Lake Placid, Florida travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Lake Placid is a city in the Florida Heartland.

5 sights · 1 things to do · 2 places to eat · 2 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Lake Placid

Caladium bulbs

Virtually all (98% of) caladium bulbs are grown on farms in the Lake Placid area.

Lake Placid Tower

Railroad Depot

The depot was built in 1926 and used for about fifty years. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.

Lake June-In-Winter State Park

American Clown Museum

Murals of Lake Placid

In downtown Lake Placid many blind walls have been painted with murals, depicting local history. Visitors can pick up a tour book at the Welcome Center / Chamber of Commerce at Oak street to lead them to the over forty m…

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Oct–Apr. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 50°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and Aug. (climate data from nearby Bartow)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
PGD Punta Gorda Airport, Punta Gorda — 46 mi away. Directions
RSW Southwest Florida International Airport, Fort Myers — 58 mi away (major hub). Directions

The center of town is between a few lakes, primarily Lake June-in-Winter and the larger Lake Istokpoga. The one that shares the name of the town, Lake Placid, is to the south. US-27 is the main road through the town and it follows a north-south path between these lakes. Interlake Blvd goes west-east between the lakes, as its name implies, intersecting US-27 and connecting it to a railroad crossing and the roundabout. FL-70 passes east-west to the south of Lake Placid, connecting with US-27 and Bradenton to the northwest. It leads to the Fort Pierce area to the northeast.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

Places to stay listed here: about $95–$95 a night (typical $138), from 2 listed prices.
Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$140, mid-range ~$210, comfortable ~$260.

See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.

Sample 2-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning American Clown Museum, Railroad Depot
Lunch Dock 633
Afternoon Lake Placid Tower, Murals of Lake Placid
Dinner Main Street America

Day 2

Morning Lake June-In-Winter State Park
Afternoon Caladium bulbs

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Get in

See

See American Clown Museum (Toby's Clowns)

📍 109 W Interlake Blvd🕒 Tue–Fri noon–4PM, Sat 10AM–2PM☎ +1 863 465-2920⚠ Last checked Aug 2021 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

See Caladium bulbs

Virtually all (98% of) caladium bulbs are grown on farms in the Lake Placid area.

⚠ Last checked Aug 2021 — confirm before you go

Maps

See Lake Placid Tower (Tower of Peace)

The height of the building is a debated, with sources varying between 235 ft and 270 ft. Formerly an observation tower, it was built in 1960 and opened for tourism on New Year's Day in 1961. When it opened it was the world's tallest concrete structure, and it may have as many as 90,000 concrete blocks. It closed in 1982 due to financial difficulties and re-opened in 1986, only to close again in the early 2000s. A restaurant at the bottom of the tower remained open until 2015. The building was used as a cell phone tower during the 2000s and 2010s, but its use ceased in 2020 and today the structure is abandoned.

⚠ Last checked Aug 2021 — confirm before you go

Maps