Guides · Clermont, Florida
Clermont Florida Group Weekend Guide: Hills, Dining & More
Clermont is the rare Florida town where the ground itself does the talking. Steep enough to make a walk a workout. Shaped by citrus that mostly exists now in memory. Anchored by a restaurant strip that handles a group of eight without breaking a sweat.
Why Clermont? The Hills Are the Hook
Peninsular Florida's steepest ground is here, and it isn't subtle. Clermont was established in 1884, incorporated as a town in 1891, disbanded, then reincorporated as a city in 1916—a back-and-forth that mirrors its agricultural fortunes. Orange and citrus groves dominated Lake County's economy into the mid-twentieth century before repeated freezes and suburban development took them down. What remains is a town whose hills, not its orchards, now define it. Since 2001, the National Training Center has brought athletes to those hills, and the city adopted the slogan "Choice of Champions" in 2014. For a group weekend, that means you can justify the climb.
A Group's Day One: Waterfront Park and the Lake Minneola Loop
Start at Waterfront Park on Lake Minneola. There's swimming, fishing piers, and a playground—enough to anchor a casual afternoon. The Lake Minneola loop is the better move for a group that wants to move: it's flat, which is a relief, and it strings together views of the water and the hills beyond. The hills are real, though. Anything toward the tower is a climb, so if half your group wants to walk and half wants to sit, split the difference and meet at the park.
The Citrus Tower: A Landmark That Outlived Its Crop
The Florida Citrus Tower, built in 1956, still stands over a landscape that no longer needs it. That's exactly why it's worth the trip. It was one of Florida's earliest roadside landmarks, built to celebrate an industry that has largely vanished. Now it's a monument to what the freezes took. Climb it for the view—the "groves lost, hills gained" panorama is the whole story of Clermont in one glance. It's not kitschy if you treat it as what it is: a relic with a view.
Group Dining, Minus the Chain Malaise
The 27/50 corridor is dense with reliable, high-rated chains, and for a group of 8–12, that's not a compromise—it's a strategy. IHOP, Outback Steakhouse, Texas Roadhouse, Keke's Breakfast Cafe, Miller's Ale House, Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, Carrabba's Italian Grill, and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store all have ratings above 4.2 and kitchens built for volume. The Crooked Spoon is the local standout, rated 4.4, and worth booking if you want something with less glow of the highway. Pepe's Cantina Clermont offers a livelier meal with a 4.7 rating. Just watch the clock—Highway 27 and FL-50 jam up on weekends, especially near the Citrus Tower and shopping centers.
| Restaurant | Why It Works for a Group |
|---|---|
| IHOP | High rating, quick turnover, breakfast anytime; seats large parties without drama. |
| Outback Steakhouse | Big booths, steady service, familiar menu; handles 8–12 without a long wait. |
| Texas Roadhouse | Loud enough that a group won't bother anyone; rolls and peanuts keep the peace. |
| Keke's Breakfast Cafe | Breakfast-focused, strong ratings, and a line that moves fast on weekends. |
| Miller's Ale House | Sports-bar energy, large tables, and a menu that covers picky eaters. |
| Olive Garden Italian Restaurant | Infinite breadsticks and a layout that absorbs large parties easily. |
| Carrabba's Italian Grill | Slightly quieter than other chains; good for a group that wants to hear each other. |
| Cracker Barrel Old Country Store | Rocking chairs out front, big tables, and a gift shop to browse while you wait. |
| The Crooked Spoon | Local, rated 4.4, and a change from the chain rhythm; book ahead. |
When the Group Splits: Quick Escapes and Local Flavor
Showcase of Citrus is the quirky agri-tour option—rated 4.5, and a good way to see what's left of the crop culture without pretending it's thriving. If the group splits, send half there and half to Pepe's Cantina for a livelier meal. For a longer break, Mount Dora is 21 miles away and hosts the Mount Dora Arts Festival and the Mount Dora Craft Fair—a different vibe entirely, more strolling than climbing. If you're comparing weekend trips, Mount Dora is gentler; Clermont is the one that earns its dinner.
Pig on the Pond and the Annual Calendar
The biggest event in south Lake County is Pig on the Pond, three days at Waterfront Park drawing more than 20,000 people. It's run by Project Scholars, a non-profit, and the 2026 edition was the 27th. For a group, it's either the centerpiece of your weekend or the reason you pick another date—20,000 people is a crowd, and parking will test your patience. If you'd rather skip it, the Kumquat Festival in Dade City (35 miles) or Sanford Porchfest (36 miles) are solid alternatives. Clermont's median age is 42.4, and the median home value is $368,600—this is a settled town, not a tourist trap. The hills, the tower, and the lake are the draw. The chains are the convenience. Bring a group, pick a lane, and let the gradient do the rest.
Common questions
- What is there to do in Clermont for a group weekend?
- Hit Waterfront Park on Lake Minneola for swimming and fishing piers. For a group outing, Showcase of Citrus offers a working grove experience. If you're around in early spring, Pig on the Pond draws over 20,000 people with three days of food and music.
- Where should a group eat in Clermont?
- For big groups, chain spots like Outback Steakhouse, Texas Roadhouse, or Miller's Ale House handle crowds well. For something local, Pepe's Cantina Clermont has a 4.7 rating from nearly 5,000 reviews. The Crooked Spoon is another solid pick, rated 4.4.
- Is the Florida Citrus Tower still worth seeing?
- Yes. Built in 1956, it still stands over a landscape where the groves have largely gone. It's one of Florida's earliest roadside landmarks, outliving the industry it was built to celebrate. You can see the hills that replaced the citrus.
- What's the hill situation in Clermont?
- Clermont sits on the steepest ground in peninsular Florida. The hills were planted with citrus until freezes took the groves. Now they're part of the landscape, and the National Training Center, established in 2001, made the city adopt the slogan 'Choice of Champions' in 2014.
- Is Clermont good for a day trip from Orlando?
- Yes, it's close enough for a day trip. You can spend time at Waterfront Park on Lake Minneola, check out Showcase of Citrus, and eat at a place like Keke's Breakfast Cafe or IHOP, both rated 4.7. The hills give you views you won't get in Orlando.
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