drawdy Way

Mt. Dora, FL 32757

Phone: (352) 735-0059

Overview of Long and Scott farms

1921 Mount Dora

142 East 4th Avenue
Mount Dora, FL 32757

(352) 385-1921

People paddling in the Adventure Outdoor Paddle

Tavares Ice Cream

214 E Main St Tavares, FL 32778

(352) 508-5342

View of the field of Mount Dora's Golf Club

Le Petit Sweet

Overview of Long and Scott farms

The Funky Monkey

411 N Donnelly St
Mount Dora, FL 32757

(352) 720-3279

People paddling in the Adventure Outdoor Paddle

The Frog and Monkey Restaurant

411 N Donnelly St— Mount Dora, FL

352-383-1936

View of the field of Mount Dora's Golf Club

The Salted Fry

342 Dora Drawdy Way

 Mount Dora, FL. 32757

352.720.3755

Renningers Farmers & Flea Market Antique Center logo

Puddle Jumpers

111 West Ruby St.
Tavares, FL 32778
(352) 508-5862
5-minute drive,
approximately 20-minute boat ride

Mount Dora Village Market sign

Hurricane Dockside Grill

3351 W Burleigh Blvd

Tavares, FL 32778

(352) 508-5137

www.hurricanedockside.com/tavares

 

View of the field of Mount Dora's Golf Club

BTW

115 E. Main St.  Tavares, Fl 32778

352-508-9321

Overview of Long and Scott farms

Bru Tap House

143 E Main St.  Tavares, Fl 32778

352-508-9321

Home

People paddling in the Adventure Outdoor Paddle

The Argonaut Bar & Lounge

122 West Ruby Street  Tavares, Fl 32778

(352) 508-5620

https://www.argonautbar.com/

 

HOURS OF OPERATION

Sunday: 12 pm – 10 pm

Monday: Closed

Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday: 3 pm – 10 pm

Friday: 2pm – 12 am

Saturday: 12 pm – 12 am

View of the field of Mount Dora's Golf Club

Whiskey Kitchen

315 N Highland Street, Mount Dora, FL, United States, Florida

352-735-7433

https://www.facebook.com/whiskeykitchenMD/

 

Overview of Long and Scott farms

Ironworks Steaks and Fine Cocktails

To 132 W Ruby Street in Tavares, FL

RESERVATIONS: 352 321-9340

HOURS:

Wednesday 5 – 9

Thursday 5 – 9

Friday 5 – 9 (Bar open ’til 11)

Saturday 4 – 9 (Bar open ’til 11)

Sunday 3 – 8

Step back in time into the old Iron Works of the Nautilus Family and enjoy an upscale dining experience!
People paddling in the Adventure Outdoor Paddle

Boujee Boards by Justina

boujeeboardsbyjustina@gmail.com

Gator crossing the street

Apopka Wildlife Drive

2850 Lust Rd, Apopka, FL 32703
Alpacas from Lunasea Alpaca Farm

Lunasea Alpaca Farm

18810 Lone Dove Ln.,
Clermont, FL 34715
(352) 223-9457
24-minute drive

People paddling in the Adventure Outdoor Paddle

Lil Bit of Life

(Farm Experience)
2920 Robie Ave.
Mt. Dora, FL 32757
(407) 461-3091
21-minute drive

Gator crossing the street

The Packing House at Far Reach Ranch

1255 S. Dora Blvd.
Tavares, FL. 32778
407-625-6636 
www.thepacking.house
Alpacas from Lunasea Alpaca Farm

The Carriage House at Vedder Farms

41700 Harvest Rose Court

Leesburg, FL 34788

(352) 438-0548

https://www.vedderfarms.com/

People paddling in the Adventure Outdoor Paddle

Lakeside Lanes Bowling Alley

1950 Classique Ln
Tavares, FL 32778

352-508-9581

https://www.lakesidelanesbowling.com/

Gator crossing the street

Yada Yada Pottery

133 W. 5th Ave.  Mount Dora, FL 32757

Tel: 352-636-8536  

Email: yypottery@hotmail.com

https://www.yadayadapottery.com/

Alpacas from Lunasea Alpaca Farm

Coco’s Sweet Treats

Call us at (352) 455-3260 OR Email us at cocossweettreats@outlook.com!

https://cocossweettreatsfl.com/

View of the field of Mount Dora's Golf Club

Crafted Scent Bar

50 W Orange Ave Suite 3 Eustis, FL 32726

Call Us: 352-492-3707

What Is Crafted Scent Bar?

