“Did you know Mt. Dora is about 180 feet above sea level?” asked our chatty waiter serving us coffee on a recent trip to this charming town during the Christmas holiday.
Florida is flat.
But northwest of Orlando near the center of the state lies
Mt. Dora with an elevation of 184 feet.
The historic district boasts coffee shops,
museums, and Queen Anne architecture
like the elaborate Donnelly House I walked by.
Bookshops and antique shops beckon too in downtown Mt. Dora.
More than once we spotted travelers on Segways
and hiked to the country’s only inland lighthouse.
Time for tea at the Windsor Rose Restaurant where Lord Essex eggs and Shakespeare’s Skillet are highlighted on the breakfast menu
Click for 18-second video of tea-pouring
We spotted a harmless alligator, OLD JOE, cast in bronze
Then we boarded the Royal Palm Railway Express traveling from small town Tavares to Eustis and back again, with just enough time for pizza and a drink. In December, the train took kids and parents on a Polar Express experience.
I’d go again!
Next time though I’d take a ride on a seaplane or a Segway.
Until then, I wish you smooth sailing in 2019!
Have you visited a small town recently? Somewhere else memorable?
Do you live in a small town or have a favorite one?
Looks like a charming place. I love that Donnelly House and the bookstore! I bet kids would just love the Polar Express trip! I come from a small town and now live in one. They are wonderful. Happy New year to you and yours.
A small Canadian town and now one in Spain: You have experienced the best of both worlds. The conductor said kids enjoyed the Polar Express trip but the staff was ready for it too be over. I can imagine they were referring to spilled hot chocolate and overly exuberant kids. I hope you new year is off to a great start too, Darlene!
In between I lived in large cities, Calgary and Vancouver, but have come full circle. I’m sure it wasn’t a picnic for the staff of the Polar Express.
What a perfect setting for a book! I love that bookstore, Marian. Sadly, I don’t live in a small town, but I’d like too. Thanks for the fun tour. Happy New Year!
Charlotte has probably doubled in size since I lived there for just one year. You’d love the tea shop and the book stores that invite browsing. Happy New Year to you too and best wishes to your family, Jill.
Good morning, Marian! It looks like a lovely getaway. The Donnelly House would feel at home in Cape May, NJ. I love the front of that bookstore! We often see groups of Segways in Philadelphia. I live in a very small borough, but unfortunately, it’s not much of a town. There are some nice small towns in my area though with good places to eat.
I get a tour of the best of your environs on your Monday Musings. Fortunately, you are so close to Philly and can take advantage of all the cultural offerings there, small town or not. My Aunt Cecilia Metzler took yearly trips to Cape May into her eighties and must have seen some of these picturesque homes near the shore. Thanks, Merril.
I grew up on a farm near a small town. Sadly, ours had no alligator statue.
Thanks for the smiles this morning, Arlene. I wouldn’t expect alligators in Ottawa or any part of Canada. 🙂
I have lived in small towns, although not at this time. Over the holidays we took a trip to Northern Nevada passing through many little burgs, and staying at Topaz Lake. The most impressive small town was Virginia City, a mining town built on the side of a hill. Very narrow Main Street and slushy snow clinging to everything it could. As the icy water ran off the downspouts of buildings in the weak warmth of day, it was still cool enough to refreeze into icicles. Mother Nature at her finest, decorating old buildings and indicating who had their heat on!
You have a keen eye for description, Ginger. I can see buildings in Virginia City trying to decide whether or not they should hold onto the icicles. Neat! Thank you.
What a delightful town, Marian! I totally agree with that sign: color makes people happy! Great photos! What made you choose Mt. Dora? Had you visited there before? I’d love to take that Polar Express ride.
I haven’t seen anyone on a Segway in ages!
What made us choose Mt. Dora? First of all, we have visited towns in NE Florida many times: Fernandina Beach, St. Augustine. Also, in Georgia: Brunswick and Savannah. We simply wanted a new venue and have heard for years that Mt. Dora had cute shops and restaurants. So, we wanted to go see for ourselves and were not disappointed.
I’d love to go again and ride a Segway. We both would want to go on a seaplane ride, for sure.
I visited Orlando back in September 1991 for my 28th birthday and I loved the warmth in late summer. How lucky you are you can still walk around in summer clothes in December!
