There’s a New Reason to Visit Orlando!

You read that right. There’s yet another fabulous reason to visit Orlando coming in 2015. I-Drive 360 is one of the top new Entertainment Complexes in Central Florida and the Sunshine State and it’s all the buzz. It’s opening is scheduled for the Spring of 2015 and will be home to the long awaited, and anxiously anticipated Orlando Eye Observation Wheel. This Orlando Eye Observation Wheel will be the main attraction to be included in the recent $200 million revitalization of the I-Drive hotel and convention area.

Much sought after Orlando and Clermont real estate is located within a short drive of I-Drive 360. You can choose from desirable communities such as Clermont, Minneola, Regency Hills and Winter Garden.

Are you wondering what else you can do at the I-Drive 360 Entertainment Complex? Well, the Orlando Eye Observation Wheel is just the cherry on a very tasty cake of…

Stuff to keep you busy at the I-Drive 360 Entertainment Complex

The Orlando Eye – Observation Wheel
World’s Tallest Roller Coaster ‘Skyscraper’
Madame Tussaud’s Orlando Wax Museum
Sea Life Aquarium
Yard House Brewery
Dick’s Last Resort
Shake Shack
Outback Steakhouse
Bar Jour Wine Bar
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Shop
Additional Shops and Restaurants Coming Soon!

For quite some time, I-Drive has been a destination spot for tourists in the Orlando area. It’s close to Central Florida theme parks, and is also home to the Orange County Convention Center, and therefore remains a favorite for visitors and locals. With the coming of 2015, it will be even more of a fan favorite for those who call Orlando home as well as those who are just passing through. Image by InSapphoWeTrust Flickr

For more on the Orlando area, check out:

– Winter Garden Village Has a New Owner

– What to do When Your Offer is Rejected on a Home in Clermont

Lake Minneola Scenic Trail

Are you looking for something to do this weekend with your family in Clermont, Florida? How ’bout hitting the trail? You’ll love it and the next time someone tells you to go “take a hike” you’ll be more than happy to and know exactly where to go!

The South Lake Trail mainly known as the Lake Minneola Scenic Trail is only about 20 miles west of Orlando and takes in some of central Florida’s most breathtaking views. This seven mile paved trail is the place where you’ll find the most hills, lakes and wide open vistas in the region. This trail is perfect for biking, walking, inline skating and is also wheel chair accessible.

Additionally, the trail is only five miles from the West Orange Trail and soon there will be plans to connect the two. At the midpoint of the trail, signs point to a 0.25 mile spur for the Minneola trailhead which is a great spot to park your vehicle.

Near Lake Sumter Community College on North Hancock Road is where the trail starts on top of a hill. When the weather is good and the sky is clear you’ll take in spectacular views of the region including the span between the lakes to the Orlando skyline. What could be better? The first two miles of the trail move down hill toward Lake Minneola in Clermont and are pretty easy. Streetlamps allow for good lighting and use of the trail at night time.

The trail skirts the south shore of the lake, providing for excellent scenery. Clermont Public Beach boasts refreshingly cool water and convenient trail side amenities including restrooms, picnic tables, and parking. The last mile of the trail wraps around the lake to the western trailhead.

Should you take any of the side streets leading away from the lake, you’ll end up at various shops and restaurants in downtown Clermont.

– Inspections to Have on a Lake Front Home in Clermont

Holiday Events in Minneola

Minneola, Florida is a very festive place to be during the winter holidays. Check out these great events in the Minneola area.

Wine and Chocolate Festival happens on December 15th in Clermont at Lakeridge Winery. Enjoy chocolate and wine while local artists and crafters display. Live music by amazing bands can also be heard at this fun event.

New Year’s Eve at Universal CityWalk® begins at 8:00pm on New Year’s Eve at City Walk at Universal Studio. You’ll enjoy decadent food and astounding entertainment at the party everyone has been waiting all year for! There will be six different party zones and Orlando’s biggest outdoor dance floor! Come ring in the new year right!

Orlando Fashion Square Christmas Parade will be December 15th at 5:30 in historic downtown Orlando. This is their 81st edition of this parade!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day come to Capone’s Dinner and Show in Kissimmee, Fl. Every paying guest will receive a free etched glass souvenir. You’ll enjoy a holiday dinner buffet, endless Bud Light, and amazing dessert. Price does not include tax or gratuity.

