By Kathleen Walls
Once the citrus industry was the prime business of Clermont, Florida. The great freeze of 1981 combined with the growth of tourism, fueled by nearby Orlando’s Disney World and other theme parks ended Lake County’s citrus rule over central Florida. However, Clermont combines its heritage to cash in on tourism. You will find many fun activities for the whole family when visiting Clermont. Many of the attractions celebrate its citrus heritage.
The Florida Citrus Tower
One of Florida’s first attractions built in 1956, The Florida Citrus Tower is one of the highest observation points in all of Florida. From its observation deck, you can see Orlando and Disney World. However, since Disney World did not open until 1971, it once looked out over miles of orange groves. You can get orange-flavored coffee or tea drinks in the Citrus Tower Coffee Shop on the ground floor and ride the elevator up 22 stories to gaze out for about 35 miles in all directions.
When it first opened, you would have seen miles of citrus groves. I remember driving this area, in spring back in the late ‘60s, and the fragrant scent of orange blossoms was overpowering. The pale yellow blossoms looked like a lacy floral bouquet on both sides of the highways and byways.
House of Presidents
There’s a little-known museum with a giant theme around the corner from Citrus Tower. The museum opened as the President’s Hall of Fame in 1964 when Disney World and the other central Florida theme parks were just a dream. At that time it was a wax museum showcasing USA presidents. John Zweifel and his wife, Jan, bought the museum and converted it to House of Presidents in the early 1990s.
The exterior is a cross between the White House and the Lincoln Memorial with Abe Lincoln sitting in his chair in front. There is a replica of Mount Rushmore outside. A somewhat decrepit presidential limousine from the Carter and Regan administration era is in the parking lot. There is memorabilia from every president. The hall’s key piece is a 1,200-square-foot replica of the White House. It is often on tour and may not be there when you visit. There are still many wax figures of the presidents and mannequins of the first ladies wearing their favorite gowns.
You’ll see lots of miniatures which were a favorite of John Zweifel. Not all relate to presidents. There is a wax head of Mark Twain. Another item not unrelated to presidents, but interesting, is a three-ring circus designed by John Zweifel when he was twelve years old. The museum is ran by his sons since he passed away.
Clermont Historic Village Museum
A short distance away there is another piece of history. This one related to Clermont when it was a major citrus producer. Clermont Historic Village Museum has moved and restored the homes and buildings of some early settlers who became part of citrus growing and formed a thriving city.
My favorite house was the Townsend House built about 1895 for Sallie and James Townsend, the first Black family in Clermont. The house is a two-story white frame with the boards running vertically instead of horizontally. I met Maureen Potter, a docent at the village and she told me a bit about the history of the homes.
The Townsends came to become citrus farmers but, instead, when they arrived, James opened a small store and founded the St. Mark A.M.E. Church which is still in operation, and a school for African American children. Sallie had been a midwife in Orlando and delivered babies for both Black and white families. The home is furnished simply as it would have been when the Townsend’s lived there.
Another fascinating house is the home of Alexander and Eleonora Kern. They were a more well-to-do family who were among the first settlers. The two-story slightly Victorian-looking house dates to 1885. Alexander opened a mercantile store and loaned new residents money to build a home as an incentive to bring people here. When they paid off the mortgage, he gave them a bedroom set.
Besides the two homes, the village has a memorial library, a railroad depot, an outhouse, WWII Museum, a Hooks Schoolhouse, a Grace Chapel, and a little library.
Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards
Another kind of fruit is a major attraction in Clermont. Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards is the largest premium winery in Florida. It began in 1989. They grow Muscadine grapes to produce Florida native wines on 127 acres of land that was once an orange grove until the freeze of 1981.
I love the free tasting and tours they offer daily. You get your sample glass and walk between workers who offer samples of their varied wines from dry to sweet. There’s video that tells about the early days, and how Gary Cox began Lakeridge with just a small five-acre test plot that grew to today’s huge operation. They produce over 1500 cases of sparkling and table wines daily from Florida hybrid and Muscadine grapes at the over 28,000 square feet facility.
They have an entire case filled with the many ribbons and awards Lakeridge Winery have won over the years. I visited on the weekend, so I could enjoy their Weekends at the Winery where there was live entertainment, a food court, and a wine bar on Saturdays and Sundays.
