Sebring, Florida: The Perfect Pit Stop
Sebring, Florida: A Great Place to Visit During Your Road Trip
You may know Sebring, Florida, for its half day race every year in March, but throughout the summer months, the area may be just the perfect pit stop.
Just 60 miles south of Orlando, the cities of Sebring, Avon Park and Lake Placid, are home to a variety of activities, whether you have a need for speed or would rather take it slow. Try not to rush to your final destination during your vacation time—take a few hours or even a day in the Sebring area and enjoy these top three reasons to visit the middle of the state.
The Great Outdoors
Sebring naturally draws in tourists with its park system of outdoor wonders. The city’s most popular park, Highlands Hammock State Park, attracts visitors with its beautiful old-growth hammock and thousand-year-old oaks. It’s also one of the oldest parks and one of the highest-ranking parks for endemic, or native, biodiversity in Florida.
You can enter the park for only $6 per vehicle for families or couples or $4 for solo travelers. Once inside, hop on their tram for $5 per person or $3 per child and ride around the park to see birds, alligators, turtles and deer close up. You might even get lucky and spot a Florida black panther or black bear treading softly through the forest during your ride.
The Caladium Capital of the World
You don’t have to be a botanist to enjoy the red-and-green leafy caladiums, or elephant ears, planted throughout Lake Placid. The town coins itself as the Caladium Capital of the World with 98% of the world’s caladium bulbs coming from the area. The fields in Lake Placid harvest and ship the plants all over the U.S. and outside the country to South Africa, Turkey, Pakistan and Europe.
From June until the end of October you can catch the caladiums in full bloom and enjoy them in their full splendor. You can even attend the Caladium Festival held every July and tour several family farms with 1,500 acres of fields, which have been compared to the tulip fields in Holland.
The Historic District
Avon Park, the City of Charm, is home to a historic district, as well as many unique spots, such as Maxwell Groves, serving fresh oranges for 80 years.
Walk down its charming Main Street or stop by the most iconic structure of the town, the Jacaranda Hotel. This nearly 100-year-old hotel primarily houses South Florida State College students but still has rooms to book for tourists and visitors. If you’re not looking to stay for the night, you can grab lunch or dinner at the on-site Palm Room and Citrus Room. Afterwards, you can head over to Maxwell Groves for their famous orange, dairy-free ice cream and enjoy it in one of their orange rocking chairs on the front porch.
Looking for some more fun summertime activities in Sebring, Florida? Check out Visit Sebring for even more events and adventures.
