Adopt Manatee Gift Idea

Adopt Manatee Gift Idea for that last minute – What to get for someone who has everything??? Adopt a real manatee and help protect an endangered species at the same time. Funds from the Club’s Adopt-A-Manatee program go toward efforts to help protect manatees and their habitat.

Unlike other animal adoption programs, the manatees in the adoption programs are real, living manatees with known histories. You even have the opportunity of seeing your adopt manatee gift idea at one of three locations in Florida. The closest to Thurston House Bed & Breakfast our Central Florida lodging accommodation is Blue Springs Park. Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees, creating a safe haven for the West Indian Manatee. To provide a safe warm water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run are closed to all water related activities, including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating from November 15 through March 15.

The park is just a short 30 minute drive from Thurston House our Winter Park area bed & breakfast lodging, and truly a world away. The natural old Florida setting is a wonder. There are walking paths, boardwalks, viewing areas and even an historic home to tour – Thursby House. Learn about the history of this former busy shipping port. With the Adopt Manatee Gift Idea your recpient can actually head to the springs and try to pick out their adoptee from the many swimming around in the warm waters.

November North Orlando

November is the perfect weather month for  the crinum lily by carla to bloomNovember North Orlando is the perfect weather month to be at our Central Florida Bed & Breakfast Thurston House. The weather starts getting down to the 50’s in the evening, and doesn’t usually go over 80 degrees in the daytime. The yard starts to become more lush now that it is cooler, and fall colors start to show. Mums add a bit of color to the landscape, along with the usual penta’s, blue daze, crinum lilies and even the Golden Rain trees. We note that there are many buds on the 40+ camellia bushes and keep watch for that first one to pop open.

November is the perfect weather month for sitting on frontPorch

5pm brings guests to gather on the porch, a place where we like to joke that we solve all the problems of the world. Of course it depends on who is there and where they are from, so it can get very interesting! November in North Orlando is also the perfect time to stroll along our walking paths and residential streets, meandering past beautiful houses, parks and lakes. Come let us show off for you…book now! We are minutes from Winter Park, Rollin’s College, and downtown Orlando too.

November is the perfect weather month for the Golden Rain Tree at Maitland B&B
Golden Rain Tree at Maitland B&B

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!hammock with afternoon sun by carla

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.

hammock with afternoon sun by carla

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.