Visiting Mount Dora for the weekend? There is no shortage of ways to explore—and even if you have been here before, there is probably still a side of the city you have not experienced.

You can cruise beneath the cypress trees of the Dora Canal, taste your way through downtown, glide past public art, uncover local history or let someone else take the wheel while you enjoy the view.

These experiences offer more than sightseeing. They introduce you to the stories, scenery and local businesses that make Mount Dora someplace special.

Sit Back and Tour the Town

Want an easy introduction to Mount Dora without covering every hill on foot?

Mount Dora Transit and Tours takes guests through historic downtown aboard a comfortable electric cart. The narrated tour highlights local landmarks, architecture, history and a few of the stories visitors might otherwise miss. The company also provides rides around town when available, making it a convenient option for getting from one downtown stop to another.

For something with a little more old-world character, Olde Mount Dora Carriage Company offers guided rides aboard elegant electric horseless carriages. Tours travel through historic streets and past recognizable landmarks, with seasonal experiences and premium packages available throughout the year.

Yes, the horses have officially retired. The charm has not.

Experience Mount Dora From the Water

Lake Dora is not simply a backdrop. It is one of the best places from which to understand the history and natural beauty of the area.

Premier Boat Tours departs from the historic Lakeside Inn and offers narrated cruises across Lake Dora and through the famous Dora Canal. Along the way, passengers may spot alligators, turtles, wading birds and other wildlife beneath a canopy of towering cypress trees.

Rusty Anchor Mount Dora launches from the downtown waterfront and offers Dora Canal tours, shoreline cruises, sunset outings and lunch or dinner excursions. Its covered pontoon boats provide a relaxed way to enjoy the lake, and private cruises are also available for smaller groups.

Traveling with a more adventurous crew? CatBoat Adventure Tours lets guests drive their own two-person powered catamaran as part of a fully guided and narrated tour. Depending on the selected route, you may cross Lake Dora, enter the Dora Canal or explore neighboring waterways—all while sitting just above the surface of the water.

Taste Your Way Through Downtown

Some of Mount Dora’s best stories are served by the plate.

Mount Dora Taste of Our Town combines a guided food-and-wine tasting experience with local history, public art and downtown sightseeing. Guests visit a changing selection of locally owned restaurants, bistros and specialty shops, sampling food, desserts, wine and other drinks along the way.

It is part culinary crawl, part walking tour and a particularly satisfying way to meet the people and places behind Mount Dora’s dining scene. Advance reservations are required, and tours can sell out.

Follow Mount Dora’s History on Foot

Prefer to explore at your own pace? Stop at the Mount Dora Visitor Center inside the historic Train Depot at 341 Alexander Street and pick up a self-guided walking tour approved by the Mount Dora Historical Society.

The route introduces visitors to historic homes, downtown architecture, important landmarks and pieces of Mount Dora’s lakefront legacy. Since you control the pace, you can pause for shopping, lunch, photographs or a closer look whenever something catches your attention.

You can continue the story at the Mount Dora History Museum, located at 450 Royellou Lane. Housed inside the city’s original fire station and jail, the museum preserves photographs, artifacts and exhibits connected to the people and events that shaped Mount Dora.

The museum is generally open Tuesday through Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., but visitors should confirm current hours before arriving.

Glide Through Mount Dora’s Creative Side

Mount Dora’s art is not confined to its galleries.

Glide Adventure Tours leads narrated Segway Art-Venture tours through downtown, the waterfront and some of the city’s most photogenic natural spaces. The approximately 80-minute route begins at the Mount Dora Center for the Arts and can include public art, the Van Gogh House, Sunset Park, Lakeside Inn, the Mount Dora Lighthouse, Palm Island Park and the downtown arts district.

No previous Segway experience is required. Guests receive hands-on instruction before setting out, making the tour approachable for many first-time riders.

Explore After Dark

Once the sun goes down, Mount Dora’s historic streets take on a different personality.

Local nighttime experiences range from lantern-lit storytelling rooted in downtown legends to interactive paranormal investigations inside historic locations. We explored both approaches—and how to choose the right one for you—in our guide to Mount Dora’s ghost tours.

Cruise Lake Dora Aboard the Dora Queen

For a larger cruise experience, travel a few minutes to neighboring Tavares and step aboard the Dora Queen.

The 80-foot New Orleans-style paddlewheel boat offers two-hour cruises on Lake Dora with lounge-style seating, music, lake views and cocktails available from a full-service bar. Its calendar includes afternoon outings, sunset cruises and specialty events, while the boat can also be reserved for weddings, birthdays, business gatherings and other private celebrations.

The Dora Queen departs from Tavares Marina near Wooton Park, so be sure to check the cruise calendar and departure details while planning your visit.

Bringing a Group?

Mount Dora Trolley offers transportation for weddings, private gatherings and organized group experiences. Its classic trolley design adds a little historic personality while helping larger parties travel together.

Availability and service options vary, so groups should contact the company directly while making their plans.

How Will You Explore Mount Dora?

By boat, bite, Segway, electric cart, carriage or your own two feet, each experience reveals something different.

You may come for the lake views and discover a piece of local history. You may book a food tour and leave with a new favorite restaurant. You may think you know downtown, only to find a mural, garden, landmark or story you have passed without noticing.

That is part of the fun of Mount Dora: there is always another way to see it.

Before your visit, explore more local tour operators through the Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce directory, confirm schedules directly with each business and reserve popular experiences in advance.