Top 15 · Local ConsensusUpdated July 2026

Clermont sits in the Lake County hills about 35 minutes west of Orlando with more lakes, trails, and free outdoor time than theme park noise. Plan around Lake Minneola downtown parks, Lake Louisa, citrus country stops, and a free winery tour rather than gate attractions. It suits active families, trail riders, wine tasters, and anyone who wants hills and water views without another ticketed mega park. Fall through spring is cooler for trail miles; summer favors early lake time and splash pads.

The top 15, ranked

Ranked by how consistently each pick appears across official Clermont sources, the local destination marketing organization, and recent independent roundups.

1. Top pick
   #1
   Best for Nature · #1 of 15

   Lake Louisa State Park

   NatureSouth Clermont US 27 corridorDaily 8 am to sunset year roundUnder $10

   This 4,500 acre park is the strongest multi source Clermont pick for real Florida nature with lakes, trails, camping, and horseback options. Review and tourism lists place it at or near the top for Lake County outdoor days.

   Local tipArrive early for parking and lake access; vehicle entry is typically about 5 dollars.

   Kid friendly · Outdoors · Half day Listed by 5 sourcesOfficial site →
2. Top pick
   #2
   Best for Family Attraction · #2 of 15

   Showcase of Citrus

   Family AttractionSouth Clermont citrus ranchDaily 9 am to 7 pm every day of the year$25 plus

   Working citrus and cattle ranch with free grounds entry plus paid monster truck eco tours, gem mining, animals, and seasonal u pick. Consistently ranks with Lake Louisa as a top Clermont family stop on TripAdvisor, Visit Florida, and Visit Orlando.

   Local tipBook monster truck tours online; grounds and parking are free so you can browse the store and animals first.

   Kid friendly · Outdoors · Half day Listed by 5 sourcesOfficial site →
3. Top pick
   #3
   Best for Park · #3 of 15

   Waterfront Park on Lake Minneola

   ParkDowntown Clermont waterfrontRoughly 6 or 7 am to 10 pm daily confirm city updatesFree

   Primary public beach, playground, pier, and festival lawn on Lake Minneola and the hub for triathlons and downtown events. City tourism and local reviews treat it as the everyday Clermont hangout on the water.

   Local tipPair with the South Lake Trail and Champions Splash Park in the same waterfront zone.

   Kid friendly · Outdoors · 1 to 2 hours Listed by 5 sourcesOfficial site →
4. #4
   Best for Food and Drink · #4 of 15

   Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards

   Food and DrinkNorth Clermont US 27Mon to Sat 10 am to 5 pm, Sun 11 am to 5 pm, last tour about 4 pmFree

   Florida's largest premium winery with complimentary guided tours and tastings over rolling vineyards about 25 miles west of Orlando. Strong free activity ranking across tourism boards, TripAdvisor, and Yelp.

   Local tipWeekends often add outdoor music and food; last tour is mid afternoon so do not arrive after 4 pm for the full tour.

   Indoor and outdoor · 1 to 2 hours Listed by 5 sourcesOfficial site →
5. #5
   Best for Landmark · #5 of 15

   Citrus Tower

   LandmarkUS 27 near Citrus Tower BlvdDaily roughly 7 am to 10 pm, Fri Sat later; rides per ticket deskUnder $10

   226 foot 1956 observation landmark with elevator rides, coffee, and panoramic views across the hills. Longtime Clermont icon revived for visitors and voted a top South Lake local attraction.

   Local tipRide near sunset for the best light; combine with coffee downstairs after the deck.

   Kid friendly · Indoor and outdoor · Quick stop Listed by 5 sourcesOfficial site →
6. #6
   Best for Trail · #6 of 15

   South Lake Trail

   TrailLake Minneola to Minneola and beyondDaylight hours year roundFree

   Paved multi use trail along Lake Minneola that links downtown parks, trailheads, and the wider Coast to Coast network. Clermont is a designated Florida Trail Town and this path is the core free active experience.

   Local tipStart at Waterfront Park or Minneola Trailhead; bring water and sun cover on open lake stretches.

