Established in 1857, Leesburg is the oldest city in Lake County. Its origins lie in being an agricultural hub for citrus fruits and watermelon crops, but today, Leesburg is a lush, green community surrounded by beautiful lakes on both sides.
The city is vibrant and engaged, making it a serene and fun place to call home. If you are looking for an all-American community with plenty of southern charm and tasteful historical nods, take advantage of the idyllic beauty that Leesburg, Florida has to offer. Here's a closer look at the community:
A Look at Leesburg
Nestled in the central region of Florida, Leesburg is part of Lake County and located less than 50 miles from downtown Orlando. Only 14 miles to The Villages, Florida and just minutes to other popular surrounding areas such as Tavares, Mount Dora, and Eustis - Leesburg works as a great anchor to many area hotspots.
The town is known as the "Lakefront City" with Lake Griffin along the northern border of the community and Lake Harris to the south. Exploring wilderness, fishing, or just enjoying a day out on the water is a favorite local pastime!
Strong Community Pride
Leesburg is a charming town with 22K+ residents. Many residents are 2nd and 3rd generations from Leesburg or neighboring towns - making pride of home a strong characteristic for the area.
Leesburg is also a central hub for business within Lake County. Residents and visitors from afar travel on a daily basis throughout this thriving town and help make Leesburg a great place for local and small businesses to come together. The business community is a strong one too - many are involved in numerous events throughout the year and on a first-name basis with their customers and members throughout the community.
A few other entities that help ensure Leesburg is successful and prosperous include the Leesburg Partnership, Leesburg Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Leesburg Business Association (DLBA) to name a few.
Local Hotspots
Downtown Leesburg features a historic and quaint Towne Square that acts as a common venue for many community events. On any given weekend, you can find a fresh market of local produce, concerts, food trucks, festivals, movie nights, or even a cook-off between chili or BBQ!
Complete with an antique iron clock, old fashioned light fixtures, and perfectly manicured landscaping, the downtown area is a buzzing little shopping district. From boutiques to gift stores and local cafes with plenty of outdoor seating to salons and even a college and wine shop - the downtown area has many hotspots locals love. With community staples and the frequent additions of new and exciting businesses, Leesburg strives to provide the best for its residents.
Leesburg can also be considered a bit of a melting pot when it comes to the different flavors that one can experience first hand when visiting the assortment of restaurants in the community. Area options include barbecue, Mexican, gastropub styles, seafood, Italian, greek, diners, and even a funky little cajun joint! There are a few spots that combine food and fun too! For example, Via Entertainment a.k.a. 'Via Port' is connected to the Leesburg area mall and offers a restaurant/bar area, bowling, arcade, go-karts, and more!
Local Events & Things To Do
It really is true - there seems to always be something fun and entertaining going on in Leesburg. Whether you're shopping, eating, or most notably attending an event, the area is a lively place to call home!
If you are in the area for the 4th of July, head over to another popular venue spot, the beautiful Venetian Gardens, for Lake County's largest fireworks display on the waterfront! The event offers daytime activities like a parade, a free play zone for kids, food, and more. You can even catch some baseball as the event typically kickoffs alongside the opening ceremony of the local summer baseball club, the Leesburg Lightning. Another popular event held at Venetian Gardens most years is the Craft Beer, Wine & Food Festival!
During the Christmas season, the town turns into a winter wonderland filled with sparkling Christmas lights, appearances by Santa, and a magical holiday parade and tree lighting event. Mardi Gras is another big event celebrated, but with a community fundraising contest attached. Local members of businesses compete to raise the most money for a chance to be crowned the next King or Queen of Leesburg's Mardi Gras.
You can also celebrate the fresh tastes of the spring and summer harvest at the annual Saturday morning farmer's market in the downtown area. Local vendors and gardeners gather to sell their produce and homemade preserves while educating the public about sustainable food practices.
Other events include art festivals featuring 80+ artists from all over and most famously, the Leesburg Bikefest as it attracts over 250K attendees each year and is known as the world's largest 3-day motorcycle and music event.
Calling Leesburg Home
The Leesburg community is where nature and urban living come together in a serene atmosphere. It's where you can live so close to the big city, but still be far enough away from all the fuss of big city life. The area offers a variety of Real Estate options for locals looking to call the area home.
Whether you're looking for lakefront views, historic charm, or low maintenance living - Leesburg, Florida offers it all and then some!
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