13 Best Things To Do In Clermont, Florida

From picking your own fruit to cycling on miles of trails.

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Published on May 31, 2024

Clermont FL — Lake views in Clermont, Florida. Photo:
Getty Images/Josef Bogner

When you think of Florida, you don’t usually envision rolling hills, vineyards, or world-class competitive cycling, but that's exactly what you'll find in Clermont—a town just west of Orlando. Formerly a booming citrus capital, today the town is a thriving suburb of the Orlando metro that honors its agricultural past.

A robust network of bikeable trails connects the community to other Central Florida hubs, like Winter Garden. Less than a 30-minute drive from Disney World, Clermont is a thriving residential community that serves Disney cast members and visitors alike. It boasts creative Southern food, craft coffee, and some of the best access to exploring Florida's nature firsthand.

Here are 13 best things to do on your trip to Clermont, Florida.

Must-Do Things

Explore the Town's Towering Landmark

Long before Disney World became the tourism draw of Central Florida, the state had an eclectic variety of roadside attractions—Cypress Gardens, Weeki Wachee, and Bok Tower Gardens to name a few. One such reason to pull off from your drive in Clermont was to take in the 360-degree view atop Clermont’s Citrus Tower. Built in 1955 to showcase the region’s robust vast expanse of groves, it overlooked hundreds of acres of perfectly planted rows of citrus.

Today, the orange and white tower is one of Florida’s longest-standing tourist attractions. Taking the elevator up to the 12-story overlook is like a portal to 1950, as the tower has been preserved and maintained in near original state. Though you won’t see endless acreage of orange trees today, you can try and spot Orlando landmarks and lakes, and learn more about the industry that put an orange on every Florida license plate.

citrustower.com, 141 S Hwy 27, Clermont, FL 34711

Pick Your Own Fruit

Florida’s fair weather makes it a powerhouse agricultural state for more than just citrus. Clermont’s many farms welcome visitors and guests to experience the fruits of Florida in creative agritourism experiences. Between November and February, you’ll be in town for peak citrus season. Stop in Showcase of Citrus to pluck from the field, or pick from harvested crates of over 50 different varieties of citrus. Check out the property's other attractions such as a monster truck tour of the working groves and cattle ranch. Finish it off with a local pour of orange blossom pilsner at their open-air bar.

showcaseofcitrus.com, 15051 Frank Jarrell Rd, Clermont, FL 34714

From March to May, pluck plump blueberries from Florida bushes at Southern Hills Farms. Central Florida families also flock here for photoshoots among the head-high sunflower fields and rainbow zinnia plots in the spring.

southernhillfarms.com, 16651 Schofield Rd, Clermont, FL 34714

And in the month of May, Florida peaches (a smaller varietal than Georgia, but still sweet and juicy) ripen quickly. Be on the lookout for when it’s time to pick with Peaches on Laws Road or Honey Feast Farm. Don’t forget a jar of Orange blossom honey.

Shop the Local Boutiques

Clermont has a charming historic downtown that’s easy to walk. Explore the boutiques up and down Montrose St. Pick up local souvenirs from Everything Local, like tea towels and stickers, that feature Lake County’s citrus-forward personality.

everythinglocalco.com, 789 W Montrose St, Clermont, FL 34711

Outdoor Activities

Explore the State Park

Orlando brings to mind rollercoasters and fantasy lands, but the authentic and natural side of Florida is a mere 30 minutes outside of the theme parks. Lake Louisa State Park is considered a “natural theme park,” and is a major draw to Clermont because of all the activities to enjoy within the park: hiking, biking, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, boating, and glamping. The park features 7 miles of paved roads and over 20 miles of unpaved multi-use trails for visitors to explore. You can even rent a bicycle at the park if you don’t have your own.

floridastateparks.org/lake-louisa-state-park, 7305 US Hwy 27, Clermont, FL 34714

Explore via Cycling

Because of Clermont’s rolling hills, the Floridian cycle community is active here. The paved West Orange Trail, formerly the railroads made to carry citrus from the country, runs through the center of Clermont along the shores of Lake Minneola. At 22.5 miles total, the trail is a pleasant bike ride, weaving through historic small-town neighborhoods of greater Central Florida.