   Kid friendly · Outdoors · 1 to 2 hours Listed by 4 sourcesOfficial site →
7. #7
   Best for Shopping District · #7 of 15

   Historic Downtown Clermont

   Shopping DistrictHistoric DowntownBusiness hours vary; parks roughly dawn to 10 pmFree

   Walkable district of shops, restaurants, and parks on the waterfront with a year round Main Street event calendar. Visit Florida and city pages highlight it as the pedestrian hub between Waterfront Park and Victory Pointe.

   Local tipCheck clermontdowntown.com for food truck nights and festivals before you go.

   Kid friendly · Indoor and outdoor · 1 to 2 hours Listed by 4 sourcesOfficial site →
8. #8
   Best for Nature · #8 of 15

   Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Trailhead

   NatureGreen Mountain near Montverde north of ClermontDaily about 7 am to duskFree

   Elevated boardwalk overlook of Lake Apopka with trail links into the Lake Apopka Loop network. Free high view alternative to paid tower rides and a favorite local photo stop.

   Local tipParking loop is steep; go for sunrise or late day light and stay for a short walk even if you skip the long trail.

   Kid friendly · Outdoors · Quick stop Listed by 4 sourcesOfficial site →
9. #9
   Best for Park · #9 of 15

   Victory Pointe Park

   ParkDowntown Clermont Lake MinneolaDaily about 6:30 am to 10 pmFree

   Downtown park with boardwalks, ponds, and a multilevel observation tower over Lake Minneola. Complements Waterfront Park a short walk away for views without leaving the core.

   Local tipClimb the tower for lake photos then walk toward Waterfront Park for beach and playground time.

   Kid friendly · Outdoors · Quick stop Listed by 4 sourcesOfficial site →
10. #10
    Best for Museum · #10 of 15

    Presidents Hall of Fame

    MuseumUS 27 near Citrus TowerTypically about 10 am to 4 or 5 pm daily confirm before visit$10 to 25

    Classic roadside museum with White House and presidential exhibits open into 2025 and 2026 per local media and listing sites. Ranks as a quirky Clermont indoor stop beside the Citrus Tower.

    Local tipAdmission often includes an annual pass; call ahead because hours can shift.

    Kid friendly · Indoors · 1 to 2 hours Listed by 4 sourcesOfficial site →
11. #11
    Best for Museum · #11 of 15

    Clermont Historic Village Museum

    MuseumHistoric DowntownSat and Sun 1 pm to 4 pm or by appointmentFree

    Small historic building village run by the local historical society with free weekend tours. Best for short history context before or after downtown parks.

    Local tipOnly open weekend afternoons unless you book a group; plan 30 to 60 minutes not a half day.

    Kid friendly · Indoor and outdoor · Quick stop Listed by 3 sourcesOfficial site →
12. #12
    Best for Family Attraction · #12 of 15

    Champions Splash Park

    Family AttractionDowntown waterfrontSeasonal weather dependent hours varyFree

    City splash pad inside Waterfront Park for young kids on hot days. Strong free family add on when open for the season.

    Local tipConfirm seasonal open status with Parks and Rec before promising kids a water day.

    Kid friendly · Outdoors · Quick stop Listed by 3 sourcesOfficial site →
13. #13
    Best for Family Attraction · #13 of 15

    Southern Hill Farms

    Family AttractionSouth Clermont farm corridorSeasonal u pick days; closed summer 2026 until late September per farmUnder $10

    Popular blueberry, peach, flower, and fall festival u pick farm with free entry and pay by the pound or activity. Visit Florida and TripAdvisor list it among top Clermont family farms when in season.

    Local tipConfirm calendar before any trip; summer 2026 u pick closed until late September.

    Kid friendly · Outdoors · 1 to 2 hours Listed by 4 sourcesOfficial site →
14. #14
    Best for Nature · #14 of 15

    Clermont Chain of Lakes

    NatureClermont lake chainDaylight hours; ramp and rental operators varyFree

    Interconnected lakes for paddling, fishing, and scenic boating define the Choice of Champions landscape. Tourism guides push water access as equal to the trail network for Clermont days.

    Local tipUse public ramps only; rent kayaks or pontoons from local outfitters rather than private docks.

