Gainswave Therapy in Golden Lakes, FL

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A strike has shut down all shipping on the St. Lawrence Seaway, interrupting exports of grain and other goods from Canada and the United States via the Great Lakes to the rest of the world.

What You Need To Know

Around 360 workers in Ontario and Quebec with Unifor, Canada’s largest private-sector union, walked out early Sunday in a dispute over wages with the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. The strike has shut down 13 locks between Lake Erie and Montreal, bottling up ships in the Great Lakes and preventing more ships from coming in.

The St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes are part of a system of locks, canals, rivers and lakes that stretches more than 2,300 miles (3,700 kilometers) from the Atlantic Ocean to the western tip of Lake Superior in Minnesota and Wisconsin. It carried over $12 billion (nearly $17 billion Canadian) worth of cargo last year. Ships that travel it include oceangoing “salties” and “lakers” that stick to the lakes.

It’s the first time that a strike has shut down the vital shipping artery since 1968. Before the union walked out early Sunday, it said they were still "1,000 nautical miles apart on wages” despite several months of negotiations.

The strike was in its third day Tuesday when the Canadian government ordered both sides to return Friday to the bargaining table with a federal mediator in Toronto. U.S. officials are pushing the Canadian government and the Seaway corporation for a settlement.

“We have grain that feeds the world that’s not moving. We have salt that goes on winter roads for safety that’s not moving. We have iron ore for steelmaking that’s not moving,” said Jason Card, spokesman for the binational Chamber of Marine Commerce in Ottawa.

Management has asked the Canadian government to invoke a law to let ships carrying grain transit the system, but so far it has declined to intervene.

Jean Aubry-Morin, vice president of external relations for Seaway management, said Thursday that they're disappointed the talks have been dragging on. “We go to Toronto with the hope that this will change and that we can move forward and we can reach a fair and reasonable agreement,” he added.

While Unifor recently won big increases from automakers, Aubry-Morin said the management company is a nonprofit corporation that doesn't have the means of the automobile industry.

Union officials did not respond to messages seeking comment but said in a statement, “Unifor will comply with the call to mediation and will continue to support our members on the picket line while talks take place.”

Aubry-Morin said management knows of around 115 vessels in the St. Lawrence River and on Lake Ontario that are stalled. He said they didn't have figures for how many ships at sea might still be headed for the Seaway and the Great Lakes. But he put the total economic impact of the shutdown at $110 million ($153 million Canadian) per day.

The website MarineTraffic.com on Thursday showed numerous oceangoing ships were still inside the system. A major bottleneck is the closed Welland Canal in Ontario. Around 25 ships — salties and lakers — were anchored outside the Lake Ontario and Lake Erie entrances.

A U.S. Navy warship, the littoral combat ship USS Marinette, was supposed to leave Cleveland on Lake Erie on Monday, but remains stuck.

Other stranded ships included five at the major grain port of Thunder Bay, Ontario, on Lake Superior and two docked on the Detroit River between Lakes Huron and Erie. They won't be able to get past Lake Erie until the Seaway reopens.

Shipments within the four Great Lakes from Superior to Erie such as iron ore and coal can still go through.

John Jamian, director of operations for the Port of Detroit, said the strike has already affected eight ships that were bound for Detroit, ships carrying steel coils and slab steel for the auto industry and cement for the construction industry. And he said the number could grow.

“Bear in mind each one of those ships holds a lot of tonnage. Those ships are not coming into the system,” Jamian said. “I know one is still in Europe with cargo and destined for Detroit. She’s in a holding pattern.”

The strike has also worried officials in the Twin Ports of Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin, where the Cyprus-flagged, Polish-run Isadora departed Monday with a load of grain for Algeria. MarineTraffic.com showed that it reached Lake Erie on Thursday, but it can go no farther without a resolution.

“There’s always a tremendous amount of shipping activity in the fourth quarter with it being peak harvest season, so this is an especially bad time of year for any interruption of seaway operations,” said Jason Hron, spokesman for the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. “It really has cascading effects through the entire St. Lawrence Seaway-Great Lakes shipping system.”

Hron said a few more salties that are already in the lakes are expected to arrive in the next few days, but what happens to them after they load and depart is an open question.

“North America's main inland trade corridor should not be used as a labor dispute pawn,” Hron said. “And so Great Lakes ports and unions are urging the Canadian government to intercede directly and hasten a resolution to this dispute that reopens the seaway to full function immediately.”