Suncreek Brewery
Clermont’s first craft brewery in Clermont opened in late 2018. Suncreek Brewery offers crafted brews and live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night plus it’s kid and dog-friendly. Owner, Bill Downs, loved brewing from an early age. He moved to Florida as an adult and loved the sunshine and his other hobby, off-road mudding, where he drove off-road through mud and creeks. When he opened the brewery he combined those two so Suncreek was born.
It’s in a brand-new building downtown just a short distance from Waterfront Park. It’s near the paved South Lake Trail, which winds around Lake Mineola. The brewery is in a two-story area at the rear of the building and there’s a mezzanine where guests can walk around from the upper lever taproom and watch the brewing process below. Clermont allows open containers within the downtown area so you can walk with a cold brew.
Suncreek Brewery has a food court with three restaurants on site. Michael’s Ali Coal-fired Pizza which also has a restaurant in Winter Garden, serves handmade pizzas that are baked in the hot coal-heated oven. That makes the crust crispy on the outside and soft and bready inside. He had added a unique twist on Mac and Cheese dished with a small side restaurant, Mac’d Out that lets you create your version of mac and cheese with your choice of veggies added.
Suncreek Cafe makes salads, sandwiches, tacos bowls, and seasonal specials while you watch. I loved the St. Louis Ribs Special. There’s a shared dog-friendly patio where you can enjoy your meal and drink.
Waterfront Park
Waterfront Park is just a few blocks down from Suncreek Brewery. It’s on the shore of Lake Minneola, a 1,906-acre lake with South Lake Trail winding around it. The park has a beachfront for swimming and a pier, cabana, playground, and water park with fun things for kids to enjoy. It’s a perfect spot to launch your kayaks, canoes, or other boats. There is the South Lake biking and walking trail around the lake to get your steps in as you enjoy the scenery.
Farmer’s Market
Clermont Farmer’s Market in downtown Clermont is open every Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm with over 50 vendors and food trucks and, yes, you will find local oranges and other citrus there.
The other market, Johnson’s Village Marketplace, had a lovely farmers’ market plus several food venues right next to the Clermont Historic Village Museum, but it has been shut down. It’s hoped someone will buy and reopen the market but in the meantime, it’s still worth a visit as Johnson’s Village Marketplace Plaza will remain open. There’s an outdoor bar, The Whistle Stop, that is open. It is a full bar with beer, wine, and cocktails Tuesday to Sunday 11 AM to 7 PM. They do an everyday Happy Hour from 11 AM to 2 PM with $4 Coors, Michelob Ultra, House Wine, or Sangria.
Leo’s BBQ, an American and Brazilian restaurant, is still open in one of the airstream trailers onsite. It’s a smaller version of Leo’s brick-and-mortar restaurant near Citrus Tower. The Brazilian touches make their BBQ unique. I have been told LeMont Coffee Express will open in the second airstream.
The plaza is a great spot to relax where kids and dogs can play on a large outdoor shared patio. There’s even a self-service dog wash station called Dirty Dogs Done Dirt Cheap.
Lake Hiawatha Preserve
Lake Hiawatha Preserve, a 220-acre passive park with two dog parks, a playground, a picnic pavilion, Champions Pointe Disc Golf Course, rated one of the top 100 courses in the world by disc golfers, and more. You can hike Lake Minneola Trail around the lake. Their kid zone is a homestead-themed playground.
The Crooked Spoon
For comfortable upscale dining, try The Crooked Spoon. This gastropub near Citrus Tower grew from a food truck into a restaurant serving innovative chef-driven dishes. Chef Steve Saelg, Crooked Spoon’s owner grew up in a traditional Italian family with a love of food. Chef Steve began with his food truck in Orlando which was so well received he opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant. His menu is extensive ranging from salads and many classic entrées. His Florida Angus beef burgers from back in the food truck days made him famous.
The Crooked Spoon is nominated for this year’s Best Place for a Burger in the South Lake Chamber of Commerce contest. Still, I chose the meatloaf. It was a huge serving, well-seasoned and served with broccoli. Crooked Spoon has a large, well-equipped bar.
Lake Louisa State Park
If you are looking for someplace different to stay, Lake Louisa State Park offers cabins, full hookup sites, tent camping, and glamping. It’s a great place for fishing, hiking, and horseback riding and is a minute’s drive from downtown Clermont.
Clermont is a look at the real old-time Florida. It’s close to the theme parks of Central Florida but so much more peaceful.