    Kid friendly · Outdoors · Half day Listed by 4 sourcesOfficial site →
15. #15
    Best for Trail · #15 of 15

    Lake Apopka Loop Trail access via Green Mountain

    TrailNorth of Clermont toward Lake ApopkaDaylight hoursFree

    The growing Lake Apopka Loop network links overlooks, boardwalks, and multi use trail miles north of Clermont. Local outdoor guides and county parks treat Green Mountain as the practical Clermont side gateway.

    Local tipBring water and sun protection; combine overlook photos with a short paved segment if you are not ready for full loop distance.

    Kid friendly · Outdoors · 1 to 2 hours Listed by 3 sourcesOfficial site →

Where things cluster

Use these Clermont clusters to reduce driving and keep the strongest stops in the same part of the day.

1. Lake Minneola waterfrontWaterfront Park, Victory Pointe, and the South Lake Trail form the easiest walkable lake circuit.
2. Lake Louisa and the south corridorUse this zone for trails, camping, ranch stops, and the longest active portion of the day.
3. Downtown ClermontMuseums, restaurants, Main Street events, and lake views work together without repeated parking.
4. US 27 and Green MountainThe Citrus Tower, winery, overlook, and farm stops reward a planned driving loop.

Make it a day

Map

Best time to visit

October through April is best for South Lake Trail miles, Lake Louisa hikes, and vineyard tours. Weekdays ease Waterfront Park parking. Summer visits work with early lake and splash pad time, midday winery or museum, and sunset tower views. Confirm seasonal farm and splash pad status before promising kids. For dated happenings in any month, the events calendar has the current lineup.

Plan with confidence

Clermont things to do FAQ

Parking, timing, cost, and weather answers for a smoother visit.

Is Clermont worth a day without Disney parks?

Yes. Lakes, trails, Lake Louisa, Showcase of Citrus, and free downtown parks fill a full day for outdoors and family travelers about 30 to 40 minutes west of Orlando.

How much time should I plan?

A half day covers Waterfront Park, South Lake Trail, and Citrus Tower. A full day adds Lake Louisa or Showcase of Citrus plus Lakeridge Winery.

What is free in Clermont?

Waterfront Park, Victory Pointe, South Lake Trail, Green Mountain Overlook, Historic Village on open days, and Lakeridge basic tours are free or under typical park fees.

What works on a rainy day?

Lakeridge Winery tours, Presidents Hall of Fame, Citrus Tower indoor levels, and downtown restaurants stay dry. Lake Louisa and trail time wait for breaks.

Where should I park?

Waterfront Park and downtown lots serve the lake core. Lake Louisa and Showcase of Citrus have on site parking. Green Mountain has a trailhead lot that fills for sunrise.

What is the best season?

Fall through spring for cooler trails and citrus season. Summer works for lakes and splash pads but plan early mornings for heat. Confirm Southern Hill Farms seasonal calendar.

Build the rest of the trip

Keep planning

Use these nearby guides to extend your Clermont trip with a different pace and a clear next stop.

01Winter GardenPlant Street, trails, and a walkable historic core about 20 to 25 minutes east.→02Mount DoraLake Dora, antiques, and small town dining about 35 to 45 minutes north.→03WindermereA quieter Main Street and Butler Chain setting about 25 to 35 minutes southeast.→

Image credits. 1 Lake Louisa State Park: Ebyabe via Wikimedia Commons. 2 Showcase of Citrus: Showcase of Citrus. 3 Waterfront Park on Lake Minneola: City of Clermont. 4 Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards: Guenther Lutz via Flickr. 5 Citrus Tower: Jared via Wikimedia Commons. 6 South Lake Trail: jared422_80 via Flickr. 7 Historic Downtown Clermont: Clermont Main Street. 8 Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Trailhead: Urban Florida Photographer via Flickr. 9 Victory Pointe Park: Whoisjohngalt via Wikimedia Commons. 10 Presidents Hall of Fame: Ebyabe via Wikimedia Commons. 11 Clermont Historic Village Museum: Ebyabe via Wikimedia Commons. 12 Champions Splash Park: PIO Clermont via Wikimedia Commons. 13 Southern Hill Farms: Southern Hill Farms. 14 Clermont Chain of Lakes: Ebyabe via Wikimedia Commons. 15 Lake Apopka Loop Trail access via Green Mountain: Wikimedia Commons contributor.