Middleton soon will be home to a neighborhood fishing hole.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is moving forward with a management plan to stock Lake Eleanor, a human-made lake in the family neighborhood, with largemouth bass and bluegill for future fishing possibilities.

The second phase of the plan was completed last week with the release into the lake of about 300 adult forage species, including bluegill, redear, golden shiners, brook silversides and Seminole killifish. Forage fish can serve as a food source for bigger species.

That step followed a release in October of about 20,000 bream fingerlings with a mix of bluegill and redear.

“The goal is to create a balanced fishery to allow for quality fishing opportunities for the public and the high school fishing programs,” said Scott Bisping, FWC regional fisheries administrator for the northeast region.

The recently released fish will be able to spawn in the spring and summer of 2024 to further boost the forage population, Bisping said.

In spring 2024, FWC will stock about 3,500 largemouth bass fingerlings. That should allow for the lake to be ready to fish by fall 2025 when the bass should reach appropriate size, Bisping said.

The 43-acre lake has a maximum depth of 16 feet and runs along Pettus Parkway to the south and west of The Villages High School. The public can access the east shore line and a kayak launch is planned at the north end of the lake from the downtown boathouse under construction.

“Fishing is popular with all ages, so we’re excited to have the experts at Florida Fish and Wildlife helping us create this opportunity,” said Dr. Gary Lester, vice president for community relations in The Villages, who also serves as a commissioner with the FWC. “We can’t wait to see some kid – perhaps with a parent or grandparent at their side – pulling in their first fish.”

VHS students in the agriscience academy and members of the school’s Buffalo Anglers Club were able to observe the release of the adult fish.

“This is awesome for the school and the Middleton community,” said Dr. Randy McDaniel, director of education at The Villages Charter School. “As a young boy I loved to fish. I would have loved to have a well-stocked lake right next to my school. We’re excited about the opportunities it will present for our agriscience students and our fishing clubs.”

A senior with the Buffalo Anglers Club admitted she is jealous of students who will be able to fish the lake in the future.

“It’s a really nice spot, it would be cool to be able to come back here to fish,” Madison Strickland said. “I bet my little brother will join the club when he’s a freshman next year. He’ll be one of the lucky ones.”

Seeing the start of a new fishery is a great experience for the students, said Jose Rodriguez, the advisor for the club.

“We run our program that follows the programs generated by the Florida Wildlife Commission,” he said. “We teach the students how to safely release fish and to enjoy the sport in a more environmentally friendly way.”

The agriscience academy plans on adding to the number of fish in the lake before the end of the school year, teacher Scott Woythaler said.

“We just got our aquaponic system set up, so the plan is for us to raise our fish for a few months and then come back out here and release them,” he said. “It’s great that they have been so willing to work with us and have the kids come out to get to experience this. And hopefully they’ll get to have their own release in a few months.”

Woythaler said he was excited about the potential for the lake while watching the construction process.

“Every time I got a chance to come down here, I’d check out the progress,” he said. “I knew it was going to be a great lake to fish one day.”

The entire project is a rare opportunity, Bisping said.

“We don’t normally get to start a system from scratch like this, especially not one of this kind of size,” he said. “With this project, we’ve been able to partner with the school and there’s the public access component. It’s going to be a nice system that’s going to have great dividends for the community.”

Those wishing to fish in the lake must follow all FWC rules and regulations, Bisping said.

Specialty Editor Keith Pearlman can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5347, or keith.pearlman@thevillagesmedia.com.

The organizer of a June 3 pop-up party in disrupted traffic throughout Lake Butler was arrested on Tuesday.

According to a Union County Sheriff’s Office (UCSO) social media release, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) deputies arrested Diamond Wanae Golden, 23, of Gainesville on Tuesday.

Deputies executed the UCSO arrest warrant for Golden, who allegedly organized the party.

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The release stated an, “Investigation revealed that on Saturday, June 3, 2023, Diamond Golden organized a party and informed all her friends and followers using Facebook to go to ‘155 N.W. 3rd Street’ in ‘Lake Butler’ for her party. This ‘pop-up’ party caused total disruption throughout Lake Butler with all major roads blocked in both directions, people hanging out of cars and yelling obscenities, loud music, actively resisting and refusing commands from law enforcement to stop their illegal behavior.”

