On the shores of Lake Dora, Tavares has an unusual connection to aviation: the Tavares Seaplane Base & Marina is located on the lakeshore in the center of Wooton Park. Other attractions include the Dora Queen, the Dora Canal, and a museum about the city’s development. This gives you several ways to think of Tavares as a destination, whether you’re interested in the water, aviation, or history.
Lake Dora and the Dora Canal
The Dora Queen is an 80-foot New Orleans-style paddlewheel boat. It offers two-hour cruises with views of Lake Dora. This gives you a clearly defined time commitment for planning your visit; schedules and availability may change. Check both before making plans if you’d like to include the cruise.
The Dora Canal is also in Tavares and connects Lake Dora with Lake Eustis. It adds a geographical connection between two bodies of water to the perspective of a single lake. The Dora Queen offers a time-limited boat trip with views of Lake Dora; the canal represents the connection between the lakes.
Seaplanes and Wooton Park
The Tavares Seaplane Base is a public-use seaplane facility for VFR operations. This makes it particularly relevant for flight planning; check its operating status before flying. The FA1 fuel pump is available daily from 9 a.m. until the last fueling at 5 p.m. These operating hours may also change.
Wooton Park also has a splash pad designed for children and seaplanes. Its seasonal operation may vary. If you’re traveling with children and would like to include the splash pad, check its operating status for your travel dates. The two attractions in the same park serve different purposes: the Seaplane Base is an aviation facility, while the splash pad is specifically designed for children.
Local history and annual events
The Tavares History Museum preserves memories of Tavares’ earliest days and the city’s development from Florida ranchland. Its historical focus spans the city’s beginnings and its subsequent transformation. This adds a perspective on Tavares’ development to the themes of water and aviation.
Annual events in Tavares include the Sunnyland Boat Festival and the Fourth of July celebration. Check the exact dates for your planned travel year if you’d like to include one of these events in your stay.
Coordinate your travel dates and hotel search
The details for planning your dates vary in specificity: the Dora Queen cruise is two hours long, seasonal operation of the splash pad may vary, and festival dates depend on the year. So if you’re looking for hotels in Tavares, first decide which of these experiences you’d like to shape your visit.
Discover more destinations: Eustis, Howey-In-The-Hills, Clermont, Fruitland Park, Leesburg, Sorrento, Lady Lake, Groveland
For the broader travel overview: Lake.
