Recreation, Hobbies And Things To Do
There's a lot to do in Lake Placid and Highlands County. We've outlined some of the best below (for dining and shopping, click HERE).
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Area Boating & Fishing
The lakes are the undisputed number one attraction in Highlands County. We've caught many largemouth bass in several of the lakes in Lake Placid, Sebring & Avon Park. Melissa caught a 7-pounder not two weeks before I wrote this! We catch and release the bass because there is quite a bit of fishing, but many people eat them as well as the excellent and more plentiful panfish (specks).
There are several public fishing areas in the parks around the lakes. Bishop park is on Lake June Rd. and has great picnic facilities, boat ramps and a good dock and fishing pier. Lake June Ball Fields is a huge park off Deen Blvd. "behind" downtown Lake Placid. There are boat ramps, a swimming beach and a fishing pier. These are just a couple of the many parks found around our lakes. Some, however, such as Placid Lakes Park, are only for residents. Lake Jackson in Sebring has public ramps, as well as Lake Clay and most others - see any road map for a wide variety (and we suggest trying several lakes!).
Check out our Lake Chart, which provides more information on most area lakes.
MARINE: Bait, Tackle, Boat Sales & Rental, Charters & More at:
- Lake Istokpoga Marina & RV (they also rent nice, newer cabins & fishing boats). Boat sales & storage. 863-699-9585. ON THE BIG FISHING LAKE.
- Boats.net & Central Florida Yamaha, TOLL FREE 877-412-6287. Large Boat dealer and HUGE mail order company with a big store in Lake Placid.
- Angler's Fix-It Shop, Inc., 344 Anderson Street, NE, Lake Placid, FL 33852 (863) 465-6345
- Cypress Isle RV Park & Marine (Lake Istokpoga), 2 Cypress Isle LN, Lake Placid, FL 33852 (863) 465-5241
- Lake Placid Marine Sales & service. 863-465-2335.
- Florida Swamp Tours (FUN Charter Airboat Rides) 863-465-2524
There are several reputable boat dealers and repair shops on US 27 in Lake Placid & Sebring.
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Purchase Florida Fishing & Hunting Licenses Online
Area Golf
- Placid Lakes has an 18-hole, par 72 golf & Country Club. It's located at 3601 Jefferson Ave. (863) 465-1626. We are one of their corporate sponsors!
Leisure Lakes also has a golf course. There is a motel with a built-in pool (right on Lake June) and tennis courts. We've had family and friends stay here and it's always been nice and clean. Find it at: Leeza Leisure Lakes Golf & Resort, 1057 Lake June Rd., Lake Placid FL, 33852-8937. (863) 465-0026
- Lake Country Golf, Inc., 135 Sun ‘n Lake Blvd., Lake Placid, FL 33852 (863) 465-5303
Country Club Of Sebring is a GREAT course and community 863- 382-3500
Harder Hall Country Club Inc(863) 382-05003201 Golfview Rd, Sebring
Golf Hammock Country Club(863) 382-21512222 Golf Hammock Dr, Sebring
Highlands Ridge Golf Club(863) 471-22993455 E Fairway Vista Dr, Avon Park
Click here for our golf page - there's a lot more there (more courses, golf shops, country clubs, golf cart retailers, etc.).
Area Events
The Caladium Festival attracts thousands of visitors. Next year, it's on Friday, Saturday & Sunday, August 27-29, 2004. There are games, crafts, car shows, entertainment, tours of the beautiful caladium fields and much more!Click here for more information and a map.
The Holiday Parade has over 100 floats and exhibits - it's really nice and goes right through downtown Lake Placid. Of course, Santa will be along for the ride too. This year, we'll be passing out a special surprise!
Fireworks Over Lake June (in July). Celebrate Independence Day by viewing the fireworks that are shot over Lake June from the Lake June Ball field park - we always go by boat and it's fantastic!
Ag-Venture. This September event introduces children young and old to the world of agriculture. For further information contact Danielle or Darlene Phypers at (863) 465-2313 or Judy Brown (863) 655-0123
The Lake Placid Country fair is a great 2-day event in February that attracts over 200 crafters, entertainers and clubs. It's located in DeVane Circle. 2004's event was a GREAT success! MANY people came out to view the craftwork and the weather was beautiful (but a bit nippy at times!). (UPDATE - boy, I worte that 3 years ago already!?): 2007 marked the 40th anniversary of the event!
Other Great Area Attractions & Interesting Things
Take the Lake Placid Mural Tour. Nearly 40 murals adorn the walls of buildings throughout town, and a lot of these are HUGE! Visit the Mural Society Webpage for a FREE mural location map and more info.
Henscratch Farms. Worth the trip! They have a variety of events including a great bluegrass festival, fall hayrides (near Halloween) and more. There is a country store, winery, vineyard tours & tastings, GREAT strawberry shakes & U-Pick berries.
Gallery Walk On The Sebring Circle - last Thursdays (Except December). Shop & eat at the (downtown) Sebring circle during the evening.
Highlands Art League
Florida Flywheelers - Antique tractors and related events.
South Florida Community College Museum of Florida Art And Culture. This museuam has works of and events with Florida artists.
South Florida College Performing Arts Center. A variety of shows and concerts. Very good venue with "name" artists fora "small town area."
Lake Placid Memorial Library is located on the DeVane Circle, at 47 Park Drive.
The Library has more than 35,000 items in its collection, including current bestselling books, fiction, nonfiction, videos, DVDs, children's books and magazines and newspapers.
Lake Placid Aeromodelers Club: Visitors are welcome to see radio control planes flying off the runway at our club field in Lake Placid, Fla. Meetings are second Friday of the month, 7:00 PM November to March
at Placid Lake's town hall at 2010 Jefferson Ave. For further information call Don Strong at 863- 465- 3503.
Native American Drums. Chief Walking Bear, a resident of our very own Lake Placid, meticulously hand crafts these works of art that are fine musical instruments.
CLICK HERE for their Website (enjoy the music!).
Florida Swamp Tours (FUN Charter Airboat Rides) 863-465-2524.
Horseback Riding at: Orchid Hills Stables. 863-655-1582.
Lake Placid Historical Society Depot Museum is a cute place to visit right downtown near the railroad tracks. It's at: 19 Park Avenue West, Lake Placid, FL 33852 (863) 465-1771
In Sebring,
the Highlands Little Theatre has Broadway-style plays and dramas on the shore or Lake Jackson. There is also dinner theatre - you should check this out!
Royal Palms Bowling Center has bowling (of course!), pool tables, video games, darts, a snack bar and a bar with big screen TV. It's at: 800 US 27 South, Lake Placid, FL 33852, (863) 699-0925
Placid Lakes Airport has a 4800-foot paved & lit runway (FAA identifier 8X6). There are homes directly off the runway and Key West style townhouses across the street.
Toby's Clown School is a free clown college. It was started by Keith (Toby) Stokes in 1993 who with his many graduates entertain patients at area hospitals. It's located on DeVane Circle. For more information call: (863) 465-4438
Movies
Online Newspapers
Tampa Tribune/Highlands Today
The News Sun
Schools
The school system in Highlands is pretty good - we've been very happy with most everything about it. CLICK HERE for more information.
Nearby Attractions/Events
Other Great Activities
Florida Gardening Resources A good site to find information on plant species, growing, etc.
Florida Native Gardening Provides good information and links for Florida Native Gardening.
Florida Plant information Online
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