Many of the individuals at the party were allegedly intoxicated, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, in possession of illegal substances, driving under the influence, affray, discharging a firearm and battery on others. One of the individuals allegedly committed aggravated battery with serious bodily injury, was arrested and remains in the Union County Jail.

“The organizer brought all this trouble to the Lake Butler community through her promotion of this ‘pop-up’ event,” the release stated.

UCSO received a search warrant for Golden’s Facebook account which would confirm her role in participating and organizing the event. During the pop-up party, Golden started deleting evidence of her role, but UCSO was able to obtain results from the Facebook search warrant confirming Golden’s posts and filed an arrest warrant.

“Golden knew that a crowd this size participating in the activities would overwhelm the resources of our agency. Golden has been involved in parties like this before and knows the problems that can occur,” the release stated.

On July 24th, Judge Mitchel Bishop signed an arrest warrant from UCSO Golden charging her with inciting or encouraging a riot, which is a third degree felony with a $50,000 bond. Golden has also been trespassed from Union County and the city of Lake Butler public parks.

UCSO will be seeking restitution for its department and all law enforcement agencies involved, including the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office and its multi-agency SWAT team for responding and assisting in restoring order in Lake Butler.

“This type of illegal behavior will not be tolerated in Union County and thank you for all the support we have received from our community,” said Union County Sheriff Brad Whitehead in the release.

UCSO will continue to investigate all parties involved and more arrests may be pending.

The organizer of a June 3 pop-up party in disrupted traffic throughout Lake Butler was arrested on Tuesday.

According to a Union County Sheriff’s Office (UCSO) social media release, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) deputies arrested Diamond Wanae Golden, 23, of Gainesville on Tuesday.

Deputies executed the UCSO arrest warrant for Golden, who allegedly organized the party.

Become A Member

Mainstreet does not have a paywall, but pavement-pounding journalism is not free. Join your neighbors who make this vital work possible.

See Member Benefits

The release stated an, “Investigation revealed that on Saturday, June 3, 2023, Diamond Golden organized a party and informed all her friends and followers using Facebook to go to ‘155 N.W. 3rd Street’ in ‘Lake Butler’ for her party. This ‘pop-up’ party caused total disruption throughout Lake Butler with all major roads blocked in both directions, people hanging out of cars and yelling obscenities, loud music, actively resisting and refusing commands from law enforcement to stop their illegal behavior.”

Many of the individuals at the party were allegedly intoxicated, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, in possession of illegal substances, driving under the influence, affray, discharging a firearm and battery on others. One of the individuals allegedly committed aggravated battery with serious bodily injury, was arrested and remains in the Union County Jail.

“The organizer brought all this trouble to the Lake Butler community through her promotion of this ‘pop-up’ event,” the release stated.

UCSO received a search warrant for Golden’s Facebook account which would confirm her role in participating and organizing the event. During the pop-up party, Golden started deleting evidence of her role, but UCSO was able to obtain results from the Facebook search warrant confirming Golden’s posts and filed an arrest warrant.

“Golden knew that a crowd this size participating in the activities would overwhelm the resources of our agency. Golden has been involved in parties like this before and knows the problems that can occur,” the release stated.

On July 24th, Judge Mitchel Bishop signed an arrest warrant from UCSO Golden charging her with inciting or encouraging a riot, which is a third degree felony with a $50,000 bond. Golden has also been trespassed from Union County and the city of Lake Butler public parks.

UCSO will be seeking restitution for its department and all law enforcement agencies involved, including the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office and its multi-agency SWAT team for responding and assisting in restoring order in Lake Butler.

“This type of illegal behavior will not be tolerated in Union County and thank you for all the support we have received from our community,” said Union County Sheriff Brad Whitehead in the release.

UCSO will continue to investigate all parties involved and more arrests may be pending.

Not every Floridian enjoys the surf and sand 24/7, some residents want to experience a taste of the mountain life every once in a while. And soon it can be done without leaving the state.

But soon it will be the battle of the two Florida wilderness lodges — Naples' upcoming Great Wolf Lodge location and Walt Disney World's Wilderness Lodge Resort.

From pricing and pools to theming and things to do, here are the major comparisons between the two resorts:

Right off the bat — what are Great Wolf and Disney Wilderness Lodge resorts?

