Looking for a hidden Florida gem beyond the beaches and theme parks? Say hello to Sebring, Florida—a charming Central Florida town filled with nature, nostalgia, and local flavor. Sebring delivers a unique mix of activities and experiences that make it the perfect laid-back getaway. Here’s your ultimate guide to visiting Sebring, FL, including the best places to stay, eat, drink, and play.
Where to Stay in Sebring
Inn on the Lakes
Hands down one of the best boutique hotels in Florida, Inn on the Lakes offers a beautifully landscaped property, stunning lake views, and 155 recently remodeled rooms. With a charming pool area adorned by hundreds of meticulously grown flowers, complimentary breakfast delivered to your door, and top-notch service, it’s the kind of place you’ll never want to leave.
Our multi-generational family all loved staying here, and I rank it as one of my favorite places to stay in the entire state.
Other Great Accommodations
Sebring also has several trusted hotel chains that offer comfort and convenience:
- Holiday Inn Express Sebring
- La Quinta Inn & Suites
- Residence Inn Sebring
All are centrally located and perfect for road trippers or weekend travelers.
Best Places to Eat & Drink in Sebring
Sebring’s culinary scene is as diverse as it is delicious. Here are a few standout spots:
- Chicanes Restaurant (at Inn on the Lakes): An upscale dining experience with steak, seafood, pasta, and cocktails—perfect for date night.
- Nutmeg’s Café: A cozy breakfast and lunch spot serving grain bowls, pastries, sandwiches, and smoothies.
- Faded Bistro & Beer Garden: For outdoor dining, charcuterie boards, and serious chill vibes, this Instagram-worthy space delivers.
- Sophie’s Downtown: Authentic Cuban cuisine that’s hard to come by this far north of Miami.
Want more? Check out my Sebring restaurant guide here.
Top Things to Do in Sebring, Florida
Sebring International Raceway
Sebring is home to the oldest road racing track in the U.S., the iconic Sebring International Raceway. Each March, it hosts the 12 Hours of Sebring—part of the FIA World Endurance Championship, formerly known as the Le Mans Series—drawing race fans from around the world.
Bonus: You may even catch a Ferrari Challenge or luxury race team on-site during your visit.
Citrus Golf Trail
With 13 courses and two PGA qualifying events, Sebring is one of America’s best golf value destinations. Favorites include Pinecrest Golf Club and Country Club of Sebring.
Highlands Hammock State Park
Established in 1931, this state park is a nature lover’s dream. Explore nine hiking trails, birdwatch, or take a guided eco-tram tour through the cypress swamps of Highlands Hammock State Park, where you can enjoy the 9,000 acres of beautiful landscape. Don’t miss the elevated boardwalk through the cypress swamp—it’s incredibly scenic and full of wildlife.
Do be alert for Florida panthers, black bears, and snakes inside the park. You are almost guaranteed to see dozens of gators.
Sebring Soda & Ice Cream Works
Delight in a tasty ice cream treat or light bites at the cornerstone of downtown Sebring. The Sebring Soda & Ice Cream Works offers a charming setting to cool off and treat your taste buds.
Come for the Sebring Soda Festival in early to mid-April and sample your way through more than 300 flavors of craft sodas and enjoy the street vendors and live music. This well-organized and unique festival is a must for families and soda lovers alike.
Sugar Sand Distillery
Visit Florida’s only estate-grown sugar cane distillery amidst 10 acres of farmland to sample moonshine, rum, vodka, and whiskey in this farm-to-bottle operation. Distillery tours and tastings are available—and fun! Try their second tasting room location at the 301 in Downtown Sebring.
Distillery tours last between 30 and 45 minutes and are $7.50 per person.
Lake Istokpoga
Back in Sebring, Lake Istokpoga is renowned for trophy bass fishing. Whether you’re an experienced angler or a novice, the lake’s abundant fish population promises a rewarding experience.
Another unique place to explore in the Sunshine State is Florida’s Space Coast. Read more about it here.
Experience the Buzz: Downtown Sebring
Downtown Sebring is the heart of the community, full of boutique shops, cafés, and exciting things to do:
- HGTV’s Home Town Takeover (Season 3): Yep, Sebring is the star of this national makeover show, bringing even more charm to downtown.
- Sebring Soap Co: Pick up primo bath products in this inviting shop.
- Grateful Hearts DIY Studio: Get crafty with a take-home project or workshop.
- Linda’s Books and Stuff: Browse for new and used reads in this cozy indie bookstore.
- Petals Boutique: Fun and trendy fashions in a modern setting.
- Children’s Museum of the Highlands: An excellent educational and fun space for kids 1 through 12 and their families to play, learn, and share some memorable moments.
While you are in the downtown area, grab a gourmet pastry from Sugar Blossoms and a stellar hot or cold coffee or tea drink from Sweetwater Coffee Company on N Ridgewood Drive. Don’t miss the beautiful and colorful murals around the downtown area, as well as the picturesque Sadie Kahn Memorial Park, which pays homage to the area’s orange groves.
Easy Day Trips from Sebring
Lake Placid, FL
Just minutes from Sebring, this vibrant town boasts nearly 50 outdoor murals, 27 freshwater lakes, and the charming Journal Plaza, offering a variety of food, drink, and shopping options. For a unique attraction, visit the clown museum.
Fun fact: 90% of the world’s caladiums are grown here! Celebrate the beautiful plants at the Caladium Festival in late July, featuring Sugar Express steam train rides and multiple days of festival fun. I read somewhere that it has been compared to the Holland tulip fields.
Avon Park, FL
Another nearby town worth a visit, especially for antique shopping, a fun beach setting, and a classic Old-Florida hotel and restaurant.
Why Sebring Belongs on Your Florida Bucket List
Sebring is a true Central Florida gem—affordable, scenic, and refreshingly uncrowded. Whether you’re here for racing, nature, golf, festivals, multi-gen road trips (that’s us!) or just relaxing by the lake, this town has a way of surprising you in the best possible ways.
So go ahead—add Sebring to your Florida road trip list. You’ll wonder why it took you so long to discover it.
Thanks to Visit Sebring for hosting my visit. As always, reviews and opinions are 100% mine and unbiased.
Read about more great places to visit in the Sunshine State:
Mirela | The Travel Bunny
Thursday 16th of May 2019
It looks like a really nice trip that you put together! I really love the restaurant and bar selection, with my favorite being Mon Cirque Wine Bar. It looks like a really cool place to have a glass of wine.
Ketki
Thursday 16th of May 2019
You had me at gluten free orange icecream! All the cakes look amazing too. Looks like a fun place to visit for sure.
Rhonda Albom
Tuesday 14th of May 2019
The name Sebring conjures up images of auto racing but I never knew that the track was owned by NASCAR. The gluten-free orange soft-serve ice cream from Maxwell Groves sounds like a real treat.
Cindy
Tuesday 14th of May 2019
Wow, I wasn't familiar with Sebring, but you had me at truffle fries, along with Florida orange cake and ice cream. The filet and the charcuterie board look good too. It will take some hiking in the Highlands Hammock park to work it all off. And I will be wondering, what does unicorn yak soda taste like?
MelodyPittman
Wednesday 15th of May 2019
I thought a lot like cotton candy. ;)
Delphine
Monday 13th of May 2019
The street art looks really interesting, that's always what I look for when I visit a new city!