Seeking advice from residents in the newer areas of the Villages

[tophcfa]

My wife and I are planning a day trip from our home north of 466 to explore the newer areas south of 44. We want to spend the better part of the day riding our bicycles on the much talked about nature trails/pathways that don’t allow golf cart traffic, stoping someplace for a nice outdoor lunch. My wife loves birding, so we will be carrying our compact binoculars hoping to see some good wildlife during our rides. Since it is a major pain in the butt for me to take the tires off both our bikes, so I can jam them into the back of my wife’s Honda HRV, we are looking for a good central place to park so we can explore the various pathways without having to drive to different locations. Any suggestions on where we can park to access multiple nature pathways, which pathways are good rides, and where we can get a good outdoor lunch would be greatly appreciated. Thanks : )

[TheRealRick]

Head down to the Cattail postal station which is also the parking lot for the Lowlands golf course and Edna's on the green, it is right in the middle of the Hogeye nature trail. You could get a great lunch at Edna's they have a nice outdoor seating area and afternoon live music.

[Marathon Man]

Head down to the Cattail postal station which is also the parking lot for the Lowlands golf course and Edna's on the green, it is right in the middle of the Hogeye nature trail. You could get a great lunch at Edna's they have a nice outdoor seating area and afternoon live music.

Yep.

[Deckboat234]

you could park at Everglades rec center if you wanted to ride to the hogeye path or down to Fenny. Hogeye is only about 2.5 miles long. You would have to ride on the street or a multimodel path to get there. Fenney is the other way and has walking paths at the rec center but I don't think they have a bike path. You could eat at Edna's or at Fenney grille.

[Altavia]

Head down to the Cattail postal station which is also the parking lot for the Lowlands golf course and Edna's on the green, it is right in the middle of the Hogeye nature trail. You could get a great lunch at Edna's they have a nice outdoor seating area and afternoon live music.

Here's a map.

The Villages - Florida's Friendliest Active Adult 55+ Retirement Community (https://www.thevillages.com/whatsnew/recreation/hogeye-preserve-path)

The Villages - Florida's Friendliest Active Adult 55+ Retirement Community (https://www.thevillages.com/recreation/parks-trails/trails-and-pathways)

[VApeople]

I think it is better to park at Sawgrass.

Then you can ride on the trail past the St. Catherine pool and catch the trail that goes along the wooded area. You can follow it over to Bradford in one direction. In the other direction, you can follow it over to Citrus Grove and Newell and Lake Denham and all the way down to where they are starting to build Dabney.

If you plan to go where the construction is under way, it is better to go on Sunday when there are very few workers.

Edna's and the Hogeye Trail are great for walking, but part of the trail goes along an MMP. Walking is not a problem because we can walk in the grass alongside the MMP, but biking is different. After you finish the 2.5 mile bike ride, where else do you go?

Over near St. Catherine, you can ride for miles and miles with no interference from golf carts.

[NoMo50]

Another option: Park at the Chitty Chatty postal station. Pick up the biking/walking trail off Akin Way that skirts the nature preserve. You can follow that path all the way down to the new areas of Newell and Lake Denham. That trail pretty much rides along the Chitty Chatty Preserve, and passes by 13 large ponds. Lots of wildlife to see. On the way, you can stop at Sawgrass for lunch. This ride is about a 12 mile round trip, and is quite enjoyable.

[chrisinva]

Another option: Park at the Chitty Chatty postal station. Pick up the biking/walking trail off Akin Way that skirts the nature preserve. You can follow that path all the way down to the new areas of Newell and Lake Denham. That trail pretty much rides along the Chitty Chatty Preserve, and passes by 13 large ponds. Lots of wildlife to see. On the way, you can stop at Sawgrass for lunch. This ride is about a 12 mile round trip, and is quite enjoyable.

NoMo50 is best. We live in DeSoto & regularly bike south, north side of turnpike, but encounter lots of golf carts. We're going to try his suggestion next. Thanks, NoMo50!

[kansasr]

Head down to the Cattail postal station which is also the parking lot for the Lowlands golf course and Edna's on the green, it is right in the middle of the Hogeye nature trail. You could get a great lunch at Edna's they have a nice outdoor seating area and afternoon live music.

