Sebring

In the heart of Florida’s peninsula, the city of Sebring began as a planned community by George Sebring, a pottery magnate from Ohio. He enjoyed winters here so much he developed the city like a wheel, with downtown being the center and six spoke streets radiating out towards surrounding communities. The downtown historic district offers museums, art galleries, and book stores, and Sebring itself is flanked by two similarly historic communities with fine 1920s architecture—Avon Park, from 1886, and Lake Placid, the Caladium Capital of the World. Lake Placid has established itself as a community of the arts, with galleries, studios, and ...

In the heart of Florida’s peninsula, the city of Sebring began as a planned community by George Sebring, a pottery magnate from Ohio. He enjoyed winters here so much he developed the city like a wheel, with downtown being the center and six spoke streets radiating out towards surrounding communities. The downtown historic district offers museums, art galleries, and book stores, and Sebring itself is flanked by two similarly historic communities with fine 1920s architecture—Avon Park, from 1886, and Lake Placid, the Caladium Capital of the World. Lake Placid has established itself as a community of the arts, with galleries, studios, and nearly 50 murals illustrating the history of the region. Situated north of Lake Okeechobee and south of Lake Wales, the region is on the tallest ridge of the peninsula, the Lake Wales Ridge, making it perfect for agriculture. Sebring’s modern claim to fame is racing—the 12 Hours of Sebring and American Le Mans endurance races are held here. It’s also a destination for bicycle races and bicycle tours, and has one of Florida’s oldest state parks, Highlands Hammock, with trees millennia old.

About the Expert

Sandra Friend has written 12 books about Florida, including the Explorer's Guide (Countryman Press) series to Florida.