Farmers’ Markets Near Orlando: Three You Must Visit

FARMERS’ MARKETS NEAR ORLANDO: 3 YOU MUST VISIT

With a growing number of Floridians interested in locally-sourced ingredients and organically grown produce, Central Florida’s farm market scene is especially vibrant. With Florida’s temperate climate, guests of Thurston House, our Orlando area bed and breakfast, can visit several local farmers’ markets year round. On any given weekend, you could find 20 markets within a half-hour drive of the inn. Here’s three you must explore that are just a few quick minutes away.

Florida farmers’ markets are a great showcase of local products because many markets stipulate that vendors grow, make, or process the ingredients in the products they sell. This means the honey, fruit, bread, herbs, or jam you buy is likely from Florida. And most are as fresh as a few days old. Also, farm stands are usually represented by the farmer or the farm workers, meaning you can ask questions firsthand about how the food was grown or made.

WINTER PARK SATURDAY FARMERS’ MARKET

In particular, the Winter Park Saturday Farmers’ Market is the number one produce and plant market in Central Florida. Every Saturday morning from, over 50 vendors gather to sell their fresh produce, plants, baked goods and more. Mason, of Winter Park Urban Farms, is one of our favorite farmers, cultivating gardens in back yards around town and offering seasonal produce harvested just the day before market. Set up in the Central Park West Meadow, across from the old train depot, the Winter Park Saturday Farmers’ Market is a popular gathering place for locals, and their dogs, on the weekends.

MAITLAND FARMERS’ MARKET

On Sunday mornings, the Maitland Farmers’ Market is a fun place to spend a few hours. Located in downtown Maitland on Independence Lane, nearly 25 vendors are excited to greet you. Shop fresh produce and fruit, plants and flowers, crafts, food, and more. Get a croissant or made-to-order crepe from Chez Vincent Bakery before stepping across to Blessed Bean Coffee for a fresh cup of java. There’s live music provided courtesy of Performing Arts Matters and kids always enjoy inflatable slides and games in the park.

ORLANDO LAKE EOLA MARKET

The proximity of our Central Florida B&B to Orlando makes it an easy 10-minute drive south to another local market on Sundays. The Orlando Farmers’ Market, in its 35^th year, is held at Lake Eola Park near Downtown Orlando, every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. More than a traditional farmers’ market, you will also find crafts, gifts, wine and jewelry in addition to fresh produce and baked goods. Always family friendly, take the kids and dogs for a great afternoon on the banks of Lake Eola.

Here’s a list of other Central Florida markets to explore if time permits: “Top 10 Farmer’s Markets in Central Florida” You’re sure to find a tasty snack or the perfect souvenir at one of these Orlando-area Farmers’ Markets when you stay at Thurston House Bed & Breakfast near Orlando.

Central Florida Kayak Tours!

Peace of Mind Kayak Tours for Central Florida Kayak Tours

Since Central Florida enoys an abundance of lakes, kayaking is very popular. The Winter Park area is very popular for Central Florida Kayak Tours and a local company called Peace of Mind Kayak Tours awaits your reservation.

The Winter Park Chain of Lakes Tour is quite popular and it leaves from the Rollin’s College area, just 3 miles from Thurston House. See Florida at its finest, traveling in 3 lakes by way of tropical canals that were originally built for logging.

Other locations are available for Central Florida Kayak Tours, or you can just rent a kayak and go off on your own. The City of Maitland has 22 lakes, all natural, and just waiting for you to explore them.

Central Florida Art Under the Stars 2015

Coming up soon is a Maitland Rotary event Art Under the Stars. It is held 11/13-15 and will feature only 135 artists. Only the best have been chosen to be in this show. It is one of the only art festivals that starts on a Friday and goes into the night. Live entertainment will be playing softly in the background, and food & drink will be available to purchase.

Set on the shores of beautiful Lake Lily, the show is only a few minutes walk from Thurston House, North Orlando’s finest bed & breakfast. Make a great getaway weekend plan, book your room, bring your walking shoes and enjoy Art Under the Stars in Maitland.

Besides the show, enjoy some of the other wonderful attractions in this area such as the Audubon Birds of Prey Center, Maitland Art & History including their art center and historic house museum, the Morse Museum of American Art, the Scenic Boat Tour and so much more. Ask the innkeeper for ideas of other things to do, and also where to eat. Many different types of restaurants are within a 10 minute drive, and a few are walkeable too.

Theater in Winter Park Central Florida

The Winter Park Playhouse is Central Florida’s only professional musical theatre. Located in Winter Park just north of downtown Orlando, the theater is only minutes from Thurston House Bed & Breakfast. Winter Park is reknowned for its Park Avenue area, with fabulous shopping and wonderful restaurants. This theater is just minutes away from there!

From Off Broadway musicals such as “Dames at Sea”, to Musical Reviews like “I Left My Heart”, a salute to the music of Tony Bennett, there is sure to be something of interest for everyone at Theater in Winter Park!

The lobby bar is home to its Spotlight Cabaret series. Next week Tim Evanicki will delight you with “Cheaper Than Therapy”. Arrive early as space in the lobby bar is limited.

The theater is open year round so check out their upcoming shows a variety of shows. Buy your tickets, and book your room at Thurston House. What a great Central Florida getaway featuring Theater in Winter Park!

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.

New Years Eve North Orlando

In 3 weeks it will be the end of the year 2013. Wouldn’t you like to celebrate in some manner? First, book your room at Thurston House Bed & Breakfast, the perfect place to spend New Years Eve North Orlando Maitland. Don’t worry, we do offer a later breakfast New Years Day!

Next, decide how you want to spend your evening. Are you up for a wonderful dinner out? How about a fabulous dinner at Flemings Steak House? Would you rather order up a wonderful brick oven pizza from Antonio’s Cafe and sit on the porch staring at the moon and the stars? You could drive over to Park Avenue in Winter Park and stroll around, stopping in at a variety of places for a bite here and a sip there. People watching is a favorite thing to do along the avenue! And it is only a short drive from our North Orlando Bed & breakfast!

James Bond is back at the Enzian Theater, a movie and a party too, just in time for New Years Eve North Orlando! You can stroll over to the theater from Thurston House in 10 minutes. Have a blast, enjoy the show, then end your evening back at our secluded small Central Florida bed & breakfast.

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!

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!

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!