Twin Lakes at Avon Park: Lakeside 55+ Living, Local Eats and Things to Do in Avon Park, FL
Retirenet Media Team
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New homes, resort-style amenities, and small-town Florida charm on the shores of Lake Anoka
If you have been searching for a 55+ community in Florida that pairs brand-new homes with small-town charm and wide-open lake views, Twin Lakes at Avon Park belongs at the top of your list. Set in Avon Park, the oldest city in Highlands County, this new manufactured home community for active adults sits beside the calm shoreline of Lake Anoka, close to a historic downtown, quality golf, and some of the best comfort food and bakeries in Central Florida. Here is a closer look at the community, the lifestyle, and the places you will want to eat, explore, and visit once you call Twin Lakes home.
Resort-Style Amenities at Twin Lakes at Avon Park
Everyday life at Twin Lakes feels like a long weekend at a lakeside resort. Mornings can begin with laps in the temperature-controlled swimming pool, followed by an afternoon soak in the hot tub. Residents who like a little friendly competition will find pickleball, shuffleboard, and bocce ball courts ready for play, along with a fitness center and a clubhouse for gatherings, clubs, and celebrations.
Lake Anoka is a true highlight. Residents can paddle a kayak across quiet water, cast a line from the shore, or simply settle in for the golden-hour light that makes Highlands County sunsets so memorable. The breezy Tiki Hut and picnic area is a natural meeting place for lunch, card games, and conversation, and four-legged family members get a fully fenced, off-leash dog park of their own. Community events and holiday celebrations throughout the year make it easy to turn neighbors into friends.
New Manufactured Homes Built for Low-Maintenance Living
The homes at Twin Lakes are new, contemporary, and move-in ready, designed for retirees who want comfort and style without the upkeep of a traditional single-family house. Open layouts, modern finishes, and an easy-care footprint leave more time for the pool, the courts, and the lake. Model homes are open for tours Tuesday through Sunday, so you can walk through floor plans in person and picture your next chapter.
Explore Twin Lakes at Avon Park
Why Retirees Are Discovering Avon Park, Florida
Avon Park was named after Stratford-upon-Avon, England, by early settlers who arrived in the late 1800s, and the town still carries that storybook character. Its brick-lined Main Street, landmark 1926 Hotel Jacaranda, and shady lakeside parks give it a walkable, old-Florida feel that is hard to find along the crowded coasts. Highlands County is known for its many freshwater lakes, warm winters, and an affordable cost of living, and neighboring Sebring, roughly 15 to 20 minutes south, adds more shopping, healthcare, dining, and entertainment. For active adults who want space, sunshine, and a slower pace without giving up convenience, Avon Park checks every box.
Best Places to Eat Near Twin Lakes at Avon Park
One of the joys of living in Avon Park is a food scene filled with family-owned diners, Latin kitchens, and lakeside grills where the owners often stop by your table. Here are local favorites worth putting on your list.
Downtown Avon Park Dining
Charlie Faye's Depot on West Main Street serves country-style breakfast and lunch in a cozy diner setting with counter seating, booths, and tables. Regulars praise the blueberry buttermilk pancakes, crispy hash browns, and hearty roast beef.
Sophie's Main Street brings Cuban cafe culture to downtown, with cafe con leche, Cuban sandwiches, and fresh pastries served in a charming, relaxed space. It is a lovely spot for a mid-morning coffee break with friends.
The Corner International Cuisine & Latin Grill is earning a loyal following for its Puerto Rican and Colombian dishes, including mofongo, alcapurrias, and garlic chicken, all made fresh and seasoned with care.
The Pour House on Main is a fun, social stop where guests pour their own beer, cider, and wine from a self-serve tap wall. Pizzas, pretzels, and wraps round out the menu, and trivia nights and live music make it a lively evening out.
Avon Park Diner on U.S. Highway 27 is a classic, old-school diner beloved for biscuits and gravy, generous omelets, and burgers that some regulars call the best in Florida. Dutchers Diner on West Main Street is another breakfast favorite known for fluffy homemade biscuits and country fried steak.
Salsa & Sazon Latin Restaurant serves authentic Puerto Rican comfort food in a colorful, music-filled dining room, with pork, rice and beans, and yuca among the popular plates.
Bakeries, Bagels, and Sweet Treats
The Bagel Bar on North Anoka Avenue, close to Twin Lakes, bakes authentic New York-style bagels that are crusty outside and soft inside. Try the lox bagel, a Cuban-inspired bagel sandwich, or a slice of New York-style pizza, and enjoy it on the screened-in patio.
Sugar Blossoms in downtown Sebring is one of the most beloved bakeries in Highlands County. The shop is filled with croissants, cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, cheesecakes, and an ever-changing lineup of sweet and savory scones. It is also a go-to for custom celebration cakes, including retirement cakes.