The Great Wolf Resorts is the largest family of indoor water park resorts in North America. Great Wolf Lodge originally began as a small indoor water park resort called Black Wolf Lodge, founded in 1997 by brothers Jack and Andrew "Turk" Waterman, the original owners of Noah's Ark Water Park in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

The name change didn't happen until a few years later when Black Wolf Lodge was purchased by The Great Lakes Companies in 1999. In 2000, president and founder Craig A. Stark and the team changed the name to Great Wolf Lodge, and its company headquarters was established in Madison, Wisconsin.

It has now grown to 20 locations across the country, with Naples a part of their expansion.

Learn about the lodge's lore:Florida’s first Great Wolf Lodge coming to Naples next year. Here are 8 fun facts about waterpark resort

Walt Disney World's Wilderness Lodge Resort is one of the company's deluxe hotels that opened in May 1994. It has over 700 rooms and sits lakeside on the Seven Seas Lagoon near the Magic Kingdom.

Sidenote: What is Fort Wilderness on Disney property?

Resorts aren't your thing? Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground is 750 acres of pine and cypress forest located in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area.

Four types of campsites accommodate everything from tents to 45-foot and longer RVs, with a maximum of 10 Guests per site. Each campsite is equipped with privacy-enhancing landscaping, water, cable television and electrical hook-ups, a picnic table, and a charcoal grill. Most campsites also include a sewer hook-up and some even permit pets.

Fort Wilderness has a pool for guests to enjoy, as well as archery, horseback riding, and canoeing. They also host an array of dining options, including the iconic Disney 'Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue' restaurant.

Where are the two resorts located in Florida?

The upcoming Naples location will be the first Florida for Great Wolf Resorts. It will be located at the Interstate 75 and Collier Boulevard interchange.

The Wilderness Lodge Resort is found on Disney's 25,000-acre property in Central Florida, on 901 Timberline Drive in Lake Buena Vista.

Are there any differences in their wilderness theming?

Besides some slight differences, both resorts strive to recreate the rustic feel of the nation's national parks and wilderness. Disney's resort claims to focus on the Northwest corner of the country, modeled off the historic Old Faithful Lodge circa 1904 in Yellowstone National Park while the Great Wolf Lodge doesn't specify a specific location for their theming.

As it's in the name, Great Wolf Lodge also does tend to focus on wolves in their motifs and merchandise. Disney uses their expansive list of characters to their advantage, incorporating those such as princesses, Marvel, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse characters throughout the resort. They also have hidden Mickeys in the lobby and rooms.

What is the cost difference between Great Wolf Lodge and Disney Wilderness Lodge?

Depending on the size of the room, the number of guests, and the season, patrons of Great Wolf Lodge can book a vacation for roughly $300–$700 per night.

The Naples Daily News reported that participating in clubs like AAA can save you up to $100 or so, depending on the day, and your membership number from those is required for reservations. They also highlight using promo codes when booking and checking discount sites, such as Groupon, first.

Per AllEars, the Wilderness Lodge Resort rooms have nightly prices of:

What food options are at each resort?

So far, Great Wolf hasn't released much on their dining options except in a statement that noted "casual and full-service dining for every appetite." The new Maryland venue features seven eateries for guests or the public at various pricing levels, and you may see some of those in Florida.

Some of those options may include:

"We'll have anywhere between six to eight different food venues, everything from grab and go to a really nice sit-down restaurant," Steve Jacobsen, executive vice president said.

Dining packages also will be available, but local pricing hasn't been determined. In Maryland, it looks like this:

At the Wilderness Lodge, there are two full-service restaurants, a lounge, a snack bar, and a combination bar and grill:

Guests can use their Disney Dining Plan towards their resort meals, which is a method of pre-paying for meals and snacks at Walt Disney World. To see the different plans offered at the Walt Disney World Resort, visit their website.

Is there an array of amenities for patrons?

The new Great Wolf Lodge in Naples "will offer a host of family-friendly attractions including miniature golf, arcade and more," Jason Lasecki, a Great Wolf vice-president said to the Naples Daily News. "It is also the home to MagiQuest, our interactive adventure game that allows players to unleash their imagination and go on a quest to save the mythical land of Vellara."

From pools and beaches to outdoor movies, Disney's Wilderness Lodge says it offers "fun recreation and activities for the whole family. Guests can watch movies under the stars, roast marshmallows for smores, fish in the lake, explore the nature trails, play games in the Button and Bells Arcade, and relax at the spas.