I must admit I hadn’t given much thought to the altitude, being as it is by the sea, but I hadn’t heard of Mount Dora either. That coffee shop sounds wonderful and the train ride even better. Should I find myself in Florida ever again, I will definitely look out for it. Glad you enjoyed your visit.
We prefer small towns to large cities, as they seem more peaceful and the people kinder.
Fatima, if you and Peter get back to Florida, you can take advantage of the welcome mat at our house and then drive south to Mt. Dora. I agree with your assessment of small towns. Jacksonville has more than a million people, so we definitely enjoyed the change of pace — the attitude and the altitude!
Thank you for the invitation. I would love that. 💖
🙂
What a delightful tour of a charming town, Marian! I feel like I was there enjoying the sights and sipping tea with you and Cliff. Thank you.
It wouldn’t be hard to slip into an easy conversation anywhere in Mt. Dora. I’m glad you enjoyed the virtual tour, Kathy. Thanks for stopping by today. 🙂
Lovely, as always, Marian! Happy New Year to you and your family!
Happy New Year to your too, Jack. I can tell from your Facebook posts you enjoy charming places and beautiful scenery. Here’s to a new year full of them! 🙂
Is Mt. Dora the highest point in Fla.? I could look it up. But I’m anxiously awaiting any news of your memoir!
Mt. Dora is not the highest point in Florida. Along the western part of the panhandle, north of Tallahassee the altitude climbs a bit higher.
Like Sisyphus, I’m still pushing the rock uphill; you’ll get more specifics next week. One day the goal will be tangible, as you can imagine having published many a volume. Thanks, Melodie!
What a charming place! And—oh!—that house!
Thanks, Linda. I wonder if towns with such architecture exist in the Kamloops area. I do know Victoria, BC boasts architecture of similar vintage.
There are some charming, old heritage houses here, Marian. I’m a sucker for all kinds of old places. The ones with beautiful architecture like the one shown here, as well as simple, utilitarian old homes on the prairie. I guess it’s the history that captures my fancy most of all.
Memoirists – writers of other genres too – naturally gravitate toward history in buildings, landscapes in general, I think.
After all, stories make history come alive. Thanks for continuing the conversation, Linda.
I grew up in a small town. I looked forward to moving away for adventure, and then spent years longing to return to its simple charm. Your adventure looked sublime, especially when it included tea! Happy New Year! 🙂
I remember your recent post with a rosy teacup, and I remember wishing that posting a reply would allow a URL link for mine. Of course it didn’t, but voila, now you see it! Thanks, Jenn.
What a gorgeous small town Marian! You look lovely too! Right now I’m in a small town at the sea. It is charming and lovely. I look forward to visiting more small towns in my country with so much history behind them … All warm greetings for this new year!
I love your spot by the sea. By now, you have completely unpacked and have found a new rhythm for the summer. I expect we’ll hear more about it in future posts.
Thank you too for the warm greetings, Susan. Tonight, temps in Jacksonville will dip to the mid-30s, so says the weather channel.
I grew up in a small town in Alberta. Coming from a village in Paraguay it seemed like a big place. I always wanted to go somewhere else, but we mostly stayed home because my dad never got a car. I longingly listened to kids at school who had gone on holidays to Eastern Canada and talked about the Great Lakes, thinking I would never be able to see them.
Well, after our marriage we became world travellers and saw so many places. Even now, when we visit our daughter in Ontario we drive past the Great Lakes and I always marvel at the scenery. Two of our daughters live in small towns and I realize that the rhythm of life is different there and the people are friendlier.
How amazing that as an adult, God gave you the desire you longed for as a chid – and then some. Another commenter mentioned the slower pace and friendly people in small towns and I tend to agree. It’s good to hear from you again ~ happy new year to you and Hardy!
Marian — It looks like you two had a blast! I would love to do the Polar Express experience the train provides during the holiday season. And that bookstore looks inviting — like one I’d like to spend a good long time in. Thank you for sharing your adventure!
My favorite small town in Idaho (so far) is Stanley. It’s a rustic little town that has an excellent bakery/restaurant, and an itty-bitty airstrip that on top of a hill that’s been leveled on top. Len has flown us up there a couple of times for breakfast. Once we’re safely landed, we just walk down the trail and enjoy breakfast. Their outside dining patio is dog-friendly, so we take Willa along. She loves to fly.
