[AMB444]

Let's say you have two guests coming to visit in TV and they want to spend most of the afternoon driving on the trails enjoying the views.

What route do you suggest for them?

Scenic, shaded and a tad bit of boutique shopping.

Edited to add: We will be using Google maps biking trails. I tried to download the other 2 apps and neither worked.

TIA!!

[Bay Kid]

Follow Buena Vista Blvd. north by cart. The ride gets nicer the farther you go.

[onfire]

It would help to know where you are located.

The tree canopy from Laurel Manor to Saddlebrook is a nice ride, and depending on the time of day Sunset park (off Morse Blvd bridge over Lake Sumter) can be stunning.

[SIRE1]

Regardless what section of The Villages you are in, for new visitors I would these:

1. Go to any of the town squares. The experience of being able to drive a golf cart into a town is amazing and memorable. Plus, the the shopping and restaurants is an added bonus.
2. Go to one or more of the REC centers and have them look inside. The neighborhood REC centers are nice, but the Regional REC centers are amazing for new visitors. And they all are very different.
3. Go over one of the golf cart bridges. Regardless where they go, they will get their fill of tunnels, but going over any of the bridges in a cart are unique.
4. Go past any of the golf courses where the path is right along the fairway. That always gets someone a close and personal look at what many of the Villagers love about this place.
5. Finally, tell them to BE CAREFUL !!!! There are a lot of rules for golf cart travel that they better know before venturing out. And there are a lot of "crazy" drivers. Make sure they know where they can and CAN'T go. Even the Google Maps Bicycle view will not always route them on routes that they can take with a golf cart (e.g. a bike can cross a highway and carts cannot). The free Villages Florida app for directions is a better choice.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I would recommend against google maps using the bicycle option. Bicycles are allowed on the major roads, and don't have to go under tunnels (which are private property and don't always appear on google maps). Golf carts may NOT drive on or cross 466, 466a, 44, most of the roundabouts, Morse south of 466, Buena Vista, or 441 - with very few and very specific exceptions. It's not only against the law, it's dangerous.

Use the Villages app (the free one) which has a GPS to get the golf cart along the appropriate paths and under the tunnels.

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

I would recommend against google maps using the bicycle option. Bicycles are allowed on the major roads, and don't have to go under tunnels (which are private property and don't always appear on google maps). Golf carts may NOT drive on or cross 466, 466a, 44, most of the roundabouts, Morse south of 466, Buena Vista, or 441 - with very few and very specific exceptions. It's not only against the law, it's dangerous.

Use the Villages app (the free one) which has a GPS to get the golf cart along the appropriate paths and under the tunnels.

Good advice.

[Papa_lecki]

Drive to each of the squares (stop and get a drink or get ice cream), print off a map of the rec centers, and take a walk in each REGIONAL rec center.
Should keep you busy all day.

[AMB444]

Thanks everyone!!

[La lamy]

A tour around Lake Sumter, north to the golf cart bridge over 441, taking a look at the dog park and all the amazing vegetation/lake in the historic section. Lunch on Orange Blossom Country Club's patio facing the amazing pool and grotto jacuzzi.

Rent a cart at Brownwood town square, head north on Buena Vista mvp up to Sumter Landing up to Spanish Springs and back. Lots of food and beautiful ride.

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by AMB444

Let's say you have two guests coming to visit in TV and they want to spend most of the afternoon driving on the trails enjoying the views.

What route do you suggest for them?

Scenic, shaded and a tad bit of boutique shopping.

Edited to add: We will be using Google maps biking trails. I tried to download the other 2 apps and neither worked.

TIA!!

Just a heads up I’ve found the two Villages apps only work for navigation if you have location services enabled in your privacy setting. I keep mine off normally, so whenever I need to use either app I have to turn it on temporarily.

[splashes]

the villages app is great also download waze thats great by car

[mikemalloy]

If you are locaated between 466 and rt 44 I'd suggest a trip down Conservation Way in Pine Ridge. There are some beautiful treed lots there with Premier homes. Also a little further south is Osceol Hills at Soaring Eagle Preserve. Some of the homes there have beautiful views of Lake Deaton. And If you want to take a long cart ride see if you can find and explore The Enclave.

[Aldeano Feliz]

The Sharon Rose Wiechens Preserve off of Moyer loop is a nice place for a stop and a stroll. From there head south on Morse, taking the Chittychatty bridge, and continue on to Sawgrass Grove. Then cross the Southern Oaks bridge and drive through the area that is being developed and go to the Fenney Rec Center and walk the Fenney Springs Nature trail (I have always seen a lot of various critters). Coming back north from Fenney, go across the Waterlilly bridge, over the turnpike, and make a stop at the Lake Okahumpka Rec Center and walk out on the dock. From there it is a short drive on to Brownwood. Proceed to Eisenhower as it is the one "must see" rec center (IMO). Enjoy and have fun!

[AMB444]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

I would recommend against google maps using the bicycle option. Bicycles are allowed on the major roads, and don't have to go under tunnels (which are private property and don't always appear on google maps). Golf carts may NOT drive on or cross 466, 466a, 44, most of the roundabouts, Morse south of 466, Buena Vista, or 441 - with very few and very specific exceptions. It's not only against the law, it's dangerous.

Use the Villages app (the free one) which has a GPS to get the golf cart along the appropriate paths and under the tunnels.

Thank you! For the longest time I could not get this app to work. I tried again yesterday and it does work on my phone now.

Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions!