Leesburg, FL Road Trips

The town was settled by Evander Lee in the 1850s, and his family chose their own last name for the town. When it was incorporated in 1875, it became the Sumter County seat until the county was divided 12 years later; Leesburg became a town of Lake County. Agriculture was important, and the watermelon crop became so successful that a Watermelon Festival was held annually from 1930 until 1957. During the Great Depression, the government built the 1 Venetian Park on Lake Harris' northern shore. In the latter half of the 20th century, Leesburg's economy diversified from agriculture. 1 Lake Square Mall opened in 1980, though tragedy struck in 1982 when guitarist Randy Rhoads died in a plane crash in Leesburg. The cold winters of 1983-1984 and 1984-1985 brought an end to the citrus crop. Starting in 1997, the Leesburg Bikefest became important for the town, and it now attracts a quarter of a million people annually. Nearby Orlando and two colleges (Lake–Sumter State College and Beacon College) have become important in the local economy.

Leesburg Center for the Arts, 429 W Magnolia St, ☏ +1 352 365-0232, [email protected]. M–F 10AM–5PM. (updated Oct 2021) 2 Mason Art Center (Kristin Michelle Mason Art Gallery), 103 E Main St (Beacon College campus). M–F 9AM–5PM. (updated Oct 2021) 3 Mote-Morris House, 1195 W Magnolia St (formerly 1021 W Main St). It was built in 1892 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in December 1974. The city, which owns the property, does guided tours twice monthly. A possible arson in February 2018 seriously damaged the house. (updated Oct 2021) 4 Leesburg Heritage Society & Museum, 111 S 6th St (between Main and Magnolia), ☏ +1 352 315-1800. M–F 10AM–3PM. (updated Oct 2021) 5 Veterans Memorial at Fountain Park, 404 N Blvd E, ☏ +1 352 314-2100, [email protected]. Dedicated in 2012 and 2016-17. (updated Oct 2021)

1 Bourlay Historic Nature Park, 901 N Canal St (turn north from US-441 onto Canal St and follow to the parking lot at the end), ☏ +1 352 343-3777. (updated Oct 2021) 2 Sabal Bluff Preserve (off Leesburg Mobile City Rd, west of County Rd 44). 55 acres and about 2 miles of trails. (updated Oct 2021)

1 Ichiban Buffet, 10301 US-441, ☏ +1 352 728-6669. Su–Th 11AM–9PM, F–Sa 11AM–9:30PM. Chinese and Japanese cuisine. (updated Oct 2021) 2 Turners Kitchen & Bar, 114 S 5th St, ☏ +1 352 530-2274, [email protected]. American Low Country cuisine. Reservations are recommended. (updated Oct 2021)

1 Hampton Inn Leesburg/Tavares, 9630 US-441, ☏ +1 352 315-1053. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Oct 2021) 2 Microtel Inn & Suites, 9700 US-441, ☏ +1 352 315-1234. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. $89+ per night (2021). (updated Oct 2021)

US-27 goes north-south through the western side of Leesburg. US-441 and FL-44 go west-east through the town; US-441 comes from Tavares and US-27 and US-441 as a combined route come from The Villages to the northwest. lists the intercity bus companies serving the Orlando Metropolitan area from all parts of the state. 1 LakeXpress (Lake County Transit), (bus station) Leesburg Transfer Station @ 14th Ave (US 27) & Citizens Blvd ('Bus station' is just two bus stops in front of the US Social Security Administration parking lot along Citizens Blvd (at 900 Citizens Blvd).), ☏ +1 352 323-5733. LakeXPress is the name of the Lake County bus service, which serves as local public transportation in Lake County with the following serving Leesburg. $1 for One-Way Fare, $3 for Day Pass. (updated Jun 2017) 1 Leesburg - Tavares - Eustis (Ardice Transfer Station) via US 441. Passengers connect in Eustis to reach Mount Dora, Zellwood (nearest point towards the Orlando Metropolitan Area), and Altoona (north of Eustis). 1A Leesburg - The Villages (Spanish Springs Station) via US 441/27 2 Leesburg Connector serves as a local bus shuttle around town. These bus routes are not connected to other LakeXpress routes in Clermont at US Hwy 27 & FL-Hwy 50 or Orlando Health South Lake Hospital in Four Corners in the southeastern corner of the county. No inter-county bus connections to/from adjacent counties from here.