The town of Leesburg was originally settled by Evander McIver Lee in 1857. As it happened, several of Evander's brothers followed him to the area, and his brother Calvin was credited with naming the settlement. Leesburg was incorporated as a city in 1875. During the early 19th century, the town served as an important center for watermelon production, and it held its first Watermelon Festival in 1930, which would be a tradition for nearly three decades. Recently, Leesburg's growth has been mainly due to its emergence as a retirement destination, and its current population is approximately 24,000.
Leesburg is known for the many bodies of water that surround it, earning it the nickname "The Lakefront City." These many placid bodies of water make Leesburg a popular hub for those who enjoy water-based recreation. If you're looking to enjoy some outdoor recreation while you're visiting, you could go kayaking at Lake Harris, camp on the shores of Lake Griffin, or spend a day bird watching at the Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area. You could also explore the fascinating Bourlay Historic Nature Park or hike through the pristine wilderness of Ocala National Forest.
The Leesburg area is also home to several unique museums that are worth visiting during your stay. One interesting destination is the Leesburg Heritage Museum, where you can learn about the city's history through a variety of fascinating exhibits and artifacts. If you're interested in farming and agriculture, you'll want to spend a few hours checking out Paquette’s Historical Farmall Tractor Museum. You could also visit the Howey Mansion, a historic local landmark dating back to the 1920s. The mansion is located on the shores of Lake Harris, and you can take a guided tour of its heritage rooms and gardens.
4th of July Celebration - Leesburg's annual 4th of July Celebration is a wonderful way to enjoy the exciting holiday. The festival takes place at Ski Beach at Venetian Gardens and features festive foods, lots of great kids' activities, a water ski show, and an incredible fireworks display.
Annual Craft Fair - The Annual Craft Fair in downtown Mount Dora, Florida has been running for over three decades and features over 350 of the best crafters in the country! The event takes place in late October.
Annual Seafood Festival - Another lively annual event in Mount Dora is the Annual Seafood Festival. The late-September event includes several days of delicious fresh seafood, specialty food items, entertainment, and more.
Everglades National Park is the largest tropical wilderness in the United States, spanning more than 1.5 million acres of marshes and forests. The unique park is most known for the amazing wildlife species that inhabit it, including manatees, crocodiles, and Florida panthers. During your visit, you can boat, camp, observe the local birds and other wildlife, or explore the park on a fascinating airboat tour.
For anyone who enjoys having fun in and on the water, Biscayne National Park is a wonderful destination. Located off the southeastern coast of Florida, the park is a beautiful haven where visitors can observe bottlenose dolphins, scuba dive to explore shallow-water shipwrecks, check out the glittering reefs while snorkeling, or enjoy world-class fishing opportunities.
If you're up for a true adventure, you can travel by boat or seaplane to the gorgeous Dry Tortugas National Park. The park comprises seven islands and their associated coral reefs, and visitors often enjoy activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, boating, paddling, and fishing. There's also an amazing 19th-century fortress to explore as well as a beautiful lighthouse and a large population of sea turtles.
Lake Griffin State Park is a picturesque haven for outdoor fun located in central Florida. While visiting the scenic park, you can go kayaking or canoeing through the local swamps or enjoy a hike through the nearby nature trails.
Wekiwa Springs State Park is one of the top natural swimming destinations in all of Florida. Visitors to the park can splash, paddle, or snorkel in the on-site swimming hole. There are also great opportunities to fish, kayak, and canoe in the nearby Wekiwa River or go hiking, horseback riding, or biking on the many miles of forested trails.
Lake Louisa State Park is an inland park featuring lush greenery, five lakes, two streams, and 20 miles of scenic trails. Kayaking, swimming, fishing, hiking, biking, and horseback riding are all popular activities in the serene park.
You won't be disappointed if you take a detour or two to visit some of Florida's unique monuments and landmarks. ZooTampa at Lowry Park is a wonderful place to start, featuring more than 1,300 animals and regularly ranked as one of the best zoos in the country. Don't forget to check out the rhinos!
Another landmark you'll want to see in the Tampa area is The Dalí, which features the largest single collection of Salvador Dalí's paintings and sculptures. First, you can marvel at the impressive architecture of the building itself. Then, you can explore the amazing artwork found inside.
If you head to the barrier islands located east of Orlando, you can visit the famous Kennedy Space Center. There, you can see the actual site where rockets have launched and learn fascinating info about the history of space exploration. Visiting this facility is truly an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
If you're looking for a top-notch campground in the Leesburg area, you could go with the Homosassa River RV Resort, which features 225 full-hookup RV campsites. The campground is located conveniently close to the Homosassa River, an excellent angling destination.
Another quality nearby campground is the Villager RV Park, where you can stay in one of the 108 RV campsites for $37 per night. Full hookups are available, and the park regularly offers fun events for campers.
You'll also have a pleasant time camping at the Williston Crossings RV Resort. The campground boasts a whopping 535 RV campsites, which are available for between $52 and $75 per night. Many lakes are located around the park, making it a great place to stay for anyone who enjoys water-based recreation.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Leesburg, FL, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Leesburg?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Leesburg from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Leesburg?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.