Booked our First Visit to The Villages

[ValerieJo]

We Finally booked our first visit to come down and check out The Villages. We are coming down the last week in December and will be there for New Years Eve! We are renting/staying in a private home (with Guest passes), not arranged through the villages. We will have a car.

Now what?
Where should we start?
What should we see first?
Where should we eat?
What shouldn't we miss?
Are there typically any parties/activities for New Years Eve?

We are open to any and all suggestions.

Thanks!

:beer3:

[baustgen]

1. Go to a sales office and get a $5 map. 2. Go to all three town centers and check out the stores and music at 5-9pm. 3. Dine at each of the country clubs. 4. Tour each of the Regional Recreation Centers. Save extra time for Eisenhower. 5. Go to Marion Market Fri-Sun. 6. Check out both Wal-Mart's. 7. Rent a golf cart for a week, take your map and go from Brownwood to Mulberry Grove. 8. Buy Village Daily Sun on Thursday look at the recreation section, go to some of the scheduled activities. Buy a $5 map. Most important thing on the list.

[MikeV]

Make an appointment with a Villages Realtor to show you what your money can buy. Take a ride on the Villages Trolley. If you play golf check out the amazing number of golf courses. And do all that Baustgen said.

[alanmcdonald]

Also, you will be here during the busiest time of the year. Get to dinners early or make reservations (where possible).

[VillagerNut]

Schedule a different activity at a different recreation center so you figure out where a different recreation center is located. That is the quickest way to figure out where things are located. Remember in addition to working with a Villages Sales Rep you need to have a separate Realtor from an outside real estate company that has the MLS listings so you can see all listings that are available here in The Villages! Have fun while you are here!

[JGVillages]

Go to The Villages - Florida's Friendliest Retirement Hometown - New Home Sales, Home Resales, Build Your Dream Home, Brownwood Paddock Square (http://www.thevillages.com) and click on "Lifestyles" then click on "Live Entertainment". From there you will be able to see what entertainment is at which venue for each day you are here. I would highly recommend the Dunning Shaw/Donna Moore Show at Katie Belle's Residents Club in Spanish Springs. It is a Villages must see. They do 2 shows every Monday (5 & 8PM). Be sure to call Katie Belle's (phone # on the website) in early November to see what day in November you can call to make a reservation. Have a great visit!

[Carpe Diem]

Yes:
Rent a golf cart - don't be afraid to go long distances.
Get a $5 map at Sales Center
Get Thursday Villages Sun - Find all the things to do - Consider a line dancing class
Take the Trolley first or second day
Go to all three squares (esp 5:00 to 9:00) - talk to people at each one
Go to Regional Recreation Centers
Walk thru Sumter Landing / Brownwood Sales Centers (you won't be bothered)
Golf / Hang out at a pool / Definitely try pickleball if you are active at all
Go to open houses - even if you have no intent to buy
Go for walks in the morning. Have breakfast on the lanai.
JUST GET OUT OF THE HOUSE WHENEVER YOU CAN!

[asianthree]

Just enjoy yourself. If you choose to looks at some open houses you do not need to attaché your self to an agent. Then if you do like one of the agents at an open house use them

[Goober III]

Take lots of pictures to impress your friends back home.
While at the squares, visit the movie theaters, even if you don't want to see a movie.
Talk to Villagers and see what they like. We're mostly all friendly and very few will bite.
Mainly, just have a good time, and realize that every day can be just that fun.

[rjm1cc]

Don't buy on your first trip. Take some time as there is no rush.
Yes meet with a sales person. Set up the appointment a month or two in advance. You will learn a lot.

[Serenoa]

1. Go to a sales office and get a $5 map. 2. Go to all three town centers and check out the stores and music at 5-9pm. 3. Dine at each of the country clubs. 4. Tour each of the Regional Recreation Centers. Save extra time for Eisenhower. 5. Go to Marion Market Fri-Sun. 6. Check out both Wal-Mart's. 7. Rent a golf cart for a week, take your map and go from Brownwood to Mulberry Grove. 8. Buy Village Daily Sun on Thursday look at the recreation section, go to some of the scheduled activities. Buy a $5 map. Most important thing on the list.

6.Check out both Wal-Marts??? Really? Did we miss out on something by not experiencing the local Wal-Marts? When we were there I can guarantee that's the last place we wanted to go......there was so much in TV to see & do. Sorry, just had to ask.

Definitely take the Trolley tour.....you can see so much more of the beauty of this wonderful community sitting high up in the trolley buses than you can in a car, or even a SUV.

Try & take in a show at Savannah Center. We visited TV for the first time in Dec 2012, and saw a wonderful "Christmas in Ireland" show there. It had a little bit of everything: singers, dancers, various musicians, comedy....just a great evening of entertainment. One of our fondest memories from our entire visit there.

As others have said, just get out & wander thru the neighborhoods, the town squares, the shops & restaurants and don't be afraid to ask folks questions. Everyone we engaged in conversation was friendly & eager to talk about TV. I guarantee you're going to love it!! After you're back home be sure & write about your experience. Have fun!!

[jebartle]

Don't forget the Polo games, maybe a boat ride, enjoy the executive courses even if you are a casual golfer and if you love a bargain, have dinner at Cody's on Wednesday for BOGO Fajitas", last but not least, enjoy your time in Paradise...If you would like a great website that will give you ALL the information you could possibly want, check out www.virginiatrace.com