Riverest Waterfront Resort

Riverest Waterfront Resort has direct access to the Dora Canal for some of the most scenic watery times you'll have anywhere in Florida... Have a wander along the banks or take a cruise out to see the canal's varied wildlife: alligators, turtles, otters, raccoons, snakes and bald eagles can all be spotted here among the canal's centenarian cypress trees. The Dora runs right through the Resort, connecting Lake Dora and Lake Eustis which are both only a few minutes' drive away for fishing and – perhaps? – a few more boat trips. Lake Dora's local town of Mount Dora is well worth a visit too, for a look at one of its many festivals of arts and crafts throughout the year. (Around the lake is some of the most eye-wateringly expensive real estate in Lake Country, so go along to feel some envy.) Also running festivals and events all year round is the seaplane city of Tavares: plane spotting is the main event here, but you'll also find jetski competitions, antique boat and car shows, food festivals, a classic race boat regatta, an African-American heritage festival, dragonboat races and the intriguingly-named the monster splash seaplane fly-in… The Resort team reckons that a must in Tavares in a ride on the 1907 steam train the Orange Blossom Cannonball aka the Tavares, Eustis & Gulf Railroad, puffing along for an hour and 45 minutes between Tavares and Mount Dora and passing many scenic spots includiung Riverest on its way. Back in town, find eateries and watering holes at the thriving waterfront area.