Looking for the best ways to explore the Sebring area? Nestled in the heart of South Central Florida, Sebring and its neighboring towns of Avon Park and Lake Placid offer a mix of outdoor adventure, small-town charm, and unique attractions you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re craving a day on the water, a stroll through citrus groves, or a taste of the local food scene, this list of the top 10 things to do will help you make the most of your visit.
1. Head Out To Highlands Hammock State Park
Imagine your ideal day outdoors–then make it happen at Highlands Hammock State Park! Whether hiking, biking, camping, watching wildlife, learning local history, or making an educational experience more fun for the kids, this stunning state park has it covered. Visitors often say they feel like they’ve stepped into Jurassic Park, surrounded by more plant and animal species (both local and rare) than any other park in Florida.
2. Spend The Day At A Beachfront Park
Donaldson Park is a family favorite due to its many playground and picnic spots, as well as a white sandy beach with boat access to Lake Verona. Conveniently located near many attractions, you’re only minutes away from the historic Jacaranda Hotel—which houses many local boutiques—and multiple restaurants along Main Street. Or, find your shaded spot at H.L. Bishop Park on Lake June-In-Winter. Delightful views await from the gazebo and even the playground, where you can see Lake Placid Tower. Stroll the boardwalk, fish off the pier, hit surrounding trails, or enjoy a lazy picnic lunch.
3. Love Your Day On The Lake
The draw of the water is strong in the Sebring area, with more than 100 nearby lakes to refresh your mind. Plan your perfect day with help from Lakeview Water Sports or Lake June Pontoons to find all the equipment you’ll need, from pontoon boats, kayaks and paddle boards to catamarans built for two.
4. Go Fishing
There’s a reason our fishing inspires everything from national tournaments to the colorful murals in Lake Placid: we offer all the best freshwater catches in South Central Florida. With nearly 100 lakes to visit and professional fishing guides available, the Sebring area is truly a fisherman’s paradise. Browse our lakes and fishing camps to inspire your next trip.
5. Shop In Downtown Lake Placid
No visit to the Sebring area is complete without a stop in downtown Lake Placid. Just 15 minutes south of Sebring resides a quaint shopping and entertainment center, the Shops on Main. Here, you’ll find all the boutique shopping and home cooking you’d hope to see in a charming small town, but with options such as a holistic pet store, a Salvadoran kitchen, and one of the best farmer’s markets in the area.
6. Take A Self-Guided Mural Tour
Known as The Town of Murals, Lake Placid has nearly 50 unique creations to behold as part of an outdoor art gallery. Pick up a mural tour book and start your self-guided viewing at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center. See everything from companion pieces like whimsical trash containers to clown cut-outs along the way!
7. Taste Authentic Flavors
One of the best parts of a vacation is exploring local dining—especially when you’re in the Sebring area. You’ll never run out of options for enjoying our locally-owned dining options.
- Cowpoke’s Watering Hole: Fun is always on the menu under this tiki hut, plus indoor restaurant with specialty items like Cracker Caprese and frog legs.
- Wild Turkey Tavern: Everyone is welcome at the home of the gator tail, where we recommended an order of “basket cases.”
- Faded Bistro & Beer Garden: Experience al fresco dining in the garden, featuring many locally sourced, fresh ingredients.
- Morty & Edna’s Craft Kitchen: Prepare to devour breakfast and lunch items with a kick. Try made-from-scratch biscuits and gravy or The Notorious B.L.T for a deliciously satisfying meal.
8. Visit Maxwell Groves
The quintessential country store, Maxwell Groves, is a great place to lose track of time. Settled in a rocker on the front porch, savoring homemade orange ice cream or fresh-squeezed juice, you’ll likely make a friend or two. Honoring their fruit-stand roots, Maxwell Groves will even ship their quality fruit so you can relive the experience once you return home.
9. Wine Down At A Vineyard
Indulge in more local flavors at one of the area’s picturesque wineries. Adults will enjoy tastings while the kids can adventure through the greenspaces. Here are a few of our favorites in and around the Sebring area:
- Secret Gardens Winery & Farm is a family-run winery in the countryside, offering tastings with beautiful vineyard views and a pond.
- Tropical Winery in Lake Placid features craft wines inspired by the exotic flavors of tropical fruits and often hosts bands and other fun events.
10. Dive Into Geocaching
If you think you’ve seen it all, reward yourself with the Sebring Area GeoTour. Using your smartphone, go treasure hunting for nearby caches (virtual or tangible containers containing area information and/or unique collectibles). With four GeoTrails available to explore, you’ll uncover historical and culinary gems throughout Sebring and the surrounding areas. Never geocached before? No problem! Scroll down to the “How it Works” section of our Sebring Area GeoTour page.
Wherever you go and whatever you do in the Sebring area, be sure to use #VisitSebring when sharing about your adventures. Your photo may be featured on VisitSebring.com! Have fun exploring!
