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.

November North Orlando

November 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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

The Holidays Arrive in Central Florida!

This weekend kicks of the official start to the holidays in Maitland, North Orlando Central Florida. The Season of Light is a beautiful event, starting at 5pm at Lake Lily Park. Many will be on hand to witness the tree lighting, and a surprise guest will be showing up during the evening. Could it be Santa? The Waterhouse Residence is all decked out and will be open for tours too!

Thurston House Bed & Breakfast is just a short stroll away from all the festivities. Think of us while you are reviewing your “Naughty or Nice List” too. Thurston House gift certificates make a perfect gift for those who really don’t need anything, but would appreciate a bit of innkeeper pampering. You can call us at #407-539-1911 or even easier, purchase online. For those who purchase in the next two weeks, for each $100 you buy you will receive an additional $15 gift certificate!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from Thurston House!