First and foremost have a good time.

Since no one has mentioned it, end of Augustus into September is peak Hurricane season. Just keep an eye on the weather before you come down, also while you are visiting. Just keep an eye on the news.
If a storm looks like it is coming to Florida things will shut down and tourist will start to head home, locals will start looking for evacuation shelters depending on where they live.
My wife and I watch Mikes Weather Page during storm season along with other weather outlets on the internet.

Once again have fun.

There is a Shooters World in the Villages. You do not need to go to Orlando. It is a very nice. https://shootersworld.com/shoo...door-shooting-range/

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:
There is a Shooters World in the Villages. You do not need to go to Orlando. It is a very nice. https://shootersworld.com/shoo...door-shooting-range/

Even Better, forgot about that one since we don't venture up there much, either way, they should go!


Venture outside of the Villages to a good local hangout on Lake Weir, Gator Joes Beach Bar and Grill, we stop in when on the motorcycles up there, local fare, on the lake, has it's own beach, sit outside on the water, have a cold libation, it is down the road from the original location of the last stand of Ma Barker and her son with the FBI...

https://www.gatorjoesocala.com/

You can go see the house

https://mabarkerhouse.org/

I've not been there but the Bok Tower Gardens and Carillon is supposed to be beautiful. It's at Lake Wales and may be too far for a day trip.

flashguy

You’re pretty far north on the gulf coast to get to a beach. Clearwater is the northernmost beach that would be reasonably accessible and it’s a solid two hours. I hit an east coast beach and visit one of the nature coast towns on the gulf side - Cedar Key, Homasassa, Steinhatchee, etc. That way you get your beach visit, see some of old Florida, and don’t spend a ton of time in the car. Rainbow River is beautiful and the Florida history museum in Gainesville is very good, if you like that sort of thing.

For a gulf coast beach, I highly recommend Honeymoon Island state park. It opens every day at 8am and it has a capacity of 10,000 people. It's all beach and parking lot. Park, walk to the beach, done. Parking is like $8 per vehicle and there are thousands of parking spots. If you get there at opening, there's plenty of parking.

At peak tourist season, it will reach capacity at around noon.

There are seawalls that create little lagoons along the beach. You can wade out to the seawall and stand on top of them and see all sorts of fish. I've been out there a few times already. Dolphins regularly cruise by and swim into the lagoons.

https://www.floridastateparks.org/honeymoonisland

It's just north of Clearwater Beach.



Enjoy!

Tony.

St Pete, Clearwater & Madeira Beach, all very nice beaches

Wow, thanks for all the replies. I have some research to do!

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this but "The Villages" are known to be an interesting place to visit for people of sexual appetites, to put it mildly. I have been told by a few of my coworkers,some of whom may have participated and through the f.d. pipeline up there, there is truth to the odd sexual conduct of people who live there. Not saying everyone is into it but it is a known thing about it here in Florida.

If somebody offers you a loofah just run. Lol

Dont leave your garage door cracked open...

quote:

Originally posted by patw:
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this but "The Villages" are known to be an interesting place to visit for people of sexual appetites, to put it mildly. I have been told by a few of my coworkers,some of whom may have participated and through the f.d. pipeline up there, there is truth to the odd sexual conduct of people who live there. Not saying everyone is into it but it is a known thing about it here in Florida.

This is just an absurd rumor that started years back when someone wrote there was a high percentage of STDs. Also a false rumor. The Villages has over 150,000 residents over 3 counties. It’s not some secluded cult of deviants.

quote:

Originally posted by patw:
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this but "The Villages" are known to be an interesting place to visit for people of sexual appetites, to put it mildly. I have been told by a few of my coworkers,some of whom may have participated and through the f.d. pipeline up there, there is truth to the odd sexual conduct of people who live there. Not saying everyone is into it but it is a known thing about it here in Florida.

You may do a little research before you post. It's pretty far from what you're describing. While I'm sure every community has swingers and people who participate in that lifestyle, as a whole, that is not the community at The Villages as I understand. With 150k people, I'm pretty certain there are people from all walks of life.

I have read one article that corroborates what you say. I've read over a hundred that are very different from what you say. It's not just a big Lemon Party down there.

Here is a pretty interesting documentary on The Villages. I have watched a lot of Peter's documentaries, and I think he's decent at reporting the truth. This is what started our interest there.

My wife and I watch a lot of the villages, YouTube channels. After one day staying there for our lifestyle visit we knew that this was where we would retire.

Clearwater Beach is really nice, it's well taken care of but if kids are going as well, I don't think it's a place for children. Expensive there.

Pass-A-Grille is a family friendly beach.

Are you into bicycling? Lots of places to do that with dedicated trails.

Speed limits: I75 and I95 say 70 or 75. Flow of traffic is closer to 80-90. I4, you takes your chances. Don't even bother with I4 going through Orlando most of the time. Awful traffic, awful drivers, lots of accidents.

Get a Sun Pass for tolls. You can get them at Publix and load it via their website.

quote:

Get a Sun Pass for tolls. You can get them at Publix and load it via their website.

Not a bad idea if you are going to go down to Orlando and spend time as we have plenty of toll roads, for the villages area, it's not really needed unless you plan on running up and down the Turnpike, it does make access to the high speed lanes for you and those are a plus.

Updated with Map of Toll Roads in CFL Link

This message has been edited. Last edited by: HRK,

My middle son has been down there for two years now. Concerning the weather I was told if the Waffle House is open you're okay.

quote:

My middle son has been down there for two years now. Concerning the weather I was told if the Waffle House is open you're okay.

^^^^^^^^
That is a half truth. Somewhat of an old wives tale. Watching the weather makes a lot more sense. The corporation is so money conscious they would be open with the waves crashing through the door.

quote:

Originally posted by goose5:
My middle son has been down there for two years now. Concerning the weather I was told if the Waffle House is open you're okay.

Their is something called the Waffle House Index. It is kind of based on how bad the damage in the area is by what the restaurants status is.

Is it closed and how quickly can it open if at all.
Is it serving a full menu.
Is it a limited menu kinda based on the restaurants ability to get supply's and if the area has power or they are using a generator.

A friend of mine who worked in disaster preparedness years ago told me about it.