Sebring
Around Sebring
Illustration made for Popchat
Metro area · Florida · 109k people
Sebring
“City on the Circle”
Where the race never ends and the lakes are always calm.
Citrus OrangeGrove Green
Welcome to Sebring, where the roar of engines meets the calm of the lakes. Whether you're here for the race or the fishing, you'll find a friendly small-town vibe.
Clubs for Sebring
No clubs for Sebring yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Sebring. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Sebring. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Sebring International Raceway Home of the 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race.
- Highlands Hammock State Park Old-growth cypress swamp with hiking trails.
- Lake Jackson Popular for fishing and boating.
- Lake Sebring Quiet lake for kayaking and paddleboarding.
- Lake Placid Known as the Caladium Capital, with murals downtown.
- Downtown Sebring Circle Roundabout with shops and restaurants.
- Outdoors Fishing on Lake Jackson
- Outdoors Hiking in Highlands Hammock
- With kids Picnicking at Highlands Hammock
- With kids Swimming at Lake Jackson beach
- Evenings Downtown bars on the Circle
- Evenings Live music during race week
- Locals love lakes
- Locals love state parks
Through the year
- 12 Hours of Sebring March Iconic endurance race at Sebring International Raceway.
- Highlands County Fair Spring Annual fair with rides and livestock shows.
- Sebring Soda Festival October Celebrates the town's soda fountain heritage.
- Lake Placid Caladium Festival July Showcases the town's caladium fields.
Subtropical with hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters. Best: Fall and spring are ideal for being outside.
Talk like a local
- “The Circle”
- Downtown Sebring's roundabout.
- “Race Week”
- The week leading up to the 12 Hours.
- “The Lake”
- Usually Lake Jackson.
Getaways
- Lakeland Bigger city with museums and lakes.
- Sarasota Gulf beaches and arts scene.
- Punta Gorda Waterfront dining and harbor.
- Okeechobee Lake Okeechobee fishing and wildlife.
Local flavour
Rooting for Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL), Tampa Bay Rays (MLB), Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL), Orlando Magic (NBA), Florida Gators (NCAA), Florida State Seminoles (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Fried catfish and hush puppies Common Southern fare in local fish camps and diners.
- Key lime pie A Florida staple, often made with local limes.
- Orange blossom honey Produced from the area's citrus groves.
Where people go
- Race tracks Sebring International Raceway is the iconic venue, but there are also local dirt tracks.
- Lakes Lake Jackson, Lake Sebring, and others offer fishing, boating, and relaxation.
- Downtown circle The historic circular layout with a fountain is a unique gathering spot.
- Citrus groves Orange and grapefruit groves are a defining landscape feature.
- Cattle ranches
Heritage and traditions
Sebring is proud of its racing heritage, the iconic 12 Hours of Sebring, and its small-town charm with a unique circular downtown. Locals also cherish the natural beauty of lakes and the Highlands Hammock State Park.
Say it like a local: “Race week” — Refers to the annual 12-hour endurance race, a local point of pride.
Festivals
- Sebring Soda Festival April Celebrates local soda history with tastings and vintage sodas.
- Lake Placid Caladium Festival July Honors the region's caladium bulb industry with displays and crafts.
- Avon Park Bluegrass Festival Winter Weekend of bluegrass bands and jam sessions in the park.
- Highlands County Fair Spring Agricultural exhibits, rides, and livestock shows.
- Easter Sunrise Service at Highlands Hammock Easter Sunday Interdenominational service in the park's natural amphitheater.
Landmarks with a story
- Sebring Historical Society Museum Located in a 1920s building, showcases pioneer and racing history.
- Avon Park Depot Historic train station, now a museum and community hub.
- Downtown Sebring Circle Unique circular downtown, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Old Sebring Courthouse Historic building, now a museum, anchors the circle.
Food traditions
- Fried catfish and hush puppies A Friday night tradition at local fish camps, often from farm-raised catfish.
- Key lime pie A Florida classic, made with tart key limes and graham cracker crust.
- Citrus picking In winter, families visit groves to pick oranges and grapefruit, a seasonal ritual.
- Cracker-style barbecue Slow-cooked pork with a vinegar-based sauce, rooted in Florida pioneer cooking.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass Popular in the area, with local jams and festivals.
- Country music Common at local venues and events.
A little history
- 1912 Sebring was founded by George Sebring, a pottery manufacturer from Ohio.
- 1950 The first 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race was held.
- Mid-20th century The region became a major caladium bulb producer, supplying much of the US.
- 1930s Highlands Hammock State Park was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Rivalries
- Sebring High vs. Avon Park High Friday night football rivalry.
- Game day High school football
- Game day 12 Hours of Sebring
- Outdoors Fishing on Lake Jackson
- Outdoors Hiking in Highlands Hammock
Locals speak with a mild Southern drawl, often dropping the 'g' in '-ing' words. You'll hear phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'.
Only here
- The 12 Hours of Sebring, one of the oldest endurance races in the US.
- The unique circular downtown layout, rare in Florida.
- The caladium fields around Lake Placid, colorful in summer.
New here? A few tips
- Expect hot, humid summers and mild winters; afternoon thunderstorms are common.
- Try fried catfish at a local fish camp or restaurant.
- Learn about the 12 Hours of Sebring, a major race every March.
- Visit the downtown circle for local shops and historic charm.
- Be prepared for citrus season in winter—locals love fresh orange juice.
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Nearby
Every areaWauchulaFloridaWhere the Peace River winds through cattle countryArcadiaFloridaWhere the Peace River meets the rodeoOkeechobeeFloridaWhere the lake meets the cattle countryLakelandFloridaWhere lakes and citrus meet.Punta GordaFloridaQuiet waterfront living with a splash of Old Florida.SarasotaFloridaWhere the Gulf meets the artsClewistonFloridaSweetness by the lake, where the cane grows tall.Vero BeachFloridaSunrise over the Lagoon, where the river meets the sea.
Sebring, FL. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.