What's In Palm Coast?

Palm Coast - right between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach along the scenic A1A River- and the River to Sea Preserve, Palm Coast offers a perfect mix of golf resorts and lush nature parks.With a population of around 80,000, the town is small enough to be quaint, and large enough to offer some sound tourist attractions. Since Palm Coast was developed and did not organically grow, you will not find that many historic landmarks there. However, two things really stand out and make Palm Coast worth a visit!

Palm Coast Farmer's Market

Every Sunday, at the European Village in Palm Coast, you can find a diverse and well-visited gourmet farmer's market. In the summer, the market is open from 4-7pm. Locally grown produce as well as artisan foods are part of the offerings of this market. 

• Culinary artisan olives, oils, vinegars
• Artisanal truffles and chocolates
• Fresh citrus juices, 100% Arabica fresh roasted coffee
• Fresh baked breads and desserts
• Cheeses, seafood, and jerk seasonings
• Grass fed meats and more

In addition the market also features arts, crafts, and designer pieces: 

• Handmade soaps and lotions, amazing crystals and shells
• Beautiful crafts and stones
• Native silversmith jewelry and more
• Original Designer Works

Plenty of restaurants and bars invite you to sit down for a drink and a bite, or stroll with your drink! Whether you live along the Central Florida Coast or are visiting, take a trip up to Palm Coast one of these Sundays to experience this vibrant market!

Admission is free. European Village, 101 Palm Harbor Parkway, Palm Coast 32137

 Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is  a place where you will find unanticipated beauty. It is located on a barrier island and contains remarkable natural spaces with the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Matanzas River to the west. 

Because of its unique coquina rock formations, the beach side of the park is not for swimming, it’s for exploring. Low tide is the best time to investigate the secret world of the tidal pools enclosed in the ancient coquina.

The middle of the park is no less beautiful; it is dominated by a live oak hammock with majestic, 200 year old trees covered in Spanish moss. Within this hammock lies the heart of the park – a twenty acre botanical garden. Within the center of this heart – a lovely watercourse fed by an artesian spring.

Admission to the park is $5 per car. The park is open from 8:00 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year. 6400 North Oceanshore Blvd., Palm Coast, Florida 32137, 386-446-6780

You can enjoy activities, such a First Friday Garden Walk with a park ranger who will tell you all about the history of the park - and a Second Saturday of the month plant sale. There is an exquisite rose garden, as well as the famous Washington Oak itself - 300 year old tree that has withstood the test of time!  So take a jaunt up the coast to see this beauty yourself!

Creative Florida Living

Janet Sells

COOL HOMES FOR PEOPLE WITH BOATS: PONCE INLET SOUTH EDITION

What kind of boat do you have? Or, rather, what kind of boat do you WISH you had? Do you see yourself sailing your Mason 44 from your dock to the Bahamas or British Virgin Islands? Do you want to speed your fishing boat to the Gulf Stream and make a haul? Is your idea of heaven cruising on the Halifax River or Indian River Lagoon with your friends in a roomy pontoon boat? Or, do you yearn for the quiet of dipping your paddle in the water and exploring Spruce Creek and landing some mangrove snapper?  Clearly, there are many different ways to enjoy boating, and there are just as many different places to put your dock so your fantasy can become your reality.  If you are ready, then you need me, a great realtor! 

The focus of this week's blog is on the fantastic homes I have run across in the New Smyrna Beach Area, which offer the best docks for the many purposes listed above. Check out these beauties!

Riverside Drive 

On Riverside Drive in New Smyrna Beach you can have a small powerboat, pontoon boat or personal watercraft docked at your home with access to the Intracoastal Waterway. 

 

PLUS there is a gorgeous three story guesthouse with an open kitchen, lots of porches, and birds eye views of the NSB Yacht Club. The main house has 3 Bedrooms and 2 Baths and was built in 1940. It has been beautifully renovated with an up-to-date kitchen, glossy wood floors, and stunning views of the water. Walk or bike to the restaurants on Canal Street and the Farmer’s Market. Priced at less than $1Million, the water and close proximity to the Inlet, guest house, and cool neighborhood make this a great deal for the right people! The realtor for this listing is Pat Collardo of Collardo Real Estate.

Indian River Lagoon

 

The Indian River Lagoon is a beautiful, quiet place to have a pontoon boat. This property is on a navigable canal with a boathouse with a table to eat crab and boiled shrimp.  The day I visited, I was seduced by the cooling breeze off the water, the shady and calm, green canal, and the manatee who disappeared before I could take her picture! Your family and friends will love your new weekend getaway, or winter vacation home. Priced at $374,000, you can afford to spruce it up AND buy that boat you’ve been wanting. Realtor for this listing is Karrieanne Para of Collardo Real Estate.

 

Beach Side!

Located on the beach side of New Smyrna Beach, this three-story Mediterranean house has a dock for your sail boat AND a dock for the power boat, which you will need because you are so close to Ponce De Leon Inlet and Disappearing Island! Beach side means the sand is a short jaunt away, and trendy Flagler Avenue with it’s restaurants, boutiques and night life is close by. If $2 Million is in your budget, this dock home is for YOU!  
The realtor for this listing is Erin Schwarb of Keller Williams Realty.





Contact me, Janet Rabe-Meyer, for more information, a tour, and help shaping your vision of Florida Living! 

 Creative Florida Living

Janet Sells 

Underrated and Unknown Attractions in Central Florida II

If you live in Central Florida, you know that there is always something fun to do. And if you are visiting, you are probably here to experience some of those fun things. Most notably are, of course, the Disney Parks near Orlando, that draw millions of visitors every year. But those parks are pretty pricey, especially if you are going with your family. 

However, not to fear! Here are some great attractions and activities that are not expensive and some are even free! Moreover, they are not as well known, so you may not encounter hordes of people when you go. 

Mount Dora Museum of Speed

Mount Dora Museum of Speed is small but mighty. It is packed with some of the rarest auto history you’ll find anywhere in Florida. The museum includes an odd collection of cars, clothing, neon signs, signed guitars and a lot more.

The museum is privately owned and operated, so it is good to call ahead and make sure they are actually open. Some of the cars on display are for sale, so if you’re in the market, you might find your classic car gem here!

This quirky showcase is ranked in the top 3 of things to do in Mount Dora on Tripadvisor, and it is a fun activity to integrate in your Mount Dora visit (where you should go anyway, because Mount Dora is awesome!). 

The museum is open Monday – Friday from 10AM-5PM. Admission is $15. The guided tour costs $20 and requires a minimum of 20 people. No people under 14 are allowed in the museum. Call 352-385-0049 to see if they’ll be open when you want to go!

M&M’s World

Yes, you read it – M&M’s WORLD! 

It’s at the Florida Mall in Orlando. 

You can meet life-size M&M characters! In person!  The M&M World is a fun shop to explore with some interactive exhibits but the M&M guys are what make this retail experience a must see if you’re at the mall.

There is a lot of stuff to see and buy – and of course there are M&M’s. Not much else to say here… M&M’s… mmmm! 

There are a lot more Central Florida attractions we will explore. Whether you live here year round, are visiting, or are thinking about relocating, Florida is THE entertainment state!  

 Creative Florida Living

 Janet Sells