I marvel at how methodically you and Len picked Boise as your nesting place with access to other playgrounds. And it wasn’t that long ago either. I love 💗 the image of Willa as flying dog 🐕 (I’m handing you a blog post title, Laurie). 😀
I enjoyed your small town adventure, Marian. I have lived Goshen, IN, which has many tourist attractions related to the Amish community nearby. It also has an incredibly strong arts and entrepreneurial community which owes a great deal to a very fine small college on the south end of town. 🙂 My hometown of Lititz, PA, is also very lively and quaint and was voted “coolest small town in America” a few years ago. You are reminding me that I am lucky to have these connections. My current town is actually a small city, but it’s cool too!
Of the three you mentioned, Shirley, I’m familiar with two: Lititz where Metzlers reunited each July in the park. Last May, we explored downtown during our weeks’ long vigil with my brother. Isabella’s Ice Cream Parlor, the Matthew 25 Thrift Shop, and of course Aaron’s Books stand out. And of course, Harrisonburg with EMC the centerpiece of my life for four years. I wonder if Gitchell’s Studio is still in business.
How wonderful that you and Stuart can spend these days near the cultural offerings of a vibrant college campus and able to take a long view in the direction of your PA roots.
Thank you reminding me of your precious connections, Shirley, and mine too!
Thank you Marian for that small town excursion; I like to visit them too and have been to Dahlonega and Helen GA. They are nice little towns and I’ve traveled on motorcycle and car. They have little shops with Fudge, Special oils, Mom and Pop Restaurants, Souvenirs, and other various and sundry goods; nice people there too as well as B & B’s. Was heading back there last year but the weather changed and got colder too soon.
Welcome! I’ve not been to Dahlonega but have been to Helen, GA, which I think has a Swiss mountain vibe. It must be exhilarating to dart up and down around town on a motorcycle, biker girl!
Thanks for visiting. I left a comment on your blog too. Happy New Year!
Sounds like a delightful place to visit. I will put it on my list for a future trip to Florida.
. . . and while you’re here in our state, the welcome mat is laid out for you at our house too! : )
What a lovely place to explore. That house is adorable.
Thank you, Fiona! I agree, obviously.
Smiled at the beginning of your post. Whoa – a full 180 feet above sea level – watch for nose bleeds. 🙂 Mt. Dora sounds like a charming place. I grew up in a small, small town in southern NJ. Couldn’t wait to leave, but now I understand how wonderful a town it was. Still is, according to many of my high school chums who remained.
I realize how preposterous it is to brag about elevation in terms of feet, not yards or miles. And to play up the high point of a little Florida town with the word “Mount” in the name. But that’s the charm, I guess, and you were the first one to detect it. But then of course, you are a mistress of mystery and intrigue. 😀
Even though we live in a nature preserve, a big city surrounds us too, so stealing away to a small town is refreshing. Thanks, Pam!
Small towns are the best, in my opinion. Cities are exciting, but small towns are like comfort food: warm, (en)rich(ing), inviting, and (ful)filling. <3
Amen, Sista!
What a beautiful and interesting (and tasty) side-trip, Marian.When you mentioned the Segways, I had to think about all the electric scooters people (mostly milennials) buzz by on in Ocean Beach, San Diego, CA. They are a hit!
Yes, I actually have recently visited a small American town. It’s called Julian and is located near incredible Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (which is the biggest SP in the lower 48). It’s a cute town with famous apple pie, so we splurged and split a homemade warm piece with apples and berries. Yum!
Just a few minutes ago, I popped over to check on you and Mark and found you enjoyed the month of December to the tune of $ 801.00. That is simply sensational! You deserve to splurge on warm apple-berry pie. Happy New Year to you both … happy travels, of course.
What an interesting town to visit, just what you need to blow the cobwebs of Christmas and new year out .
In Pembrokeshire, near to where I live , we have the small town of St. David’s that boasts an actual cathedral. It’s well worth a visit ( check it out on google Marian ) .
Cherryx
Wow, Cherry, what an image . . . blowing out the cobwebs of Christmas and New Year. I’m “blown away” with the image of St. David’s Cathedral on the Wikipedia page. If it’s situated in a small town, the people must live in tiny houses – ha! Here is the website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_David%27s_Cathedral
Cliff says Cheery New Year to you, Cherry! 🙂
A cheery New .Year back Cliff 😊
So glad you found St David’s interesting. It truly IS and surrounding areas are a delight
Cherryx
If we ever get to Wales, I’m visiting that site – after having tea with you at a cute place in your neighborhood! xoxoxo
Ready and waiting 😂
Cherryx
You’re a deat, Cherry. Thanks so MUCH for your support and anticipation.
