If you’ve got at any time observed on your own in Clermont you have probably learned what Clermont people now know: Historic Downtown Clermont is a delightfully charming metropolis not to be forgotten. With a $22 million grasp strategy to access completion this calendar year, two craft breweries now open up, lakefront trails, regular monthly wine walks and a walkable downtown (with loads of totally free parking spaces and a parking construction underway), it is a town on the cusp of getting to be the following major issue in Central Florida. And it is a deserving addition to your summer months working day vacation bucket record.
Current June 2022, by Sarah Bradley
End 1: Florida Citrus Tower
Built in 1956, the now 60+-12 months-aged Citrus Tower is the perfect spot to start out your day vacation. From atop the 226-foot observation tower (which is now air conditioned!), glass home windows give you an unobstructed 360-diploma see of the bordering space. On a very clear day, you can place the downtown Orlando skyline and Disney Springs in the length, with a nearer look at of the area’s scenic chain of lakes and landscape. The watch is well worth every penny of the nominal $10 admission rate. Retain up with the tower’s Fb web site for exclusive functions like rocket launch viewings and holiday break ticketed situations.
New everyday living has also been breathed into the foundation of the tower, with the addition of a welcoming coffee shop. The observation deck has also been renovated to incorporate air conditioning and a lot of seating. The tower is presently open to people Monday-Saturday from 7am-5pm.
Related: One of a kind Espresso Retailers in Orlando
Picture credit score: Florida Citrus Tower
Prevent 2: Caffeinate
Get your choose of 6 inviting espresso retailers, just about every with their have signature flare. Located outside the house of the downtown spot, Citrus Coffee Co. is situated at the base of the Florida Citrus Tower. Sip on a latte paired with a pastry just before heading up to the 15th flooring observation deck.
Citrus Coffee – Image credit: Dani Meyering
Flag Espresso Corner is a cozy nook to seize a cup of brew in the coronary heart of the Downtown Clermont Arts District. This spot is so effortless if you are having a stroll down the charming and historic Montrose Avenue. They offer a vintage assortment of espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, and even tasty Argentinian-influenced empanadas and pastries.
If you do locate you on Montrose Street, you can also slip into the Montrose Street Sector and search for out Golden Hills Coffee Roasters. This whole-support espresso and cold brew bar is household-owned and operated, and well known for their typical system of roasting their coffee by hand. Fun point: this shop is really the wholesale coffee service provider for a handful of significant coffee stores in Central Florida that we know and appreciate.
Yet another cup of Clermont’s greatest coffee can be located inside of Epic Cycles, a bicycle store and recovery lounge hybrid with a peek-a-boo watch of Lake Minneola. The Electricity Lab Café delivers every little thing from single origin coffee to resourceful signature sips, kombucha, teas and smoothies. For coffee aficionados, your cup is produced to order (and only served black) with the café’s distinctive Steampunk espresso brewer. Bakery products from Olde Fireside Bread Co. are available together with the drink menu.
On the outskirts of historic downtown, Just Like Espresso Roasters is a franchised coffee shop and cafe with a mission to aid neighborhood communities. The Clermont area was opened by earlier NFL participant and Orlando native Chris Johnson in 2021. If you are in require of fundraising, the Just Love Espresso Roasters dining places offer a fundraising application to assistance family members fund their will cause.
Of class, you also can generally rely on our aged devoted, Foxtail Espresso, at their Clermont location–one of the quite a few places of the beloved coffee store in Central Florida.
Stop 3: Strike the Trails
Aspect of Clermont’s charm is its lakefront placing. From downtown, you’re just mere steps away from the shore of Lake Minneola, framed by Waterfront Park and a paved walking path. From in this article, you can established out to investigate the South Lake Path (Lake Apopka Trail), which stretches for 25 miles ahead of linking up with the West Orange Trail. Carry your very own bikes to cruise the path, or prepare a drop-off bike rental from The Journey Xperience. Beware: this path is complete of hills, just like Clermont!
If you’d instead acquire a walk, check out the trails at the Clermont Arts & Recreation Centre. Opt for from a shady .5-mile trail and a for a longer time 1-mile grassy trail. Parking is free and you can convey your leashed pup along for the exciting.
On the water, paddle the Palatlakaha Operate, a scenic waterway trail that is section of Lake County’s Blueways Application. The trail winds via 6 of the 17 lakes comprising the Clermont Chain of Lakes, as perfectly as the Palatlakaha River. FYI: The Florida Angler in downtown Clermont has an brilliant Chain of Lakes map for reference.
Halt 4: Waterfront Park Picnic
Here’s a enjoyable truth: Clermont has a specific amusement district that is open up container. As very long as you are in just the boundaries (the location between Lake Ave and West Avenue from the shore of Lake Minneola back again to W Desoto Road) and have your beer or wine in a distinct plastic cup, you are free to stroll and sip.
For a intimate lunch, pick up bites along with wine, champagne or beer from a community eatery and head to Waterfront Park for a tranquil lakefront picnic. There are many benches, a great deal of shaded eco-friendly place, and even a few picnic tables scattered through the entertainment district. Bacchus Vino Etcetera has an outstanding craft beer selection alongside with wine and wine coolers, as does Corelli’s Pantry. The latter also has some delectable to-go desserts, as well as calzones, stromboli, pizzas, salads, applications and far more.
Waterfront Park
Stop 5: Store + Brewery Hop
After your lakefront lunch, dedicate some time to the heart of Downtown Clermont. You will obtain boutiques and retailers specializing in every little thing from out of doors and fishing gear to dwelling goods, outfits, art, wine and additional together with eateries, sweet shops and two craft breweries.