Overview of Long and Scott farms

Florida Grazing

Operating Hours + Information

Tavares, FL
Floridagrazing@gmail.com

Sunday Closed
Monday Closed
Tuesday 9:00am – 12:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am – 12:00pm
Thursday 9:00am – 12:00pm
Friday 9:00am – 12:00pm
Saturday 9:00am – 12:00pm

The Dora Canal Cottage is conveniently located on the scenic Dora Canal, a mile long waterway connecting Lake Dora & Lake Eustis, situated on the Harris Chain of Lakes which is comprised of 8 primary lakes (Apopka, Harris, Griffin, Dora, Eustis, Beauclair, Carlton and Yale) and offers excellent fishing opportunities for all anglers.  Boating, kayak and paddleboard enthusiasts can enjoy riding down the picturesque Dora Canal taking in all the natural beauty and seeing the local wildlife (birds, alligators, turtles and even the occasional otter or two).  You can book an Eco-Tour with Rusty Anchor Boat Tours, Premier Boat Tours, Catboat Adventure Tour (where you can enjoy driving your own 2 person catboat) or visit Adventure Outdoor Paddle to explore Lake Dora and the Dora Canal by kayak, stand up paddleboard or hydro bike.  If you’re really adventurous and want to experience things from a birds eye view, visit Jones Brothers & Co Air and Seaplane Adventures for fantastic tours & excursions – you won’t be disappointed!  The Dora Canal Cottage is just minutes from downtown Tavares (also known as America’s Seaplane City) and beautiful Mount Dora, both of which host events, concerts and festivals year round. This 3 bdr/2 bath spacious and charming home sleeps up to 8 guests, with 2 beautifully decorated living areas, large updated kitchen with a bar area that seats 4, a dedicated indoor dining area that seats 8 as well as an outdoor dining table that seats 8.  We offer kayaks, a paddle boat and boat dock use for outdoor recreation.  When you stay at the Dora Canal Cottage, you’ll find a peaceful, relaxing retreat from it all.  From the backyard, you can enjoy what we can only describe as a parade of boats where you’ll experience smiling and waving from locals and tourists alike!  You can bring your own boat or rent one from nearby Mount Dora Boating Center, Palm Gardens Boat Rental or Lake Adventures Boat Rental & enjoy cruising the Harris Chain of Lakes, even docking at one of the many city docks and exploring the fantastic local shops, restaurants and bars.  Book a sandbar, lake or sunset cruise with Cruisin Tikis Lake Dora or enjoy a tour of Lake Dora aboard the luxury 80 foot paddle wheel boat the Dora Queen.  We are close to many of the local wedding venues ( The Carriage House at Vedder Farms, The Packing House, Tavares Pavillion on the Lake, O’Brien Oaks, Chapel Valley Farm, Sydonie Mansion and The Howey Mansion to name a few) so staying with us is very convenient for the happy couple or wedding guests alike.  Here you can travel about an hour to all the Major Theme Parks, then come home and unwind sitting at the fire pit overlooking the water and enjoying nature.  Conveniently located about 1-2 hours from many of Florida’s World Famous Beaches, the Dora Canal Cottage is unique because while it is centrally located, making it super convenient to pack in the fun while on vacation, you can just as easily take a break from the world and enjoy the tranquility of the Dora Canal Cottage with none of the hustle and bustle.  You really have to experience it to understand all the Dora Canal Cottage has to offer!

*We suggest you call attractions or check their websites as hours and days of operation may vary.