Good morning, Marian. I’ve lived in two quaint little towns over my years. My kids grew up in Hudson Ohio, a town founded by New Englanders and that looks more newenglandy than many I see now that I actually live in New England. The John Prine song, “In a Town This Size” comes to mind. I moved there directly from New York City and when I left after 23 years, went directly to Philadelphia.
Yes, I’m a city girl at heart. And an east coaster. I loved being able to walk (or bike) to whatever I needed, from grocery stores to concert halls. Yet as we age I think our needs do change and I now live outside a small town (population 2000) in NE Vermont now. The state’s new Lamoille Valley rail trail runs right through it. We have the mandatory town green with a church with a steeple and our library facing it. We also have a fantastic little breakfast/lunch place and a four star restaurant. I can ride my bike into town (when the snow goes away) easily; I just can’t ride it home again cause that direction is uphill. Life is good nevertheless. I’m glad you have Mt Dora. A nice way to spend a day.
Thanks for the peripatetic review, Janet. The place I associate most with you is Chincoteague, which literally hugs the east coast. I don’t know much about your town in Vermont, but it sounds wonderful — library, 4-star restaurant. I wonder if you’ve ever gone for a train ride. About biking, I guess Woody could rescue you on the return trip when you bike into town.
I can walk to Target and Aldi, a grocery with 1960s prices you may have heard about. I’s probably about a 1/2 mile from our house, and I get my steps in and a little bicep work with a small bottle or milk or bag of apples. 🙂
I was born in a small town in NE England and lived in several more when I was young, but I have been happily settled in my current city for over 30 years. I love city life, but I also love to visit small towns. Occasionally I imagine living in one – but I think they will remain vacation destinations! Thanks for visiting The Glasgow Gallivanter.
Ah, an Enlish rose transplanted to the bonnie Scotland. Thank you for paying me a visit here. You are welcome any time, Anabel.
I love going to new places and seeing new and interesting things! I still have memories from my childhood of places we saw and stopped to visit. One in particular was an old house, in the deep south, with newly made quilts hanging on clothes lines, hoping folks like us would stop and buy one! There was also a well with a bucket for getting a drink of cold water! It’s fun to discover new places. Thanks for sharing Mount Dora!
If you ever come to the Deep South again, you’ll have to visit us in NE Florida.
The display of quilts is a clever sales tactic – along with the well with a bucket. Who could pass up a cool drink of water. Thanks for sharing, Anita!
I’ve never heard of Mount Dora, although I was in Orlando about 5 years ago–my last visit to FL. After losing my traveling buddy Vic, I haven’t traveled much in the last 10 years. It’s not as much fun to do it alone without sound, so I often travel to see old friends and stay a week or two. Much of FL is beautiful and I’ve spent time there. I’ll never forget the eagles nest in the Panhandle with two nestlings who looked about ready to fly. This town is old Florida and reminds me of places like Charlotte or New Orleans. I’m glad you took this holiday trip with your love.
Thank you for reminiscing, Elaine. Mt. Dora is definitely old Florida. And certain parts of Jacksonville are too. In Mandarin area, where my son lives, Spanish moss drapes from oaks, like tapestry. Birds abound too, but not many eagles.
I’m sorry you lost your traveling buddy. There is absolutely no substitute for him, but you may want to venture out more when your cochlear implant is behind you. You know I’m wishing you the BEST possible outcome. 🙂
For some reason, this post came up again in my feed.
Hi, L. Marie. This post was originally published January 9, 2019. My website today does not show a duplicate of this blog recently, and I certainly did not intentionally re-blog it. No one else has sent in a similar notice, so I am assuming that your alert is just a fluke. I certainly hope so. Gremlins at work?
Thanks for letting me know. :-l
This looks like a great place to visit, Marian. I am interested in learning more about Florida.
Robbie, this ended up in my Spam folder, but of course you are not span–not ever!
A fun post and such beautiful architecture…love the library plus that beautiful lemon and grey building with the porches is stunning…Have a great weekend , Marian 🙂 x
Thanks, Carol. My apologies! You snuck in here without my noticing and I’m a few days’ late in replying here, not my style. I’m glad you enjoyed this charming village. 🙂