Lake Placid: The Florida Town Where Every Wall Tells a Story
Think you have seen all of Florida?
Lake Placid may surprise you.
Tucked away in Highlands County, this small Florida town has turned its downtown into one large outdoor art gallery. More than 50 murals cover buildings throughout town, and each one tells part of the area’s story.
This is not just street art.
It is Florida history painted on the walls.
THE STORIES BEHIND THE MURALS
Walk through downtown Lake Placid and you may find a mural showing a 1927 rescue involving Henry Ford and Thomas Edison.
Another tells the story of a 1931 bank robbery that was solved, in part, with help from a ten-year-old boy.
And those are just two examples.
Murals appear on hardware stores, old bank buildings, shops, and other walls throughout downtown.
Even the trash cans are painted.
HOW LAKE PLACID BECAME THE TOWN OF MURALS
The mural project began in the 1990s.
Rather than create another roadside attraction, local residents chose something that celebrated their town, its people, and its history.
That decision is part of what makes Lake Placid special today.
It still feels like a real Florida town.
You can walk through downtown, stop for lunch, study the murals, and discover stories about Florida that you may never have heard before.
DON'T MISS THE TINY DETAILS
The giant murals get most of the attention, but keep your eyes open for something much smaller.
Tiny tin sculptures are tucked around downtown, including on benches and in other unexpected places.
Finding them turns your walk through town into a small treasure hunt.
It is one of those little details that makes Lake Placid fun to explore.
A FLORIDA DAY TRIP THAT FEELS DIFFERENT
Florida has no shortage of famous beaches, theme parks, and tourist attractions.
Lake Placid offers something different.
There are no giant crowds and no need to rush from one attraction to another.
You simply walk, look, read, and enjoy.
For longtime Florida residents, seasonal residents, and visitors who think they have already "done Florida," Lake Placid is worth adding to the list.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Where to start:
18 N Oak Ave
Lake Placid, FL
Best for:
An easy Florida day trip in any season.
Best time to go:
Morning or late afternoon when temperatures are more comfortable and the light is better for photos.
One thing to watch for:
Look for the tiny tin sculptures tucked along benches and other spots as you explore downtown.
DISCOVER THE FLORIDA MOST PEOPLE MISS
Some of Florida's most interesting places sit far from the major attractions.
Lake Placid is one of them.
It is a small town with big stories painted right on its walls.
Sometimes the best way to discover Florida is to leave the usual route and see what you find.
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Luxury Real Estate, Simplified.