Depending upon how far you want to bike, from Cattail you can go north and follow the Marsh Bend trail path up into all of the new biking/walking paths in DeLuna

[VApeople]

Another option: Park at the Chitty Chatty postal station. Pick up the biking/walking trail off Akin Way that skirts the nature preserve. You can follow that path all the way down to the new areas of Newell and Lake Denham.

If you start at Chitty Chatty and ride to Newell, you will have to go along a MMP and deal the golf carts where the MMP winds around a lot.

It would be better to park at the Bradford pool, catch the walking/biking path behind the pool, and ride to Newell and Lake Denham without ever having to deal with a golf cart or automobile.

[sdeikenberry]

Def eat at Edna's on the Green...outdoor venue with food trucks. Smashburgers and Appalachian Salad as a side or main are the way to go. Get a brewsky from the hut and you're good...outside eating. Avoid Sawgrass, McGradys, and The Market. Overpriced, noisy, and not worth the time IMHO.

[Altavia]

Def eat at Edna's on the Green...outdoor venue with food trucks. Smashburgers and Appalachian Salad as a side or main are the way to go. Get a brewsky from the hut and you're good...outside eating. Avoid Sawgrass, McGradys, and The Market. Overpriced, noisy, and not worth the time IMHO.

Agree on Ednas, excellent management, very special setting and employees.

Sawgrass now that everything is in place is a great addition.

The place is packed at night and they now have entertainment seven nights a week.

Covered outdoor seating with comfortable outdoor furniture seating available.

The Market had good seafood, burgers and pizza. Love the coffee and sweet shops.

McGradys has great atmosphere. Apps at the bar are the best deal.

[mkjelenbaas]

My wife and I are planning a day trip from our home north of 466 to explore the newer areas south of 44. We want to spend the better part of the day riding our bicycles on the much talked about nature trails/pathways that don’t allow golf cart traffic, stoping someplace for a nice outdoor lunch. My wife loves birding, so we will be carrying our compact binoculars hoping to see some good wildlife during our rides. Since it is a major pain in the butt for me to take the tires off both our bikes, so I can jam them into the back of my wife’s Honda HRV, we are looking for a good central place to park so we can explore the various pathways without having to drive to different locations. Any suggestions on where we can park to access multiple nature pathways, which pathways are good rides, and where we can get a good outdoor lunch would be greatly appreciated. Thanks : )
Take a trolly ride and get a good overview of the total area with a guide aboard!

[skippy05]

While exploring the areas of The South Villages, be sure to pay attention to the fact that there are no stores, no plans and no land reserved by the Developer to place any stores and how far you must drive to get to stores. Then contrast that with the North side of the Villages. Also, be sure to use your ears as well as your eyes. The Turn Pike noise is off the chain in South Villages and it varies in intensity based on humidity, temperature, and amount of traffic.

[NoMo50]

If you start at Chitty Chatty and ride to Newell, you will have to go along a MMP and deal the golf carts where the MMP winds around a lot.

True. There are two very short sections where you will ride on the MMP. Less than 1/4 mile in total.

[Dond1959]

While exploring the areas of The South Villages, be sure to pay attention to the fact that there are no stores, no plans and no land reserved by the Developer to place any stores and how far you must drive to get to stores. Then contrast that with the North side of the Villages. Also, be sure to use your ears as well as your eyes. The Turn Pike noise is off the chain in South Villages and it varies in intensity based on humidity, temperature, and amount of traffic.

Other than Magnolia Plaza, 3 corners of Meggison at Warms Springs that the developer owns, all the commercial development planned around the 4th town square, a strip mall going in on Brigham, 2 commercial developments at Warm Springs near 301, and the commercial development going in around the new high school you are correct absolutely no commercial development going on…😂😂😂

[Collierbabe]

[QUOTE=tophcfa;2173692]My wife and I are planning a day trip from our home north of 466 to explore the newer areas south of 44. We want to spend the better part of the day riding our bicycles on the much talked about nature trails/pathways that don’t allow golf cart traffic, stoping someplace for a nice outdoor lunch. My wife loves birding, so we will be carrying our compact binoculars hoping to see some good wildlife during our rides.

FYI for wife: There is a bird club to check out. Refer to Recreation Guide or Villages online source.

[Bilyclub]

The trail at the Lake Okahumpka Rec Center does not allow bicycles, although I've seen a few on it.

