[LeeM]

We will be coming back for another visit in July. One goal is to see how we do in Florida heat.

Last time we dined at many of the great restaurants, did the trolley tour, caught the Donna and Dunning show, and went to Disney for a couple days etc.

This time we want to also explore some of the area around the Villages. Any recommendations for short day trips? I don't want to do a theme park.

[2BNTV]

Bring your wallet and buy a house!!!! You'll love it here.

You will learn how to beat the summer heat, by doing things in the early AM, or at night. The rest of the year is beautiful.

I personally wouldn't waste time visiting attractions, and just check out TV. But that's just me. There is too much to do here, like being invovled in clubs, golf, activities, pools, etc.

[Bryan]

A great day trip, and easy on the wallet, is the Manatee State Park in Homasassa (sp?). It is probably only a 1 and 1/2 hours drive west of The Villages on the gulf coast.

[Lynn222]

I was concerned about the FL heat too and rented a house for Aug. 2010. It was hot for sure but basically you go from A/C to A/C.

[rjm1cc]

Ocala. Route 200 SW. See what shopping is available.

[Doro22]

Go see Mt. Dora. Very pretty, with interesting restaurants & antique shops. Tavares is pretty cool also. The old train ride is fun. There are seaplanes landing on the lake.

[LeeM]

Thank you all for the suggestions for day trips.
It looks like we will be landing at the Sanford airport and we have one night to spend somewhere special before we get into our villa.

If you had to go somewhere around that area where would you go for a nice dinner and hotel room? We do want to spend the first night off property.

[baustgen]

Spend a day at New Smyrna Beach. $5 and you can drive your car on the beach. Straight across 44 follow signs to the beach. Takes about 100 minutes.

[LeeM]

We will be landing midday in Sanford. I think we will save the beach for another day.

We are interested in a really nice dinner and hotel in that area or within an hours drive. Or dinner and a show. Then the next day we will go to the Villages.

Any other suggestions for a nice dinner and hotel around there?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by LeeM

We will be landing midday in Sanford. I think we will save the beach for another day.

We are interested in a really nice dinner and hotel in that area or within an hours drive. Or dinner and a show. Then the next day we will go to the Villages.

Any other suggestions for a nice dinner and hotel around there?

Nothing there as good or fun as THE VILLAGES.


Sorry. I'm prejudiced.

[SantaClaus]

It's more like 75 minutes from TV but why not the Bohemian at Celebration, or one of the Disney resorts? Not knowing what kind of budget you have in mind makes it hard, but each deluxe resort at Disney has a great restaurant associated with it, and of course, you don't have to be staying there to dine there. We particularly like Citricos at the Grand Floridian and Artist's Point at the Wilderness Lodge. Just stay away from the Polynesian resort and Downtown Disney, they are both massive construction projects right now.

[RErmer]

Mission Inn always has good summer specials, nice rooms and a choice of restaurants. Plus golf"

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Nothing there as good or fun as THE VILLAGES.


Sorry. I'm prejudiced.

I agree. Stay at the Hotel at TV, rent a golf cart and enjoy a piece of TV.

[LeeM]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Nothing there as good or fun as THE VILLAGES.


Sorry. I'm prejudiced.

I can appreciate that

We will be there for 7 nights - 6 nights in the Villages and hubby wanted to do something else for 1 night.

Last year along with our trip to the Villages we did Disney and enjoyed dinner at the Flying Fish and the Cirque du Soleil. It added some nice variety to the trip.

So this year we were aiming to find a venue for just one night since our villa is for 6 nights. We are considering a return to Flying Fish since we enjoyed that so much but I was thinking something new and different would be fun also.

[SantaClaus]

Flying Fish is quite good and the atmosphere on the boardwalk is great at night. I think you'd really like either Citricos or Narcoosse's at Grand Floridian if you like FF.