Tavares Homes and Real Estate

“When I got here in 2006, there was an occasional seaplane splash-in and the pilot and passengers would go into a local Irish restaurant, get a hamburger and iced tea and fly out,” said City Administrator John Drury. “In talking to the pilots, they said it would be nice to have a seaplane ramp and fuel, so the community talked about investing in a seaplane base and marina and a virtual runway on the lake. Once we did research and learned about the first recorded seaplane flight right here in our area, we realized we had a history of seaplanes to draw from.”

The town—including then-Mayor Nancy Clutts, The East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, the City Council, business community, even the faith community– joined together to create a vision of what Tavares could be if, as Drury says, “everyone started rowing in the same direction at the same time at the right time.”

They needed this common goal; Tavares, like many smaller communities, was losing business in the downtown core. The goal was to beef up the economy of the town, create jobs and, quite frankly, create an identity for Tavares that distinguished it from other cities and towns in Central Florida.

As a result of this collaboration by those on Team Tavares, a Downtown Development Plan was created, along with a Implementation Plan that would bring the vision to reality. With the plan in place, the city borrowed $8 million and went to work.

First was the Tavares Seaplane Base & Marina (FAI), which is a FAA-approved seaplane airport coupled with a recreational boating marina. It is located in Wooten Park on the Lake Dora waterfront. The city owns the public use seaplane base. The city not only recreated the waterfront and “the world’s smallest airport terminal building” but it invented The Prop Shop, located in the historic Woodlea House, as the center for operations,

The plan didn’t end there. The community built a 3,000 foot FAA-approved virtual runway on Lake Dora, then three boutique hotel buildings sprang up in the area and a new wedding events pavilion became a popular spot for ceremonies. Other enterprises followed: A seaplane scenic tour operator, a FAA- approved passenger air charter, a seaplane manufacturing building, and a flight training center, along with shops and restaurants to serve those coming into the community.

“We are one of the first cities in Florida to be designated a golf cart community,” Drury said. “We have a lively downtown entertainment district, where people can walk from one location to another with a drink, and enjoy several bands at the restaurants. Our residents often come into the downtown in their golf carts.”

Not only is this seaplane operation home to a scenic seaplane touring company, it is also a frequent seaplane stop for these vehicles traveling back and forth to the nearby Bahamas and other islands near to Florida.

America’s Seaplane City is far removed from the original plan for Tavares when Alexander St. Clair-Abrams first created the small town in 1880 and named in for his Portuguese ancestor. The railroad and newspaper man wanted Tavares as the state capital, but a fire, sparked by a train on one of the rail lines that converged in Tavares, destroyed much of the area, and as a result, the state pulled Tavares off the list as potential capital of Florida.

However, Tavares is the capital of Lake County, one of the fastest growing counties in the state, which is projected to grow from more than 400,000 in 2020 to 780,000 by 2050.

If you like water, Tavares is your dream location. Four lakes in the Harris Chain of Lakes– Lake Dora, Lake Eustis, Little Lake Harris and Big Lake Harris–encircle Tavares. The great thing about Tavares is that there are events on solid ground, such as the annual Christmas Celebration on the first Saturday of December, complete with the Christmas parade as well as lake-focused activities that draw residents and visitors alike.

• Obviously Tavares offers a seaplane experience. Jonas Brothers Air & Seaplane Adventures has several tours and charters available that can provide this experience. There’s the Harris Chain & River Run, which is a 15-minute ride over Lake Eustis to Lake Griffin and the Ocklawaha River, where you can enjoy a “Splash-and-Dash”, where the pilot touches the seaplane down on the water before taking off again. Want a longer event? Try the Gator Tour over Lake Apopka to spot alligators, or a “Splash-and-Dash” that begins with a seaplane ride and finishes with a kayak or stand-up paddleboard experience. Other opportunities include a breakfast, lunch or romantic fly-in or the Seaplane Bar Hop where participants can visit beaches or docks on several of the Harris Chain of Lakes destinations.
• Get Wet Watersports rents jet skis, 10 and 12-person pontoons, a Craig Cat that seats two, or for a breathtaking experience, try a 3-hour sunset cruise on a 10-person pontoon.
• You don’t have to go to the Mississippi River to have the nostalgic steamboat experience. The Dora Queen is an 80-foot New Orleans style paddleboat, based in Tavares which is available for two-hour public cruises or is a special location for private events. The paddleboat travels along Lake Dora.
• In March, Tavares hosts the Seaplane Competition featuring the seaplanes’
• first floats off water, spot landings and melon drops into the lake. In October, the Rocktoberfest features a Monster Splash Seaplane Fly-in which offers seaplane competitions, rock music and special events for kids.
• Spring brings a unique event, the Sunnyland Festival, the largest antique and classic boating (where wooden boats are featured) on the East Coast. It is a three-day festival, where there is a nautical flea market and various exhibits.
• The Spring Festival and Duck Race is an April activity at the Big River Marina, with live music and a rubber duck race.
• Take a trip to the nearby Clermont Performing Arts Center in the spring to attend a concert featuring the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra playing many pop music favorites.
• South of Tavares is the Far Reach Ranch UPICK Farm, which began as a cattle range and orange grove and is now known for its blueberries, available seasonally from March to May, and its live music, and hayrides. From December to March, it’s strawberry pickin’, and from April to June there are blackberries ready for the picking. In addition, The Packing House on the property hosts weddings, concerts and special events. It is recommended that visitors call the ranch at 352-343-7389 before arriving since weather or field maintenance conditions can change the schedule.