How do the waterslides and pools hold up?

You can't go to Great Wolf Lodge without checking out the waterslides. The Wisconsin-based resort promises that the new Naples location's water park will be a little over 90,000 square feet with six swimming pools.

"As for first-time features, we do have a few surprises up our sleeves as this will be our next-generation Great Wolf Lodge resort. (We) also have some newer slides coming to the Naples resort," Lasecki said to Naples Daily News. "The indoor water park will have some beloved Great Wolf Lodge favorites like the Crooked Creek lazy river, Slap Tail Pond wave pool, and River Canyon Run family raft ride, (We) plan to share all the exciting details and renderings about the water park in early 2024."

The Disney resort offers two different pools:

Copper Creek Springs Pool - A heated pool surrounded by nature. Guests can choose to relax in hot and cold whirlpool spas or book it down a 67-foot waterslide. There's also an activity play area for children and the Geyser Point Bar & Grill offers refreshments.

Boulder Ridge Cove Pool - More laid-back, patrons can soak in the whirlpool spa, enjoy a swim in the zero-depth entry pool or score a first come, first served spot at one of 6 shaded seating areas.

What can patrons do off resort property?

Wilderness Lodge Resort patrons don't even have to leave the general area their entire trip. Outside of the resort, Disney guests have four theme parks, two water parks, two golfing courses, and the Disney Springs shopping plaza to venture into. They can use the free transportation to head to-and-from these locations.

Just four hours away in Naples, Great Wolf Lodge is on the outskirts of the city. However, it's only less than a 20-minute drive to other hot spots around town, such as:

Celebrate the Florida lifestyle in the tastiest way possible, with a meal on the water. Orlando has no shortage of outdoor dining restaurants, and even though we aren't on the beach, there are numerous waterfront restaurants. Level up your date by dining at one of these scenic restaurants.

You're about to discover the best Orlando waterfront restaurants, plus a few that are nearby and worth a little drive for dinner with a view.

4201 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32806

You'll feel like you've escaped to the beach when you head to this waterfront restaurant in South Downtown – the SoDo District. In fact, you'll be at The Waterfront Orlando.

This is one of our favorite seafood restaurants in Orlando and during the day it is a kid friendly restaurant. By night, it becomes a lively but relaxed hangout spot with cold drinks and laid back vibes.

211 Eola Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32801

Locals love Relax Grill. This Lake Eola restaurant is popular at the end of a long workday or during the weekend. It is especially popular each Sunday thanks to the nearby Lake Eola Orlando Farmers' Market.

On the menu you'll find American Mediterranean cuisine with lots of lighter fare that is perfect for dining outdoors with a view of the lake.

215 S Orlando Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

Welcome to one of the most romantic restaurants in Orlando. Hillstone Restaurant has been a staple of the date-worthy dining scene for many years. If you're looking for a date idea to get all dolled up and live the good life, this is the place.

Book your reservation about 30 minutes before sunset if possible so you can enjoy the golden hues reflecting on the lake. It's one of our favorite places to watch the sunset in Orlando.

301 E Pine St, Orlando, FL 32801

Another classic Orlando restaurant, 310 Lakeside is date-worthy. The atmosphere is less waterfront and more about the modern American menu. While the views are not as plentiful as other waterfront restaurants on our list, being near Lake Eola has its moments.

4963 New Broad St, Orlando, FL 32814

While hotspots like Winter Park and Winter Garden get all the attention when it comes to walkable destinations, Baldwin Park should not be overlooked. And Colibri Mexican Cuisine Baldwin Park has some of the best waterfront dining in Orlando.

Sip handcrafted margaritas, nibble authentic Mexican fare, and take in the lakeside views. This waterfront restaurant is perfect for date night or a gathering with friends. Bring out of town guests here too.

Feature image of this article from @colibriorlando

13615 Sachs Avenue, Orlando, FL 32827

Head to one of the most Instagram worthy restaurants in the Orlando area. Canvas Restaurant & Market is a staple of Lake Nona restaurants. Not only does it have waterfront dining and views, but there is gorgeous modern art too, including the iconic Lake Nona Glass House.

550 N Palmetto Ave, Sanford, FL 32771

The Orlando area can thank the St. Johns River for the plentiful seafood we get to enjoy inland. While the seafood does not come from the St. Johns River itself, its connection to the coastline made getting seafood a lot easier before transit on the highways was an option.

