Art & History Together North Orlando

Yes, Art & History together north Orlando. Three new exhibits just opened at the fabulous Art & History Museums – Maitland. Just minutes away from our Central Florida Bed & Breakfast Thurston House , you can hop in your car or take a short stroll over there. Yes, Art & History together here in Central Florida!

Exhibit #1 – The Maitland Art Center continues to honor the legacy of founder Andre Smith by bringing back the Artist-In-Residence Program. The first artist who has spent 6 weeks living and working on the grounds is Josette Urso. She worked primarily in the gardens making oil paintings, watercolors and drawings.

Exhibit #2 – Heavy Metal – No, not music but abstract arrangements of painted metal and found remains, innovative works by Rocky Bridges.

Exhibit #3 – Family Ties – No, not the TV show! With this interactive exhibition you can learn how to trace your own ancestry while you explore the history of Maitland’s founding families.

Such a unique and wonderful facility, a place where you could easily spend a few hours just enjoying the gardens and gallery. There is even an outdoor chapel and courtyard with wonderful Mayan themed artwork. Don’t forget about the fabulous gift shop too!

Remember, that is Art & History together, here in beautiful Maitland Central Florida!

North Orlando’s Rollins College Family Weekend!

Announcing North Orlando’s Rollins College Family Weekend! School is back in session at Florida’s oldest continually running college, Rollins College in Winter Park. Once the students are all settled in for the school year, the college hosts a Family Weekend. This years dates are 11/1-11/3. This fun filled weekend bring families from all over the world, to share in all the festivities. Remember, that is North Orlando’s Rollins College Family Weekend!

Thurston House our North Orlando Winter Park Bed & breakfast is just minutes away from campus, but a nice and quiet intimate accommodation. Our 8 acre wooded location is perfect for a quite read in the upstairs hammock, or grab a colorful rocking chair on the downstairs wraparound porch overlooking Lake Eulalia. Late afternoon snacks are offered, and the full breakfast each morning is world class! Rollins students have been known to join their family for breakfast, or even for a sit on the porch in the afternoon, a nice respite from their busy college life. Book now as rooms are sure to go fast!

Reason’s Visit Maitland Florida

There are many reason’s to visit Maitland Florida. We have had people stay at Thurston House Bed & Breakfast in Central Florida North Orlando for a variety of reason’s such as visiting local family, doing business, visiting our wonderful museums, attending a wedding or other event, and so much more. Maitland is a smller city so all attractions can be strolled to our driven to in just minutes!

One of the most unique reasons guests visited Thurston House was an out of state couple, avid corvette collectors, who specifically came to the North Orlando area on their last Florida night. Visiting Roger’s Corvette was high on their list of things to do! This local instituation has been selling corvette’s since 1965.

It’s location is just a couple of miles from Thurston House, on Rt.#17-92, Orlando Avenue. Our guests spent hours there and really enjoyed seeing Roger’s personal collection, amassed over many years. They promised they will be back when they are ready to buy their next one!

North Orlando Lodging Special!

North Orlando Lodging Special – For a very limited time, enjoy accommodations at Thurston House, our Central Florida Bed & Breakfast Inn, for only $185 nightly plus tax! This is for any room, from now through 9/3. BOOK NOW for best choice of room and dates.

north Orlando lodging special Thurston House hammock

There is so much to do and see in our Central Florida area, from visiting the Audubon Birds of Prey Center 2 streets away, to enjoying tapas and music at Jazz Tastings just a short stroll up the street. Maitland is also host to several wonderful museums, including the Maitland Art Center, the Maitland Historical Museum, and the Waterhouse Residence Museum. Top off your day at a wonderful restaurant such as Antonio’s la Fiamma, SoNapa or Rangetsu, all sure to please. This north Orlando lodging special won’t last long so be sure to book your room soon!

Rollin’s College Graduation Time!

Rollin’s College Graduation time! Another May and another Rollin’s College Graduation coming up this weekend. We love that we have had manyRollin’s parents stay here over our 20 years in business. It is nice to be a part of their life journey. They have come from far and wide – Switzerland, St. Croix, Maryland, Colorado, California, New England and so many other places. This weekend we welcome parent’s from Minnesota to our North Orlando Bed & Breakfast. It is always interesting to have guests from there as that is where Mr. Thurston was from, and where he was placed on the Social Register and Who’s Who in Business lists back in the late 1800’s.

