Why Clermont Belongs on Your Radar
Clermont is one of the fastest-growing cities in Central Florida, and for good reason. The hills are real -- actual rolling terrain in a state famous for being flat -- and the lakes are everywhere. If you want a day out that isn't chain restaurants and strip malls, this is the spot. This guide covers outdoor adventure, local food, craft drinks, and a few spots that most visitors still haven't found.
Start Outside: Lakes, Trails, and Water
Clermont Waterfront Park
330 3rd St, Clermont, FL 34711 | clermontfl.gov | Free
This is Clermont's living room. The park sits on Lake Minneola and offers a fishing pier, a paved walking trail, a playground, and seasonal swimming. Open daily from 7 AM to 10 PM. It's also where major community events like Pig on the Pond happen, so check the city calendar if you're planning a weekend visit.
PADL
330 3rd St, Clermont, FL 34711 | Free to browse; rental fees vary
Right at Waterfront Park, PADL rents paddleboards and offers guided lake experiences on Lake Minneola. Open daily starting at 6 AM, which makes it a strong option if you want to get on the water before the crowds arrive.
Luxe Jet Ski & ATV Rentals Orlando
100 3rd St, Clermont, FL 34711 | luxejetskirentalorl.com | (407) 955-1667
Veteran-owned and operating on the Clermont Chain of Lakes, Luxe offers premium Sea-Doo rentals alongside guided Can-Am ATV tours through Florida state forest trails. Open daily 10 AM -- 6 PM.
West Beach Park
1215 Lake Minneola Dr, Clermont, FL 34711 | Free
A quieter lakefront alternative to Waterfront Park, West Beach offers beach access and swimming on Lake Minneola. Open daily from 6 AM to 8 PM. Less foot traffic than the main park, which is the point.
Minneola Trailhead Park
315 Madison St, Minneola, FL 34715 | Free | Open daily 7 AM -- 7 PM
This 17-acre park is the launch point for the 12.5-mile South Lake Trail. Beyond the trail access, the park has a dog park, skate park, basketball court, playground, and ball fields. If you're cycling, this is where a lot of locals start their Saturday rides. Trek Clermont on Hancock Road is nearby for bike rentals and repairs if you need gear.
Lake Hiawatha Preserve
450 12th St, Clermont, FL 34711 | Free | Open daily 6 AM -- 8 PM
A 220-acre passive park on Lake Minneola with two dog parks, a playground, a picnic pavilion, and the Champions Pointe Disc Golf Course -- rated among the top 100 courses in the world according to the park description. Compact and underrated.
Lake Louisa State Park
7305 US Highway 27, Clermont, FL 34714 | floridastateparks.org | $ | Daily 8 AM -- sundown
4,300 acres of hiking, swimming, kayaking, camping, and guided eco-tours. Lake Louisa holds one of the area's only swimmable lakes, and the rolling terrain is genuinely surprising for Central Florida. Check the park website for current fees and camping reservations before you go.
Crooked River Preserve
11121 Lake Louisa Rd, Clermont, FL 34711 | Free | Daily 8 AM -- 8 PM
A 63-acre nature preserve with a 1.7-mile loop through forested wetlands, sinkholes, and cypress-lined riverbank between Lake Louisa and the Palatlakaha River. Free entry with canoe access and restrooms at the trailhead. Low-key and worth it.
Agritourism: Farm Experiences Worth the Drive
Blueberry Hill Farm Enterprises
5000 Berry Groves Rd, Clermont, FL 34714 | blueberryhillorganics.com | (352) 574-6215
U-pick blueberry farm and agritourism attraction promoting organic farming practices. Amenities include farm tours and event hosting -- check their website for current seasonal hours and availability since u-pick farms run on harvest schedules.
Drink: Breweries, Wine, and Bars
Suncreek Brewery
790 W Minneola Ave Unit 3, Clermont, FL 34711 | suncreekbrewery.com | (407) 850-8810
Clermont's first craft brewery, established in 2018, sits on the Legacy Loop Trail near Lake Minneola. They share a complex with coal-fired pizza and mac-and-cheese restaurant partners, so you can make a full afternoon of it. Open Sunday at 10 AM if you want the mellow brunch-crowd vibe.
Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards
19239 N. US Highway 27, Clermont, FL 34715 | lakeridgewinery.com | (352) 394-8627
Florida's largest premium winery, with over 30 years of producing award-winning wines. Tours, tastings, and regular music and food festivals happen here year-round. Open Monday -- Saturday 10 AM -- 5 PM, Sunday 11 AM -- 5 PM. The festival weekends draw big crowds, so plan accordingly.
