There is no shortage of things to do within the gates of Lakeshore by Simple Life. Some of the amenities we offer include a 3,500 sq. foot amenity center with a pool, fitness center, yoga facility, and open-air pavilion with beautiful views of Lake Andrew. However, if you are in the mood for a change of scenery, you can travel just 1 mile away to The Villages® and take part in any of these Top 5 Things To Do As A Non-Resident At The Villages® in Florida.
Retail Therapy at The Villages® Spanish Springs Town Square
A distinct feature of The Villages® is the Spanish Springs Town Square. One of the three town squares in The Villages®, Spanish Springs opened in 1994 and sports a distinct southwest flare. Populated by adobe-colored shops surrounding a central meeting space, complete with viga-studded walls and a gazebo. Spanish Springs looks like a plaza one might find in Santa Fe but with a Florida twist thanks to the palm trees and fountains. A few of the restaurants, shops, and entertainment currently open in Spanish Springs are:
- Chico’s, Talbot’s, Brylah Fashions, Bermuda Bay Clothing, Patchington – clothing boutiques
- Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center – performing arts theater
- Coastal Del Mar – seafood grill
- The Kings Gallery – art gallery offering framing
- Soma – lingerie shop
- The Corkscrew Winery
- Kilwins – old-fashioned confectionery chain specializing in chocolates and ice cream
- Margarita Republic – bar & grill
- Spanish Springs Lanes – local bowling alley
- Shades On the Square – sunglasses retailer
In addition, Spanish Springs has free entertainment every night, plus parades and special celebrations throughout the year, from Cinco de Mayo to Halloween.
Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center
The Villages® in Florida has long been known for providing a variety of popular entertainment at numerous venues, 365 days a year. The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center is a multi-level theatre seating just over 1,000 guests and offers a variety of artistic disciplines.
On any given night you can catch concerts, comedians, dance performances, musicals, and operas, Broadway shows, and national recording stars. In its eight years, The Sharon has welcomed to its stage Willie Nelson, Jay Leno, Peter Nero, and more!
The Villages® Takes You On a….Lake Cruise
One of the most popular attractions at Lake Sumter Landing at The Villages® is the Lake Sumter Boat Tours. The Lake Sumter Line gives passengers a unique view of Lake Sumter Landing from out on the calm waters of Lake Sumter.
Dressed up like an old fishing boat, the blue and white boat with yellow and white canopy seats up to 15 guests. The tour itself lasts around 20 minutes while the captain and first mate share stories about the history of the area. The tours run seven days a week from 4 PM until sunset and the cost is just a couple of bucks a person!
The Villages® Florida Introduces You To Golf With a Saddle
Avid polo enthusiast and celebrity Sylvestor Stallone once said, “Playing polo is like trying to play golf during an earthquake.” In Central Florida, there is nowhere better to watch and participate in such an earthquake! For more than 20 years The Villages Polo Club has provided a true polo experience for spectators and polo players from around the world. The 250-acre facility offers two full seasons of play. You can enjoy a match from the three-level stadium where no seat is a bad seat.
Once a year the Polo Club hosts The Villages Balloon Festival, a gathering of dozens of hot air balloons as well as entertainment, food, and even tethered balloon rides. The event attracts thousands of visitors and is an event in Central Florida not to be missed!
It’s a Dog’s Life
Dog parks in The Villages® offer fenced-in, leash-free doggie playgrounds with both large and small dog areas. Some are smaller and are reserved for residents only but some such as the Brinson/Perry Dog Park are fenced-in play areas, open to the public (for a small fee) for both large and small dogs. Because it is leash-free, your pup can run freely and socialize with other dogs. Brinson/Perry also has dog-specific amenities like water and waste stations for your dogs’ comfort and your own!
With all the amenities and resort-quality attractions, it is easy to see why The Villages® was named the fastest growing Metropolitan Statistical Area for the decade 2010-2019. At Lakeshore in Oxford, Florida, you can own your own small cottage home, live a right-sized life, and enjoy all the amenities of Central Florida and The Villages®, at your own pace.
Lakeshore is only one mile away from The Villages®, which means you can take in a Polo match, a mid-afternoon meal, or a sunset boat ride, and quickly get back home to your private, boutique-style cottage community with native oaks, and a 40-acre lake for the day’s last glass of Shiraz.
