A Wise Old Owl at Thurston House

Wise Owl

It seems fitting to have this Buzza Company print hanging in my B&B office. Of late we have been entertained a lot by the local birds, specifically the owls. One in particular seems to love to swoop and hoot. We have named him Cyrus, in honor of the original owner of this magnificiant 1885 Queen Anne Victorian Central Florida home, Cyrus Brooks Thurston.

Just two streets away from us is the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. A short stroll will get you to their gate. Step inside and experience the wonder of these creatures. The center is not only home to many owls, but also to eagles, hawks, vultures, osprey, and more! You can even adopt a bird in honor of a loved one, a unique and thoughtful gift!

Cyrus, the Thurston House owl

Of course you can just sit on our porch rocking away and let them come to you. We call it our guest entertainment. Come see, at Thurston House, our Central Florida bed & breakfast!

The lure of a hammock…

North Orlando B&B Thurston House hammock

Many guests come to our North Orlando bed & breakfast exhausted and ready for much needed relaxation. Cell phones, laptops and I pads are often left in the car or hidden out of sight in their guest room just so they can experience what true peacefulness is. They usually find their way to our special hidden place, the upstairs sleeping porch. The highlight of this porch area overlooking Lake Eulalia is the wonderful string hammock. Many a guest has fallen asleep as the hammock gently rocks and the sun shines lightly on their faces.

Don’t you need some hammock right now? 

Sizzling Summer Central Florida B&B Special!

Thurston House front porch

Our Central Florida bed & breakfast announces SIZZLING rates for the month of July & August. Enjoy a stay that is two or more consecutive nights and automatically get a 20% discounted rate! Just use the coupon “Summer Sizzle” when booking online.

There is lots to do in the Maitland Winter Park area of Central Florida, and Thurston House B&B is right in the middle of it all. Before or after your wonderful breakfast enjoy our nice & cool porches, then head out to tour museums or step into fabulous shops. At lunch there are so many choices, most with Al Fresco dining options. Come back to your beautiful guest room for a short rest and cool down, then enjoy the porch again at 5pm for a snack while trying to decide which of the many restaurants to go to that night. Our location amid 8 acres of lakefront land assures you of a peaceful nights sleep!

Full Sail University, For Over 30 Years!

For over 30 years, Full Sail University has been providing advanced classes for those who want to learn about the music and film industry. Now their cutting edge campus teaches anything that has to do with the entertainment business. Classes offered include computer animation, film, games, music recording and show production, just to name a few. The campus has steadily grown into a technological and creative playground, with studios, labs and amazing facilities.

Full Sail students filming

We have enjoyed many Thurston House Central Florida B&B guests who are coming into Full Sail for one of their monthly graduations, or to settle in a new student to the area. Students have actually filmed a movie here, and NBC News filmed Matt Lauer doing an interview on our porch. Our North Orlando bed & breakfast is just a short drive away from their Winter Park campus, and also from downtown Winter Park and Park Avenue.

January Events Near Thurston House

The start of a new year always brings some interesting events to Central Florida. Our Maitland bed & breakfast is a great place to stay while taking in all there is to do and see.

Have you ever seen a manatee? Guests already have enjoyed seeing record numbers at this Florida State Park – Blue Springs. It is a designated manatee refuge and winter home to increasing numbers of West Indian manatees. The yearly manatee festival is January 22 & 23rd. Orange City, where the park is located, is a short 30 minute drive north of Thurston House.

For something completely different, Culture & Cocktails is a new monthly event at the Maitland Art Center. The first one will be held January 14th from 6-9pm. The event will have featured artists, musicians and even some food & drink! The center is a nice stroll or a short drive from Thurston House.

Zora flag

Just down the street from our Central Florida bed & breakfast is the yearly festival to honor Zora Neale Hurston. The street party will take place 1/29 &30, and is free and open to the public. Come enjoy ethnic food, art and music!

Keep tuned for information on more wonderful events near Thurston House!

Tis the Season – Central Florida Style!

1st camellia of the season!

The season is upon us in Maitland, Fl, at our Central Florida bed & breakfast. The reason I know this, is that the first of our camellia bushes has blossumed! Always first, this beautiful deep pink camellia is right by the parking area, greeting guests with its beauty. Soon the yard will be awash with all different types and colors, from large petal red ones, to small delicate white ones…they amaze me with their beauty every year.

oranges

Our orange and tangerine trees are starting to ripen too, and will be nice & sweet, ready to make juice by early January. Guests are always encouraged to take tangerines home with them as there is always an over abundance! Book your Thurston House room now and enjoy a bit of holiday cheer.

NBC News Comes to Central Florida B&B!

Thurston House, the only bed & breakfast lodging in Maitland and Winter Park, had some excitement here this week.

NBC News with Matt Lauer

Matt Lauer, of NBC’s Today Show,  interviewed a local family on our beautiful front porch. The setting was peaceful but the story is unsettling. This is the story of the Dad who got fed up with his special needs daughter being bullied on the school bus. Matt did interview them in NYC last month and this was a followup to the story. The Dad, James Jones,  has been chosen one of NBC’s People of the Year for 2010! Tune in on Thanksgiving evening to see this – NBC’s People of the Year With Matt Lauer, November 25 – 9pm. See if you recognize the porch!

Carole Ballard the Innkeeper with Matt Lauer

This was the first time I had met Matt. He was very gracious, interested in everything, a very calm interviewer, and he loved my banana bread! What more could I want???

Maitland’s Cultural Corridor


The City of Maitland in Central Florida is renowned for it’s wonderful neighborhoods, great neighborhood parks and even CULTURE! The Cultural Corridor starts at Lake Lily Park, home to the Waterhouse Residence & Carpentry Shop Museums. Also overlooking Lake Lily Park is the Maitland Civic Center, a location used for antique shows, receptions and all sorts of other events. Traveling along the corridor is the historic Maitland Library building, the Maitland Senior Center, the Maitland Historical Museum and the Antique Telephony Museum. At the far end of the Cultural Coridor is the unique Maitland Art Center. So much to do in Central Florida. Book your getaway now at Thurston House bed & breakfast!