Standing on the waterfront at Venetian Gardens, I’m always blown away by the notion that there’s’ more than 50,000 acres of freshwater waiting to be discovered from this very spot. Lake Harris is one link in the largest chain of lakes in Florida. Harris Chain of Lakes Source: MorrisonMedia / shutterstock Lake Harris
From here you’ll have access to almost 80 square miles of freshwater, all linked by waterways. Lake Harris is also part of the Harris Chain of Lakes, the largest chain of lakes in Florida. In the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration created Venetian Gardens, a series of enchanting islands joined by little bridges. On the waterfront here is one of my favorite parks in the world. Leesburg’s exciting, culturally-rich downtown is a few steps from the shore of Lake Harris.
Once known for growing watermelons, this fast-growing city is wedged between two large bodies of freshwater, namely Lake Harris and Lake Griffin.