NYE 2014 Party happens New Year’s Eve of course starting at 9:00pm at Howl At The Moon in Orlando. There will be a rocking dueling piano bar and just dance tickets that do not include seating or food package start at $65.

Rosen Plaza Christmas Day Lunch Buffet 2013 will be at 12:00pm at Grand Ballroom at Rosen Plaza Hotel. Give your family the gift of a day out at this exciting event. Holiday favorites will be served as well as some special items. There’s sure to be something for everyone on the menu and you’re sure to love the desserts and complimentary wine!

These are just a few of the amazing events happening during the holidays in the area. Come check some out and have a very merry Christmas.

Where is Winter Garden Florida?

Wondering where is Winter Garden Fl?

There’s only a couple Winter Gardens in the entire US and one of them happens to be in Florida. (The other is on the other side of the US in California but we’re going to talk about the one in Florida)

Winter Garden Florida is located between Clermont and Orlando just South of Lake Apopka. The town is nestled on Florida’s Turnpike and the Daniel Webster Western Beltway or at the intersection of Highway 91 and 429. It’s bordered by Oakland on the West, Ocoee on the East the Lake on the North and Windemere to the South. It’s about 14 miles West of downtown Orlando and about 10 miles East of Clermont. It’s part of the Orlando Kissimmee Metropolitan statistical area with a population of less than 35,000. Although it’s surrounded by water with several lakes in the middle of it, over 15 mi.² are land and less than 1 mi.² is water.

View Larger Map

The historic downtown Winter Garden area is a collection of artistic shops and restaurants, cafés and coffee houses, Museum and performing arts venues, shops and boutiques. Toward the southern end of the city is the Winter Garden Village at Fowler Groves which is a multiplex chain of retail and dining establishments with an open-air shopping center that includes a Target, Best Buy, and Lowes.

Home prices in Winter Garden Florida range from about $130,000 to about $350,000. To the south there are some more higher and estates and mansions from a $500,000 to over 1.3 million. But the majority of homes in downtown winter garden usually range between $100,000 and $300,000.

Your Florida and Orlando Expert

I love living, working and playing in the area and if you love it just as much, give us a call to find your perfect dream home in the Orlando real estate market. I help buyers and sellers in Winter Garden, Clermont, Minneola and all over the Orlando area. Where know where to live in Orlando!

Holiday Events and Festivals in Clermont Florida

Holiday Activities in Clermont, Florida –

Light Up Clermont – City of Clermont is Clermont’s biggest event of the year. This year, the highly anticipated holiday extravaganza happens November 30th and December 1st. This event has been a tradition for 24 years! Festivities include a parade, vendors, food and performances! Come take in all the Christmas season has to offer as your presence helps light up Clermont!

Not too far from Clermont, in nearby Winter Garden, you can take part in 12 Days of Christmas. This event turns downtown into a winter wonderland running from November 30 – December 22. All the regular Christmas traditions can be expected and anticipated! Christmas lights, shops, vendors, live music and entertainment will keep your senses buzzing. As well as a farmer’s market, Santa’s workshop and even horse drawn carriage rides! Christmas in Winter Garden is a fantasy come to life.

Winter Garden also hosts the Winter Garden Santa run. This event is special in that local police, fire department and city helpers along with Santa will travel the streets of the city bringing holiday music, candy and Christmas cheer! You will find them making their way through the streets December 10-14 from 6-9. For specific dates and parts of town visit the website.

But wait! Winter Garden festivities don’t end there! Light Up Winter Garden and the Winter Garden Christmas Parade are more fun events just waiting to be the place where your favorite holiday memories are made.

If Christmas lights are what light you up, hop on over to Minneola, Florida and check out Jays Lights. Jay designs, builds and programs computerized light shows at his home. He does this for other main holidays as well, such as Halloween, but Christmas is the real glittering extravaganza that you won’t want to miss! It is both entertaining and astonishing! Check it out and you won’t be sorry! Photo by AlejandroLinaresGarcia

Your Florida and Orlando Expert