Peruse The Downtown Trade for a wide variety of sellers all positioned below a person roof. On a sizzling working day, or any day actually, phase into Corelli’s Dolceria for genuine gelatos from Italy (I can vouch for the salted caramel) and sweets, as well as adorable selfie spots about the store depicting idyllic Italian scenes.
Corelli’s Dolceria Italiana
Keep on on to Clermont’s two craft breweries: Suncreek Brewery and Clermont Brewing Company. Suncreek Brewery has a current market-type vibe, like a mini Plant Avenue Current market, sharing house with two eateries: Michael’s Ali Coal Fired Pizza and MAC’d Out. Purchase a beer flight to sample a bit of everything (IPA enthusiasts will be at property here). Sit within to view the bustling brewery underneath or outside to enjoy garden game titles on the outside patio area.
Clermont Brewing Corporation is positioned just a couple blocks away, serving up signature brews along with a whole food items menu and craft cocktails. There are at this time 10 beers readily available at the brewery, which is helmed by brewmaster Eric Brown. Aside from the tasty pizzas and bar bites, the brewery also serves sushi.
Suncreek Brewery
Finally, you simply cannot overlook the new Montrose Road Marketplace–a shared community house that hosts 8 diverse sellers. This regional accumulating place is so varied, giving a meals corridor with special flavors and cuisines, are living tunes, retail, espresso, and a bar. The retailers you’ll uncover listed here include: Golden Hills Espresso Roasters, PokeKai, Style and design Sushi, Box Grill & Smoked BBQ, The Brave Burger, The Delicious Crepes, Pico Bistro, and Sir Benji’s Donuts.
The upbeat and lively energy in this sector breathes so a great deal lifestyle into historic downtown Clermont and actually has a thing for everyone.
End 6: Lake Louisa Condition Park
Clermont’s scenic rolling hills and lush citrus groves are the to start with indication you aren’t in Orlando anymore. If you’ve received time to spare, it’s really worth the drive to nearby Lake Louisa Condition Park. The park functions miles of winding mountaineering trails, a seaside alongside Lake Louisa, kayaking tours, guided horseback path rides, tenting, and glamping in luxe tents.
For an quick hike, enter the park and acquire the very first ideal change (not much past the cabins on your remaining). Park your car or truck at the initial or next trailhead, following the path from marker 28 or 25 (based on exactly where you start out) to the shore at Lake Louisa. The hike will take about 30 minutes at a leisurely tempo and is mainly shaded. You’ll stop at the boardwalk to the beach at Lake Louisa. Here’s a helpful map to save, or talk to for a person when entering the park.
Lake Louisa Condition Park
Halt 7: Supper for Two
End your epic working day vacation with a intimate meal for two. Root & Department is Clermont’s go-to date evening restaurant that includes an upscale vibe and farm-to-table menu. The restaurant ordinarily hosts wine dinners at the time a month during the fall year, fantastic for a unique day night time. Other notable offerings consist of ½ off wine bottles every single Wednesday and a farm-to-table brunch with unlimited mimosas (featuring contemporary-squeezed OJ) on Saturdays and Sundays.
For a a lot more informal date, head to The Crooked Spoon gastropub to indulge in ridiculously fantastic burgers and cocktails. Test the gigantic Blueberry & Brie Burger produced with Florida Angus beef, Brie cheese, mushroom ragout, blueberry compote and arugula served on a brioche bun.
The Crooked Spoon
If you’ve acquired a taste for Southern flavors, The Southern on 8th is a newly-opened Southern up to date kitchen area and bourbon bar that is a have to-consider. Their ease and comfort dishes are organized in a scratch kitchen with contemporary components (the wait for your food items could choose a bit longer thanks to their scratch technique, but it is usually value it.) Really don’t fail to remember to quit by for brunch-exceptional cocktails on the weekends and their New Orleans-motivated menu on Unwanted fat Tuesdays (just about every Tuesday).
Additional Date-Worthy Routines
CLERMONT WINE WALKS + WINE STROLLS
Bacchus Vino Etcetera and Corelli’s perform alongside one another on the city’s well-beloved wine walks and wine strolls, investing off who hosts from month to month. Bacchus Vino Etcetera hosts wine walks on the 3rd Friday every single other month from 6:30-9pm. For just $15 you’ll get your sampling glass and map additionally an entry for doorway prizes.
Corelli’s Wine Strolls take area on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 6-9pm. The charge is $15. Verify Fb for the latest info relating to wine walks.
EATS
This post genuinely only scratches the area of Clermont’s eateries. Other noteworthy alternatives include things like Amish Pretzel Shop (so excellent!), Ay Jalisco Mexican Restaurant (excellent margaritas), and Papa’s Diner (recognised for their common breakfasts). Also check out the weekly Downtown Clermont Farmer’s Industry on Sundays starting at 9am.
BLUEBERRY Finding
A 20-minute drive from Historic Downtown Clermont (a short stint of which is on a clay street), Southern Hill Farms is the place to be for the duration of blueberry season in April and May. The farm attributes a large pavilion providing scrumptious food stuff and blueberry beverages additionally rolling hills dotted with numerous types of blueberries ripe for choosing.
Blueberry Picking at Southern Hill Farms
Coming Quickly
The Grasp System for Clermont is presently scheduled for its 3rd phase of completion. This section locations its target on the beloved Downtown Clermont and includes advancements on the streetscape, landscaping, light fixtures, and total beautification of the city.
The future factor to retain an eye out for is the forthcoming downtown parking composition. Although there is previously a slew of free parking spaces, the need for room is usually rising. The city is presently in the process of evaluating web-sites and expenditures for the framework, and will decide on a desired internet site soon.
All photos by Stephanie Patterson unless of course or else famous