Back 40 Wine Co
719 West Ave, Clermont, FL 34711 | back40wineco.com | (352) 849-3637
A more intimate wine bar option downtown. Opens at 4 PM daily -- Friday and Saturday they stay open until midnight. Good option for an evening wind-down after a day on the trail.
Blushin' Bubbles
716 W Montrose St, Clermont, FL 34711 | inmimosaswetrust.com | (407) 704-0150
The name tells you exactly what you're getting. Open Tuesday -- Friday until 7 or 8 PM, Sunday until 3 PM for brunch. The mimosa bar crowd shows up here on weekends.
Sud's Bottleshop & Saloon
821 W. Minneola Ave., Clermont, FL 34711 | (608) 212-6692
Craft beer bottle shop and saloon in the downtown core. Wednesday through Saturday they're open until 10 or 11 PM. If you want to browse a craft beer selection and drink it there, this is the spot.
Eat: The Clermont Food Scene
Clermont's restaurant lineup is more international than you'd expect for a city this size.
Huarike Peruvian Cuisine
658 West Ave, Clermont, FL 34711 | order.toasttab.com | (352) 227-3188
Peruvian food is criminally underrepresented in Central Florida, and Huarike is the real thing. Open daily noon -- 9 PM (until 10 PM on weekends).
Root & Branch Bistro + Bar
1200 Oakley Seaver Dr, Ste 102, Clermont, FL 34711 | rootandbranchbistroandbar.com | $$$ | (352) 708-4529
Multiple Taste of South Lake award winner. The fried green tomatoes are the locally famous starter, and the upscale-but-casual atmosphere earns it the "special occasion" slot without being stiff about it. Dinner starts at 4 PM weekdays, 11 AM on weekends.
COSA NOSTRA ITALIAN DELI
798 W Montrose St, Clermont, FL 34711 | cosanostra-italiandeli.com | (352) 227-3740
Italian deli in historic downtown with outdoor seating. Open 8 AM daily -- which makes it a legitimate breakfast and lunch option alongside dinner.
Guru Indian Restaurant
2400 S Hwy 27, Ste 101, Clermont, FL 34711 | guruindianrestaurant.com | $$ | (352) 241-9884
Repeatedly voted Best Indian Restaurant in Central Florida by the South Lake Chamber of Commerce. Family-owned, with tandoori and biryani specialties. Open daily 11 AM -- 10:30 PM, which is unusually late for this area.
The Friar Tuck
601 Cagan Park Ave, Ste 401, Clermont, FL 34714 | thefriartuck.com | $$ | (352) 989-4001
Authentic British plates -- full English breakfasts, bangers and mash, proper fish and chips. A genuinely unusual find for Lake County. Saturday and Sunday brunch starting at 10 AM. A genuinely unusual find.
Cheeser's Palace Cafe and Catering
707 W. Montrose St., Clermont, FL 34711 | cheeserspalace.com | (352) 404-9431
Cheese-centric cafe with American breakfasts and lunches, cheese classes, and a chocolate shop. Open Tuesday -- Sunday 8 AM -- 2 PM. Good morning anchor for a downtown Clermont day.
The View at Clermont National
2601 Clermont National Dr, Clermont, FL 34711 | viewclermont.com | $$ | (352) 227-3535
Restaurant and bar at Clermont National Golf Club with panoramic views stretching toward Disney. New York-style pizza, fresh bowls, driving range access, and weekend live music. Saturday and Sunday open at 10 AM. The view alone is worth the stop.
Leo's Grill & Barbecue
157 N Hwy 27, Clermont, FL 34711 | leosbarbecue.com | $$ | (352) 227-3014
American and Brazilian barbecue at The Citrus Tower location, specializing in brisket, picanha, and homemade beef pastrami smoked over hickory and oak. Tuesday -- Sunday, 11 AM -- 7 or 8 PM depending on the day.
Coffee and Daytime Stops
Historic Downtown Clermont on Montrose Street has a walkable cluster of independent cafes worth knowing.
The Black Rabbit Bookbar
650 7th St, Clermont, FL 34711 | linktr.ee/theblackrabbitbookbar | (352) 663-1888
Fantasy-and-horror-themed cafe and bookshop with specialty handmade coffee and tea drinks alongside a curated collection of dark literature, mystery, and horror books. Pet-friendly, kid-friendly, wifi available. Open daily 9 AM -- 7 PM (until 4 PM Sundays). The most original concept in downtown Clermont.