It’s going to be a perfect week for the festivities! We say goodbye each year to some of the families, but always gain a couple new ones to stay here in there place. And so it goes….

Renninger’s Antique Extravaganza this week!

Renninger’s Antique Extravaganza this week! The first of 3 yearly Renninger’s Antique Extravaganza’s is this week! It all starts Friday morning and runs through the weekend. Dealers from all over the country come and showcase their wonderful collections.

Don’t you have a special something you have been searching for? This is the place to find it. From dishes, to furniture, to hard to find first edition books, you can find it at the Renninger’s Antique Extravaganza this week! While you are at it, book a room at Thurston House B&B, just a short ride away. After your long day you’ll be able to relax on our wonderful wraparound porch while trying to decide where to enjoy dinner. There are so many options, and all just a few minutes away. Hurry and book now as there is only one room left!

Zora Festival 2013!

Zora Festival 2013! This year the festival theme says it all – “Zora’s Eatonville: Culture as Conservator of the Community’s Heritage” .

It is an outstanding line up of education programs, information about the roots of Eatonville, Haitian Art Stroll, outdoor festival of the arts, food trucks and MORE! Starting Saturday, January 26 and ending Sunday, February 3, this event Zora Festival 2013 will attract those from near and far…even Russia!

Thurston House, a north Orlando Bed & Breakfast, is proud to be just a short stroll up the road from this vibrant small community, the nation’s oldest incorporated African American municipality.

North Orlando After Holiday Relaxing

Okay, you made it through most of the December holiday times and you really need to relax and restore your spirit. What better way then to spend a day at beautiful Leu Gardens in North Orlando?! Explore an amazing 50-acre botanical oasis minutes from downtown Orlando. Visit the many varied garden areas, each designed specifically to inspire visitors to appreciate and understand plants. The Leu House Museum located in the heart of the gardens reveals turn-of-the century living for the families who once called this home. The gardens and historical home were donated to the City of Orlando in 1961 by Mr. Harry P. Leu and his wife, Mary Jane.

Right now the gardens are alive with hundreds of camellia blooms, many gorgeous roses, fantastic fruits & vegetables, and all sorts of other plants. The pathways all around and through the gardens offer peaceful places to sit, relax and reflect.

So, book a room at Thurston House bed & breakfast, only a short drive away from the gardens, and start taking care of YOU!

10 Ways To Enjoy Your North Orlando Holidays

Let’s face it, the holidays can be tough on your time and energy. What are some of the ways you can step back, relax, and really enjoy the holidays?

1. Attend the Culture and Cocktails Event at the Maitland Art Center on Friday December 14th. Art, history and good food offerings combined together to make it a wonderful night out in a beautiful place.

2. Go skating – There are two places that offer skating to the public, RDV Sports Center in Maitland and the City of Winter Park. Yes, it is cold and icy some places in Central Florida!

3. Walk around beautiful Lake Lily and enjoy the park decorations and the Christmas tree.

4. Stroll Park Avenue in Winter Park for fabulous dining and shopping.

5. Shop for holiday gifts at the Maitland Art Center gift shops. Find one of a kind items for fabulous prices!

6. Park at Lake Lily, stroll around a bit then take a short walk to one of the great dining options that are right there. From Rangetsu Contemporary Japanese dining, to So Napa’s wine inspired food offerings, to Antonio’s Cafe and Trattoria…what more could you desire?

7. Be inspired at the Morse Museum’s fabulous collection of Tiffany. The museum is all decorated inbeautiful holiday splendor.

8. Try to find the Waterhouse mouse, hidden among the Victorian decorations at the Waterhouse Residence Museum.

9. Stroll around Winter Park Village where fine dining, shopping and even a movie theater await you. Try Mitchell’s Fish Market or Truffle’s Grill, two of our guests favorite places to dine.

10. And the most important suggestion – book a night at North Orlando’s finest bed & breakfast, Thurston House in Maitland. Everywhere you look there are holiday decorations and soft music playing. Relax in your room, or on one of the porches and just enjoy the calm that is what we are most famous for. Don’t you deserve this?