Tavares, Florida
Tavares, the county seat of Lake County is a lovely city with waterways in and around it. It is fast growing as a favorite destination of retirees with its excellent recreation activities. Its founder, Alexander St. Clair Abrams, named the community for a Spanish ancestor.
About The Community
Part of the Orlando metro area, Tavares is close to all the world famous attractions of Orlando, but there is plenty to do in this city too. The city of Tavares encourages business growth, tourism and conservation of the pristine beauty of the region. The area is known as America’s Seaplane City on Lake Dora and the Seaplane Capital of the World.
History lovers will enjoy a visit to The Woodlea House, the oldest standing structure in Lake County. Capt. Melton Haynes who is believed to have introduced the “sweet orange” to the central Florida area built this house in 1871. Lake County Historic Museum located in the city is also well worth a visit. Explore historic “Old Florida” in the nearby Golden Triangle of Tavares, Mt. Dora and Eustis and spend a leisurely afternoon browsing through picturesque antique shops and gift galleries.
Important Links
The natural beauty of the region is all around you when you walk the new trail constructed alongside US 441, that connects the Lake Square Mall area with SR 19. The city actively supports conservation of its environment and this twelve feet wide trail winding around to the Lake County Judicial Center ends at Wooton Park. This park in downtown Tavares is the venue of the exciting Dragon Boat racing which is now a much-awaited annual event. Teams of twenty paddlers in long and colorful boats, encouraged by the loud, steady beat of drums race for fun and charity.
Vicinity of Tavares
Enjoy the wildlife of the region when you take a Heritage Lakes tour. Alligators, osprey, a host of birds and an occasional land animal watch you as you sail aboard a pontoon boat through shallow waters. The covered boat travels through the Dora Canal, and if you do not mind the Florida sun this is a wonderful way to commune with nature.
There is plenty of golf in the area and the local Baytree Golf Course is a par 62 semi-private golf course. This sturdy executive layout has its own challenges and more than half its holes have water features. There is also some restrained but effective bunkering. Links at Village Green is a 1976 William B. Lewis-designed course, which is also very popular locally. It has some trees and a cut of rough though the greens are small. Eight holes have water ponds and there are some sand traps to gobble misdirected iron shots.
Inn on the Green offers elegant, large rooms and suites on a beautifully landscaped, lakeside property. The quaint rooms are furnished with unique pieces of furniture and they offer suites with fully equipped kitchens and dining areas for extended stays. Make the most of the Aqua Driving Range and three-hole course on the grounds to hone your golf skills. Courtyard rooms offer views of the private lake teeming with bass, secluded outdoor swimming pool and golf greens. The seven-acre property has thousands of plants, trees and flowers and the grounds offer shuffleboard and croquette on a lighted course.