This Florida Main Street Feels Like A Movie Set
About 35 miles northwest of Orlando, Mount Dora is a serene detour from Florida’s theme park capital. Relaxation and recreation are a way of life in this chill lake town, centered around Lake Dora. Just steps from the waterfront, leisure and storybook scenes extend onto Donnelly Street, a colorful and eclectic main street that looks and feels like a movie set.
Named after Mount Dora’s first mayor, Donnelly Street is infused with nostalgia and Old-Florida charms, balanced with a range of trendy businesses. Each step along the palm-lined stretch brings new sights and experiences, from an imposing Neo-classical home to a quaint and cozy cafe. Coupled with one-of-a-kind shops, spirited festivals, and ear-to-ear smiles on each person you pass, this Florida main street gives visitors their own main character moment, with a happy ending guaranteed.
Eye-Catching Architecture
In 1981, Mount Dora’s main street made it to Hollywood, starring in the comedy Honky Tonk Freeway. A section of Donnelly Street was transformed for the quirky film, painted in top-to-bottom bubblegum pink. While the fuchsia hue no longer remains, you can still find a range of eye-catching buildings on Donnelly today, like the bright teal Heirloom Inn. Accented with pink doors and window frames, this boutique hotel is impossible to miss.
A 2-minute stroll south will bring you to the Donnelly House, an iconic landmark and popular photo spot. Built in 1905, the lemon-yellow beauty is designed in the Steamboat Gothic and Queen Anne architectural styles, reflected in the home’s elaborate woodwork, gingerbread trim, and refined asymmetry. A gift from John P. Donnelly to his wife, the former mayor's home now serves as a Masonic Lodge. Although tours are infrequent, the grand exterior can be marvelled at year-round.
Cozy Cafes And Vegan Bites
Whether exploring Donnelly for hours or just passing through, its coffee shops and cafes offer the perfect place to recharge. The Village Coffee Pot of Mount Dora is a local staple, serving sweet treats and warm smiles since 1990. They sell a range of drinks, from your classic cappuccino to specialty hot chocolate, along with cold frappes, boba, and snow cones for those extra-hot days. For vegan and vegetarian visitors, the Dark & Light Cafe is a great alternative, serving fresh, house-made bites for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Its mellow ambience also makes it a popular spot to grab a drink, from traditional Americanos and cappuccinos to fun matcha lattes and pina colada smoothies.
Cool And Quirky Shopping
Generic stores are nowhere in sight on Donnelly Street, a small business hotspot lined with one-of-a-kind shops and boutiques. Whether searching for your next read at Barrel of Books and Games or shopping for unique pet treats at Piglet's Pantry-Dog Bakery, browsing is half the fun. As for the souvenir hunter on a mission, Donnelly also boasts a wide range of unique gift shops and boutiques, including Noni At The Olive Branch, Becker's Best Shoes, and the Mount Dora Olive Oil Company. As you stroll Mount Dora's main street, you can wave thoughts of Walmart goodbye and savor that warm feeling of supporting a locally owned business.
The Mount Dora Marketplace
Connected by a colorful courtyard, the Mount Dora Marketplace is a two-building maze of restaurants and vendors, perfect for a one-stop shopping and dining experience. Foodies can choose from the market’s diverse collection of bites, from Claire’s Creperie to Munchies Live BBQ. Afterward, stop by the Allyson A Bake Shop for a baked-from-scratch confection or hang out at the Handlebar lounge for a handcrafted cocktail or two. From there, the market’s vendors can also be explored. The various stalls showcase goods from local businesses and artisans, such as the ReVibe Vintage & Vinyl Store, Lulu's Gifts of Mount Dora, and Melro Pottery and Imports.
Relaxing At Donnelly Park
Fresh air and scenic scenes draw downtown wanderers to Donnelly Park, a pride of the Mount Dora park system. First established in 1924, the green space was named in honor of Anne Donnelly, a businesswoman and wife to Mount Dora’s first mayor. Just as the pair played a crucial role in the town’s early development, the legacy park serves as a vibrant town center, hosting festivals and year-round fun. Visitors can stroll the tree-shaded grounds, people-watch or picnic on benches, and try out the Mount Dora Pickleball Courts.
Festivals On Donnelly Street
Mount Dora is a spirited and friendly “Festival City,” and Donnelly Street anchors some of its best celebrations. The Mount Dora Spring Festival of Arts and Crafts is a beloved annual tradition that draws thousands of art lovers, crafters, and shoppers. Hosted every third weekend in March, the 2-day event features over 250 crafters and artists selling their unique handmade goods. Although the event spans several streets in downtown Mount Dora, Donnelly is considered the central vein of fun.
The month after, Donnelly Park comes alive with the 2-day Mount Dora Blueberry Festival, hosted the last weekend in April. The free-to-attend festival celebrates Florida’s blueberry farms with live entertainment, over 100 vendors, and a rib-tickling blueberry pie-eating contest. Other blueberry products can also be purchased and sampled throughout, including pies, wines, cakes, and heaps of fresh blueberries.
A Persevering Main Street
Donnelly Street faced significant storm damage in late October 2025, closing a section of the road between Fiddler Drive and Limit Avenue. Fortunately, the rest of the stretch and its businesses remain open, with local spirit persevering. In December 2025, the City of Mount Dora Government Facebook page announced that road repairs were expected to be completed by Spring 2026. Until then, countless alternative routes to Donnelly can be followed, and business will otherwise continue as usual.
Explore Florida’s Movie-Set Main Street
Escaping everyday stresses is an important way to recharge, and travelling is one of the best ways to do this. Although an overseas trip may sound heavenly, a more local getaway can get the job done in less time at a lower cost. Mount Dora is like a home away from home, welcoming guests to its lakefront and downtown with open arms. At its center, Donnelly Street offers an immersive escape, reminding visitors to slow down and enjoy the simple things. Whether shopping for the perfect souvenir, grabbing lunch at the Mount Dora Marketplace, or mingling with locals at a Mount Dora festival, Donnelly Street and its movie-set charms offer the ultimate way to unwind, relax, and reconnect with yourself.