[vinnytalk]

Nature trails for bikes???

[frostola]

I love the route from Chitty Chatty to Sawgrass RT.

[PugMom]

you could park at Everglades rec center if you wanted to ride to the hogeye path or down to Fenny. Hogeye is only about 2.5 miles long. You would have to ride on the street or a multimodel path to get there. Fenney is the other way and has walking paths at the rec center but I don't think they have a bike path. You could eat at Edna's or at Fenney grille.

if you choose to park @ Everglades, Revelle Grill is in the Magnolia Plaza, but they close @2pm. that would be my 1st choice.

[PugMom]

[QUOTE=tophcfa;2173692]My wife and I are planning a day trip from our home north of 466 to explore the newer areas south of 44. We want to spend the better part of the day riding our bicycles on the much talked about nature trails/pathways that don’t allow golf cart traffic, stoping someplace for a nice outdoor lunch. My wife loves birding, so we will be carrying our compact binoculars hoping to see some good wildlife during our rides.

FYI for wife: There is a bird club to check out. Refer to Recreation Guide or Villages online source.

yes, and check out the Fenney Nature Trail for beautiful birds, too. there's a great BlueHeron that lives there

[Altavia]

Other than Magnolia Plaza, 3 corners of Meggison at Warms Springs that the developer owns, all the commercial development planned around the 4th town square, a strip mall going in on Brigham, 2 commercial developments at Warm Springs near 301, and the commercial development going in around the new high school you are correct absolutely no commercial development going on…😂😂😂

Exactly! Mr. Skippy needs to get out more.

There also the new hospital complex planned.

[Maker]

Look at Google Maps, in the layers setting, turn on bicycling. You will see multi-modal paths (their entry points have 1 white post) for golf carts, bicycles, and walkers. Also shows other narrower paths (their entry points have 2 white posts) for all everything except no golf carts allowed.

[Marathon Man]

While exploring the areas of The South Villages, be sure to pay attention to the fact that there are no stores, no plans and no land reserved by the Developer to place any stores and how far you must drive to get to stores. Then contrast that with the North side of the Villages. Also, be sure to use your ears as well as your eyes. The Turn Pike noise is off the chain in South Villages and it varies in intensity based on humidity, temperature, and amount of traffic.

And the prize for the most misinformation in a single post goes to ...

[Bogie Shooter]

And the prize for the most misinformation in a single post goes to ...

……from someone who doesn’t live in that area……

[VApeople]

Nature trails for bikes???

Yep.

If you look behind Chitty Chatty, Bradford, and St. Catherine, you will see beautiful nature trails for bikers. For example, we have seen several armadillos, river otters, an occasional gator, and one very large bear.

[Jayhawk]

While exploring the areas of The South Villages, be sure to pay attention to the fact that there are no stores, no plans and no land reserved by the Developer to place any stores and how far you must drive to get to stores. Then contrast that with the North side of the Villages. Also, be sure to use your ears as well as your eyes. The Turn Pike noise is off the chain in South Villages and it varies in intensity based on humidity, temperature, and amount of traffic.

WTH? I must be in an alternate universe. Or, you may be trying to sell a property on the north side. There is a lot in and a lot more started. Don't pass off untruths as accurate information. It's confusing enough being a newcomer without having to figure out what is true and what is not.

[kansasr]

Don't forget the wild turkeys you frequently see there!

[Sandy and Ed]

Head down to the Cattail postal station which is also the parking lot for the Lowlands golf course and Edna's on the green, it is right in the middle of the Hogeye nature trail. You could get a great lunch at Edna's they have a nice outdoor seating area and afternoon live music.
Agree. First time waaaay down there and was pleasantly surprised.

[Carlsondm]

While exploring the areas of The South Villages, be sure to pay attention to the fact that there are no stores, no plans and no land reserved by the Developer to place any stores and how far you must drive to get to stores. Then contrast that with the North side of the Villages. Also, be sure to use your ears as well as your eyes. The Turn Pike noise is off the chain in South Villages and it varies in intensity based on humidity, temperature, and amount of traffic.
South of the turnpike/44 is still being developed. Magnolia Plaza is growing with many excellent services. A 7-11 gas station is being constructed as we speak. Several shopping area and commercial/office areas are planned and partially constructed along Warm Springs and near 301.

