Situated in the center of Florida and known as “The City on the Circle,” Sebring is the home of the Sebring International Raceway. But it, along with neighboring Avon Park and Lake Placid, Fl, offers so much more. The Sebring area provides boutique and gallery shopping opportunities and excellent dining for dress-up or casual outings. More intriguing are the countless family-friendly outdoor activities in Sebring that can be experienced at any speed. Keep it mellow with parks and trails, fishing, and golf, or move full speed ahead with water sports and auto racing. Leisurely paced or adrenalin-pumping, the Sebring area satisfies recreational interests of all.
If you’re looking to experience the Sunshine State at a comfortable, unhurried pace, here’s a guide to what Sebring has to offer.
Drive to the end of East Circle Street in Avon Park to experience the County’s last citrus packing house! In addition to all varieties of fruit, Maxwell Groves Country Store offers fresh-squeezed orange juice, dairy-free soft-serve orange ice cream, Florida wines, local honey, jams, jellies, and gifts! Visitors can relax on site and enjoy a wine tasting or browse and ship fruit to loved ones.
Florida’s true farm-to-bottle operation produces small-batch rum, whiskey, vodka, moonshine, limoncello, and seasonal spirits throughout the year. Try their one-of-a-kind Lake Placid Rum or Apple Shine. There’s something for everyone here: you can tour the distillery, enjoy complimentary tastings, and even participate in some farm operations on-site. Sugar Sand Distillery is a unique destination not to be missed!
Secret Gardens is a Certified Florida Farm Winery, meaning 60% of the wine produced here is made from state products and fruits grown in Florida! Open to the public for tours and tastings; this farm is family friendly with beverage offerings such as wine, beer, juice, and soda. Prepackaged meats and cheeses with crackers are also available. Bring the kids (and even your furry friend) and let the countryside of Central Florida put you in a “grape” mood!
With nearly 100 lakes in the area, Sebring is known as the best South Central Florida location for both recreational and tournament fishing for trophy bass. Whether you’re a beginner or a master, Sebring’s professional fishing guides will help make your fishing experience memorable!
Kayaks, paddle boards, pontoons, and more are for rent on several lakes in the Sebring area; just contact Lakeview Watersports or Lake June Pontoons. Rent your favorite boat, CraigCat or Otter Island Swim Raft with family or friends, disconnect a bit, and set your mind to vacation mode. A safe, adventurous experience fit for all ages and skill levels.
Hit the “pause” button and take the family to Donaldson Park on the shores of Lake Verona. Grab a quiet spot under the giant, shady oaks, picnic pavilions, or on the white sandy beach area while the kids slip off their shoes to play or swim.
Here the waters are clear, and the shores are sandy! Lake Jackson and City Pier Beach offer fresh lake water, spacious beach areas for swimming, a covered pier for fishing, and then some. The sun rises and sets beautifully at City Pier Beach, Florida—don’t miss it!
HL Bishop Park sits on beautiful Lake June-in-Winter and offers a variety of amenities like covered picnic pavilions, ball courts, a playground, a fishing pier, and a boat ramp. Invite the entire crew and rent the community center for family celebrations.
Highlands Hammock State Park supports a delicate ecosystem and is home to more rare species than any other Florida state park. History and wilderness here are preserved! Hike any of the trails through towering oaks, and you may catch sight of deer, alligators, and various birds. Or you may choose the 3-mile bike loop or tram ride for those who prefer to sit back and take it all in. Take a journey back in time and visit Highlands Hammock State Park! If you’re lucky enough to hit a concert in the park series, bring your chairs, blankets, and your friends and family! All proceeds benefit park improvements.
Within the headwaters of the Everglades in South Central Florida lies Archbold Biological Station, one of the world’s most renowned. Together with the Archbold Reserve, these preserves are home to one of the most distinctive natural habitats in the United States. The cutting-edge research done here has created real-life conservation solutions across diverse ecosystems. The general public can visit and explore this national treasure from Thursdays through Sundays. Whether you love science, conservation and history or enjoy nature at its finest, visiting Archbold is a great way to learn and relax. Guided tours are also available.