Mere steps off the trail in Clermont you can grab a beer at Suncreek Brewery and fuel up with coal-fired pizza or fresh tacos. If your bicycle is on the fritz, then swing into the experts at Epic Cycles World, who specialize in world-class road bikes. Coffee connoisseurs should also stop at this bike shop for Energy Lab Cafe where they serve single-origin coffee and fresh juices and smoothies. Need to rent a bike? See the folks at Trek Clermont for an all day rental for just $60.

If you prefer a bit of gravel or off-road cycling, strap your equipment to your car and drive the Green Mountain Scenic Byway where you’ll park at the Green Mountain Scenic Overlook & Trailhead. This multi-use trail features the longest set of trail switchbacks in Florida.

Go Off-Roading

For a high-octane wheeled adventure, book an ATV or buggy at Revolution Florida Adventures. There, trained guides take you off-road, exploring around 230 acres of Florida countryside. The adventure park gets 4.7 stars in Google reviews, and guests say the guides strike the perfect balance of safety and adrenaline-filled fun on four wheels.

revolutionoffroad.com, 4000 FL-33, Clermont, FL 34714

Where To Dine and Drink

Enjoy the Local Eats

Every small town has a beloved diner, and Cheeser’s Palace Café is where you’ll find the locals getting their regular orders for breakfast and lunch. Unlike most diners, Cheeser’s serves alcoholic beverages and takes pride in signature cocktails such as the Florida Cracker Bloody Mary, or a freshly juiced Screwdriver—orange juice and vodka. But it’s the homemade cakes that are the cafe’s claim to fame.

For lunch, head to Montrose Street Market, a two-story downtown hub where you can choose from a variety of local purveyors specializing in a range of cuisines, from burgers to crepes, to sushi and tacos.

Inside the scratch kitchen Southern on 8th you’ll be served a creative Florida dinner menu such as fried green tomatoes, honey-sriracha frog legs, and gator bites in a herbed butter sauce. Wash it down with a cocktail creation from their hefty bourbon and whiskey collection.

For a comforting gastropub experience with a menu rooted in Italian traditions, head to The Crooked Spoon (just the ‘Spoon to the locals), and see what turned this once-food-truck into a brick-and-mortar neighborhood favorite.

Head to a Local Winery

Florida is too hot and wet to grow the kind of grapes you’d find in Californian or European vineyards. But there is a grape that is native to Florida—the Muscadine grape. The sugary grape isn’t for everyone. It produces a cheek-puckering, bubblegum-sweet wine.

If you have a sweet tooth or are a fan of sangrias and sweet summer spritzers, you may like Muscadine wine—the main product produced at Lakeridge Winery. If not, Lakeridge, Florida's largest premium winery, partners with California vineyards to produce wine blends with grapes that don’t grow in Florida, resulting in several dryer wines. You can sample all of Lakeridge’s wines by taking the free 45-minute vineyard tour which ends in a complimentary tasting.

lakeridgewinery.com, 19239 US Hwy 27, Clermont, FL 34715

Enjoy Local Flavors with a Lake View

The newly opened Salt Shack on the Lake on Lake Minneola, just two blocks off Historic Downtown Clermont’s main drag, looks like it’s been a neighborhood staple for decades. In fact, it’s the new second Florida location (the first is in Tampa). A prime location on the lakefront beckons guests with picnic tables beneath shady old live oaks.

This dog-friendly casual eatery features Adirondack chairs along Minneola shores, and a sandy outdoor patio with sun shades, live music, and open-air dining. The seafood restaurant and grill serves “gulf-to-table,” fare such as coconut shrimp, fresh fish, conch chowder, Florida middle-neck clams, and of course gator bites. Wash it down with a guava cocktail.

salt-shack.com, 846 W Osceola St, Clermont, FL 34711

Where To Stay

Stay in a Renovated Retro Motel

For a trip back in time, book an inexpensive room at the charming Orange Motel, a renovated mid-century time capsule that harkens back to Old Florida when roadside motels were where you’d stop with the family as you rolled through Florida on Highway 27. You can spot this friendly, family-run motel from a distance with its bright orange and lime hue and retro signage.

theorangemotel.com, 800 S Hwy 27, Minneola, FL 34715

Stay with Lake Views

Enjoy epic sunsets over Lake Minneola while sipping Tiki drinks if you stay at Lake Minneola Inn, a Key-West style Bed & Breakfast that feels like old Florida.

lakeminneolainn.com, 508 S Main Ave, Minneola, FL 34715