The 1,400 lakes in Lake County make up 17% of the county's 722,000 acres.

Leesburg dominates the waterways for which the county is named and known. Set between three of the most picturesque and welcoming lakes, the city invites residents and visitors to relax in its natural beauty.

Stop and rest at one of the two beaches on the shores of the "Little" lakes or four beaches on the shores of Lake Harris proper. The Leesburg Yacht Club, on the north end of the city, sits on the southern shores of Lake Griffin.

Lake Griffin

Lake Griffin is seven miles long, one-half mile wide, and the largest lake in Lake County. The north half of the lilly-padded lake is considered best for bass fishing using artificial worms, surfaces lures and shiners. In the winer, there's plenty of speck and in the summer, you can fill your boat with panfish.

More about Lake Griffin State Park

Lake Harris

Lake Harris is considered by many to be the most beautiful lake in the county. With an average depth of only 14 feet, bass and pan fishing are both very good.

More about fishing on the Harris Chain of Lakes

Dora Canal

The Dora Canal is one of the most scenic natural adventures you'll find in Florida. Slowly cruise the canal and marvel at nature's beauty. Lined with majestic cypress trees, it's likely you'll see an alligator or two resting along the bank or a raccoon family fishing for lunch. If you're a bird watcher, you'll enjoy sightings of ospreys, anhingas and herring gulls.

Venetian Gardens

Venetian Gardens is a 110-acre park that boasts amenities such as a public swimming pool with bath house, baseball field, volleyball court, picnic tables and walking paths around Lake Harris. Enjoy a leisurely stroll across the pedestrian bridges leading to private islands that offer scenic views of the lake and the park's canals.

More about parks and recreation in Leesburg

Baseball

Continuing a rich history with America's Pastime are the Leesburg Lightning, one of the standout teams of the Florida Collegiate Summer League. Every summer, thse college athletes take to Pat Thomas Field at Venetian Gardens and put on a display to show that there are some out there who still play for the love of the game.

More about the Leesburg Lightning and the Florida Collegiate Summer League

More about the history of baseball in Leesburg

Sightseeing

In 2007, Leesburg celebrated its 150th birthday. If you enjoy history, there's plenty of it to see in Leesburg.

The Leesburg Heritage Museum contains artifacts and information from Leesburg's history, from founder Evander Lee, to its orange grove prosperity, to the building boom of the early 20th century.? You will find photos, brochures and stories that chronicle Leesburg's storied history from trading post to one of the largest cities in Lake County.

The Mote-Morris house is a beautiful example of Victorian architecture. Built in 1892, the two-story home offers a look back at what life used to be like at the beginning of the 20th century in small town America. In 1974, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

More about the Leesburg Heritage Museum

More about the Mote-Morris House

When you talk about being in the center of it all, you have to be talking about Leesburg. We enjoy the benefits of small town life but, when it's time to see the rest of Florida, we're not far from anything. Our central location is ideal for those sightseers and explorers.

Get up one morning and decide to go to the beach... watch the weather and decide whether it will be the Atlantic or Gulf side. It makes no difference, both are just a couple of hours away from your front door.

Space Coast

If you've never seen the launch of the Space Shuttle, you're missing one of the most awesome sights one can see. Either take a short trip to the Cape to watch it up close (something everyone should do at least once in their life) or watch it from your back yard right here in Leesburg.

If you're fortunate enough to be around for a night launch, you're really in for a treat. The shuttle lights up the clear Florida sky that makes a spectacular and breathtaking sight... and, upon it's return, you'll hear the double-sonic boom as it reenters the earths atmosphere.

The Cape is only a little over 2 hours from Leesburg.

More about Kennedy Space Center

More about the Space Coast

Orlando Area Attractions

And, of course, there's the attractions. Only an hour from Leesburg is the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, collectively known as Walt Disney World. Visit the House of Mouse during the day, and return to the quiet calm of Leesburg for a relaxing evening.

Universal Orlando is where blockbusters come to life!? Experience thrills and chills based on some of your favorite movies and TV shows, including Men in Black, Jurassic Park and The Simpsons.? And coming to Universal Orlando in 2010 is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

SeaWorld has recently been expanding. Along with the original marine animal park, they now have a park where you can swim with the dolphins, stingrays and more. They've also added some rides for those individuals that like to put a little excitement into the day. And new in 2008 is Aquatica, SeaWorld's water park, where you can interact with marine life, including a water slide that takes you through the den of some Commerson's Dolphins.

There are many other things to do outside the parks in the Orlando area too, such as Old Town. Located in Kissimmee is a nice place to bring the family for the day (and night). Every Friday and Saturday they have the "Cruises" that attract hundreds of antique and special interest vehicles for display and a cruise each night up and down the main street. Rides for kids young and old are scattered throughout Old Town and 50's and 60's music fill the streets.

The Mercado, The Mall at Millennia, shopping on I-Drive and more are open year around for your enjoyment.

Gulf Coast

On the Tampa side you can easily visit Busch Gardens in a day. About one and a half hours from Leesburg, everyone will find something to do here. Animals galore and some of the best thrill rides around will keep you and your family busy for the day.

Stay the night and visit Ybor City. It's great (and inexpensive) entertainment if you enjoy the night life.

Other Central Florida Attractions

Closer to home, there's the Ocala National Forest where you can rent a canoe or tube and float down one of the many springs in the area. The crystal-clear water is something to see.

There's also the famous Silver Springs approximately 45 minutes north. You can leisurely wander the park looking at the exotic animals or take a glass-bottom boat ride and see gators resting on shore and monkeys playing in the trees (the monkeys are from the old "Tarzan" movies).? Silver Springs also plays host to many concerts throughout the year of many of music's top acts.

Just less than an hour west you can visit Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and watch manatees play in the water. These gentle giants are an amazing site to see.

The list could go on for pages... there's something for everyone. Florida's the place to live and Leesburg is the perfect place in Florida. Here you get the best of everything.