things to do - Orlando and Clermont Real Estate

Orlando’s Best Vegetarian Restaurants

Orlando Area Restaurants for Vegetarians That’ll Even Make a Burger Lover’s Mouth Water

People who live in Orlando not only live in some of the best real estate areas ever but they eat well too! Check out these fabulous restaurants in the Orlando area for the lean mean leaf eaters:

Dandelion Communitea Café

Located at 618 N Thornton Ave in Orlando is this 4.5 star rated cafe that serves yummy clean and local food. They are Certified Green by Green America for their highly sustainable practices.

While you’re there, you must try the sweet potato bowls with cilantro dressing, hummus, fluffernutter sandwiches, and a variety of to-order teas. Mmm mmm good!

Maoz

Located at 4200 Conroy Rd in Orlando is Maoz where flavors come alive in your mouth. It’s in a food court at the mall, but, foodies- just step up to the plate and give it a chance! Tasting is believing!

Hubbly Bubbly Falafel Shop

Come on down to 3405 Edgewater Dr in Orlando for this 4 star shop where there are tons of options including beef, chicken, pork, fish, lamb, and steak substitutes which are so good they could fool even the most stubborn of carnivores.

Beans Bikes And Bordeaux Restaurant

This four star restaurant located at 3022 Corrine Dr in Orlando is a bike-friendly, coffee-loving, vegetarian-happy café that is simply every hipster’s dream. However, the deal sealer is what you won’t be able to find probably anywhere else: vegetarian cheesesteaks. You’re welcome.

Niles Ethiopian Restaurant

This place is rated 4.5 stars and you’ll find it at 7048 International Dr in Orlando. This place is so good, it’s the perfect place for first timers to Ethiopian cuisine! And, if you’re already a fan, then here’s your new favorite place to get it.

You’ll want to order the chef’s combo and chase it down with one of their yummy honey wines.

Green Kitchen

Green Kitchen can be found at 7055 S Kirkman Rd in Orlando. Rated four stars, you’ll see why this place is so fabulous with with delicious and fresh food that includes gluten-free, lactose-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. Dietary restrictions are not a problem here!

Pom Pom’s

Come to Pom Pom’s Teahouse at 67 N Bumby Ave in Orlando. You’ll see why they’re rated 4.5 stars, when you bring even your meat-eating friends and they leave full and happy.

Skyebird Restaurant

Skyebird is located at 3201 Corrine Dr in Orlando and is rated 4.5 stars.

They have an unbelievable selection of fresh-pressed juices that will convince you that it’s way more than just a passing trend. They also have a mind boggling selection of delicious takes on super healthy snacks like kale chips that come in flavors like coconut curry and pizza. Yum!

Veggie Garden

Come to 1216 E Colonial Drive #11 in Orlando and experience AFFORDABLE veggie cuisine! The food here is healthy, delicious, and inexpensive. You can load up on fresh summer rolls and pho with veggies and tofu for under $12.

Want to know more about living in Orlando? Check out this blog!

Images from La Melodie, David Stanley & Bobbi Bowers Flickr

Easter Activities in Clermont Florida

Come do Easter in Clermont, Florida!

Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest

From March 27th through April 4th, come to Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest for an Easter egg hunt, visit with the Easter bunny, and many other activities as well as concessions, face painting, jumping pillow, ziplines, pony rides, petting zoo and more! Admission is free. For more information email joditheelf@gmail.com

Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt by Faith Point Church

Come from 5 to 9pm on April 4th to 290 Citurs Tower Blvd in Clermont for a Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt, Easter Truck-n-treat, food trucks, candy, prizes, vendors, rock climbing wall, and more! Don’t forget to bring your flashlight! This is a free event for ages 2-12.

Resurrection Sunday Easter Egg Hunt by The Lakeside Church

Join us April 5th from 11 to 2:30 for an egg hunt and Easter Service. The topic/theme this year is “Who is This Man?” This is a free event for ages 2-11. Located at 100 Countyline Court Oakland, Fl.

Arise Easter Egg Hunt by Arise Christian Church

Come to 10306 John Wycliffe Blvd in Orlando on April 5th from 9:30am to 1:15pm for Easter service and an Easter Egg hunt. This event is free and the hunt is for kids aged 1 to 10.

Easter at C/Life by C/Life Orlando Church

Come to 8700 Conroy Windermere Road in Orlando on April 5th from 10am to 1pm for an Easter celebration that includes a helicopter dropping 5,000 eggs on the grounds! This event is free and geared towards those aged 0-18.

Family Friendly Easter Egg Hunt at Park Lake by Park lake Presbyterian Church

This happens April 4th from 10am to 11am at 309 East Colonial Drive in Orlando. The event is free and is for ages 0-12. This annual Easter Egg Hunt also includes crafts, games, the telling of the Easter Story, and more. Please bring your basket and then join us again on Sunday for a pancake breakfast and Easter service.

Free Pancake Breakfast and Egg Hunt by Pershing Avenue Christian Church

Come to 2000 Pershing Avenue in Orlando from 9am to 12pm on April 4th for a free pancake breakfast and egg hunt. The hunt will be broken up by age group and is for kids from birth to 13 years old.

The Big Hunt in the Big Field by Reformation Lutheran Church

This happen on March 28th from 10am to 1pm at 800 E. Michigan Street in Orlando. This is a free event for ages 1 to 12 with clowns, face painting, photo booth, kids crafts and games. Please bring your own baskets!

Easter Activities and Events in Clermont and Winter Garden

Are you and your little ones looking for a little fun Easter weekend? And possibly some free candy? Well head on over to Newton Park, 29 West Garden Avenue for the Winter Gardens Lions Club Annual Easter Egg Hunt.

The event is being held on Saturday April 4^th and begins at 1:00PM. The egg hunt is free for all visitors however, only babies and kids up to twelve years old are allowed to take place in the hunt. Sorry moms and dads, you will have to buy your own candy. Now some kids might need to have some special accommodations and the park is ready to accommodate them. Just call 407-656-4155 or email recinfo@wintergarden-fl.gov at least one week before the event starts so they can be ready for it. So grab all of your pink, blue, and green baskets and your bunny ears, and hop on over to Newton Park for the Winter Garden Lions Club Annual Easter Egg Hunt.

For those looking to make a fresh start this spring the Lake Minneola Half Marathon, 12K, and 5K will be taking place at Clermont’s Waterfront Park. The marathons will be taking place on April 25^th and they begin as follows: the ½ marathon at 7:00AM, 12K at 7:30AM, 5K at 7:40. And for those looking for a challenge there will be live plants awarded as prizes to some of the top runners in each of the marathons.

Each runner will also receive a medal upon finishing, post race food, and a souvenir t-shirt. Depending your registration date the prices will increase, currently the ½ marathon is $75, the 12K is $38, and the 5K is $28 but these prices will only last until 4/18 and then they will increase so make sure to register soon. Also make sure to register by 4/12 so that you can get your proper t-shirt size. So grab your running shoes and water bottles because the race is on.

For more information, please contact me anytime! I specialize in Winter Garden real estate, Clermont lakefront homes and all properties in the area.

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