Do you want an authentic Sebring Area experience? Explore our locals’ guide to Sebring, Avon Park, and Lake Placid—just 90 miles south of Orlando—to discover favorite restaurants, attractions, and outdoor spots that will make your Florida getaway even more memorable.
Favorite Local Spots in Sebring
Sebring is full of places locals return to again and again. Whether it’s strolling the Circle, fishing on the lakes, or unwinding with a charming stay at the Roanoke Hotel, you’ll quickly learn why locals love to make visitors feel right at home when they visit Sebring.
Sebring’s Favorite Local Restaurants
In the City on the Circle, you’ll find a rotating menu featuring a world of flavors. Join the community at Grove House Collective and start your day with a seasonal drink from Sweetwater Coffee Company or a fresh juice smoothie at Organically Local. For dinner, try a sizzling hot stone bowl or dive into a sushi boat at Jinsoo, a Korean fusion restaurant that brings modern twists to classic Asian cuisine. Enjoy an evening of fresh air at the tiki-inspired back patio of Faded Bistro & Beer Garden. Relax on cushioned swings with a signature cocktail, or take a seat for tapas, fresh seafood, and locally sourced ingredients. If you’re looking for brews, Turn 2 Brewing Co. is a Best of Florida winner that has 48 beers, ciders, and wine on tap. Discover an eclectic vibe at Mon Cirque Wine Bar, a French, circus-themed wine bar that is an unforgettable experience. No matter where you end up eating, Sebring offers something to satisfy every craving.
Sebring’s Favorite Local Shopping & Attractions
Soak up the local culture at Sebring’s most iconic attractions that even long-time residents love to visit. Family-friendly favorites to check out are the Lost Mines of Atlantis, a roadside attraction where you can hunt for gems, fossils, and crystals and Kid Cove, an ocean-themed indoor playground designed for kids up to 12. For history lovers, locals recommend the Florida Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum at Highlands Hammock State Park. This museum honors “Roosevelt’s Tree Army,” a workforce of 40,000+ workers who built Florida’s first state parks, through exhibits and artifacts that showcase their lives during the Great Depression. Stay in the past with a visit to Heartland Treasures, a family-owned antique store known for its mix of curated vintage pieces. See Sebring’s character and history come to life!
Sebring’s Favorite Outdoor Spots
Adventurers can explore Sebring’s great outdoors through geocaching, birding, or golfing on the Citrus Golf Trail. The Sebring Area GeoTour is a modern-day treasure hunt that takes you through the best of Sebring. At Sun ‘N Lake Preserve, uncover 1,350 acres of nature, wildlife, and flora on multi-use trails that take you through cypress swamps and Florida flatwoods. Locals love getting outdoors and exploring Highland County’s parks and preserves.
Favorite Local Spots in Avon Park
Old Florida character comes to life in the “City of Charm.” This lakeside community doubles as a relaxing getaway for visitors looking for a charming escape from everyday life. In Avon Park, you can slow down and savor life’s simple pleasures just like the locals.
Avon Park’s Favorite Local Restaurants
Make sure to come hungry because Avon Park serves up favorites with local flavor that the whole family will love. When you arrive in Avon Park, take the family to Wild Turkey Tavern for Florida delicacies like frog legs, oysters, and gator tail. Just look for the building painted in camouflage with a dinosaur out front, and you’ll know you’re there. If you want the classics, try Market 27, a popular bar and grill known for its sandwiches, subs, and salads. You can enjoy a drink from their impressive beer and wine selection while the kids take their pick from the 44 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream, milkshakes, and craft sodas. In Avon Park, every meal feels like a moment worth remembering.
Avon Park’s Favorite Local Shopping & Attractions
Shopping in Avon Park is an attraction in itself. At Tassel & Thread, you can shop the latest season’s styles at this beautiful boutique. For something old made new, Hacienda 1926 is the place for you. With handcrafted goods like soap, gift baskets and one-of-a-kind vintage treasures, you’ll find gifts for you and the whole family to bring home. Once you’ve explored all the charming stores in Avon Park, follow the railroad tracks to the Avon Park Depot Museum. Operated by the Historical Society of Avon Park, this railroad museum is housed in a historic 1926 railroad depot and tells the story of Avon Park’s growth through history. You can even make a lunch reservation and eat in an authentic dining car during your visit. Don’t miss the newest addition, the Avon Park Baseball Museum, showcasing photographs, memorabilia and interactive displays featuring the city’s connection to baseball history.
Avon Park’s Favorite Outdoor Spots
Take a scenic ride through Arbuckle Creek, a waterway with magnificent scenery tucked away in an ancient cypress forest. You can navigate by canoe and kayak, or you can opt for a high-speed ride from Airboat Wildlife Adventures on the north (Sebring) end of the creek. Once you’re ready to relax, head to Yoga on Verona, a free outdoor yoga class that happens once a month at the picturesque Donaldson Park. Reconnect with nature and soak up the Avon Park sunshine while you’re here.
Favorite Local Spots in Lake Placid
Lake Placid’s creativity adds color to Florida lake life. Named “America’s Most Interesting Town” for its larger-than-life arts scene, quirky attractions, and unexpected adventures, Lake Placid proves that small towns can have big personalities.
Lake Placid’s Favorite Local Restaurants
Start your day off right with the “freshest food in Lake Placid” at Good Vibes Juice & Smoothie, but make sure to save room for later. By the time lunch comes, you’ll be looking at a full plate at Porkchop’s Barbecue. Choose from smoked meats like brisket, pork, turkey, and the housemade jalapeños cheddar sausage for extra heat. Don’t wait until dinnertime to get your BBQ fix, Porkchop’s usually runs out of food by then. If you still have room after all of that, it’s time for a taste of El Salvador. At La Pupusa Queen, you can try the authentic, made-to-order pupusas that locals love. Whatever you’re craving, Lake Placid’s local food scene is sure to satisfy.
Lake Placid’s Favorite Local Shopping & Attractions
Known as the “Town of Murals,” Lake Placid is home to nearly 50 murals throughout town that you won’t want to miss. Start your self-guided mural tour at the Mural Art Gallery within the Lake Placid Welcome Center, grab a mural tour book, and take your time exploring an outdoor gallery courtesy of the Lake Placid community. After you’re done clowning around town, it’s time to head to Toby’s Clown School and Museum. Open to the public, this museum is home to over 700 pieces of clown memorabilia. Have a laugh and learn all about the art of clowning; you may even leave with your own diploma. Between colorful murals and clown museums, Lake Placid is full of surprises just for you.
Lake Placid’s Favorite Outdoor Spots
You can’t visit Lake Placid without getting out on the water. At Istokpoga Canal Park, you can launch your own canoe or kayak for a smooth day of exploring. This park feeds into Hickory Hammock trailhead, a scenic stop along the Great Florida Birding Trail and the Everglades Trail.
Spend the day outdoors and the night under the stars at one of the park’s camping sites. If you want to end your day in nature without camping overnight, book a sunset boat ride with Lake June Pontoons for a relaxing cruise across Lake Placid’s tranquil waters. With over two dozen freshwater lakes and plenty of on-land adventures, you’ll want to spend your entire trip outdoors.
Start planning your locals-approved vacation to South Central Florida and discover your own favorite places across Sebring, Avon Park, and Lake Placid.
