Lake Placid – Town of Murals
Sometimes life takes you places you never would have planned. Which is exactly how we ended up visiting Sebring and Lake Placid, the Town of Murals. Our youngest daughter is new to the hand bell choir at our church, and they were attending the Florida Hand Bell Festival in Lake Placid. Knowing that we would have free time while Jojo was attending the festival, I did a little research before we went. I found out Lake Placid, Florida is known as the “Town of Murals” and is the Caladium Capital of the World. At least I knew there would be something interesting to keep us busy.
Sebring First
Our lodging was handled by the church. We were put up in Sebring, which is about 25 minutes north of Lake Placid. After dropping Jojo off at the festival, we headed back up to Sebring. Instead of making the trip back and forth to Lake Placid, Jojo hitched a ride back with our friends. My friend Heidi stayed back with us, so we found a local place to eat in the historic downtown area of Sebring.
Faded Bistro & Beer Garden did not disappoint. We all loved the atmosphere. It had a couple different outside seating areas, and the inside had large open doors, so it was just like you were sitting outside too.
It had rustic barn appeal and I loved that they brought you your own bottle of water to refill your mason jars! There were local Florida brews on tap, which I’m sure you makes us happy. We started by sharing some appetizers. We had the hummus trio and the cheese platter. It looked so good, we starting eating before I remembered to snap a pic.
For main dishes, Heidi and I shared the turkey salad, which was more than enough for both us after those appetizers. Anna had the lobster mac ’n cheese, and Matt decided on the shrimp & grits with plantains. This place gets five stars from us!
Sebring Raceway
Saturday morning, Jojo hitched a ride down to the festival, so after check out, we decided to take a drive and see Downtown Sebring in the daylight. It’s a cute town, and I definitely go back to spend more time there. Matt wanted to drive past the Sebring Raceway, since we used to be big Nascar fans, although it’s kind of faded away.
They happened to be hosting the SVRA Sebring Vintage Classic & Trans-Am Series that weekend, so we couldn’t get in to look around, but we drove around the outside and got to watch some of the race cars pass by. Gave us the itch to get to a race. Sebring Raceway hosts America’s oldest sports car endurance race, the famed 12 hour endurance classic.
Lake Placid Florida – Town of Murals
With only a couple more hours of free time, we headed to Lake Placid. They were having their Saturday Farmer’s Market in the Journal Plaza, so we decided to take a peek. Good News Juice & Smoothie Café was super cute. They were attached to The Blueberry Patch Shop, with lots of southern, rustic, farm, & charm stuff. Loved all the exposed brick in both buildings, to show the history. Other friends of ours ate lunch at the café, and they had lots of good things to say about it.
The Journal Plaza is just a small grassy area, and the surrounding buildings have murals. Even one to have movie in the park!
One of the vendors, The Baking Shiba, gave us a free red velvet cake in a jar. Then I saw she had cookies & cream macarons, so I had to get some for Jojo. Jojo said they were the best she’s ever had!! I have to agree, they were really good!!
Chef Buddy’s Italian American Deli
Sadly Chef Buddy’s has since closed. Matt is the best at finding great places to eat. He found Chef Buddy’s Italian American Deli, and when Matt is impressed by a sandwich, you know it’s good. Anna had the Italian Hero with salami, ham & cheese. I did a combo with antipasto salad and Meat Bomb with meatballs and sausage. Matt had The Godfather with prosciutto, salami, cappi, fresh mozzarella, red onion, green onion, lettuce, tomato, and housemade dressing.
There were murals on some of the buildings near Chef Buddy’s we got to see before heading back to the bell choir festival for the ending concert. Thankfully I was able to snap a couple more pictures of some murals on the visitors building before heading out.
Even though it was a short visit, we packed in some good eats, and attractions. Where have you visited unplanned that ended up being a place you wanted to return back to? Let us know, and come connect with us on Instagram!!
Planning on visiting the area? Here are a couple sites we found helpful:
https://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/cities/lake-placid.html
More unique things to do around Central Florida:
Lake Placid is now on my to-do list!! ?
I love small towns!!! I’ve stumbled across so many so far in Florida, but I’ll definitely have to put Lake Placid on the list!
Small towns are the best!! I love finding new ones!
This looks like such a cute little town! Some of those murals are amazing – such artists. I’m pinning this to keep it since it’s a driveable town for us. 🙂
So many cute towns to visit here in Florida.
What a fun place to visit! The Baking Shiba sounds delicious!
It sure was. She was so sweet!!
How fun, I wasn’t familiar with Lake Placid, but this looks like place that I would love to explore!!
Neither we were before finding out we would be traveling there. Happy we went!!
I love Lake Placid and actually looked at purchasing a lake home there. They actually have some lakes that are gator free and clean enough to swim in!
Good to know. My husband used to have some extended family living in the area. Found that out after we were there.
What a fun weekend getaway – I love discovering interesting things in towns I didn’t necessarily plan to visit like this trip was for you.
And we like when they are small, and quieter!!
Even had lived in Florida, I never seen this place. Good to know for when we visit, thanks!
It took us over 10 years to hear of it!! I am sure there are many more wonderful small towns to find too!!
Aw!! I want to visit the town of Murals! That place looks amazing! We took a road trip from Indiana to California a couple years ago. Of course we saw lots of amazing, unexpected things along the way…but one that I would have never known about without researching for this trip, was The Wizard of Oz museum in Oswego, Kansas. My daughter is a huge fan so she was thrilled! It was a pretty cute little museum. Thanks for sharing the murals of Lake Placid!
Fun!! Now you need a road trip south, to Florida.
I didn’t know it was the city of murals. When I was young, I went with my family to see the Olympic ski jump spots.
Not sure how long it has been the town of murals, but this is Lake Placid in Florida. No skiing here!!
We love small towns that are unique and different and this one is not far away! Thanks for sharing!
We do too!! Hope you get the chance to take a road trip!!
Thank you for the links. That helps plan a great visit. Those murals are amazing.
You are welcome!!
I had no idea there were murals like this. I want to go now.
We were happy to find out it was such a unique town!
Great post and improve your pics, too! Who would have thought there’d be so many great places to eat in that small town?’
I know, right??? I kind of wish we had tried the café you went to.
I love discovering hidden gems like Lake Placid. The murals are gorgeous!
I’m the same way!! It’s like treasure hunting!!