Every year thousands of seaplanes splash land in Tavares, which proclaims itself America’s Seaplane City. Seaplane takeoffs and landings are common sites in the community tucked between three lakes 40 miles northwest of Orlando. But pilots aren’t the only ones who call the city of 20,000 people home. In fact, the city appeals to a wide range of residents, says Arrow Realty & Investments Realtor Rena MacPhee, who grew up in Tavares. The small city’s offerings vary from lively bars downtown to 55-plus communities on the edges of town.
The Tavares welcome sign recognizes its status as a seaplane destination.
Thousands of seaplanes land in Tavares every year.
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Nightlife scene includes submarine bar
MacPhee says Tavares hosts one of the best nightlife scenes in Lake County. Near Main Street, The Argonaut mixes craft cocktails in a lounge designed to look like a submarine. Patrons play cornhole on the lawn at The Dog House, a sports bar that’s open until 1 a.m. on the weekends. Locals may also chill with their dogs on the patio of Puddle Jumpers Lakeside Restaurant, catching sites of seaplanes landing in Lake Dora. “Tavares probably has the most restaurants in Lake County that are pet friendly,” MacPhee says. Residents head north of downtown to do shopping at Village Market Place of Tavares, a shopping center with a Winn-Dixie and Dollar General. AdventHealth Waterman provides emergency care and other medical services on the northeast side of the city.
The Mixologist at the Argonaut Bar and Lounge gives the patrons a show in Tavares.
Bands from all around come to play at The Dog House in Tavares.
A couple dances to the live music at one of the many restaurant bars in Tavares.
Come and eat out on the patio at Puddle Jumpers Lakeside Restaurant in Tavares.
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Seaplane-themed play area at Wooton Park
The city’s dozen parks and recreation centers include Wooton Park, where kids run through a seaplane-themed splash park in view of where the aircraft take off and land. Boaters put their vessels in Lake Dora at West Wooton Park Boat Ramp nearby. Boats and seaplanes park at the marinas that extend from the shore into the lake. Residents can wait out Florida’s frequent rain showers inside Woodlea Sports Complex, where boarders and skaters glide along the concrete terrain.
Families love to take their kids on hot days to the Splash Pad in Wooten Park in Tavares.
Boating is a popular past time in Tavares on Lake Dora.
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Kayakers and parachuters head to Lake Dora
Community events often make use of the town’s waterfront. During April’s Kayakathon, adults, kids and even dogs hop into kayaks and paddle nearly 4 miles through Lake Dora and Lake Eustis, stopping along the way for food and drink. In the summer, locals gather at Wooton Park to watch dozens of members of Phantom Airborne, a veterans group, leap out of a World War II-era aircraft and parachute into Lake Dora.
Tavares hosts beach volleyball tournaments on the weekends.
The Dora Queen paddle boat docks in Tavares.
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Midlevel homes prices for Lake County
Tavares is predominantly a city of homeowners. House styles include manufactured homes, ranch-style houses that sometimes come with backyard pools and lakeside Mediterranean estates. A few subdivisions are restricted to seniors. Condo complexes are scattered around town for those who need less space. Prices for two-bedroom mobile homes start at $55,000, while two-bedroom condo prices begin around $90,000. A five-bedroom waterfront house can cost as much as $2 million. However, the median price is around $275,000. Tavares isn’t the cheapest real estate market in Lake County, but prices tend to be lower than in the nearby communities of Mount Dora and Howey-in-the-Hills, MacPhee says. “Tavares is right in the middle of Lake County in terms of pricing.” Some residential areas along Lake Dora are in federally designated flood zones, so homebuyers may need to purchase flood insurance.
Some of the homes on the waterfront in Tavares have spacious floor plans.
A row of modern ranch style homes with attached garages sit in Lake Frances Estates, a 55+ community.
A row of mobile homes sit at Lake Point 55 Plus Mobile Homes in Vista del Largo, Tavares.
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Tavares High School operates business program
Children attending Lake County Schools are zoned to Tavares Elementary School and Tavares Middle School, both graded B-minus by Niche. Students can progress to Tavares High School, a B-rated school that participates in the national INCubatoredu program. Teens in this program learn business skills by developing products and services with real-world applications. Kids can get a private education at Liberty Christian Preparatory School, a B-rated school in Tavares for kindergarteners through 12th graders.
Built in 1926, Tavares High School is one of seven public high schools in Lake County.
Tavares Middle School was built in 1991 and hosts 975 students in grades 6-8.
Tavares Elementary School has 800 students in grades PK-5.
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A long drive to Orlando, airport
Most residents have cars and use them to drive to work. The commute to and from Orlando can take more than an hour during rush hour. Locals also zip between downtown Tavares businesses on golf carts, which are legal on city streets. Those who want to catch a flight on something other than a seaplane must drive 50 miles to Orlando International Airport.
The Florida city of Tavares borders three lakes.
Tavares locals have acess to Orlando on Highway 441.
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Written By
Sara Huffman
Photography Contributed By
Stephen Flint
Video By
Michael Voyack
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tania Matthews,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Tavares, FL sell after 78 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Tavares, FL over the last 12 months is $334,990, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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