St Johns River Steak & Seafood in Sanford harkens back to those early days. Enjoy dining along this legendary river and raise a glass to a touch of coastal life here in Orlando.

Bonus idea – Cabana Live

Also in Sanford is Cabana Live, this casual restaurant is parts sports bar, part pool bar, and it's right on the water. In fact, to get there you'll drive to the Port of Sanford Marina.

There are cabanas that overlook the water, and usually are available to use at no charge during weekdays – unless there is a special event. Weekdays offer fun happenings or specials, including Kids Eat Free + Movie Night on Wednesdays and Bingo on Fridays. Plus, Happy Hour is ALL DAY Monday – Thursday.

4301 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32804

Grills Lakeside Seafood Deck and Tiki Bar here in Orlando is part of a small group with two Grills locations on the Atlantic coast of Florida. So they know a thing or two about waterfront dining.

2356 Black Hammock Fish Camp Rd, Oviedo, FL 32765

If you're ready for some backwater adventure, head to Oviedo and the Black Hammock area. OId Florida is alive and well here. You can hop aboard an airboat ride and explore.

The Lazy Gator Bar at Black Hammock has waterfront views, casual eats, and cold drinks.

2997 FL-44, DeLand, FL 32720

If casual and relaxed is your speed, head to the DeLand area for some riverside dining. St. Johns River Grille is as casual as they come. Sit on the screened-in porch, order up some fish dip and cold drinks as you watch the boaters go by.

488 W Highbanks Rd, DeBary, FL 32713

Another super casual spot on the water is Swamp House Riverfront Grill in DeBary. Most of the dining room does not actually overlook the water, but it's worth a visit. Even if you're not able to snag a seat with a view, just being on the river is enough to satisfy that craving to dine on the water.

Parking is limited at this popular spot so get here early!

1104 Lakeshore Blvd, St Cloud, FL 34769

Cast your worries away as you dine on the water's edge at Crabby Bill's St. Cloud. Another family owned and operated spot with locations out on the coast, you'll feel like you've gone coastal even though you're inland.

Whether you sit inside or outside you can bask in beautiful views of East Lake Toho in the Lakefront Park Marina.

700 Bloom St, Celebration, FL 34747

If you prefer to stay sophisticated then Lakeside Bar + Grill located inside the Bohemian Celebration Hotel offers romantic date night vibes. Situated on the small lake of downtown Celebration, Florida you'll experience small-town charm, just down the road from Walt Disney World.

15790 SE 134th Ave, Weirsdale, FL 32195

Experience a beachy getaway for the day, without heading to the busy beaches near Orlando. Not only can you dine right on the massive lake, but at Eaton's Beach Sandbar and Grill you can rent jet skis and more to go out on the water. It is a bit of a drive from Orlando but if you're up for a Florida adventure, this will do the trick.

I stopped here with my husband during a little Florida road trip and we loved it! There are two dining rooms, one upstairs and another downstairs. Plus plenty of outdoor dining and multiple bars make it possible for everyone to enjoy the views. The menu features Florida and Louisiana influences including Fried Shrimp and Gator Tail.

181 S Joanna Ave, Tavares, FL 32778

Mount Dora gets all the love in this part of town, but Tavares is also on Lake Dora and worth a visit. The Kalua Beach Bar is perfect for casual lakeside dining near Orlando. Depending on what side of town you're on, Tavares is 30 – 45 minutes away.

Start your day at the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive then head 30 minutes down the road to Kalua Beach Bar for cold drinks and casual eats like Chicken Wings, Burgers, or Blackened Fish Tacos. This spot is one of the most quintessential waterfront restaurants.

BONUS IDEA – Tiki Bar & Grill Local dive situated on the shores of Lake Minneola serving casual fare, gorgeous sunset views 508 S Main Ave, Minneola (352) 394-2232

BEACHSIDE BRUNCH – If you're interested in a day trip, head to the lively Brunch at Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach served every Saturday and Sunday from 11am – 3pm, with a gorgeous view of the beach.

Waterfront Restaurants at Disney World

Soak up the magic of Walt Disney World coupled with dining on the water. These waterfront restaurants at Walt Disney World are date worthy.

Want to road trip? Check out Waterfront Restaurants in Tampa Bay