Lake Helen Cabin Offers Retreat from Urban Life

We all need a respite from the fast pace of city life, and one rustic cabin on the shores of nearby Lake Helen does the trick. Lake Helen’s quaint “Cabin on the Lake” brings the charm of small town life and relaxation to visitors seeking a getaway from the hustle and bustle of urbanism.

Lake Helen was founded in 1884 by Henry A. DeLand, founder of the nearby city of the same name. DeLand was attracted to the beauty of the land's clear lakes surrounded by rolling and spacious longleaf pine forests, once described as "lying like a string of pearls encased in living green." So inspired was DeLand with the natural splendor of the Lake Helen area that he named the town for his daughter.

The shores of this tranquil lake are lined with homes and cottages dating back in some cases to over 100 years ago.

Each room in the cabin comes equipped will all the comforts of home: a cozy bed, tv, a bath, (in some cases a Jacuzzi), a refrigerator and masterful interior design. The stylish and cute decor furnish the perfect backdrop for any romantic couple.

Guests will also be enchanted as they step in the outdoors, where visitors can barbecue on a gas grill. The front porch offers an outstanding views, where the lake beckons onlookers to its banks. The property also comes with a small dock for fishing or just simple lounging.

A wide variety of activities exist in the area for guests to enjoy. Lake Helen’s sister city Cassadaga offers residents and visitors alike opportunities for a spiritual retreat or just plain fun.

Cassadaga was founded in 1894 by George P. Colby, who said he was led to the property by his Native American spirit guide, Seneca. The town was originally conceived as a winter residence for Spiritualists from Lily Dale, N.Y.

Recognized as the oldest religious community of its type in the southeastern United States, Cassadaga is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The town, situated five minutes from the Cabin on the Lake, welcomes visitors for readings, seances and walks through the trails and roads of this old Florida haunt. For those uninterested in the spiritual, pianos and Italian dining come to life on select days and nights at Sinatra’s Ristorante, located in the the Hotel Cassadaga.

Also a short drive from the Cabin on the Lake is nearby Blue Springs, whose chilly waters rejuvenate swimmers in Florida’s hot summers. During the winter manatees often migrate to the springs, leaving the park inaccessible from roughly November to February.

With one foot in the past and another in the present, Lake Helen’s Cabin on the Lake is a hidden gem among Florida’s great locales. The Cabin’s owners, Olga and Hugo, will be happy to welcome you for a stay. Visit Cabin on the Lake Bed and Breakfast -- Lake Helen, Florida for more details.