Welcome to my latest series – Thursdays off-the-beaten path – a collection of ideas for day trips and getaways from Walt Disney World when you need a bit of down time or otherwise want to explore more of what Central Florida has to offer.
Last week we visited The Tiki Bar & Grill. This week we’re headed to the Clermont area yet again (!!) – but this time it’s all about Lakeside Winery & Vineyards!!
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As always, information on all of these activities will be accurate as of the time of posting, but I encourage you to verify independently that they are open and available when you plan to visit, as well as double check any rules that might affect your time spent there. You can find Lakeside Winery & Vineyards’s website right HERE.
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Location: Lakeside Winery & Vineyards is located at 19239 U.S. 27 North in Clermont – about 40 minutes from Walt Disney World.
Cost: There’s no cover to enter – even the wine tasting is free!! But you’ll want to buy a bottle or a case to take home once you try their stuff. They also ask that you not bring any food or drink (other than unopened water bottles) to the lawn area. And you’ll need to check any bottles of wine you’ve purchased so that you can enjoy them at home. They have plenty of food and drink – including wines by the glass (and wine slushies!!) – available to purchase while you enjoy the entertainment! If you’re looking to level up your experience, there are also a number of paid VIP tour and tasting experiences available.
On its website, Lakeside Winery & Vineyards invites you to “[c]ome out and enjoy our expansive vineyard green, including delicious food, live entertainment, and of course your favorite Lakeridge wines by the glass at our outdoor bar. Rain or shine, we’re here to pour you a glass of wine.” And that’s just how it feels when you’re there. It’s a cozy spot. The shop is full of fun quippy items and the wine tasting trail is full of people pouring wee glasses of wine and telling you about the grapes and how they’re prepared. (I loved the later ones in the sampling made with Florida grown Muscadine grapes the most. They had the crispness of an ice wine without the sweetness.)
Outside you’ll find lots and lots of shade and a stage with relaxed live music looking out over (rare Florida) hills. There’s an ice cream stand and food and drinks available for purchase listed in handwriting on chalkboard strips.
You can visit Lakeside whenever they’re open but these weekend events are really nice. They’re open on the weekends both Saturday (10am-5pm) and Sunday (11am-5pm). Live entertainment performs and food and wine is available for purchase from noon to 4pm both days.
There are picnic tables on the grass area but they are limited, so I’d recommend bringing your own lawn chairs and/or picnic blanket.
You can find more information on Lakeside Winery & Vineyards on their website right HERE.
Thanks to my amazing hairdresser Shawn for telling me about this hidden spot!! Where should we head next week?? If you send us somewhere new we’ll do our best to credit you here!
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You can find my complete guide to making the most of your runDisney race weekend RIGHT HERE. And while those are on hold, you can find my guide to running trails on Disney World property RIGHT HERE.
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Please join me on Instagram for my day-to-day adventures living a mile from the magic. And join the conversation over in our community on Facebook!
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If you’re missing home (or love someone who is) and are looking for a way to bring the magic home, I’d love for you to check out my Core Memory Candle collection right HERE. And as always, stay safe and be kind, my friends.
