Thurston House Goes Social!

Thurston House Bed & Breakfast North Orlando

Thurston House, the only North Orlando bed & breakfast accommodation in the Maitland/Winter Park area, has partnered with local businesses and attractions to provide a LivingSocial Escape deal – “Summer Solace on Lake Eulalia“. This Escape deal went live at 5am, July 13th.

Open for business for almost 19 years, innkeeper Carole Ballard keeps up with the latest in marketing tools. Always active on FaceBook and blogging, Carole reaches out to past, present and potential new customers constantly, working hard to attract guests to this area. Thurston House guests enjoy all the amenities of a fine accommodation facility, but also appreciate this areas wonderful local attractions, shopping and restaurants.

 Partnering with Thurston House in this LivingSocial Escape are the Art & History Museums – Maitland and Bosphorous Turkish Restaurant in Winter Park. What a deal and it is almost over. The special runs until midnight tonight!

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? 

Plan ahead for Central Florida Fall Jazz!

One of our favorite things to do is to attend a Leu Garden’s Jazz Stroll. These wonderful night time events take place from 6-10pm. We never miss the Spring & Autumn strolls. Guests have already contacted me about when the next one will be as they want to fly down here from PA just so they can stay here at our North Orlando B&B again, and also attend this October event. They were here at Thurston House during the Spring event but were obligated to attend a wedding.

Path through Leu Garden’s Sculpture Garden

Our North Orlando lodging is the perfect place to stay when visiting Leu Gardens as we are only a short drive away. Get creative and pack a scrumptous picnic dinner to bring. Be sure to include your favorite beverages!  Throw in a couple of chairs or even a blanket and you’ll be all ready to set up near one of the three jazz bands. Get yourselves settled, grab a glass and fill er up, then stroll the many lighted paths that meander through this gorgeous 50 acre botanical garden. This year the Fall Stroll is October 15th. Tickets go on sale a couple weeks in advance and they do usually sell out!

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.

Lake Eola Park, Orlando

Lake Eola Park is popular destination in downtown Orlando, with many people taking advantage of the beautiful surroundings to stroll around or sit on one of the many benches. The sidewalk that circles the lake is .9 miles in length, making it easy for visitors to keep track of their walking or running distances. Other activities available to park visitors include renting swan-shaped paddle boats, electric gondola boats, feeding the live swans and other birds inhabiting the park, seeing a concert or a play in the Walt Disney Amphitheater, grabbing a bite to eat at Relax Grill on Lake Eola or relaxing amid beautiful flower beds and a spectacular view of Orlando’s skyline. Don’t miss the Battle of the Bulge monument too! Sunday mornings bring a wonderful farmer’s market to the park, with a variety of produce, great eats, and gift items.

Lake Eola Park Fountain

In the middle of the park is the well photographed curved shaped fountain. It is undergoing a major renovation right now, but the city hopes to have it done by the yearly 4th of July festivities. This amazing event brings people from all over to see spectacular fireworks. Arrive early, set up a blanket or chairs and enjoy all of the day’s events. Once it gets dark, the fireworks will begin, set off over the water. Book your room now at Thurston House our Central Florida B&B and come see what this Orlando event is all about! We are only 6 miles from the park.  

Taylor Swift Coming to Orlando!

Coming June 4th to the Amway Center in downtown Orlando is Taylor Swift and her Speak Now Tour 2011. This is one of the most highly anticipated musical experiences of the year. Renowned for incredibly high-energy theatrical presentations, this show will featue amazing graphics, sets and visuals. Taylor herself will play a variety of instruments and will have a multitude of wardrobe changes. Special guests to the show will be NEEDTOBREATHE.

Hurry and buy your tickets before they are sold out. Then book your room at our north Orlando B&B Thurston House, located in Maitland and just 5 miles from the Amway Center!

Art & History in Central Florida!

The Maitland Art & History Association just launched a brand new website! This new site better reflects their mission to the community of Maitland North Orlando after they merged the Maitland Art Center and the Maitland Historical Society several months ago. Check out their facilities, including several museum buildings, and plan your visit to this wonderful area. Be sure to check the list of current events and even classes that are offered periodically. You can even hold a special event, such as a wedding or baby shower, at one of the organizations several venues. And they are all just minutes from our Central Florida B&B, Thurston House!