Golf Cart Based Sightseeing - Best Locations?
 

A 60 year old friend with bad knees will be visiting for several days next week. I'm looking for interesting sights to see from a golf cart or - if need be - from within a short walk from a parked golf cart.

Here's my list so far...

The tree lined MMP to Saddlebrook.
Crossing all of the golf cart bridges.
Crossing the wooden bridges.
Sunset Point.
Tour of all squares.
Tour of area south of 44.
Trip to the highest point in TV.
Fueling up at the cart only pumps.
Checking retention ponds for gators.
Running the stretches that parallel 466 / 466-A / Buena / Morse.

That's my best squeeze. Any suggestions for other juicy locations?

Also - while we will probably see sand hill cranes (my friend so wants to see one fairly close up) during our GC travels - does anyone know of a location where "there seems to always be a crane sighting?"

Nice list.

We like ODell Circle (Starting at Havana) East of Morse Blvd, head North to Stillwater Trail and pop out at Lake Sumter. (couple nice view of Championship Courses)

:coolsmiley:

Oooohhh...yes, that's a nice stretch. Thank you Mr. Helpful.

Across the Turnpike bridge:

Nature trail at Fenny with a bubbling spring within a short walk.

Edna's for music, food and drink under the Spanish Oaks.

Megason to Sawgrass grove, the overview of the construction is mind boggling.

How about: the Veteran's Memorial, pass Lake Paradise with waterfall after going over the original golf cart bridge and then tour the historic/original Villages and cruise thru the OBG CC to view the waterfall in the country club pool.

And if your friend is former military and somewhat mobile - a visit to the Eisenhower Rec Ctr is a must!

- Sarasota Practice Green to watch them hit golf balls into the water
- then across the street from the practice green for a tour of fire station #44.
- Sharon Weichens Preserve walking trail, or at least to the observation area
- Conservation trail to the end to be impressed by the houses


Great list by the way. Where is the highest point in TV? And the wooden bridges, are those only on the golf courses or are there some on the MMPs?

You can usually see a family of sandhill cranes in the area between the MMP that runs along the south side of the Turnpike and the Hogeye Sink area in Marsh Bend.

Hillsborough and Moyer Loop is a nice ride. A stop in front of Glenview CC is great for birds.

The Morse bridge at sunset.

A drive through the Village Bellaire of Harmswood is always interesting. It is a very unique neighborhood that is totally different than any other in The Villages. It is just north of the Savannah Center and the Glenview pond someone else mentioned.

Be sure to wave at everyone!!!

:coolsmiley:

Polo fields

I am told the highest point in TV is Mallory Hill.

It's on Bonifay golf course.

That looks right according to this map.

Eisenhower rec center. Very impressive.

You may want to first make sure your friend has the nerve to ride in a vulnerable golf cart, especially of roads that carts have to share with cars.

It may take some time for them to get used to driving in a cart one foot away from the curb on the right while a car is driving one foot away on the left.

Interesting map - thanks!

By address I found this - still don't know where the exact high point is :

Orange Blossom CC - 115 ft
Bonifay CC - 105 ft
Mallory CC - 79 ft

What tool are you using for that?

Try something near 597 Statesburg St.

A couple weeks ago, a guy driving his golf cart on Moyer bumped into the curb, his cart turned over, and he got a gash in his head.

What is my elevation?

Could not find Statesburg St on that site.
FYI I searched by CC not by highest point for two reasons:
1- The former posts mentioned Bonifay and Mallory as the high points
2 - The op wants to take golf cart ride to to show a point of interest - A CC would be a good place to stop and have a look around.

However I am interested exactly where the highest point in TV is. From past experience there is some controversy depending on tools used. Probably due to the fact that several locations although quite a distance apart are within inches/feet of each other.

Thank you for the link. With so many "what is my....." sites, I should have guessed that one existed too.

Your link shows 138ft for the 597 Statesburg address. The link in my earlier post (quoted just a few above) shows 52m (about 170ft) in that area. 30ft in elevation is a big difference.

I asked about the wooden bridges for the same reason. I see some on golf courses but I can't get to those. You're right, a CC as the highest point would make more of an impression than a spot on the road in front of a house. The highest point I could find was the top of the landfill near Morse and Moyer Loop. It must be in the Villages but it isn't accessible and certainly not on any sight seeing tour.

Yes...nice additions - thanks!

Nice additions - thank you!

Yes, most wonderful - thank you for that.

Other responders have identified highest points - but my location is top of hill in OB. From there you can look down on the surrounding areas. It at least gives the impression of being a high elevation even if it isn't the real deal!

Whoops - missed ur last question. MMP along Morse - cross 466 - just past the church on the right - the MMP turns into a short all wooden bridge above a "swamp" area. It's short but fun. Also, farther up Morse - on the left near a mail station - there is another short run of wooden road.

Appreciate that - my friend is most interested in seeing a Sandhill - can't let her leave without seeing one. I'm sure we'll see a few in our adventures but its good to have a "recognized" location in my back pocket.

Thank you.

Thank you. And I like the Orange Blossom idea too.

Yes...and that water feature is most impressive. Thanks for that!

Absolutely - thanks VT.

Interesting....an unknown location for me - thanks!

Yes, thanks. Always fun to cart around that area. And that under the road MMP tunnel out of Saddlebrook has got to be one of the lowest clearances in the MMP network.

Yes it is - most impressive - but not sure that is an interest for her. I'm taking her to Everglades Rec as she loves national parks. TV did an excellent job of setting up the interior with highlights of many of the major parks. If you're into parks and haven't been to Everglades - take yourself there as you won't be disappointed.

That's a good point. And she has never been in a cart before...but she has a wild side and specifically asked about wanting to ride in a cart. We'll see how the reality of it hits her!

I always seemed to me that OB was the highest....but then I don't play golf.

Also the tiny neighborhood right next to Sumter. The houses look like something you'd see on Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket or Cape Cod. Can be done at the same time as the Morse bridge.

And?

Yes, we often see sandhill cranes along the Hogeye Sink walking/biking trail but golf carts are forbidden along that trail.

In fact, golf carts are forbidden along all of the beautiful walking/biking trails south of Route 44. We have seen several armadillos along those trails and even saw a very large black bear a few weeks ago.