As for turnpike noise, visit the community you may buy in to assess the noise. Visit during different times of the day if you can so you know what to expect. We are in Linden Isles and noise is not a problem. All I hear is breezes through trees and contractors working. We can hear emergency vehicles going down 501, but very rarely.

Some homes near and facing the turnpike do hear the traffic, but the vegetation and concrete wall buffers cut the sound very well. I thought the villas behind our home might hear the turnpike, but it is just the opposite. Walls around the Villas cut sound considerably. It is quieter than on our street. I think the stories of turnpike noise are exaggerated. Sound is managed quite well by the developer in most places. Give them time.

We moved to the south side because it is more peaceful , walkable, and bikeable. That may change when the bridge is finished.

[2delunatics]

Perfect advice. Have done that exact thing many times. Enjoy yourselves.

[2delunatics]

Another option: Park at the Chitty Chatty postal station. Pick up the biking/walking trail off Akin Way that skirts the nature preserve. You can follow that path all the way down to the new areas of Newell and Lake Denham. That trail pretty much rides along the Chitty Chatty Preserve, and passes by 13 large ponds. Lots of wildlife to see. On the way, you can stop at Sawgrass for lunch. This ride is about a 12 mile round trip, and is quite enjoyable.
Perfect advice. Have done that exact thing many times. Enjoy yourselves!

[beckylou152]

Just wanted to mention that Sawgrass has a lot of restaurant choices. It is really nice to pick up some lunch and eat outside on the tables in the center area!

[MX rider]

Just wanted to mention that Sawgrass has a lot of restaurant choices. It is really nice to pick up some lunch and eat outside on the tables in the center area!

We live (part time right now) between 466 and 466A. We took a cart ride and visited Sawgrass for the first time last week. Really cool and had a nice vibe. We had a couple beers at the outdoor bar as it was a beautiful day. The market area was very nice as well.

We'll be going back to try the food next time we're there.

[Bilyclub]

Just wanted to mention that Sawgrass has a lot of restaurant choices. It is really nice to pick up some lunch and eat outside on the tables in the center area!


Yeah, McGrady's and the 3 in the marketplace. Those 3 are run by the same people and the service is questionable, especially when there's a band.

[Kelevision]

Yep.

If you look behind Chitty Chatty, Bradford, and St. Catherine, you will see beautiful nature trails for bikers. For example, we have seen several armadillos, river otters, an occasional gator, and one very large bear.

also the wild turkey. I ride my bike there a lot.

[tophcfa]

Just want to thank everyone who gave us advice on planning our bike riding/lunch adventure to the new southern area of the Villages. Since we couldn’t decide between the two most recommended destinations, we did them both. Our first trip we parked by Edna’s/Lowlands/Cattail and bicycled the Hogeye nature trail. The ride was way too short, only about 2.5 miles, so we went around twice before lunch. We had a nice lunch at Edna’s and very much enjoyed the live music while dinning. The lunch from the food truck was good and reasonably priced, but the wait was way too long (I guess that’s what you get with very limited options). After lunch we did a couple more laps around Hogeye. The Hogeye trail was nice, and we saw some good wildlife, but it got very redundant doing the same loop over and over. The following week we parked at the Chitty Chatty Postal Station/Recreation Center and rode the nature trail that winds along the backside of the Villages of Chitty Chatty, Bradford, and St. Catherine until it hits Meggison Road, which goes a short way to Sawgrass. We very much enjoyed the ride despite riding directly into a stiff wind much of the way, seeing abundant wildlife. We had lunch at Sawgrass, I had the fish and chips and my wife got a burger and fries. The food was way overpriced, mediocre at best, and took a long time despite the fact that the place wasn’t at all busy. After lunch we took the reverse ride back to our car with the wind at our back.

A perfect day would have been the ride on our second trip that brought us to Edna’s for lunch instead of Sawgrass. The Hogeye path was way too short and we very much preferred Edna’s to Sawgrass. Other observations are that we very much like the nature trails in the newer areas that do not allow golf carts, the houses in the newer areas are very big (way bigger in general than the northern area we live in), we have never seen so many people riding e-bikes, and we couldn’t believe how many homes we saw having new pools installed. All in all both trips were lots of fun, but we were happy to return to our home base between Lake Sumter and Spanish Springs.