Road Trips Central CENTRAL RE GION Get in touch with nature on these Central Florida byways. From oceans and national forests to space travel, these road trips will take you to beaches and beyond. ➎ Green Mountain Scenic Byway Explore the laid-back side of Central Florida as you travel this 19-mile stretch just west of Orlando, from Mount Dora down to Winter Garden. October to March is the area’s festival season, with events including the Wings and Wildfl owers Festival in October and Birdapalooza in February. Most of Florida is pretty fl at, but at 312 feet above sea level, Sugarloaf Ridge attracts bicyclists from around the world. Whether you’re a serious enthusiast or a casual rider, a two-wheeled ride around this verdant landscape is a great way to start your visit. Make it to the top of the hill—the second-highest point in the state—and you’ll be rewarded with expansive views of Orlando, Lake Apopka and nearby nature preserves. Venture State Road 455 in Ferndale out on your own, or join the masses for the annual Mount Dora Bicycle Festival in October or the annual Horrible Hundred event in November. Once your quads are burning, reward yourself with some R&R in picturesque Mount Dora. This town about 30 miles northwest of Orlando oozes charm with its walkable downtown of antique shops, inviting B&Bs and Lake Dora sunsets. Enjoy a boat tour through the Dora Canal, savor a mimosa during brunch on the veranda of the historic Lakeside Inn, or get lost in the corn maze at Long & Scott Farms. While the town is a great place to unwind, it comes alive several times a year during its semi-annual Renninger’s Antique Extravaganza and Mount Dora Craft Fair. From here, continue south another 20 miles or so to Winter Garden. This town just west of the buzzing theme park scene o ers plenty of laid-back attractions. Stroll through the historic downtown, browse the merchants at Plant Street Market, and check out the relics at the Winter Garden Heritage Museum. A sweet fi nishing touch on your journey is a visit to Showcase of Citrus in Clermont. As the name implies, this is the place to pick your own fruit or slurp an orange juice slushie in the country store. But that’s only the beginning. You can also sample fruit wines, see farm animals and tour the grounds in a monster truck. ð 20 4 VISITFLORIDA.com PHOTO: TOM BURTON
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