Clermont, FL

If you think Florida is completely flat, Clermont will surprise you. Perched along the rolling hills of the Lake Wales Ridge, the city offers some of the most distinctive elevation in Central Florida, complete with panoramic views and winding hilltop roads. The iconic Citrus Tower, built in the 1950s, was originally designed to give visitors a look across endless orange groves. While neighborhoods and lakefront homes have largely replaced the old citrus industry, the tower's observation deck is still open and remains a fun spot to see the surrounding landscape. Down below, a chain of spring-fed lakes weaves through the area, with Lake Minneola sitting right at the edge of downtown.

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Downtown Clermont centers around Waterfront Park on the shores of Lake Minneola. It is a favorite local hangout where paved paths connect to regional bike trails, and residents spend weekends paddleboarding, jogging, or relaxing by the water. The surrounding streets stay active with a weekly Sunday farmers market and popular monthly food truck rallies. A few blocks away, the Clermont Historic Village offers an easy walk through the area's pioneer days. You can explore a preserved 1920s train depot and visit the home of James and Sallie Townsend, two prominent early leaders who helped establish the community's first school and church for Black residents.

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Clermont has also earned a reputation as a major destination for athletes, often called the "Choice of Champions." The terrain attracts everyone from casual joggers to professional triathletes and Olympic runners. The famous 10-mile Clay Loop winds along soft, unpaved red clay roads through the hills, while the National Training Center provides top-tier facilities, community gym programs, and sports medicine. Lake Minneola and Waterfront Park regularly host 5Ks, cycling events, and rowing regattas, making fitness and outdoor recreation a natural part of the local lifestyle.

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When you want to head inside, the Clermont Performing Arts Center brings in stand-up comedy, touring musicians, and community theater productions across its two stages. On any given weekend, you can watch a lakeside race, grab lunch at a downtown brewery, pick up fresh produce at the market, or catch an evening show. With its scenic hills, great lakes, and easy access to Orlando, Clermont gives new residents an energetic, outdoor-friendly lifestyle with plenty of small-town charm.