Havana Restaurant on The Circle in Sebring pairs strong Cuban coffee with sweet bread, empanadas, papa rellena, and other baked goods at very reasonable prices, making it a perfect stop before strolling the historic district.
For birthdays, anniversaries, and community celebrations, Bertha's Sweets Designs in Sebring creates beautifully decorated custom cakes and desserts, and the TastyKake and Nature's Own Bakery Outlet on State Road 64 in Avon Park is a budget-friendly stop for breads, rolls, and snack cakes.
Lakeside and Special-Occasion Dining
Faded Bistro & Beer Garden near Sebring's Circle is a hidden tropical garden with indoor and outdoor seating. Crab cakes, truffle fries, and a smoked old fashioned are crowd favorites, and Sunday brunch draws a happy crowd.
Lake Jackson Landing offers a patio overlooking Lake Jackson at sunset, live music, Fish Fry Fridays, and Rib Thursdays. Nearby, The Grill at Lake Jackson serves barbecue ribs, pulled pork, and generous plates with a lovely lake view.
Island View Restaurant at Sun 'N Lake features a spacious dining room overlooking the golf course, a wraparound bar, live entertainment on scheduled nights, and comfort dishes such as chicken Marsala and pork schnitzel.
Back in downtown Avon Park, the historic Hotel Jacaranda is a favorite for holiday buffets, including Easter and Mother's Day, served inside a beautifully decorated 1926 landmark.
Things to Do and See Near Twin Lakes at Avon Park
History, Art, and Culture
The Avon Park Depot and Baseball Museum tells the story of the town's early days and its spring training baseball history through photos, memorabilia, and a short film. Just down Main Street, the Peter Powell Roberts Museum of Art celebrates a local artist and hosts rotating exhibits, classes, and free lectures. On the South Florida State College campus, the SFSC Museum of Florida Art and Culture and the college's performing arts theater bring concerts, shows, and exhibits close to home.
Donaldson Park, at the edge of downtown, is a shaded lakefront park with a sandy beach, picnic pavilions, walking paths, and benches made for people-watching. It is a perfect place to bring visiting grandchildren on a sunny afternoon.
Golf Close to Home
Golfers have excellent choices within a short drive. River Greens Golf Course is known for fast, well-kept greens and a memorable finish with three par 5s in the final four holes. Pinecrest Golf Club offers an old-Florida layout along Lake Lotela with a popular restaurant, and Highlands Ridge North Golf Course is a favorite for its varied layout and welcoming women's league.
Nature, Wildlife, and the Outdoors
Highlands Hammock State Park, one of Florida's oldest state parks, is a must-see. Walk beneath towering ancient trees, explore boardwalk trails, and take the guided tram tour to spot alligators and wading birds. Closer to home, the Sun 'N Lake Preserve offers miles of quiet, well-marked trails and ponds where sandhill cranes and river otters make regular appearances.
For a bit of adventure, Airboat Wildlife Adventures glides through cypress-lined waterways onto Lake Istokpoga, where alligators, turtles, and roseate spoonbills are common sights. Anglers will also enjoy the long fishing dock at Istokpoga Park, and nature lovers can explore the rare scrub habitat of the Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area.
Sebring and Beyond
The Sebring Downtown Historic District, arranged around a charming circular park and featured on HGTV's Hometown Takeover, is lined with boutiques, used bookstores, a soda shop, and coffeehouses. Motorsports fans will want to experience Sebring International Raceway, home of the legendary 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race each March.
When the grandkids visit, the Children's Museum of the Highlands and the gem-mining fun at Lost Mines of Atlantis are sure hits. For a memorable day trip, Solomon's Castle in nearby Ona is a one-of-a-kind, hand-built castle full of whimsical recycled art, with lunch served at the Boat in the Moat restaurant.
Make Twin Lakes at Avon Park Your Next Home
Twin Lakes at Avon Park brings together everything active adults love about Central Florida: new low-maintenance homes, resort-style amenities, a peaceful lake right outside the door, and a friendly small town filled with great food and things to do. Whether your perfect day includes a pickleball match and a swim, a fresh bagel and a museum visit, or a round of golf followed by dinner on the lake, you will find it here.
Learn more about the community, browse photos and amenities, and request your free brochure on RetireNet.com. Then plan a visit to tour the model homes and see the lifestyle for yourself.
Request Your Free Twin Lakes Brochure
View the Twin Lakes Photo Gallery
Discover more 55+ communities in Avon Park, Florida and across the Sunshine State on RetireNet.com. Restaurant and attraction hours change seasonally, so call ahead before you visit.