Gurch Coffee Co.
639 8th Street, Clermont, FL 34711 | gurchcoffee.com | (607) 321-3170
Local coffee shop in downtown Clermont with a sustainably sourced, bean-to-cup focus. Check their website for current hours before visiting.
One Utopia - Coffee Shop
792 W Montrose St, Clermont, FL 34711 | oneutopia.com | (407) 575-7616
Open Tuesday -- Sunday, with extended hours Friday and Saturday until 8 PM. Sunday at 8:30 AM is one of the earlier downtown starts if you're planning a morning trail ride.
Main Squeeze
763 W. Montrose St, Clermont, FL 34711 | mainsqueezeclermont.com | (352) 988-5028
Fresh juice and smoothie bar in the heart of downtown. Opens at noon Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM Sunday. A logical post-trail stop.
Culture and Indoor Options
Clermont Historic Village Museum
490 West Ave, Clermont, FL 34711 | clermonthistoricvillage.org | Free (donations appreciated) | Saturday -- Sunday 1 -- 4 PM
Seven historic buildings from the late 1800s including a schoolhouse, train depot, and WWII Quonset Hut museum. Free admission, open weekends only. Compact enough for a 45-minute visit that adds real context to the rest of the day.
artNEST Clermont
1012 East Ave, Clermont, FL 34711 | clermont.artneststudios.com | (352) 856-0856
Community art studio and gallery with age-appropriate classes and individual attention. Open Tuesday -- Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday. Good option with kids.
South Lake Art League
776 Montrose St., Clermont, FL 34711 | southlakeartleague.com | (352) 814-4690
Community art league with exhibitions, classes, and community events. Hours are spread across the week -- check their site for the current class schedule before heading over.
Salt and Sea Wellness Spa
Upper Level, 1 Westgate Plaza, Clermont, FL 34711 | mysite.vagaro.com | (321) 370-0509
Full-service wellness spa with massage, facials, a halotherapy salt cave, sensory deprivation float pods, infrared sauna, and cold plunge. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Book ahead -- the float pods and salt cave need reservation time.
Family-Specific Picks
Game On Clermont
524 West Ave, Clermont, FL 34711 | gameonclermont.com | (352) 394-3333
Gaming and entertainment venue with arcade games, a restaurant, and birthday party options. Open Tuesday -- Thursday from 3 PM, Saturday -- Sunday from 11 AM. The Saturday 11 AM opening is the right call for families.
Minneola Mini Golf
650 N Hwy 27, Minneola, FL 34715 | (818) 585-1616
Mini golf with limited weekday hours -- closed Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Friday opens at 5 PM, Saturday 10 AM -- 10 PM, Sunday noon -- 8 PM. Saturday is the obvious choice.
Cherry Lake Park
131 Wilson Lake Pkwy, Groveland, FL 34736 | groveland-fl.gov | Free
Lakeside park with a playground, picnic pavilions, walking trails, a fishing pier, and a basketball court. Lake views, no fee. Check the park website for current hours.
Practical Tips for the Day
Start at Waterfront Park. Parking near downtown fills up on weekend mornings, particularly when events are scheduled. The park opens at 7 AM -- that's the window if you want a spot close to the water.
Pair the trail with a brewery stop. The South Lake Trail's 12.5-mile route connects through the Minneola Trailhead area and runs near downtown Clermont. A ride followed by a stop at Suncreek Brewery is a well-worn local move.
Check seasonal hours. Several spots -- particularly Blueberry Hill Farm and the Clermont Historic Village Museum -- operate on limited or seasonal schedules. Calling ahead saves a wasted trip.
Downtown Clermont is walkable. The Montrose Street corridor puts COSA NOSTRA, Cheeser's Palace, The Black Rabbit Bookbar, One Utopia, Blushin' Bubbles, and Sud's Bottleshop & Saloon within a few blocks of each other. Park once, explore on foot.
For gear: DASH Sports in downtown carries sports and outdoor recreation retail. Trek Clermont handles bikes, rentals, and repairs on Hancock Road.
Recovery day option: If you overdid it on the trail, Salt and Sea Wellness Spa or J Sterling's Wellness Spa on US-27 both cover massage and relaxation treatments.
If you're making a longer day of Lake County, our guide to Mount Dora covers another solid small-town option worth the short drive. And if swimming in natural springs sounds better than lake water, the best springs near The Villages and Ocala guide has the breakdown.
Know a spot we missed? Let us know.
