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

Overview

Leesburg is a town of 24,000 people (2019) in Lake County, Florida. The town is between Lakes Griffin and Harris.

5 sights · 2 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 Leesburg

Mote-Morris House

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 hou…

Leesburg Center for the Arts

Mason Art Center

Leesburg Heritage Society & Museum

Veterans Memorial at Fountain Park

Dedicated in 2012 and 2016-17.

Bourlay Historic Nature Park

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 91°F; winter lows dip to about 53°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Aug and Jul. (climate data from nearby Central Florida)

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.
SFB Orlando Sanford International Airport, Orlando — 39 mi away (major hub). Directions
MCO Orlando International Airport, Orlando — 44 mi away (major hub). Directions

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.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 2-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Mason Art Center, Leesburg Heritage Society & Museum, Veterans Memorial at Fountain Park
Lunch Turners Kitchen & Bar
Afternoon Bourlay Historic Nature Park, Mote-Morris House
Dinner Ichiban Buffet

Day 2

Morning Sabal Bluff Preserve
Afternoon Leesburg Center for the Arts

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

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

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.

Understand

History

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 Venetian Park on Lake Harris' northern shore.

In the latter half of the 20th century, Leesburg's economy diversified from agriculture. 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.

Get in

By car

By bus

lists the intercity bus companies serving the Orlando Metropolitan area from all parts of the state.

Go LakeXpress (Lake County Transit)

LakeXPress is the name of the Lake County bus service, which serves as local public transportation in Lake County with the following serving Leesburg.

📍 (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 for One-Way Fare, $3 for Day Pass☎ +1 352 323-5733⚠ Last checked Jun 2017 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

* 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.