- Florida oranges are a tourist attraction..fresh oranges image by leafy from Fotolia.com
The smaller cities around Orlando still feature a kind of homespun charm that can be a low-key alternative to the famous theme parks that dominate the area. Clermont, founded in 1884 and boasting a population of slightly more than 10,000 in 2010, is one such off-the-beaten-track tourist spot. But, even with its slower pace, Clermont offers a few attractions that can take a traveler back a half century to a simpler, typically southern Florida. - The Citrus Tower, built in 1956 as a tribute to one of Florida's main industries, sits on a ridge in the center of this sea-level state and rises about 226 feet in the air. Its total elevation is more than 500 feet, and the glass observation deck at the top has non-stop views of eight surrounding counties, dozens of spring-fed lakes and the rolling hills and famous citrus orchards of Central Florida.
For an up-close experience, visit The Showcase of Citrus, and pick your own oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, tangelos, lemons and limes from October through June. When you get tired of strolling through the groves, you can hop into their Monster Truck for an off-road Eco-Tour of the local terrain---cattle fields and swamp alligators included.
The Citrus Tower
141 N. Highway 27
Clermont, FL 34711
(352) 394-4061
citrustower.com
The Showcase of Citrus
5010 Highway 27
Clermont, FL 34714
(352) 267-9903
showcaseofcitrus.com - For a complete change of pace, rent some wheels at The Revolution Experience, an off-road, all-terrain attraction. Intrepid daredevils can try out ATVs on lake and woodland trails, dune buggies on sand trails and a water splash, 4x4s over boulders and down steep drops, and rally cars---with roll cages---on speed tracks. The full experience is about four to five hours of intense driving and is not for the faint of heart. Safety lessons are mandatory, and weight, height and drivers license restrictions apply.
The Revolution Off-Road Experience
4000 State Road 33
Clermont, Florida 34714
(352) 400-1322
revolutionoffroad.com - Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards sits on 127 acres in the heart of Florida's grape country. Muscadine grapes grow well here, but the vineyard also grows blanc du bois, and the winery blends sparkling wines to produce 80,000 cases a year. There are complimentary tours and wine tastings seven days a week, occasional festivals and more than 100,000 visitors sipping and sightseeing each year.
Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards
19239 U.S. 27 North
Clermont, Florida 34715
(800) 768-9463
lakeridgewinery.com - The Presidents Hall of Fame has a real Florida voting machine from the 2000 election, wax figures of all the U.S. Presidents and many of their wives and first ladies' gowns. This attraction also displays detailed miniature dioramas of White House rooms and other historic sites, a mechanical talking Abraham Lincoln and an astonishing assortment of kitsch and memorabilia. Nothing at the big theme parks compares---this attraction is one-of-a-kind. Bargain admission and free parking.
Presidents Hall of Fame
123 N. U.S. Highway 27
Clermont, FL 37411
(352) 394-2836
presidentshalloffame.com
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