Sebring is home to outstanding golf courses at favorable prices. Sebring’s collection of golf courses offers history, value, and friendly service all in one. The Citrus Golf Trail quietly sits among freshwater lakes and orange groves in central Florida.
Cachers, grab your GPS and discover the Sebring’s area unique history, outdoor adventure opportunities, and exceptional culinary and artistic delights! The Sebring Area GeoTour will guide you through four fun trails where caches are hidden among citrus groves, historical locations, and throughout parks and cultural areas. Geocaching is a free outdoor treasure hunt; while geocaching here, you will explore Sebring, Avon Park, Lake Placid, Lorida, and Venus. Download your GeoTour passport today!
Lake Placid celebrates its local heritage, culture, natural beauty, and talented community. Be sure to attend the ever-popular Caladium Festival hosting a car & bike show, arts and crafts competitions and displays, food and entertainment, a Caladium field bus tour, and much more. This festival has something for everyone—be sure to come out to enjoy the uniqueness of this small-town venture!
November 29-December 3, jump into the “time machine” of Sebring Raceway’s Historic Sports Car Racing (HSR) Pistons & Props event. HSR provides a venue for racers and spectators to celebrate the historic race cars of the past. Take in the sights and sounds of competitive races featuring cars that have competed worldwide.
In joyful anticipation of Christmas, historic Circle Park illuminates Downtown Sebring with an amazing display of festival lights each evening. This four-week-long event hosts games for the whole family, Santa sightings each night, mini golf, and more. During this time of the year, be sure to step back in time and stroll through the historic 1920s-themed Hotel Jacaranda. The Grand Lobby features a 15-foot Christmas tree, nutcrackers, a fireplace, and more. Embrace the magic of the season by enjoying brunch or dinner or even staying the night in one of the newly decorated rooms or suites, themed to bring you back to a simpler time.
What better way to celebrate spring than with an ice-cold craft soda? The multi-day Sebring Soda Festival always proves to be good old-fashioned fun! Bring your family, friends, and even your dog and “pop in” for some soda samples, craft beer & wine, live music, and festival foods. Florida’s fizziest festival has earned state and national media attention—it is “soda-lightful!”
What do trash containers, bird plaques, and clown cut-outs have in common? They’re all Florida street art visible through the Lake Placid Mural Tour just off Highway 27. No tickets are necessary; browse at your leisure but be sure to pick up a Mural Guide first at the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce. As powerful expressions of the community’s story, these murals have beautified uptown Lake Placid. Take a stroll (or a drive) and see what these walls “say” about Lake Placid’s history.
Fast-pace lovers might enjoy the Sunshine State with a dose of adrenaline added to the mix.
Experience an up-close and personal look at Florida’s wildlife on a personal airboat. These boats glide through our state’s pristine waters and travel over the tall grasses of Lake Istokpoga and Arbuckle Creek. Reserve your ride for an experience of a lifetime!
Lake Blue Resort off South Lakeview Road is away from city sounds and traffic. Overlooking peaceful Lake Clay, you can fish, swim, ski, boat, or soak up the hot Florida sun. It’s always summer here!
You’ll want to hit Veterans Beach to witness athletic competitors toe the line of what is possible on jet skis. This “extreme sport” can be enjoyed by all ages. Recreational family fun is also available to riders of all ages and skill levels.
Motosurf and Motoskate are the trending new sports of motorized surfboard and skateboard racing. Relatively new to the U.S., you can try a motorized surfboard or observe these races in the heat of summer at Lake Jackson’s Pier Beach.
Bring everyone out for a unique racing experience at Skipper Ranch: competitive runners, teams of friends, and even families! Flat ranchlands and trails, obstacle courses for the kids, and more. Participate or cheer for the Spartan Races racers along the gorgeous countryside views.
The oldest permanent road racing track in America—Sebring International Raceway, has hosted a legacy of champions! It is home to the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and year-round, on-track events more than 250 days each year. A wide variety of hospitality and entertainment options are available here for groups of any size. This spot put Sebring on the map in 1952 and “races the bar” with each event!