The Lake Ashton Florida retirement community is perfectly situated to take advantage of the many attractions found throughout Central Florida. From theme parks to natural parks, art museums to historic sites, you can take a day trip or make a short getaway vacation without having to go far at all.
If you enjoy camping and unsullied nature, but also like the option of sleeping in a cabin instead of a tent, a trip to Deland’s Hontoon Island State Park may be just the ideal spot for you. Accessible only by boat, a free five-minute ferry ride is available to transport you to the peaceful island in St. Johns River. You can go for the day and do some hiking, fishing, or just enjoy the natural habitat. However, if you’d like to stay overnight, you can camp in your own tent, or rent one of the rustic cabins available for $30 a night. You provide your own sleeping bags and cook over a campfire, but have the benefit of not sleeping right on the ground, offering a bit more comfort and convenience.
If you prefer grand houses to rustic cabins, plan a visit to Sarasota Bay and see the Ca’ d’Zan, the stunning Venetian-style mansion built by John and Mable Ringling of the Ringling circus empire. There’s no subtlety here, as you can imagine. Instead, you find rooms inspired by the Doge’s Palace in Venice and plenty of interior decoration brought directly from Italy. With 30 rooms and 14 baths, along with a 2 ½-story roofed court that serves as the main living room, the home not only offers stunning views inside the house, but also has spectacular views of Sarasota Bay. On the third Thursday of each month, a cocktail party is hosted on the terrace of the mansion. From 6-9 p.m., you can enjoy live music, a beautiful sunset, and food and drinks. Seating is limited, so register in advance is you want to enjoy the cocktail party.
History and nature buffs can combine their passions by visiting Turtle Mound in Canaveral National Seashore’s northern district, close to New Smyrna Beach. The 50-foot mound was built between 800 AD and 1400 AD, by Native Americans called “Surruque” by explorers. The mound is made almost entirely of 2.5 million bushels of oyster shells that the locals dumped. The purpose is still unknown, but it was more than a trash dump. It may have served as a lookout spot or even a home for a chief. Visitors can access the top of the mound via a shaded boardwalk and come up with their own ideas of its purpose.
Of course, one of the reasons people choose a Florida retirement community like Lake Ashton is the proximity to the water. Rivers, lakes, gulfs, and oceans are all within easy reach. If the idea of a lazy day spent on the water appeals, take a water taxi down the Halifax and Indian Rivers between New Smyrna Beach and Ponce Inlet. Travelling between the Marine Discovery Center, the Inlet Harbor Marina and Restaurant, and Riverside Park, a round-trip ticket costs just $15. The whole trip on a 42-seat pontoon boat lasts for about two hours and gives you great views that are only available by boat. From dolphins to deluxe riverside homes, you are sure to see some stunning sights.
These are just a few of the many activities available in Central Florida. Make a day trip or spend a couple of days away, taking in the activities, shopping, dining, and more that are always available.
